October 19, 2007

The Board of Regents of Washington State University met pursuant to call in Open Meeting at 9:30 a.m., on Friday, October 19, 2007, at Lighty Student Services, Room 405, Pullman, Washington.

Present:  Regent Connie Niva, Chair; Regents, Scott E. Carson, Harold Cochran, Elizabeth Cowles, Francois Forgette, William Gordon, Laura Jennings, V. Rafael Stone, and Michael Worthy; President Elson S. Floyd, and Executive Assistant to the Board of Regents Christine Hoyt.

1.         Report from the Chair of the Board of Regents. Regent Connie Niva welcomed everyone to the meeting. She introduced Regent Scott Carson who was recently appointed to replace Regent Ted Baseler. Regent Niva also reported on upcoming events.

2.         Report from the President of the University.  President Elson S. Floyd thanked Chair Niva for the opportunity to address the Board.  He asked for a moment of silence to honor Clarence “Bud” Ryan who passed away.   He added that Professor Ryan is one of our National Academy of Scientists, and it is appropriate to recognize his everlasting contributions to Washington State University.

Dr. Floyd provided a report on efforts that are currently taking place to increase WSU’s bandwidth and that may require Board approval. He also informed the Regents that he had started the search process to identify a chief development officer. He said that he had appointed Larry Culver, Chair of the Board of Governors, to serve as chair of the search committee and that the full committee for this search would be appointed soon. He also noted that there will be a national search for a new senior personnel officer position, although this search was not yet underway.

Dr. Floyd further reported that the administration has been busy working on the University’s Strategic Plan and that he is also involved in our early work regarding the prioritization process of our university.  He said that he asked the Provost to constitute a group of individuals to establish criteria associated with evaluation of programs and services. Additionally, Dr. Floyd told the Board that he had appointed a group of faculty to re-evaluate the idea of merging the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Sciences due to the pending retirement of Dean Erich Lear. There will also be a review of elevating the Murrow School to a college.

Dr. Floyd also indicated that he has had public forums in Pullman and regional campuses and that he had met with the student advisory council. He said at the urging of the Chair of the Faculty Senate, they expanded the membership of the athletics committee. Faculty now comprises a majority of the committee’s membership. Dr. Floyd also reported that Vice President Mike Tate and others are looking into the establishment of a wellness initiative. Lastly, he thanked his administrative team for their fine work and reported that the University is in good hands.  He said that they continue to focus on three issues:  excellence, quality and accountability in all we do.

3.         Consent Agenda. 

            Minutes.  It was moved and seconded that the Board approve the minutes of September 7, 2007, and September 28, 2007.  Carried.

• Reports from University Groups. 

Faculty Senate Chair Ken Struckmeyer reported that of the Faculty Salary Task Force Committee chaired by Dr. Gary Collins and Laila Miletic-Vejzovic, has completed its final report.  He said the report was given to the Faculty Affairs Committee of the Faculty Senate for its review and may be brought forward to the Faculty Senate at a later time.  He added that the full report is available on the Faculty Senate website. Professor Struckmeyer also reported on the session he attended of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics held in Washington D.C.  He said that the topic for this one-day session focused on faculty perceptions of the place of athletics in the university.  Dr. Struckmeyer further reported that the Faculty Affairs Committee is working on reviewing the organization and structure of the Faculty Status Committee and that they are also working with the Commission of the Status of Women in revising the maternity/paternity component of the Faculty Manual and the opportunities of other employees of the University.  Lastly, he reported that the Senate has delayed the review of the courses and structure of the General Education Program on the Vancouver campus for one year.

Administrative Professional Advisory Council (APAC) Chair Francis Benjamin reported that the mood of APAC members on campus has shifted from observation and speculation to anxious anticipation.  He added that APAC is pleased that President Floyd sees the value of communication and that he has made himself available at public forums. He also reported that APAC continues to move forward to reduce the geographical boundaries of the urban campuses and research stations and added that this fall they will meet with administrative professionals on each campus to work to improve the connections between all campuses. He also reported that October is Work Life Month and that the Work Life Committee, along with University Recreation, coordinated events promoting healthy life choices which affect work productivity and quality. Lastly, he reported that APAC has added the Crimson Spirit Award which recognizes excellence and also encourages quality.

Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) President Manpreet Chahal reported that the GPSA Senate is currently in session.  He also said that all committee positions have been filled and that every committee has already met.  He indicated that one of the new committees created this year is the Childcare Committee, which is assessing childcare needs for GPSA members and is establishing criteria to award GPSA childcare grants to students during the spring semester. He also reported that GPSA is creating a logo to help identify and bring visibility to GPSA across the WSU community.  The logo is expected to be finalized by the end of the month. He reported that the GPSA website is undergoing changes to improve access to services for GPSA students.  Lastly, he reported that the October 27 football game against UCLA has been subsidized to GPSA members, and that the October 18 Volleyball game against USC is offering free admission to GPSA members. 

Associated Students of Washington State University (ASWSU) President Kasey Webster reported that ASWSU Executive Staff had just returned from the American Student Government Association National Conference in Washington D.C. He indicated that over 100 schools were in attendance, and he felt that ASWSU is ranked in the top tier of that 100 when comparing themselves in accomplishment, organization and relationship with the city. Kasey reported that the Concerts Pass is gaining momentum. He said that the Concerts Pass is much like a sports pass in which students will have the opportunity to purchase during spring registration for the following school year. He said that buying a pass guarantees students a ticket to at least three shows throughout the school year and that this will bring a much larger concerts budget to the ASWSU Student Entertainment Board. He reported on the upcoming Multicultural Fundraising Dinner that will be held in February.  Kasey reported that a major topic that took place during their “Branch Campus Day” was lobbying.  He said that they are working hard to incorporate the branch campuses in everything they do, especially in their lobbying efforts.  Lastly, he also reported on a new project called the T-Shirt Campaign.  He said that the purpose of this campaign is to help build a new tradition at WSU by making a competition among students to design a new WSU Spirit T-Shirt that would be available for students, staff, alumni, and supporters to purchase with all proceeds going directly to WSU scholarships.

Foundation Board of Governors Chair Larry Culver reported that from July 1 – September 30, 2007, the campaign gifts total over 17 million, compared to 13 million from the same period one year ago.  He also reported that Dr. Floyd, Regent Carson, Brenda Wilson-Hale and many others in the room have been busy working on some major transformational prospective gifts. He added that it takes a lot of time and research when dealing at this level.  He also reported on the upcoming 28^th Annual Foundation Board of Trustees meeting in Spokane where they will honor benefactors and laureates.  He said that they will also honor for the first time individuals with a Diamond Award. The Diamond Award is for individuals who have given to WSU for 50 plus years. He also reported that four new individuals have been identified to serve on the Board of Governors.  Chairman Culver reported that the Foundation has recruited a marketing firm whose specialty is in the area of fundraising campaigns.  He said that a good marketing firm is one of the key cornerstones in a campaigns success. He also reported that they are ready to search for the Vice President of Development and that he is happy to serve as Chair for that search and commended Brenda Wilson-Hale who has done an outstanding job in the absence of that position.

Alumni Association President Al Powell reported the WSU Alumni Association is launching Phase III of their “Membership Matters” Membership Drive.  He said that Phase III will continue to communicate the tangible benefits of membership in the WSUAA.  He said that they are enhancing the look and messaging of their communication materials, including the new Alumni Link members-only newsletter.  He added that they have also expanded the member benefits offered by merchants near WSU branch campuses, and across the state and nation.  He indicated that the WSUAA along with Alumni Relations, University Relations, and the WSU Foundation have teamed to provide opportunities for key stakeholders to hear from and interact with President Floyd.  He also reported that Alumni Relations volunteered to recruit wineries to be showcased during the 2007 Feast of the Arts dinners.  He said that recruiting Cougar-connected wineries has helped the dinner to sell out for the first time in history.  Lastly, he reported that the Alumni Centre has hosted over 190 community, alumni, and academic events during the past 12 months.  

5.         Executive Committee. Regent Connie Niva reported that during Executive Committee, it was decided that the November Board Meeting would be canceled.  She then reviewed the action items. She asked President Floyd to comment on the honorary doctoral degree to Johnetta Cole before asking for Board approval.

President Floyd reported that Dr. Cole began her academic career at WSU. He said that she has been active in issues involving society, and trying to keep access and quality at the forefront. He said that she previously served as the President at Spelman College, where she did an outstanding job and from there she assumed the presidency at Bennett College for Women, where she was instrumental in turning that institution around.  He added that in his judgment, Dr. Cole reflects all of our best core values and it is an honor that the Board is considering providing an honorary doctorate degree to her.  He added that she has also agreed (subject to Board approval), to provide the commencement address at the December Commencement Ceremony.

The Board took action on the following:

2009 Board of Regents Meeting Schedule.  It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the 2009 Board of Regents Meeting Schedule. Carried.

Honorary Doctoral Degree.  It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the award of an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Washington State University to Dr. Johnetta Cole.  Carried.

6.         Finance and Audit Committee.  Regent Michael Worthy reviewed each action item before board approval.   He also reported that the committee spent a fair amount of time reviewing the audit program with the university auditor. He said that the committee found the scope of the audit work to be very comprehensive with a few recommendations.  

Regent Niva added that the Finance and Audit Committee also discussed WSU’s water conservation measures. 

The Board took action on the following:

WSU Pullman, Glenn Terrell Friendship Mall Extension (Wilson Road Mall), Mall Designation and Schematic Design.  It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the extension of Glenn Terrell friendship Mall on Wilson Road, approve Schematic Design documents, grant authorization to proceed, and delegate authority to the President or his designee to advertise for bids and award a construction contract, provided costs are within funds available.  Carried.

WSU Pullman, Library Road, Phase III, General Contractor/Construction Manager (GC/CM) Selection and Schematic Design.  It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents delegate authority to the President or his designee to issue Final Determination (public notification and review) to utilize the General Contractor/Construction Manager (GC/CM) process pursuant to RCW 39.10.030; and subject to issuance of the Final Determination and funding, select a GC/CM, award contract(s), provided a Maximum Allowable Construction Cost can be established within the funds available, approve Schematic Design documents and grant authorization to proceed. Carried.

WSU Pullman, Utilities Extension – Chilled Water System and 13.2kV Electrical Distribution System, Design-Build Team Selection.  It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents delegate authority to the President or his designee to approve the selection of the Design-Build team that will provide planning, design, and construction, and grant authorization to proceed with the process for design and construction, provided costs are within funds available.  Carried.

7.         Academic and Student Affairs Committee.  Regent Francois Forgette reported that the Committee reviewed the future action on the Washington Administrative Code revision on student conduct. He added that the amendment revisions are intended to give the university greater flexibility in dealing with student conduct situations, and that they are driven by experience in the field with the existing regulations and think these amendments will be improvements.  He also reported that the committee heard several information items on the 2009 housing and dining rates, educational programs, the Life Sciences Discovery Fund, Executive MBA Program, and received an enrollment update.

8.         External Affairs and Athletics Committee.  Regent Connie Niva reported that the External Affairs and Athletics Committee received an update from Brenda Wilson-Hale on the campaign. She also reported that Larry Ganders and Karl Boehmke provided an update on the legislative agenda regarding the supplemental budget requests. She asked Karl Boehmke to speak on the Gardner-Evans-Locke capital funding initiative.

9.         Other Business.

The Board took action on the following:

Request for Defense of University Employee.  It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the request for defense by former WSU Radio News Editor Rachael I. McDonald in the case brought against her by Raul Montes Ruiz and Julia Agosto in Benton County Superior Court.  Carried.

10.       Adjournment.  The Board of Regents meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m.

Approved by the Board of Regents at its meeting held February 1, 2008, Administrative Building, Room 129, Vancouver, Washington.

             SIGNED COPY AVAILABLE IN THE PRESIDENT’S OFFICE