September 22, 1995

The Board of Regents of Washington State University met pursuant to call, in Open Meeting at 9:07 a.m. on Friday, September 22, 1995, in the Lewis Alumni Centre, Pullman Washington.

Present: Phyllis J. Campbell, President; Regents: Richard R. Albrecht, R. M. “Mac” Crow, Richard A. Davis, Scott B. Lukins, Carmen Otero, and William R. Wiley; President Samuel H. Smith, Provost Thomas F. George, Vice President for Business Affairs Sallie A. Giffen, Vice President for Extended University Affairs Thomas L. Purce, University Counsel Sally P. Savage, Senior Assistant Attorney General Richard L. Hutchinson, Faculty Senate Chair Greg Hooks, Staff Senate President Richard Rupp, GPSA President Oliver Bangera, and ASWSU President Jessie Harris.

Also present were: Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Geoffrey Gamble, Vice Provost for Student Affairs K. J. “Gus” Kravas, Vice Provost for Human Relations and Resources Ernestine Madison, Vice Provost for Research and Dean of the Graduate School Robert Smith, Executive Director of Budget and Planning Gregory Royer, Director of Statewide Affairs Larry Ganders, Associate Vice President for University Advancement Connie Kravas, Assistant Vice President for Business Affairs Ernest Renfro, Executive Assistant for Business Affairs Rob Hoon, News and Information Assistant Director Al Ruddy, and Director of Facilities Development Dave Smith.

Visitors: Program Manager of Art in Public Places for the Washington State Arts Commission Pablo Schugurensky.

1. Welcome. Regent Phyllis Campbell welcomed everyone to the meeting and called the meeting to order. President Smith also provided welcoming remarks and introduced the following: Vice President for Extended University Affairs, Thomas L. Purce; Dean of College of Business and Economics, Gale Sullenberger; Dean of College of Agriculture and Home Economics, Jim Zuiches; Acting Chair of Department of Political Science, Cornell Clayton; Director of Multicultural Student Services, Lee Jones; Director of American Studies Program, Tim Reed; and Interim Director of the Thomas Foley Institute for the Public Policy and Public Service, Steven Stehr.

2. Minutes. It was moved and seconded that the WSU Board of Regents approve the minutes of the meeting of June 23, 1995. 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 August 5, 1995. Carried.

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4. Reports from University Groups. Faculty Senate Chair Greg Hooks remarked on the Virtual WSU initiative. The faculty plans to adjust and incorporate the new technology into their teaching. In particular, the research faculty are interested in how new technology can support their research especially in the area of assessment and what effect the new technology will have on teaching. They plan to take examine how well the new technology works in different areas and what may need adjustments or improvements.

Regent Campbell asked Dr. Hooks for his comments on the Leadership Conference. Dr. Hooks said the faculty were clearly enthused about Virtual WSU and that this initiative will assist WSU in moving forward.

Staff Senate President Richard Rupp commented on the Staff Senate’s active summer. He provided information on a recent change in employee benefits concerning an increase in benefit charges. In response to the change, the Staff Senate conducted a statewide poll of WSU employees. The staff have some concerns with the possibility that the recent pay increase experienced by the employees could be offset by new benefit charges. Mr. Rupp also provided information on a new complaint procedure program being piloted in conjunction with the Ombudsman’s office, and some thoughts with regard to staff retraining, especially in light of changes to occur as a result of the Virtual WSU initiative.

GPSA President Oliver Bangera provided comments on the following: a teaching assistant training program and a handbook; graduate students positive feelings toward the insurance package and the new study center; and a recent multicultural concert mixing eastern and western styles of music and culture. GPSA would like to sponsor more events that demonstrate the richness of other cultures.

ASWSU President Jessie Harris highlighted ASWSU activities and programs including the following: his summer trip to Israel, along with ten other university student body presidents; the first ASWSU coupon book; a new talk show called “Inside ASWSU” on WSU’s Cable 8; a story published in the Lewiston Tribune which emphasized financial aid and higher education as a priority for students; a convention in Montana to discuss quality, access and cost, assessing higher education in the west; and the issue of working with disabled students for improved access to athletic and various events on campus.

Regent Campbell mentioned the opportunity of some of the Regents to discuss the visitation policy in a meeting with Mr. Harris and Jennifer Atkinson, President of the Residence Hall Association, and that the Regents will continue to review this policy.

Alumni Association President Jim Miller was unable to attend as he was conducting the Alumni Board meeting which was held concurrent to the Regents’ meeting.

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5. Provost’s Report. Provost Thomas George announced that Scott Hudson, Assistant Professor in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, has had an asteroid named after him, which recognized his work in pioneering the use of radar images to calculate the shapes and rotations of asteroids.

Provost George provided a report on enrollment figures. He noted that the difference in full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment figures from 1994 to 1995 is 383. WSU will probably be 500 FTE over the state contract rate by the end of the year. This emphasizes dramatically how WSU needs state resources for funding for the increasing student numbers. Provost George pointed out that the headcount of multicultural and women students has increased since 1994. He commented this growth has been due to a university-wide effort led largely by Admissions.

Provost George commented briefly on the Leadership Conference which was organized by Vice Provost Gamble and Conferences and Institutes. WSU staff and faculty provided presentations on Virtual WSU and demonstrated how the new technology can be incorporated into teaching and research throughout many different disciplines.

6. Technology Task Force Report. Regent Richard Albrecht reported on the Technology Task Force. In addition to Regent Albrecht, membership includes Regents Ellis and Wiley, and Provost George. Its purpose is to stimulate thinking on how the University can move forward within the realm of new technology. Regent Albrecht provided comments from the last Task Force meeting where they reviewed the three phases of technology being used at WSU. He explained the first phase which is to substitute multimedia for the blackboard, by changing over technology in the classroom. They discussed ways in which the faculty can use technology in curriculum development which will improve the quality and eliminate duplication of curriculum. He noted it is encouraging that the WSU faculty are taking advantage of the usefulness of the new technology to educate the students in a better way.

7. Academic Affairs Committee. Regent Carmen Otero reported on the Academic Affairs Committee of the Regents. Membership also includes Regent Crow and Provost George. They have developed a final draft Strategic Plan to discuss with the Regents and various groups for feedback. The Committee wants to ensure the plan meets the goals set up by the Regents at the June meeting of the Board. Regent Otero shared the values of the Strategic Plan: lifelong learning for students, employees, and the adult community; shared community; individual responsibility; empowering leadership; and academic freedom and integrity. They considered the role and mission of the University, student demographics, economy and the political and social setting when they put together the plan. The Strategic Plan is divided into three parts: academic principles; planning goals; and support goals. The goals include: selective excellence; expanded access; increased diversity; enhanced graduate education and research; enriched learning; diversified funding base; and effective personnel

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and resource management. The Regents are now assessing the plan ensuring that it meets all the goals and requirements.

8. Establish a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Cropping Systems at the Tri-Cities Campus. Provost Thomas George reported that the Advisory Council of Tri-Cities requested a program be developed to provide professional agricultural education consistent with an approach to agriculture that recognizes the importance of interactions with the local ecosystem. The region surrounding the Tri-Cities is largely agricultural, depending to a great extent on irrigation and crop management and has a continuing need for crop consultants, farm managers and representatives of agricultural product firms. The proposed Integrated Cropping Systems (ICS) degree will be offered at WSU campuses in the Tri-Cities and Pullman, but is designed and intended for placebound students in the service area of WSU Tri-Cities. The degree blends basic science courses in horticulture, crop and soil science, entomology, plant pathology, and agricultural economics. Students will be drawn from two different groups: 1) agricultural professionals who are currently employed adults and 2) placebound students (more likely to be traditional age) who desire to earn a degree that qualifies them for an entry-level position in agriculture. The majority of courses will be offered during early mornings and evenings to accommodate the needs of working adults.

It was moved and seconded that, effective Fall Semester 1995, the WSU Board of Regents approve the recommendation to establish a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Cropping Systems at the Tri-Cities campus. Carried.

9. Replace the Current Four -Year Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BSLA) Degree with the Five-Year Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) Degree. Provost Thomas George stated that Landscape Architecture has become a specialized professional field. In order to be competitive for employment, students must be competent with the current computer technology in the field; they must have experience with both urban and rural landscape, resulting in more varieties of expertise; and they must have more extensive field experiences and projects. Each of these requirements translates into additional courses and credits, necessitating a redesigned, five-year course of study. The BLA requires students to complete three years on the Pullman campus, the fourth year on the Spokane campus, and the final year at either Pullman or Spokane. The fourth year in Spokane will provide students the opportunity to interact with other design professionals at WSU’s Spokane Design Institute. The BLA provides the knowledge base and experience for students to pass professional licenser examinations and compete for positions at a national level. Of the 45 programs accredited by the American Society of Landscape Architects, 30 currently offer the BLA.

Regent Davis expressed concerns with the recommended replacement, believing that in today’s environment the concern of time-to-degree is heavily stressed. He noted that

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although there is an worthy reason for the proposal, the decision to move forward with this action should have been discussed with the Regents prior to consideration by the Higher Education Board.

Regent Crow asked what influence an outside accrediting agency has on WSU’s decision to change year to degree time. Professor and Chair of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Charlie Johnson responded that the agencies did not influence this decision as much as the need to be more competitive with peer institutions nationally. Students need to have programs that are similar with other university programs.

It was moved and seconded that, effective Fall Semester, 1995, the WSU Board of Regents approve the recommendation to replace the current four-year Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BSLA) Degree with the five-year Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) Degree. The motion carried with six for and one opposed.

10. Establish a Master of Arts in Human Development and Eliminate the Master of Adult and Continuing Education and the Master of Arts in Child, Consumer and Family Studies Degrees. Provost Thomas George explained that the proposed masters degree in human development is a multidisciplinary program that draws on the allied disciplines of psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science and education to create an integrated program of study of the development of individuals as they interact in families, places of employment, schools and communities. This program is unique in the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest region in its research and disciplinary focus on the development of individuals in the contexts of family and community. It will prepare graduates for a number of employment opportunities as practitioners, counselors, policy analysts, administrators and teachers. The program will be funded entirely through reallocation of existing state resources; space need for the program will be minimal and will come at no new cost to the university; and there are no projected equipment needs or other support services anticipated.

It was moved and seconded that, effective Fall Semester, 1995, the WSU Board of Regents approve the recommendation to establish a Master of Arts in Human Development and eliminate the Master of Adult and Continuing Education and the Master of Arts in Child, Consumer and Family Studies Degrees. Carried.

11. Establish a New Degree of Bachelor of Arts in Human Development and Eliminate the Current Bachelor of Arts in Child, Consumer and Family Studies Degree. Provost Thomas George stated that as part of the reconfiguration process in the College of Agriculture and Home Economics, the Department of Adult and Youth Education was organizationally integrated with the Department of Child, Consumer, and Family Studies forming a new unit named the Department of Human Development. A new curriculum was constructed to meet the needs of the College and address the goals set forth in the

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Department’s vision statement. It was apparent that the curriculum would have to include the study of all age levels, be strongly integrated and include a component of experiential learning. The degree program will be funded entirely through reallocation of existing state resources.

It was moved and seconded that, effective Fall Semester, 1995, the WSU Board of Regents approve the recommendation to create a new Bachelor of Arts in Human Development and eliminate the current Bachelor of Arts in Child, Consumer and Family Studies degree. Carried.

12. Establish a Master of Arts Degree in Recreation Administration and Leisure Studies. Provost Thomas George reported that the proposed degree in Recreation Administration and Leisure Studies exists currently as a track in the Master of Science in Kinesiology housed in the Department of Kinesiology and Leisure Studies (KLS). With reconfiguration and the academic and professional growth of leisure studies, an independent degree better addressees the needs of students and the nature of the field. No new resources are necessary to accomplish the transition from degree track to independent degree. The degree program will be the only graduate program in the field in the state.

It was moved and seconded that, effective Fall Semester, 1995, the WSU Board of Regents approve the recommendation to establish a Master of Arts in Recreation Administration and Leisure Studies. Carried.

13. Update on the Glenn Terrell Friendship Mall Project. Director of Facilities Development, Dave Smith provided an overview of the Glenn Terrell Friendship Mall project. The formal dedication is scheduled for October 7, 1995. It has been an unique collaboration between WSU and the Washington State Arts Commission (WAC), which attracted attention and support of the National Endowment of the Arts. Mr. Smith introduced Pablo Schugurensky, Program Manager of Art in Public Places for the Washington State Arts Commission.

Mr. Schugurensky noted that the Glenn Terrell Friendship Mall is an innovative artistic project based upon the desire to address the civic core of the campus. The partnership between WSU and WAC was an adventurous and committed one, they contracted the artists to design the mall with attractive patterns and keep in mind the extensive amount of activity on the mall. The partnership was successful and attracted attention from other groups. There will be additions to the mall such as sculptures, and a solar projector.

14. Housing Plan Update. Vice President for Business Affairs Sallie Giffen reported on the contract with an outside consultant firm experienced in nation-wide institutional planing. A report on housing was completed in August by Ira Fink and Associates. The

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plan was distributed and a list of recommendations on page 5 was reviewed. One of the tasks at hand was to survey as many students as possible living in residence spaces and community spaces. They received feedback on styles of housing students prefer, such as quiet, private and safe spaces that provide enough room for computers. This plan is a comfortable and conservative approach on WSU’s needs for the future. The consultant provided several suggestions to utilize current housing to best suit WSU’s needs. It was suggested that WSU has enough overflow housing to conservatively plan new housing construction. It was also recommended to renovate popular on-campus housing to keep them up to date, more useful and increase the number of spaces.

Ms. Giffen commented that the emphasis is on the distribution between public and private housing needs and making it a partnership. The University is not expected to meet all the required needs; private developers will provide 50 percent of the housing. Regent Campbell asked how the public/private partnership will go forward in a practical planning for a 50 percent distribution. Ms. Giffen said that WSU will provide the developers and chamber committees the numbers and projections on enrollment and communicate about housing plans and needs for future developments.

Regent Crow asked if WSU is competing with the private sector and if WSU is looking at meeting particular needs of students. Ms. Giffen responded that WSU wants to have a variety of housing on campus for married, family and single students and that WSU housing has campus access that the private developers cannot provide. The students will also have input through different committees to communicate their needs or requests.

Regent Wiley was concerned that there is no ceiling on the housing development. President Smith answered that WSU is planning to wait until we have the demand onsite and then plan building.

15. Endowment Performance Report. Vice President for Business Affairs Sallie Giffen reported on the performance of the endowment fund for WSU and reminded that there were three Regents on the committee: Mac Crow, Lou Pepper, and former Regent Kate Webster. Ms. Giffen provided the figures for the year and commented that the fund is continuing to grow. The endowment as of September 20, 1995 was at $83.6 million dollars, and is expected to reach $100 million.

Regent Albrecht asked if there are comparisons of this endowment fund to comparable funds at other universities. Ms. Giffen said that she did not have the information at that time, but will be happy to provide it to the Regents in the future.

The meeting recessed for a ten minute break at 10:35 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 10:47 a.m. Present: President Campbell; Regents: Albrecht, Crow, Davis, Lukins,

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Otero, and Wiley; President Smith, Dr. George, Ms. Giffen, Dr. Purce, Ms. Savage, Mr. Hutchinson, Dr. Hooks, Mr. Rupp, Mr. Bangera, and Mr. Harris.

16. Trust Lands/Business Affairs Subcommittee Report. Vice President for Business Affairs Sallie Giffen said the Regents requested from the State Attorney General’s Office an analysis of the legal issues surrounding the trust lands. Ms. Giffen introduced Maureen Hart, Senior Assistant Attorney General for the State of Washington.

Ms. Hart responded to the Regents’ request and produced a written legal opinion to answer questions about the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and WSU’s trust lands. Ms. Hart discussed the five issues raised by the Regents and summarized the answers given in her opinion statement as follows:

1. What is the general nature of the DNR’s responsibility with respect to the federal grant lands?

As the agency charged with managing the federal grant lands, the DNR first has the obligation to manage them as directed by statute. Where statutes leaves discretion in the Department, the state’s trust relationship with respect to these lands likely makes it incumbent on the Department to manage the lands consistent with fiduciary principles applicable to private trustees.

2. To what extent may the Department’s discretionary grant land management decisions be based on considerations not inherently related to the economic well-being of the trusts?

In some circumstances, considerations not inherently related to the economic well-being of the trusts nevertheless may directly bear on fulfilling the purposes of the grant land trusts. For example, a trustee has a duty to protect the income producing capacity of trust property. Under certain circumstances, protecting the income producing capacity of the grant lands may require taking actions to ensure that the lands remain healthy and thus, able to produce income. In short, factors not inherently related to the economic well-being of the trusts may be considered in guiding discretionary trust land management decisions to the extent their consideration is prudent in furthering the purposes of the trusts, including their continued economic vitality and productivity.

3. Against what legal standards would the DNR’s discretionary trust land management actions be tested?

Ms. Hart referred to private trust principles and decisions from other states, where discretionary trust land management decisions have been challenged to provide some guidance in resolving this question. She mentioned one category of standards concerns fiduciary duties. Beyond that, she said it seems reasonable to conclude, that an abuse of discretion standard would be applied to the DNR’s exercise of discretionary powers in managing the federal grant lands.

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4. May discretionary trust land management decisions of the DNR be based on the interests of the trusts collectively, without regard to the interests of the trusts individually?

Ms. Hart’s legal opinion is no, it may not. It is clear that there are separate trusts and the same duty of loyalty needs to be applied to each trust. This does not mean that the DNR cannot take a broad base approach to the management of the lands. They can if it is in the best interest for all trusts concerned.

5. Who are the beneficiaries of the federal grant land trusts and what role do they play in administering the trusts?

The beneficiaries of the trusts are the institutions identified in the Enabling Act, and more specifically named in statutes that assign certain lands for the benefit of certain institutions. The beneficiaries play no real direct role in trust administration. However, beneficiaries have legally protectable and enforceable rights to ensure that the trust is being administered according to its terms and that the trust is being administered according to applicable fiduciary responsibilities.

After Ms. Hart made her presentation, the Regents raised several issues for discussion. Regent Lukins said that the Trust Lands/Business Affairs Subcommittee met yesterday and had an opportunity to discuss the opinion. Regent Lukins questions to Ms. Hart concerned the issue of disposition of the forest land with possible reinvestment of the proceeds into other types of property. He wanted to know whether or not state law requires this type of disposition.

Ms. Hart’s response indicated that state law directs certain types of investments for proceeds from the trust lands and that one of the reasons this is not discussed in the opinion is that no court in this state has indicated there is a duty of this nature with respect to the federal grant lands. In addition, she indicated that in her research, she found no requirement that these lands must be sold or assets diversified. Ms. Hart elaborated on her answer by citing the Skamania case noted in the opinion on page 5 that essentially says the state is free to retain the timber from its lands and market the timber crop on the lands as it matures. Ms. Hart indicated that Regent Lukins question opens up another broader issue of whether or not we may apply private trust principles to the public sector and that we are in somewhat of a different environment, where we are looking at a state constitution that contemplates that the lands may be retained.

Regent Lukins provided further reference to the Skamania case and noted that this is great precedent to the fact that we would look at private trust principles to decide whether or not the various statutory standards are being met. He referred to the Baker Boyer National Bank case in Walla Walla where a trustee paid a substantial surcharge for failing to dispose of farm lands when they had historically yielded less than what would be an expected return from the trust lands. He said that private trustees are very much concerned whether or not beneficiaries would have any objection to further diversification

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and that at least in private trusts, you would feel very uncomfortable having all your assets in the same type of investment.

A second point raised by Regent Lukins concerned the problems private trustees face with either owning or potentially receiving environmentally damaged lands. He stated the private trustees develop check lists in the attempt to avoid receipt of such lands or if they have these sorts of lands in the trust, it is obviously an encumbrance upon the value of the trust properties. In this case, he said they have a duty to seek to maximize the income for the benefit of the beneficiaries for both the long and short term. He pointed out that it seems there is a responsibility to dispose of as much of this type of land as possible to someone who can handle it better then we could. In addition, he feels there exists a duty to maximize the yields to the beneficiaries while taking prudent and reasonable risks.

Ms. Hart provided a context to the Skamania case. She explained that the issue with this case was that the legislature passed a law in 1984 intended to protect private timber companies who had purchased timber from state lands. Because the cutting of this timber was to take place in the future, a risk fell to the timber companies should the prices of timber fall. In this case, timber prices did fall, so the state legislature released the timber companies from the contracts. Therefore, it is in that context that the court said the contractual release is in breach of fiduciary duties. The loyalty from the trusts was given to the timber companies, and in that context it was as the court said, and cases around the country have analogized these instances to private trusts. Many cases have been applied to private trusts, Ms. Hart said. She again stated she knows of no other context where a trustee is an institution of state government with constitutional authority and with constitutional power. She cautioned that while this is where we are in state law now, there are reasons for being at this point. She said to what extent the court would apply private trust principles to the public sector is unknown. She said the lands are given to the state for an exclusive purpose in support of the cited institutions, and they are to be used for that purpose in support of the cited institutions. She said this is historically where these principles have come from and that it is important to keep this in mind as we think about where the trusts are now and where they may be down the road.

Regent Albrecht asked for clarification on who exactly is the trustee–the state which chooses to act through the Department of Natural Resources or is the trustee the Department of Natural Resources? Ms. Hart responded that in working with the Skamania case, this would indicate the state is the trustee and the legislature is the trustee. She explained Skamania applied the trust principles to the legislature where the timber companies were released from their contracts. At the same time, the legislature has created the DNR and given it certain management responsibilities with respect to these lands. Her feeling is that to whatever extent the state has a trust relationship with these lands, so too would the department where it is able to exercise discretion with respect to them.

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Regent Lukins noted that he would like to look into further diversification, as this is a relatively new concept. Regent Otero asked if we know of which lands are no longer productive and which lands are being deforested. Executive Assistant for Business Affairs Rob Hoon responded that out of the 120,000 acres of WSU forested land, we do not know which are unproductive. Ms. Hart responded that within the Department of Natural Resources, as dictated by the legislature, a sort of sustained yield is planned in terms of developing forest and forest products on a sustained basis, in part to deal with the perpetual nature the obligation to provide support not just today but well into the future from the trusts.

Regent Campbell thanked Ms. Hart for the thoughtful analysis and the hard work she has done. She said the Board of Regents appreciates it very much. Ms. Hart said if we need further assistance on these difficult issues, the Attorney General’s office will be there to help.

17. 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:

Hamre Construction, Inc., Spokane, for the Fine Arts Plaza repair for a total project cost of $480,089, including Alternate 1, sales tax, and contingency, to be paid from the 1995-97 Minor Capital Renewal funds.

Precision Bilt Inc., Spokane, for the rebuilding of tennis courts 7-12 for a total project cost of $236,337, including Alternate 1, sales tax and contingency, to be paid from the 1995-97 Services and Activities fees.

Williams Brothers, Spokane, for the fluoridation of the domestic water system for a total project cost of $208,120, including sales tax and contingency, to be paid from 1993-95 Minor Capital Improvement and 1995-97 Minor Capital Renewal funds.

NISEI Construction Co., Inc., Seattle, for the Hollingberry Field House-reroofing 1995 for a total project cost of $200,669, including sales tax and contingency, to be paid from 1995-97 Minor Capital Renewal funds.

3-H Mechanical, Inc., Coeur d’Alene, ID, for installing perchloric acid fume hood in room 1123 of the Webster Physical Science Building for a total project cost of $81,533, including sales tax and contingency, to be paid from 1995-97 Minor Capital Improvement and departmental funds.

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Sanders Construction, Wenatchee, for vestibule doors/soffit repair at the Wenatchee Tree Fruit Research Station for a total project cost of $70,024, including Alternate 1 and 2, sales tax and contingency, to be paid from 1993-95 departmental funds.

3-H Mechanical, Inc., Coeur d’Alene, ID, for chilled water connections at Daggy Hall for a total project cost of $63,198, including sales tax, to be paid from Minor Capital Renewal funds.

Palouse Country Electric, Moscow, ID, for replacing a standby generator at the Knott Dairy Farm for a total project cost of $48,246, including sales tax and contingency, to be paid from Minor Capital Improvement and 1995-97 Minor Capital Improvement funds.

Poe Asphalt Paving, Inc., Pullman, for resurfacing roadway and parking lots – 1995 for a total project cost of $38,546, including sales tax and contingency, to be paid from 1995-97 Parking, 1995-97 Minor Capital Renewal, and 1995-97 departmental funds.

Mike Wood Excavating Co., Wenatchee, for a sewer connection to Annex Building No. 50 for a total project cost of $9,691, including sales tax and contingency, to be paid from 1995-97 departmental funds.

18. 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:

John Korsmo Construction, Inc., for the Dairy Forage Facility, Phase II in the final amount of $2,115,247.

Hamre Construction, Inc., for the vet farm shop replacement of existing farm service in the final amount of $294,976.

Johnson Controls Network Integration Services, Inc., for the Inside Plant Phase I, Off Campus in the final amount of $222,620.

Hamre Construction, Inc., for French Ad hardware and Coliseum and White Hall restrooms in the final amount of $127,935.

Allied Safe & Vault for the Holland Library Addition security system in the final amount of $110,712.

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Largent Electric for Holland Library fire pump installation in the final amount of $64,957.

Pavement Maintenance Corp. for a pavement joint and crack sealing project in the final amount of $61,692.

R.R.A.CO., Inc., for the remodel of room 223 Cleveland Hall in the final amount of $61,545.

Poe Asphalt Paving, Inc., for asphalt concrete pavement repair and overlay in the final amount of $53,172.

Looker & Associates, Inc. for repairing paved surfaces and replacing concrete a curb at WWREC in the final amount of $44,563.

Environmental Growth Chamber for growth chamber renovation in the final amount of $37,878.

Palouse Country Electric for Johnson Hall electrical upgrade in the final amount of $29,699.

Crackfill Specialists for housing/and parking pavement joint and crack sealing project in the final amount of $26,743.

Hamre Construction, Inc., for Holland Library planter repair in the final amount of $21,545.

Farmers Electric for upgrading electrical system at the Othello Potato Research Center in the final amount of $20,756.

19. Retirement of Faculty, Administrative and Professional Staff, and Classified Staff. Vice President for Business Affairs Sallie Giffen provided a list of the retirees from Washington State University from July 1, 1994, through June 30, 1995, as they appear in Exhibit B.

20. Report from University Affairs. Vice President for Extended University Affairs Thomas L. Purce overviewed his first weeks at his new position, which centered around reorganization, especially the inclusion of Cooperative Extension into Extended University Affairs. There will be a day-long retreat to explore opportunities, address issues, and create an action plan for the new organization. There have been discussions regarding the use of Cooperative Extension in the counties in terms of education and cooperative programs.

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Dr. Purce hopes to come back to the Regents in November with a view of Cooperative Extension’s strategy to build the programs in the counties.

21. Communications Task Force Report. Regent Davis provided comments on the Governor’s Higher Education Task Force and complimented Vice President Purce and said he is an excellent addition to the team. Four handouts were distributed. He discussed an article from The Chronicle of Higher Education entitled “Sweeping, Painful Changes,” which gives a perspective about the changes occurring regarding the public’s view of higher education. In addition to the article, he presented facts regarding two charts: 1) “Alternative Enrollment Projections,” which was provided by the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB); and 2) “Completely Unserved Washington Resident Applicants, by Institution, Four-Year Institutions, Academic Year 1992-1993.” Regent Davis commented on how data can be distorted and provided an amended version of chart two with the correct information added.

Regent Davis noted that these distortions of fact portray a serious problem we have in higher education. The key issue for WSU is to develop a communications strategy and try to get higher education’s message across. During the legislative session, Senators Prince, Rinehart, several legislators, and 20-30 representatives from the community colleges and four-year schools in higher education held a series of meetings where they tried to develop a strategy for communicating the importance of higher education to the public in general. As a result of that effort, Craig Cole, trustee for Western Washington University, and Regent Davis met with the Chair of Council of Presidents (COP), Terry Teale`. The COP and the Presidents were very supportive and, they believe the strategy in communication should be immediate and long term to improve the impression of higher education.

Regent Campbell asked for Regent Davis to describe the composition of the Higher Education Task Force. The Task Force is made up of eight legislators, regents, community college trustees, a student, and a professor. President Smith commented that this Task Force will be of great help over the next couple of years. Because they are not a vested interest group, they can go out make a more forceful input for the universities regarding higher education.

Regent Wiley asked for comments concerning the direction in which funding of higher education is headed. Regent Davis is concerned that the legislature will turn the funding dilemma into a university problem instead of one that our society and the state should handle. He commented the universities will have to stretch all its resources to continue educating more students with the same funding. He believes that as the federal government begins to shift the responsibility to the state, the whole system will need to be analyzed.

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Faculty Senate Chair Greg Hooks pointed out that this is a very big concern for the faculty. They feel that the legislature does not consider the time they spend writing tests or reading students’ answers. The dilemma is where the faculty fits into the message to legislators. Regent Davis responded that there are many misconceptions in the public regarding faculty. Often one or two bad examples are applied to represent the whole. There is much work ahead to put forth the message of our many successes. WSU needs to address these perceptions, work out a strategy to get out into the communities, and tell a positive story. In addition, the public today is more concerned about teaching than research, and WSU needs to find a way to make sure the research is publicized, to show that research also has significant value.

President Smith commented that WSU is trying to move from measuring activity, and to move toward measuring output. Regent Davis said another way to change perception is to solve problems affecting the public. The key is to develop a proactive communications strategy.

Dr. Hooks said he would like to see WSU lead the way in assessing our advances with the new technology we are using in our classrooms, so the public can see these advances. It would be a great demonstration of the appropriateness and usefulness of having research faculty in the classroom, unlike other post-secondary institutions. Regent Davis stated the important issue is not to back away from the research commitment, but to emphasis WSU’s teaching commitment. Rather, than defending research, WSU needs to get on the offensive showing the value of the teaching and the contributions that the university makes in terms of teaching and learning.

Regent Albrecht stated that because WSU is a research university, it is in a unique position to research how people learn. He asked if there is some work we can do to point the legislature in the direction in measuring learning outcomes rather than faculty contact hours, so WSU can demonstrate what is most effective in true learning. Dr. Hooks added that if there is a clear commitment to changing public perceptions, the faculty would be behind the effort. If it was explained well, it would bring an enthusiasm to the faculty, knowing that their research project lended to their educational mission more than it has in the past, as well as serving domestic affairs.

President Smith noted the report released recently by the SESRC by Professor Don Dillman that was given positive coverage. One of the results showed that the public does value research.

22. WSU Foundation Gift Report for August 1995. Vice President for University Advancement Connie Kravas presented the WSU Foundation Gift Report for August 1995, and reported that the year-to-date total for donations and private grants had reached $3,721,338. Dr. Kravas highlighted three major gifts: the Garvey farm trust to help

September 22, 1995

extension service in Stevens county and to provide scholarship support; the Washington Wheat Commission gift of $1 million to create a wheat research facility; and the Washington Mutual Savings Bank pledge of $250,000, to support the College of Education to recruit and prepare women of color to become administrators. Dr. Kravas distributed Cougar license plate forms and commented that WSU has outnumbered the University of Washington two to one in sales.

The meeting adjourned at noon. The Regents had lunch with Jennifer Belcher, Commissioner of Public Lands for the Department of Natural Resources and members of her staff to discuss matters pertaining to WSU trust land management.