November 22, 1996
The Board of Regents of Washington State University met pursuant to call, in Open Meeting, at 9:07 a.m. on Friday, November 22, 1996, in Room 148, Phase I Building, Riverpoint Higher Education Park, Spokane.
Present: Richard R. Albrecht, Vice President; Regents: Phyllis J. Campbell, Peter J. Goldmark, Joe King, and Carmen Otero; President Samuel H. Smith, Interim Provost Geoffrey L. Gamble, Vice President for Business Affairs Sallie A. Giffen, Vice President for Extended University Affairs Thomas L. Purce, University Counsel Sally P. Savage, Staff Senate President Francis Benjamin, Alumni Association President Ann Edlund, and ASWSU President Matt Caires.
Also present were: Vice Provost for Student Affairs K. J. “Gus” Kravas, Vice Provost for Human Relations and Resources Ernestine Madison, Budget Director Karl Boehmke, Associate Vice President for University Advancement Connie Kravas, Interim Vice Provost for Learning and Technology Mahmoud M. Abdel Monem, Assistant Vice President for Business Affairs Ernest J. Renfro, WSU Spokane Campus Dean William H. Gray, and Director of Statewide Affairs Larry Ganders.
1. Welcoming Remarks. Regent John Ellis called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Minutes. It was moved and seconded that the WSU Board of Regents approve the minutes of the meeting of September 20, 1996. Carried.
3. Granting of Degrees. It was moved and seconded that the WSU Board of Regents approve the recommendation of the faculty that the candidates appearing in Exhibit A be advanced to the degrees set above their names as members of the Class of October 26, 1996. Carried.
4. Report by University Groups. ASWSU President Matt Caires reported on the following issues: the first faculty/student joint senate meeting; the first joint student senate meeting with the University of Idaho; and joint projects between the WSU and U of I student senates, such as the finance and maintenance of the Chipman Trail between Moscow and Pullman. Mr. Caires also reported on the joint student body meeting with the branch campuses, where they discussed issues of concern such as the distribution of student fees and the benefit received back to the branch campuses for payment of these fees. In addition, Mr. Caires noted the great success ASWSU experienced with the voter registration drive, where approximately 3,000 student registered to vote, and the establishment of the student recreation task force formed to set up a student recreation facility on the WSU Pullman campus.
President Smith asked Mr. Caires to expand his discussion on the recreation center, and Mr. Caires responded that the students are planning for a facility that would include lockers, indoor tracks, pools, refreshment bars. He said one of the reasons they feel the students should have this sort of facility is that they have one of the largest intramural programs in the country and, in addition, there are many institutions such as WSU that have a
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recreation facility on their campuses. He said it is estimated the cost would be somewhere around $30 million.
Staff Senate President Francis Benjamin reported on four issues: workplace climate, including ways to make WSU more of a “family-friendly” university; parking issues; technology and the possibility of a training track for employees on computers and technology; and the upcoming consultants report concerning the University’s procedures relative to the handling of sexual harassment and other discrimination complaints, as well as improvement on the working climate for all employees at the University. Regarding the parking issue, Mr. Benjamin shared statistics from a recent survey that showed that the campus community is generally satisfied with parking services and the parking situation. Mr. Benjamin reported that the issue of a “park and ride” type of service was being investigated with a fair amount of individuals interested in this type of parking and transportation. Mr. Benjamin reported that the survey shows that there are needs at both ends of the spectrum, drivers do not conserve, so there are areas where they will work to inform the community how they can park better and that in addition, we are facing additional pressures on parking, with an increase of students. Mr. Benjamin said at this time, the survey results are completed, and they are currently working on a recommendation relative to this issue.
Alumni Association President Ann Edlund reported that during Homecoming in October, the Alumni Associated hosted the Class of 1971 at its 25th reunion. She noted also the Alumni Association held pregame events in Corvallis, Pasadena, and Stanford. In addition, Ms. Edlund said they have Apple Cup events scheduled from Alaska to Washington D.C. and that tomorrow they will hold an Executive Board meeting before the Apple Cup game and a past presidents reception, as well as two New Year’s parties in Seattle and Portland.
5. Higher Education Coordinating Board Report. Interim Provost Geoff Gamble reported that at the October 23 meeting of the HEC Board, two information items were on the agenda, including reports on reciprocity agreements with neighboring states and the restructuring of higher education, now called “transforming higher education.” He said the HEC Board is examining every institution in the state to see how they can be streamlined and that by the next meeting, he will have a report on this issue. He also reported that the HEC Board is convening a group of business leaders and university representatives to join a committee on this issue and that WSU will participate.
Dr. Gamble also reported that the HEC Board took action relative to the purchasing of the Riverpoint Building, which was part of the HEC Board budget request, and action on the WSU request. In addition, the HEC Board examined what they called a “low output report” concerning university programs that are underenrolled, so WSU will examine programs that may need to be eliminated. Dr. Gamble noted that the November 20 meeting was held by phone conference but that the HEC Board took no action on institutional budget requests or the K-20 program. He said they will do that at its January meeting.
Regent Campbell asked about the HEC Board’s focus on the streamlining issue, and Dr. Gamble responded that the Provosts have met and formed four goals, including
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accountability, access, cost, and efficiency. He said they are reviewing what can be done internally to focus efforts on issues affected in the state. He noted WSU has previewed the HEC Board’s efforts in its budget presentation, including informing them how WSU is changing its efforts and how these transformation efforts are nearly equivalent to those of the HEC Board.
Regent Otero asked whether the low output programs are clustered in a certain area or throughout the campus, and Dr. Gamble responded that they are clustered on the branch campuses. He noted, however, that as the branch campus programs are developed, this is predicted as a transitional phenomenon. As the campus grows, so does the interest in these programs. However, he stated that some of these programs will not grow and will be eliminated. He said the programs are not clustered by area.
Regent Albrecht asked about the process for doing the evaluation of non or less productive degree programs and whether or not the process includes an external review. Dr. Gamble said all programs were reviewed externally before being brought “on board.” All departments are being asked to do an analysis to inform them about what is going on and that if it turns out a particular program will never develop, funding for it may be discontinued.
Campus Dean Bill Gray stated that there are location issues to our advantage, such as moving the masters in speech pathology and masters in audiology to Spokane 5 years ago. They were small programs before but that in the Spokane environment, they are very strong. He said this is also the case with the design disciplines, as well.
6. WSU 1997-99 Budget Request and Higher Education Coordinating Board Recommendations. Interim Provost Geoff Gamble provided a presentation on a comparison of the 1997-99 WSU request to the HEC Board recommendations. He discussed the request for salary increases for all employees, enrollment increases, the learning and technology initiative, learning centers, the library database project, the faculty retention pool, infrastructure and unfunded mandates, the K-20 initiative, and various projects included in the capital budget.
Dr. Gamble said the HEC Board recommendation is one step of the process and that the Senate and House will also provide their recommendations with the eventual result being the issuance of a budget for the state’s institutions.
Please see Exhibit B for a copy of Dr. Gamble’s presentation.
Regent Albrecht commented on the removal of the Hazardous Waste Facility from the Capital Budget, and Dr. Gamble responded that projects were included in the Capital request based upon a priority of factors, with the issue of access and additional students being at the top. He said they put the money into areas where the students were not being serviced.
A short discussion on the Capital Budget ensued, with points being made that receiving predesign and design moneys are critical steps in a capital project and that equally
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important is that the legislature recognize the significance of particular projects, such as the molecular science building, for example.
7. Academic Affairs Subcommittee Report. Regent Carmen Otero provided the Academic Affairs Subcommittee report. She said the following seven items were discussed: 1) the annual update of WSU’s institutional program plans; 2) the impact of charging non-resident tuition for Summer Session; 3) accountability and assessment; 4) the Four-Year Degree Agreement; 5) the special enrollment report submitted by the Director of Admissions; 6) stresses on research and education at WSU; and 7) WSU Advanced Technology Initiative.
8. Technology Task Force. Regent Dick Albrecht reported that the Technology Task Force reviewed the progress WSU is making in converting various curriculums for use with high technology and the successes and failures in doing so. He stated that there is momentum in presenting education in this way and that the Regents are convinced the administration is managing this appropriately. Regent Albrecht also reported that the Technology Task Force held a discussion on curriculum materials that could be made available to other universities and the consideration of licensing our materials for use at other institutions.
A discussion ensued about the importance of monitoring changes occurring in technology and what WSU is doing to monitor those changes, as well as how WSU can utilize its students to provide leadership in this area. Also discussed was how WSU needs to be aware of the increasing marketability of its faculty as they become trained to teach and develop multi-media courses and use high technology.
Regent Albrecht reiterated the points Mr. Benjamin made earlier about making sure our staff, students, and faculty are trained to work in the changing environment.
9. Trust Lands/Business Affairs Subcommittee Report. Vice President for Business Affairs Sallie Giffen reported that the Trust Lands/Business Affairs Subcommittee had met and held a discussion about the ongoing concerns regarding the management of fees charged against the Morrill Act Agricultural Trust and how WSU can go about getting that money back into the trust to begin earning interest for assistance in the construction of buildings. She said they also discussed the pooling of expenses, rather than charging trust by trust, and ongoing issues relative to the Office of Financial Management and the legislature.
10. Contracts under Previous Delegation of Authority (under $500,000). Vice President for Business Affairs Sallie Giffen reported that on the authority delegated to the President of the University or his designee at the meeting of January 24, 1986, she has approved entering into the following contracts:
Viking Automatic Sprinkler Company, Spokane, for design and construction of fire sprinkler retrofit in the basement, ground and first floors of Holland Library, for a total project cost of $356,219, including sales tax and contingency to be paid from 1993-95 and 1995-97 Minor Capital Renewal funds.
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Cecon Corporation, Tacoma, for underground storage tank removal at the Steffen Center, Bohler Gym, the USDA Endo Disease Farm Utility Building, Smith Ag Engineering, Chemical Stores, Smoot Hill, and the Beef Center, for a total project cost of $218,703, including sales tax and contingency to be paid from 1995-97 Minor Capital Renewal funds.
R.R.A.CO., Inc., Spokane, for the remodel of rooms 506 and 507 in Science Hall, for a total project cost of $117,954, including sales tax and contingency, to be paid from 1993-95 and 1995-97 Minor Capital Improvement funds, 1997-99 Indirect Cost Recovery funds, and 1995-97 departmental funds.
Wind River Construction, Moscow, Idaho, for water piping replacement for the Veterinary Large Animal Field Facility, for a total project cost of $56,340, including sales tax and contingency, to be paid from 1993-95 and 1995-97 Minor Capital Renewal funds.
Northwest Fence Company, Spokane, for a play field fence on Grimes Way, for a total project cost of $36,908, including sales tax and contingency, to be paid from 1995-97 Student Facilities Capital Outlay funds.
11. Completion of Contracts (over $2,500). Vice President for Business Affairs Sallie Giffen reported that on the authority delegated to her at the meeting of June 24, 1994, she had approved satisfactory completion of the following contracts:
R.R.A.CO., Inc., for new vinyl siding and window replacement at the Terrace Apartments, in the final amount of $393,940.
Inland Coatings, for exterior painting of Chinook Village and Columbia Village, in the final amount of $376,000.
A. Noble, Inc., for fuel tank installation at Puyallup, Sumner, Buckley, and Vancouver, in the final amount of $194,886.
NISEI Construction Company, Inc., for reroofing of Hollingberry Field House, in the final amount of $192,194.
Collier Construction, for a partial second floor remodel of Commons Hall, in final amount of $67,586.
Boedecker Company, Inc., for boiler plant reconditioning and waterproofing of the chimney, in the final amount of $44,502.
Armor Glass and Gate, Inc., for window film installation on the south side of the CUB, in the final amount of $23,646.
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12. Procurement of Long Distance Carrier and Delegation of Authority to Sign a Contract. Vice President for Business Affairs Sallie Giffen reported that WSU’s long distance carrier contract will soon expire and that bids from four carriers were received. She reported that the apparent successful bidder is AT&T, who is WSU’s current vendor. She said the goal is for the contract to be negotiated by the end of December.
It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents delegate to the President or his designee, the Vice President for Business Affairs, the authority to proceed with the selection and execution of all documents necessary to contract with a designated long distance carrier. Carried.
13. Executive Session. At 10:25 a.m., the Regents met in Executive Session to consider pending litigation and a personnel issue. The session lasted approximately 20 minutes and was followed by a short break. The Regents’ meeting reconvened in open session at 10:55 a.m.
14. Extended University Affairs. Vice President for Extended University Affairs Les Purce reported on the following four items: 1) the K-20 Initiative; 2) expansion of WSU education telecommunications and technology relative to public radio and television in the State; 3) the continued success of WSU’s relationship with the counties; and 4) the second annual alumni reception to take place in January with members of the legislature.
15. Communications Task Force. Regent Phyllis Campbell reported that Vice President Les Purce and Executive Director Greg Royer have done an excellent job communicating WSU’s message throughout the state and that the Regents are committed to meeting with legislators in preparation for the next legislative session.
16. Foundation Report. President of the WSU Foundation Connie Kravas shared a video clip about a student, Karen Wapato Cawston, who is a nursing student at ICNE and a recipient of a scholarship funded by Jack and Jan Creighton of Bellevue.
Regent Albrecht reported that former Regent Lou Pepper, is the new chair of the Regents/Foundation Endowment Investment Committee.
17. Presidential Retention Plan. Regent Phyllis Campbell reported that the Regents’ Executive Committee has been under discussion concerning a Presidential Retention Plan. Regent Campbell said that President Smith has served the University for over ten years and has done an outstanding job. She said he has gained national prominence as a president of a major land-grant institution with long tenure and a great deal of experience. She said the Regents are very desirous of retaining President Smith’s services as president and that they would like for him to stay at WSU and complete his presidential career serving this institution. She said, therefore, the Regents are asking him to make a commitment to remain at WSU and in order to ensure his continuity of service, they would like to offer him a retention package which will act as an inducement for him to forego pursuit of other opportunities.
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Regent Campbell outlined the provisions of the plan as follows:
· This plan will be financed with privately donated funds that have been contributed to a presidential excellence fund for the purpose of hiring and retaining outstanding presidents at Washington State University. The funds are contributed through the WSU Foundation and are under the control of and administered by the Board of Regents.
· Under this plan, $25,000 per year will be placed in the retention fund each year that President Smith remains president for up to eight years.
· The amounts accumulated in the retention fund will be invested by the WSU Foundation. The accumulation in the fund will vest initially after two years and in two year stages thereafter so that at the end of each two year stage, President Smith will be eligible to receive two years’ contributions ($50,000) plus accumulated interest.
· The first contribution will be made at the end of calendar year 1996, with annual contributions made at the end of each calendar year thereafter. The first vesting point for purposes of distribution will occur at the end of academic year 1998 and will occur at the end of every other academic year thereafter until 2004.
It was moved and seconded that the Board approve the proposed retention plan in concept and requested the Vice President for Business Affairs to prepare the necessary documents to implement the plan as outlined by the Board. It was also moved and seconded that the Board delegate authority to the President of the Board to execute the necessary documents to implement the plan. Carried.
18. WSU Spokane Presentation. Campus Dean Bill Gray introduced the following individuals to the Regents: Bart Brazier, WSU Spokane Computer Coordinator, and Staff Excellence Award recipient for 1996; Kelsey Gray, Organization Development Specialist in the Department of Rural Sociology and Cooperative Extension and Sahlin Faculty Excellence Award recipient for Public Service; and Linda Massey, Professor and Chair, Food Science and Human Nutrition and Faculty Excellence Award recipient in 1996.
Dean Gray provided information about programs and research at WSU Spokane, as well as the urban land-grant mission, including great teaching and top quality public service with outcome-based research. Dean Gray introduced the following individuals: Dennis G. Dyck, Director, Eastern Branch, Washington Institute for Mental Illness Research and Training, and Professor of Psychology; Joanna Ellington, who holds a joint appointment in the College of Veterinary Medicine and WSU Spokane as an Assistant Professor in VCAPP and HREC; Barry Hicks, Assistant Director for the Health Research and Education Center; C. Harold Mielke, Jr. Associate Dean of Research and Director of Health Research and
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Education Center; Sylvia Oliver, Laboratory Director and Research Coordinator at HREC. Each of these individuals highlighted activities and programs in his or her areas.
At the 12:10 p.m., the Regents’ meeting was adjourned. The Regents joined members of the Spokane business community for lunch and a presentation by President Smith.