November 20, 2009
The Board of Regents of Washington State University met pursuant to call in Open Meeting at 9:00 a.m., on Friday, November 20, 2009, at the Compton Union Building, Room 204, Pullman, Washington.
Present: Regent Michael Worthy, Chair; Regents Theodor Baseler, Scott Carson, Harold Cochran, Elizabeth Cowles, Francois X. Forgette, Laura Jennings, Connie Niva, and Kasey Webster; President Elson S. Floyd, and Executive Assistant to the President and Board of Regents Christine Hoyt.
1. Report from the Chair of the Board of Regents. Regent Worthy welcomed everyone to the meeting. He commented on the eventful couple of days that have taken place on campus. He thanked the Regents for their participation in attending the WSU Children’s Center Open House, the Olympia Avenue Open House, and a dinner meeting with the Eastern Washington University President and Trustees. He added that some Regents will also be staying for the Former Regents’ Meeting that will take place after the Board of Regents Meeting. Lastly, he indicated that the following weekend, both Boards from Washington State University and the University of Washington will meet with Governor Gregoire prior to the Apple Cup football game in Seattle.
2. Report from the President of the University. President Elson S. Floyd thanked the Board for the opportunity to report. He said that he will deviate slightly from his standard protocol and share with the Board a summary of comments he made at a national conference recently in Washington D.C. He said that it is important for the Board to have a better understanding of his views on some of the national issues impacting education throughout the country. He said that there is no doubt that we will continue to experience declining revenues and that institutions across our country will have to figure out ways of diversifying their revenue bases. He added that institutions will do so in a whole host of ways — first by establishing active partnerships with state governments, the federal government and local entities to effectively leverage resources better than before. He said that research manifested through information technology and technology transfer will become even more important in the days ahead and the commercialization of the work of faculty will become one of the salient features as we look at a much more diverse revenue flow associated with our institution. He indicated that research will continue to manifest itself in the basic form, but that also applied research and contracted research will increasingly become important in the days ahead. He further stated that there will be increased pressure for institutions across our country to enroll more students, and that we must do so in a way that does not compromise the quality in the classroom and research laboratories. He said that there will be increased public pressure for greater accountability and that accountability and transparency will become even more important.
President Floyd also reported that there is continued skepticism on the part of the public relative to the value of colleges in our country. He added that institutions across the country have done a fabulous job with globalization at our respective institutions, but the reality is that there are states now questioning the state’s contribution in the current environment because we have done such a great job extending ourselves otherwise. He said that institutions must begin to “fine tune” their pricing policies and that we must engage in active conversations with the legislature regarding tuition authority and the ability of the Board of Regents to set tuition. He said that there is continued international competition, and much of the technology used internationally is technology that we actually created and exported. He said that there is a need to greater understand the international environment.
President Floyd stated that innovation will be the key to future growth and prosperity for college universities all across our country. He said that if institutions expand their role and responsibilities within respective states, it must be done in a planned and funded way — if the planning is not there, the funding is not there, and then new programs should not be promoted. He added that program alignment must occur with state, federal and local priorities and that we need to make sure that we have a curriculum that is relevant in our state, in our local communities, and with the federal government. He said that we must examine every program and service that we engage in and make sure those programs and services are efficient and avoid unnecessary duplication. He said funding within our respective states should be stable and predictable and that we should have it in a very transparent and dedicated way. He said that we need to talk with legislatures across our country regarding the future funding patterns and stability associated with those funds. Lastly, he thanked the Regents for the service and leadership they provide to WSU.
3. Minutes. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the minutes of October 9, 2009. Carried.
4. Reports from University Groups. Representatives from each of the university groups—Faculty Senate, Administrative and Professional Advisory Council, Associated Students of Washington State University, Foundation Board of Governors, and the WSU Alumni Association—reviewed their reports as submitted. Graduate and Professional Student Association President Jason McConnell, was unable to attend. (Individual written reports may be found on-line at the Board of Regents website or requested from the President’s Office.)
5. Academic and Student Affairs Committee Report. Regent Harold Cochran reported that the Academic and Student Affairs Committee had met and reviewed the action items for revisions to the Faculty Manuel and the establishment of the University College. He said that they heard reports from WSU Spokane Chancellor Brian Pitcher and WSU Vancouver Chancellor Hal Dengerink. He also said that Vice President Grimes provided research overview and highlighted that submission of proposals from last year have increased 31 percent, new research awards in FY 2009 increased by 13 percent, and that he also provided a research forecast for 2010. He commended Vice President Grimes for his outstanding work. Lastly, Regent Cochran reported that Vice President Tate provided an update on the many different areas that technology is fueling student learning.
The Board took action on the following:
Revision to the Faculty Manual (Section III.D.5.b – Criteria for Promotion and Tenure. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the revision to the Faculty Manual inserting the words “by anonymous ballot” in the paragraph relating to academic units adopting criteria for tenure and promotion. Carried.
Establishment of the University College. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the establishment of the University College effective Spring 2010. Carried
6. External Affairs Committee Report. Regent Theodor Baseler reported that Vice President Wilson-Hale provided an update on the Campaign and year-to-date progress report and that she also provided a presentation on the evolution of development and campaign success from 1991 – 2009. He also reported that Athletic Director Jim Sterk provided an update on the activities taking place in the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. He said that the committee reviewed the actions of the 2010 Supplemental Budget Request and the Agreement between Washington State University and Washington State University 4-H Foundation.
The Board took action on the following:
2010 Supplemental Budget Request. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the revised 2010 Supplemental Budget Request to address the emergent need for funding the Core Computer Systems Phase I, which reduced the request from $22 million to $15 million. Carried.
Washington State University-Washington State 4-H Foundation Agreement. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the Agreement between Washington State University and the Washington State 4-H Foundation. Carried.
7. Finance and Audit Committee Report. Regent Scott Carson reported that the Committee received a State Auditor’s Entrance Communication report from Deborah Pennick. He indicated that they reviewed the action items to select a general contractor/construction manager for Phase I of the Biomedical and Health Sciences Building on the Spokane Campus and an amendment to add a Roth account to the WSU Voluntary Investment Program. He also reported that they discussed the future actions that will be coming up on the housing and dining rates; the schematic designs for the Veterinary Medical Research Building; schematic designs for improvements to the Recreation Playfield; an addition to the Consolidated Storage Building; renovation to the exterior of Bohler Gym; and to refurbish interiors and roof replacement to the Regents, and Scott/Coman Residence Halls.
The Board took action on the following:
WSU Spokane Riverpoint Campus, Biomedical and Health Sciences Building, Phase I, General Contractor/Construction Manager Selection (GC/CM) Selection. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents delegate authority to the President or his designee, to utilize the GC/CM process pursuant to RCW 39.10, select a GC/CM, and award contract(s) for Phase I of the Biomedical and Health Sciences Building, on the WSU Spokane Riverpoint campus, provided a Maximum Allowable Construction Cost (MACC0) can be established with the funds available. Carried.
First Amendment to the Washington State University Voluntary Investment Program. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve and adopt the First Amendment to the Washington State University Voluntary Investment Program to add Roth 403(b) accumulation accounts as investment alternatives for participants in the program. The Regents also authorized the officers of the University to tall all necessary actions to implement the Amendment. Carried.
8. Other Business. Regent Worthy reported that the Regents had met for 30 minutes in Executive Session beginning at 4:15 p.m. on Thursday, November 19, 2009, to discuss litigation matters with legal counsel representing WSU and had taken no final action on any matter that day.
The Board took action on the following:
Request for State Attorney General to Provide Defense for University Employees. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the request for defense by Washington State University employees Elson S. Floyd, President of Washington State University, and William (Max) Kirk, Associate Professor in the School of Architecture and Construction Management, in the case brought against them by Brian Caudle in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington. Carried.
Request for State Attorney General to Provide Defense for University Employees. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the request for defense by Washington State University employees Warwick Bayly, Provost and Executive Vice President; Frances McSweeney, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs; Erica Austin, Professor in the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication and Director of the Consortium for the Study of Communication and Decision Making; and Erich Lear, Professor in the School of Music, in the brought against them by David K. Demers in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington. Carried.
9. Adjournment. In closing, Chair Worthy announced that the next Regents’ Meeting would be held in Vancouver, January 28-29, 2010. The Board of Regents meeting adjourned at 10:15 a.m.
Approved by the Board of Regents at its meeting held January 29, 2010, at the Firstenburg Student Commons, Rooms 101-103, Vancouver, Washington.