October 15, 1999

The Board of Regents of Washington State University met pursuant to call in Open Meeting at 9:04 a.m. on Friday, October 15, 1999, in the Lewis Alumni Centre of the Washington State University campus in Pullman.

Present: Peter J. Goldmark, President; Regents: Kenneth Alhadeff, Bernadett Buchanan, Richard R. Albrecht, Richard A. Davis, Robert D. Fukai, Joe King; President Samuel H. Smith, Provost Gretchen Bataille, Vice President for Business Affairs Gregory Royer, Vice President for Extended University Affairs Thomas L. Purce, Vice President for Administration Sally P. Savage, Faculty Senate Chair Peter Burke, Alumni Association President Shari Friedenrich, GPSA President Stephen Kuehn, and ASWSU President Steve Wymer.

Also present were: Budget Director Karl Boehmke, Director of Statewide Affairs Larry Ganders, Assistant Director of News and Information Services Sue Hinz, Dean of the Graduate School Karen DePauw, Executive Assistant for Business Affairs Rob Hoon.

1. Opening and Introductions. Regent Peter Goldmark opened the meeting and provided welcoming remarks. President Smith introduced the following individuals: Paul Graham, Head Men’s Basketball Coach; Jenny Przekwas, Head Women’s Basketball Coach; Carol Salusso, Chair of Apparel, Merchandising and Interior Design; and Paul Whitney, Chair of Psychology.

2. Minutes. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the minutes of the meeting of September 10, 1999. Carried.

3. Reports from University Groups. The reports from the University Groups are attached as Exhibit A.

Faculty Senate Chair Peter Burke reviewed his report as submitted to the Board. In particular, he noted that the Senate was pleased to host Peter Goldmark on September 23 where they heard the faculty input and had good dialogue related to the Presidential Search.

GPSA President Steve Kuehn and ASWSU President Steve Wymer reviewed their reports as submitted.

Alumni Association President Shari Friedenrich reviewed her report as submitted and also noted that the Homecoming alumni turnout was down and that they were going to be looking into ways to get Alumni back to campus for these types of events.

4. President’s Report. President Smith reported on the Science Coalition. He said that two faculty members and two students had the opportunity to go to Washington D.C. with approximately 200 other scientists from around the country and that it was a tremendous opportunity, not only for the institution, but for the faculty and students to support our budgetary efforts and to advocate for science and science research funding.

President Smith said that Provost Bataille and he were heavily involved in the Inland Northwest Research Alliance with the University of Idaho and five other institutions. He mentioned that they are working right now with the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratories on several research programs. He expressed his appreciation to Provost Bataille, Vice Provost Hedge, and others for their work with the Department of Energy in relation to funding issues.

5. Planning Committee Report. Regent Alhadeff reported that the Planning Committee met in conjunction with the Academic Affairs Committee. He said the Planning Committee had discussed the difficulty and complexity of long-range planning during a presidential search process and that the Committee’s vision is one that will provide the framework for future planning, which will be completed with the new president when he or she is hired.

6. Academic Affairs Committee Report. Regent Carmen Otero provided a report of the Academic Affairs Committee’s study of diversity and hate issues. A copy of her report is attached as Exhibit B.

7. Provost’s Report. Provost Bataille thanked Regent Otero for providing the Academic Affairs Committee leadership over the past year, particularly in the area of diversity.

Provost Bataille reported on the following issues:

· Diversity Assessment. Provost Bataille distributed the Executive Summary of the Diversity Assessment, which shows accomplishments and areas where further work needs to occur at WSU, and the direction in which the university needs to go.

· Higher Education Coordinating Board Proposals. Provost Bataille reported that the state legislature had appropriated funding to address high demand program needs within the state, particularly in the area of technology. She said these allocations were allocated through the HEC Board, which initiated an RFP process. As a result, she stated that WSU had received $.5 million to fund Computer Science labs. She stated that, additionally, two proposals were submitted to support childcare for both the Vancouver and Pullman campuses and that three other proposals had been submitted, including one to combine computer engineering, computer science and management information systems and another for education and certification of teachers. She reported that the third proposal was for nursing programs, which is another need that has been identified throughout the state and is also being responded to with our Health Sciences Initiative in Spokane.

· Federal Program Funded. Provost Bataille reported that WSU received $5 million in federal funds to support the wood composite program in support of research on engineered lumber. Provost Bataille attributed much of the success to the work Director of Federal Relations Bev Lingle does in Washington.

· Administrative Evaluations. Provost Bataille reviewed the process of evaluation of administrators. She stated that all deans and vice provosts are reviewed every five years and that this year the Dean of Sciences and the Dean of Agriculture and Home Economics will be reviewed. She stated that there would be a broad-based committee for these reviews.

· Genocide Awareness. Provost Bataille reported that there would be a group on campus with controversial displays on genocide awareness. She stated that Student Affairs, law enforcements officials, faculty, and ASWSU are working together to make everyone aware of this display. ASWSU President Steve Wymer stated that alternative routes around the display area have been provided and counselors are available to help deal with any negative consequences associated with this display.

· Student Recruitment. Provost Bataille provided new recruitment materials to the Regents and gave a brief update on what is being done in this area.

8. Finance, Audit and Capital (FAC) Committee Report. Regent Goldmark reported that the FAC Committee discussed the issue of tuition waivers at a meeting held the early part of October. He stated that this is an important issue with regard to recruitment and that the Committee received favorable information from Director of Institutional Research Jim Rimpau regarding studies done on the usefulness of tuition waivers as a recruitment tool for both graduate and undergraduate students. Regent Goldmark said that when the Enrollment Management Vice Provost is hired, tuition waivers would likely become a part of WSU’s marketing strategy.

Regent Goldmark further reported that the FAC Committee met yesterday. He said Vice President for Business Affairs Greg Royer had revised the method of presenting information and action items to the Committee in an effort to eliminate the volume of paper received. Regent Goldmark commended Vice President Royer on the admirable job he is doing of streamlining the many business items before the Committee and for the way he is improving the current situation.

Regent Goldmark stated that the Committee discussed the following capital projects: 1) the Student Recreation Center, which should be close to completion in December of 2000, in line with the scheduled completion date; 2) the construction of the Teaching and Learning Center, which has just begun; 3) the campus incinerator; 4) the Bohler Gym renovation; and 5) future property to be acquired. Regent Goldmark stated that new Director of Facilities Development Jerry Schlatter would be invaluable in providing oversight of all projects, and the Board is pleased to have him handling these responsibilities.

Regent Goldmark reported that Mr. Royer had provided an update on the power plant, including realizations of efficiencies that support the infrastructure of the entire campus. He said the Committee also discussed the Supplemental Budget Request and the White Hall and McCroskey Hall bonds required for renovations.

Regent Goldmark stated that the Committee had discussed the action items on the agenda, including the Contract for Long Distance Carrier Services, which will be postponed for possible action at a later date.

9. Report by the Vice President for Business Affairs. Mr. Royer reported that Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Doug Baker is chairing the search committee for the Assistant Vice President for Business Affairs, that there are some excellent candidates, and that interviews would be held during the first part of November.

Mr. Royer also reported on power plant and safety issues. He stated the Supplemental Budget Request had been forwarded to the Office of Financial Management in order to obtain funding for critical items. He stated that the power plant would be part of the biennial budget as we plan for renovations, as it is the main utility for heat source on the WSU Pullman campus.

10. Contracts under Previous Delegation of Authority (under $500,000). Vice President for Business Affairs Greg Royer reported that based upon the authority delegated to the President or his designee, the Vice President for Business Affairs, at the meeting of January 24, 1986, he had entered into the following contracts:

Interwest Technology Systems, Inc., Richland, Washington, for campus fiber optic cabling MCFs to various buildings, for a total cost of $250,362, to be paid from 1997-99 WSUNet funds.

TLJ Construction, Inc., Nine Mile Falls, Washington, for the compost facility storm water storage pond project, for a total cost of $255,036, to be paid from 1999-2001 Departmental funds.

Southwest Recreational Industries, Inc., Fresno, California, for resurfacing of Mooberry Track, for a total cost of $199,848, to be paid from 1997-99 Minor Capital Renewal, Departmental, and S&A funds.

Poe Asphalt Paving, Inc., Pullman, Washington, for the construction and resurfacing of various housing services parking lots, for a total cost of $63,411, to be paid from 1997-99 Housing funds.

11. Consultant Firm Selections under Previous Delegation of Authority for McCroskey Hall and the Museum of Art Building, WSU Pullman. Vice President for Business Affairs Greg Royer reported that based upon the authority delegated to the President or his designee, the Vice President for Business Affairs at the meetings of September 27, 1995, and June 25, 1999, he had approved the selection of the following firms to provide consulting services to the projects listed below:

Kovalenko Hale Architects, Seattle, Washington, for the McCroskey Hall Renovation

ALSC Architects, Spokane, Washington, in association with Opsis Architecture, Portland, Oregon, for the Museum of Art Building

12. Summary Results of the Housing and Dining Bond Sale. Executive Assistant for Business Affairs Rob Hoon provided a report regarding the results of the Housing and Dining Bond Sale. Please see Exhibit C for a copy of the agenda information summarizing this information.

13. Acquisition of Rail Contract for the Delivery of Coal. It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve the acquisition of a rail contract for delivery of coal and delegate authority to the President or his designee, the Vice President for Business Affairs, to sign a contract for the delivery of coal within the funds available in the utilities operating budget. Carried

14. Contract for Long Distance Carrier Services. The Board of Regents tabled this item for further review and possible action at a later date.

15. Approval of the Parking Bond Resolution and Bond System Purchase Agreement for the Teaching and Learning Center Garage. Executive Assistant for Business Affairs Rob Hoon introduced Ms. Susan Musselman, bond counsel, who summarized the sale of the bonds and their current status. She indicated that WSU received an “A-“ rating from Standard & Poors and that we had negotiated sales with securities about the week after competitive sales. She indicated that we marketed the parking revenue bonds a week later, that the market had a heavy supply, that the interest rates are starting to increase, and that this will continue. Ms. Musselman indicated that WSU is pleased with the results of the bond sale. Mr. Hoon expressed his appreciation to Susan Musselman and Cynthia Weed for putting this together on such short notice.

It was moved and seconded that the Board of Regents approve and adopt the Bond Resolution for the Parking System Revenue Bonds to finance the design and construction of the Teaching and Learning Center parking garage, and delegate authority to the Vice President for Business Affairs to take such action necessary for the closing of the Parking System Revenue Bonds. Carried.

16. Report by the Vice President for Extended University Affairs. Vice President for Extended University Affairs Les Purce provided a presentation on distance education. He introduced Muriel Oaks, Associate Vice President for Extended University Services, Dennis Haarsager, Associate Vice President, Education Telecommunications and Technology, Mike Tate, Associate Dean and Director of Cooperative Extension, and Jim Zuiches, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Home Economics.

Please see attached as Exhibit D a copy of the presentation provided by Vice President Purce.

Regent Dick Davis noted that the Extended Degree Program has generated a significant amount of “ftes,” and asked about the number that the Learning Centers generate. Dr. Purce clarified that the Learning Centers are not designed to generate ftes, but are designed to provide access to people who are involved in the Extended Degree Program.

Regent Davis questioned whether we have transferred responsibilities from the school of Communication as it relates to public radio and television to Extended University Affairs. Dr. Purce stated that the responsibilities have not been transferred and Mr. Haarsager commented that up until 1968 the two entities were housed together, that they were originally a part of the University Relations area originally, and that currently, Education Telecommunications and Technology provides support in terms of lab facilities for the School of Communication. He said they employ 125-150 students a year with hands-on work experience. He said they support other areas, but that they are administratively central and that they provide the facilities within their own operations.

President Smith commented on satellite capabilities under the K-20 system. Dr. Purce said that each site has downlink capabilities, as does WSU, and that in the K-20 allocation, $4 million was funded each for WSU and University of Washington. He said the teleport for WSU is in place, as well as the hookups, and central monitoring system, that the marketing of these has begun, but that WSU has not received the ongoing operating funding that must be authorized. He said we are in a position to be able to utilize the satellite as an important component of that delivery system.

President Smith commended Dr. Purce and the Extended University Affairs unit for having one of the best extension and learning programs in the country. He credited the integration of all the programs with being an important part of the success.

The Regents’ meeting adjourned at 11:25 am.