May 7, 2010
The Board of Regents of Washington State University met pursuant to call in Open Meeting at 9:00 a.m., on Friday, May 7, 2010, at the Compton Union Building, Room 204, Pullman, Washington.
Present: Regent Laura Jennings, Vice Chair; Regents Theodor Baseler, Scott Carson, Elizabeth Cowles, Francois Forgette, Connie Niva, V. Rafael Stone, and Kasey Webster; President Elson S. Floyd, and Executive Assistant to the President and Board of Regents Christine Hoyt.
1. Report from the Vice Chair of the Board of Regents. Regent Jennings, Vice Chair of the Board of Regents, chaired the meeting for Chair Mike Worthy who was unable to attend. Regent Jennings welcomed everyone to the meeting. She mentioned that the Regents have a full schedule over the next couple of days, including attending Commencement ceremonies in Spokane and Pullman. She also mentioned that this will be the final meeting for many University group representatives and that the Regents would like to formally recognize their service during their reports.
2. Report from the President of the University. President Elson S. Floyd thanked the Regents for the opportunity to report and for their leadership. He stated that he wanted to keep his comments brief due to the many special presentations that take place for this May meeting and because of Spokane Commencement that will take place in the afternoon.
He said that there are a number of issues that they have been struggling with and at the top of the list is the budget. He indicated that at the last meeting of the Board of Regents, he reported that they will centralize for the time being, the $13.5 million dollar deficit that they have in place. He said that he believes that is the best approach for WSU and that they will use a number of other alternatives as they begin to balance the budget over the coming months. He added that he and Provost Bayly have spent a great deal of time with the leadership team within the institution regarding the development of a protocol and that they will get that plan executed as quickly as possible.
3. Minutes. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the minutes of March 26, 2010. Carried.
4. Reports from University Groups. Regent Jennings commented that this is the last meeting for Michael Swan, Connie Sakamoto, Derik En’Wezoh, and Rob Ellsworth, as representatives of their constituent groups. She thanked them for their service and said that the Regents have enjoyed working with them this past year. Each Representative provided a brief update in each of their areas. (Individual written reports may be found on-line at the Board of Regents website or requested from the President’s Office.)
5. Executive Committee. Regent Jennings reported that the first order of business for the Executive Committee was to review the candidates for the Regents’ Distinguished Alumnus Award. She thanked the members of the selection committee for pulling together such high quality candidates. Before taking action on the Regents’ Distinguished Alumnus Award, she asked for a motion from the Board.
Regent Carson recommended to the Board that they nominate Gary Brinson. He said that the contribution he has made over a long period of time to the institution has been truly incredible and his ability to serve as a key ambassador as we go into the campaign is also very commendable. Therefore, Regent Carson said that on behalf of his contribution to the University and the role that he will play for WSU in the future, he would like to nominate Gary Brinson.
Connie Niva seconded the motion and also commented that she hopes the other candidate will be brought forward again in the future, as it was very hard to choose.
The Board took action on the following:
Regents’ Distinguished Alumnus Award. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents designate Gary Brinson, a 1968 graduate of Washington State University as the recipient of the 2010 Regents’ Distinguished Alumnus Award. Carried.
Regent Jennings also reported that the Executive Committee discussed the election of officers for the next academic year and also the appointment of Treasurer to the Board.
The Board took action on the following:
Election of Officers. It was moved and seconded by the Board of Regents that Laura M. Jennings be elected to serve as the next Chair of the WSU Board of Regents for the year beginning May 16, 2010, and that Theodor Baseler be elected to serve as Vice Chair of the WSU Board of Regents for the year beginning May 16, 2010, with the understanding that he shall act as Chair pro tempore in the absence of the Chair, with the power to preside at the meetings and to sign all instruments required to be executive by the WSU Board of Regents. Carried.
Appointment of Treasurer to the Board of Regents. It was moved and seconded by the Board of Regents to appoint Joan King to the position of Treasurer of the Board of Regents, effective July 1, 2010. Carried.
6. Finance and Audit Committee Report. Regent Carson reported that they had a very long agenda. He added that they had a robust discussion with WSU’s Internal Auditor, Heather Lopez. He said that WSU has much to be proud of in terms of how the internal audit organization is serving the institution. He also stated that Ms. Lopez has been selected to participate in a peer quality assurance review the Audit Department at the University of North Texas and that her service there will be extremely valuable as WSU prepares for subsequent audits. Regent Carson also reported that Executive Budget Director Joan King presented an update on the budget, and that they have spent a great deal of time discussing the budget situation over the last year which always brings about tough conversations. He reviewed each action item for Board approval.
The Board took action on the following:
2011-2013 Biennial Capital Budget Request. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the recommended 2011-2013 Biennial Capital Budget Request and delegate authority to the President or his designee to approve minor changes or adjustments that may need to be made before the submission is finalized for presentation to the Office of Financial Management. Carried.
Allocation of Services and Activities Fees: Summer 2010 and Academic Year 2010-2011. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the allocation of Services and Activities Fees for Summer 2010 and Academic Year 2010-2011 as recommended by the Services and Activities Fees Committees and the Services and Activities Facilities Committees representing the Washington State University system. (Pursuant to the recommendation of all the Services and Activities Fees Committees, there is no increase of S&A Fees for the 2010-2011 academic year.) Carried.
Student Information System Core Replacement. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents delegate authority to the President or his designee to negotiate and execute all necessary contracts with Oracle, Inc., including its subsidiaries for the purpose of replacing the current student information system core at cost not to exceed $15 million. Carried.
Reimbursement Resolution Relating to Capital Projects. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents delegate authority to the President or his designee, the authority to identify in advance capital project expenditures that may be reimbursed from tax exempt bond proceeds or proceeds to Build American Bonds in the future. Carried.
WSU Pullman, Amendment to WAC Chapter 504-15, Parking and Traffic Rules. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents adopt the amendments to WAC Chapter 504-15. Carried.
Amendment to WAC Chapter 504-48, State Environmental Policy Act. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents adopt the amendments to WAC Chapter 504-48. Carried.
WSU Pullman, Renewal of Facility License for the Nuclear Reactor. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents authorize a Statement of Intent in support of the application for renewal of Facility License No. R-76 for the Modified TRIGA Nuclear Reactor, located on the Pullman, Washington, campus of Washington State University. The Board also delegated authority to the President or his designee to issue and sign the Statement of Intent for the application for extension of License No. R-76. Carried.
WSU Spokane, Approval of Dedication of Right of Way to the City of Spokane, Riverside Extension Project. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the dedication of right of way of certain portions of the WSUSpokane Campus to the City of Spokane for the construction of the planned Riverside Extension Project, and authorize the President or is designee to prepare dedication and to execute all documents necessary for that purpose. Carried.
7. Academic and Student Affairs Committee Report. Regent Kasey Webster Chaired the Academic and Student Affairs Committee meeting for Harold Cochran who was unable to attend. Regent Webster reported that the Committee heard from the WSU Spokane, Tri-Cities, and Vancouver Chancellors. He also said that they heard from Vice President Tate on WSU students promoting higher education through multicultural conferences. Additionally, he said that Provost Bayly discussed the changes to the Northwest Commission on the Colleges and Universities Accreditation Standards, Faculty Manual updates and revisions, along with future actions that will be brought before the Board extending degrees.
The Board took action on the following:
Faculty Manual Revision – Section III.H. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the faculty Manual revision in Section III.H. Carried
Recognition of Regent Kasey Webster. The Regents passed a resolution commending Student Regent Kasey Webster for his dedication and service to the University and the Board of Regents during his term as the twelfth student regent for the 2009-2010 academic year. Carried.
Regent Webster thanked the Board for the opportunity to serve. He thanked Chairman Michal Worthy for his tremendous support the past year, and was sorry he couldn’t be at the meeting to thank him personally.
Regent Jennings commented that the Board would also like to thank Regent Webster for his outstanding service and commended him for his work.
8. External Affairs Committee Report. Regent Theodor Baseler reported that the External Affairs Committee heard a report on President Floyd’s community engagement visits taking place around the State. He said that the visits involve discussions with many citizens demonstrating that WSU is a statewide organization helping the citizens of the State and that these visits have received excellent press coverage. Regent Baseler also said that they received on update on the Campaign and year-to-date progress report from the WSU Foundation.
9. Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of the Students Book Corporation. Confirmation. The Shareholders took action on the following:
Confirmation of Board of Directors. It was moved and seconded that the Shareholders of the Students Book Corporation elect the following individuals to serve on the Board of Directors:
One-year term to expire in May 2011:
Kevin Chastagner, Alternate Graduate Student Director
Brandon Graviet, Alternate Undergraduate Student Director
Caroline Grotheer, Undergraduate Student Director
Gregorio Guillen, Alternate Undergraduate Student Director
Two-year term to expire in May 2012:
Patrick Heneghen, Student Director
Teresa Jeans, Undergraduate Student Director Karen
Leonas, Faculty Director
Max Maier, Undergraduate Student Director
Carried.
10. Adjournment. In closing, Regent Forgette thanked the WSU Vancouver Student Leadership for attending the Regents meeting.
Vice Chair Jennings announced that the Regents will be heading to WSU Spokane for Commencement and will also participate in several commencement activities in Pullman over the next two days. She also indicated that the next Regents’ Meeting will take place in Pullman, September 2-3, 2010.
The meeting adjourned at 9:56 am.