08-18-95minutes

Board of Regents

OFFICIAL MINUTES

Board of Regents' Meeting
August 18, 1995
Mat-Su Campus
Palmer, Alaska

Regents Present:

Sharon D. Gagnon, President

Michael P. Kelly, Vice President

Mary Jane Fate, Secretary

Virginia W. Breeze

Chancy Croft

Eric Forrer

Joe L. Hayes, Jr.

Joseph R. Henri

Lew M. Williams, Jr.

Jerome B. Komisar, Executive Officer and

President of the University of Alaska

Regents Absent:

R. Danforth Ogg, Treasurer

Joe J. Thomas

In Attendance:

E. Lee Gorsuch, Chancellor, University of Alaska Anchorage

Marshall L. Lind, Chancellor, University of Alaska Southeast

Joan K. Wadlow, Chancellor, University of Alaska Fairbanks

John P. Keating, Provost, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Roberta Stell, Dean of Academic Affairs, University of Alaska Southeast

J. Mark Neumayr, Interim General Counsel

Jim Lynch, Associate Vice President for Finance

'Nanne Myers, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs

Gerald V. Neubert, Assistant Vice President and University Architect

Patty Kastelic, Executive Director for Human Resources

Bob Miller, Director of Public Affairs

Marylou Burton, Director of Statewide Budget Development

Stevan DeSoer, Assistant Vice President for Labor Relations

Jeannie D. Phillips, Regents' Affairs Officer

Dawn Greene, Regents' Affairs Staff

I. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by President Gagnon at 8:10 a.m. on Friday, August 18, 1995.

II. Adoption of Agenda

Regent Forrer moved, seconded by Regent Henri and passed unanimously that:

PASSED

"The Board of Regents adopts the agenda as presented.

I. Call to Order

II. Adoption of Agenda

III. Approval of Minutes

IV. Public Comment

A. General Public

B. University Councils

C. System Governance

D. Faculty and Staff

E. Certified Bargaining Representatives

ACCFT

CEA

F. Students

G. Alumni

V. Planned Presentation: Welcome and Tour of Machetanz Building

VI. Executive Session

VII. Naming of Mat-Su College Day-Care Center

VIII. Consent Agenda:

Finance, Facilities and Land Management Committee

University of Alaska Fairbanks Wickersham Hall Deferred Maintenance - Project Approval

Human Resources Committee

Adoption of the New Policy for Non-Bargaining Faculty Compensation

Committee of the Whole

A. Alaska SeaLife Center Agreement

B. Approval of FY96 Operating and Capital Budgets

IX. New Business:

Academic and Student Affairs Committee

Finance, Facilities and Land Management Committee

Human Resources Committee

Committee of the Whole

X. FY96 and FY97 Meeting Schedule Revisions

XI. Corporate Authority Resolution

XII. Resolution of Appreciation: Scott A. Otterbacher

XIII. Resolution of Appreciation: Merritt R. Helfferich

XIV. Report from Ad-Hoc Committee on UAF School of Mineral Engineering

XV. Chancellors' Status Reports

XVI. UA System Administration Status Reports

XVII. Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education Representatives' Report

XVIII. Board of Regents' Comments

XIX. Adjourn

This motion is effective August 18, 1995."

III. Approval of Minutes

Regent Forrer moved, seconded by Regent Williams and passed unanimously that:

PASSED

"The Board of Regents approves the minutes of its June 2, 1995 meeting as presented. This motion is effective August 18, 1995."

IV. Public Comment

A. General Public

Ronald "Scotty" Dawkins, whose wife is an employee with the UAA Police Department, urged the Board to adequately fund the Police Department both operationally and in compensating its employees.

Paula Giauque, a Mat-Su Valley farmer, spoke on the benefits of having the Agriculture Center stationed in Palmer and the benefits she has seen due to its research activities.

Douglas Whitte, an employee with the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Agriculture, spoke regarding the importance of agriculture to the state and of the Agriculture Station in Palmer, and regarding cooperation between the state and university.

Jay Dearborn, President of the Alaska Seed Growers Association, shared his congratulations and support regarding the University's seed potato project headed by Dr. Jenifer McBeath.

Steve Hamilton, a Mat-Su Valley dairyman, urged the Board to continue the support of the Agriculture Station and highlighted the necessity of research in the production of local grains and grasses to support herds in the Valley.

Theresa Obermeyer, requested the Board support her in her lawsuit against the federal government.

Joe VanTreeck, Mat-Maid Dairy, spoke in support of the Palmer Research Station.

B. University Councils

None

C. System Governance

Cheryl Mann, Alliance of Faculty Senates chair, expressed the Alliance's concerns regarding the proposed passage of a new faculty compensation package and urged the Board to delay their vote until more discussion had occurred within the governance structure.

Thomas Walker, representative for the Coalition of Student Leaders and USUAA President, announced that Regent Joe Hayes would be the presiding officer for the Coalition and that Paige Adams, a Sitka Campus student, has been appointed by Governor Knowles as student representative on the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education; that students were involved in assisting in the formulation of new student policies including student grievances, employment issues, fees, due process and student government.

Marie Scholle, Staff Alliance President and UAF Staff Council President, updated the Board on staff activities at the Tanana Valley State Fair and invited the Board to attend College Day activities on September 21.

D. Faculty and Staff

Preston Hughes, UAA Police Department dispatcher, urged the Board to fully fund the UAA Police Department.

Lawrence Weiss, UAA Sociology professor, expressed his concerns regarding the faculty compensation policy, specifically the discretionary increases.

Margritt Engel, UAA Foreign Languages professor, urged the Board to reconsider passing the faculty compensation policy as written.

JoAnn Ducharme, UAF Rural Student Services Director, and Alice Crow, UAA Native Student Services Director, reported on cooperative activities between the two departments and efforts to ensure responsive attention to rural and Native student needs.

E. Certified Bargaining Representatives

ACCFT:

Ralph McGrath, President of ACCFT, spoke of his concerns regarding the new academic policies, and the lack of progress made on contract negotiations.

CEA:

Mike Mayberry, Phyllis Rickowski and Colin Clausson expressed the CEA's concerns regarding the lack of funding for the approved contract and the contracting of custodial services.

F. Students

Shelia Keyser, Mat-Su College student, thanked the Board for their support of funding for the Machetanz Building.

Tom Walker, President of USUAA, spoke on the importance of values to students.

G. Alumni

None

V. Planned Presentation: Welcome and Tour of Machetanz Building

Glenn Massay, Director of Mat-Su College, welcomed Board members and staff to the College and conducted a brief tour of the Machetanz Building.

[FULL BOARD MEETING RECESSED; IT RECONVENED FOLLOWING THE CONCLUSION OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING]

VI. Executive Session

Regent Forrer moved, seconded by Regent Hayes and passed unanimously that:

PASSED

"The Board of Regents goes into executive session in accordance with the provisions of AS 44.62.310 to discuss matters relating to litigation, land and labor matters, these topics being subjects the immediate knowledge of which would have an adverse effect on the finances of the University; and the naming of a University of Alaska facility, this topic being a subject which might tend to damage the character or reputation of a person or persons. The session shall include members of the Board of Regents, President Komisar, Interim General Counsel Neumayr, and such other University staff members as the President may designate and shall last approximately one hour. Thus, the open session of the Board shall resume in this room at approximately 1:00 p.m. A.D.T. This motion is effective August 18, 1995."

Executive Session Summary

Regent Breeze announced that the Board of Regents just concluded an executive session in accordance with AS 44.62.310 discussing matters relating to litigation, land and labor, these topics being subjects the immediate knowledge of which would have an adverse effect on the finances of the University; and the naming of a University of Alaska facility, this topic being a subject which might tend to damage the character or reputation of a person or persons. The session included members of the Board of Regents, President Komisar, Interim General Counsel Neumayr and other University staff members designated by the President and lasted approximately one and a half hours.

VII. Naming of the Mat-Su College Day-Care Center

The Matanuska-Susitna College made a recommendation for the naming of its day-care center. The recommendation was approved by the Mat-Su Student Government Council, the College Advisory Council and Chancellor Gorsuch.

Regent Kelly moved, seconded by Regent Fate and passed unanimously that:

PASSED

"The Board of Regents approves the naming of the Matanuska-Susitna College Day-Care Center to be hereafter named Molly's Playhouse. This motion is effective August 18, 1995."

VIII. Consent Agenda

Finance, Facilities and Land Management Committee

The Finance, Facilities and Land Management Committee made the following recommendation:

University of Alaska Fairbanks Wickersham Hall Deferred Maintenance - Project Approval Reference 2

MOTION

"The Finance, Facilities, and Land Management Committee recommends that the Board of Regents approve the University of Alaska Fairbanks Wickersham Hall Deferred Maintenance project as presented and authorize the University administration to proceed with hiring a consultant and preparing construction documents. This motion is effective August 17, 1995."

Regent Henri moved, seconded by Regent Williams, and passed unanimously that:

PASSED

"The Board of Regents approves the recommendation of the Finance, Facilities and Land Management Committee as stated above. This motion is effective August 18, 1995."

Human Resources Committee

The Human Resources Committee made the following recommendation:

Adoption of the New Policy for Non-Bargaining Faculty Compensation Reference 6

MOTION

"The Human Resources Committee recommends that the Board of Regents adopt Policy 04.05.03 Salary Structures relating to non-bargaining unit faculty compensation. This motion is effective August 17, 1995.

Regent Kelly moved, seconded by Regent Forrer and passed unanimously that:

PASSED

"The Board of Regents approves the recommendation of the Human Resources Committee as stated above. This motion is effective August 18, 1995."

Committee of the Whole

The Committee of the Whole made the following recommendations:

A. Alaska SeaLife Center Agreement Reference 10

MOTION

"The Committee of the Whole recommends that the Board of Regents authorize Provost Jack Keating and Dean Vera Alexander to execute an agreement with SAAMS in substantially the same form and content as that in Reference 10. This motion is effective August 17, 1995."

B. Approval of FY96 Capital and Operating Budgets

Reference bound separately (Yellow Book)

MOTION

"The Committee of the Whole recommends that the Board of Regents approve the capital and operating budgets for FY96 as presented. This motion is effective August 17, 1995."

Regent Fate moved, seconded by Regent Williams and passed unanimously that:

PASSED

"The Board of Regents approves the recommendations of the Committee of the Whole as stated above. This motion is effective August 18, 1995."

IX. New Business:

Academic and Student Affairs Committee

The following topics were addressed by the Academic and Student Affairs Committee as discussion items:

Report on the Review and Revision of Policies and Regulations Regarding Academic and Student Affairs

Basic issues underlying the present effort to revise Regents Policy are those of unity and fiscal responsibility. Also, the following assumptions made by President Komisar are being utilized as revisions are drafted:

1. The university will continue to conduct itself through three major administrative units.

2. There are four accredited institutions.

3. Academic programs are developed to meet local, regional, and statewide needs.

4. Functional unity will be attained.

5. The practice of tenure will continue and be based upon the campus and discipline.

These assumptions, reflecting the question: "Are we one or are we three," are recognized as debatable and indeed needing resolution for the revisions of policy to continue without ambiguity. The discussion started in committee at this meeting will be continued at the October retreat by the full Board. Policies will be brought to the Board for first reading over the next several meetings. A special meeting of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee will be needed before the December Board meeting to look at the individual policies in detail. The goal remains to approve the complete revision by June 1996.

Dr. Beverly Beeton, speaking for the Systemwide Academic Council, led the discussion on academic policies. UAF Dean of Student Services Carla Kirts and UAA Vice Chancellor for Student Services Larry Kingry presented a review matrix for student affairs policies.

Report on the Issues Pertaining to Refusing Admittance of Students on the Basis of Non-Academic Matters

Surveys of court decisions and the practices of other institutions reveal that:

1. While an institution can ask about a person's previous criminal record, it is not required to do so. Asking whether a student has a criminal record increases the liability of the institution.

2. Most institutions do not ask about previous criminal records. Instead, institutions concentrate on having processes in place to deal with instances where having a previous record becomes a matter of consequence, such as the student's behavior or the program in which the student wishes to enroll.

The student affairs officers and general counsel recommended in concept a policy which would note the university's positive attitude about admitting persons convicted of crimes, and reserve the right to inquire about and act upon a person's record as the need arose. Since each campus presently has practices for addressing these situations, drafting such a policy will proceed in step with the revision of the rest of student affairs policies.

Report on the National Forum on Student Preparation for College and the Workplace

Two primary issues at the conference were the establishment of K-12 performance standards and emphasizing an effort-based approach to learning. Representatives from both the Board of Education and the Board of Regents attended this meeting. A meeting of subcommittees from both boards in October will discuss the inclusion of these topics on the agenda of the joint session of both boards in December 1995.

Finance, Facilities and Land Management Committee

Regent Henri reported that the following topics were addressed by the Finance, Facilities and Land Management Committee as discussion items: an update on drafting of a proposed policy regarding Real Property/Land Stewardship; review of a draft policy on Information Technology; and heard reports on the bonding plan for UAS housing; Elvey II project status, campus entrance design cost ceiling, M&R and R&R targets, and the Near Island Research Facility. The Committee also discussed the possible outcomes of the State of Alaska's Long-Range Financial Planning Commission.

Human Resources Committee

Regent Kelly reported that the following topics were addressed by the Human Resources Committee as discussion items: the Governor's proposed legislation adjusting the geographical difference, adjustments to the new staff salary schedule, and a briefing on revisions being made to the policy and regulations regarding Dispute Resolution.

Committee of the Whole

President Gagnon reported that the committee had met with Annalee McConnell, Director of the State Office of Management and Budget, to listen to her insights as to possible strategies on presenting the operating and capital budgets during the next legislative session. Other items discussed were the unity report from the Business Affairs Officers and budget presentations from each campus.

X. FY96 and FY97 Meeting Schedule Revisions

Board members discussed and approved a Board of Regents meeting schedule for FY96 and FY97 as revised below [bold text denotes revisions.]

FY96

Meeting Dates Location

August 17-18, 1995 Palmer

October 12-14, 1995 Fairbanks

December 7-8, 1995 Anchorage

February 15-16, 1996 Juneau

April 18-19, 1996 Anchorage

June 13-14, 1996 Fairbanks

FY97

Meeting Dates Location

August 15-16, 1996 Anchorage

September 26-27, 1996 Fairbanks

November 21-22, 1996 Anchorage

February 20-21, 1997 Juneau

April 17-18, 1997 Fairbanks

June 12-13, 1997 Fairbanks

Regent Henri moved, seconded by Regent Forrer and passed unanimously that:

PASSED AS AMENDED

"The Board of Regents approves the revised FY96 and FY97 Meeting Schedules as amended. This motion is effective August 18, 1995."

XI. Corporate Authority Resolution Reference 11

An updated corporate authority resolution is required due to changes in the membership and officers of the Board of Regents and staffing within the Finance Office.

Regent Breeze moved, seconded by Regent Henri and passed unanimously that:

PASSED

"The Board of Regents adopts the updated corporate authority resolution as contained in Reference 11. This motion is effective August 18, 1995."

XII. Resolution of Appreciation: Scott Allen Otterbacher

WHEREAS, Scott A. Otterbacher was born in Berea and reared in Brook Park, Ohio; and

WHEREAS, Scott A. Otterbacher was graduated from Midpark High School, Middleburg Heights, Ohio in 1977; and

WHEREAS, Scott A. Otterbacher moved to Alaska in 1985, and began attending the University of Alaska in 1989 at the University of Alaska Fairbanks; and

WHEREAS, Scott A. Otterbacher became actively involved in student government shortly after beginning his studies, and in 1992 served as the legislative affairs director of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Associated Students, and also served on the UAF student government as a senator; and

WHEREAS, Scott A. Otterbacher's efforts and success as a student government representative were acknowledged in 1992 when the United States Achievement Academy presented him with a National Collegiate Student Government Award; and

WHEREAS, Scott A. Otterbacher was elected by the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus as its choice for student regent and was subsequently appointed to the Board of Regents of the University of Alaska by Governor Walter J. Hickel for the term of 1993 to 1995; and

WHEREAS, Scott A. Otterbacher provided leadership on the Board of Regents, serving as a member of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee and Human Resources Committee; and

WHEREAS, Scott A. Otterbacher provided leadership to the Coalition of Student Government, serving as chair from 1994 to 1995; and

WHEREAS, Scott A. Otterbacher was the first student regent to attend courses at the University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and University of Alaska Southeast, and at Matanuska-Susitna College; and

WHEREAS, Scott A. Otterbacher was graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1994 with a bachelor of arts degree in journalism with a minor in elementary education; and from the University of Alaska Southeast in 1995 with a master's degree in education, emphasis in school leadership and policy studies.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Regents of the University of Alaska takes official recognition of Scott A. Otterbacher's service to the University of Alaska and its students and extends to him this resolution of appreciation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution be appropriately engrossed and conveyed to Scott A. Otterbacher with a copy incorporated in the official minutes of the August 17-18, 1995 meeting of the University of Alaska Board of Regents.

Regent Henri moved, seconded by Regent Forrer and passed unanimously that:

PASSED

"The Board of Regents approves the Resolution of Appreciation for Scott A. Otterbacher. This motion is effective August 18, 1995."

XIII. Resolution of Appreciation: Merritt R. Helfferich

WHEREAS, Merritt R. Helfferich was born in Hartford, Connecticut, the only son to a family of five generations of German Reform ministers and the first generation in 100 years to not enter the ministry; and

WHEREAS, Merritt R. Helfferich was graduated from the University of Alaska in 1966 with a bachelor of arts degree in English; and from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in 1990 with a master's degree in public administration; and

WHEREAS, Merritt R. Helfferich has served in numerous positions during his tenure at the University of Alaska, beginning in 1966 and including head of Technical Services at the Geophysical Institute from 1976 to 1983; interim Associate Vice President for Human Resource Development in 1983; assistant to the Chancellor from 1983 to 1986; assistant director for administration at Geophysical Institute from 1986 to 1988; and associate director for administration at Geophysical Institute from 1988 to 1994; and as director of the Elvey II Project from 1994 until his retirement from the University of Alaska in 1995; and

WHEREAS, Merritt R. Helfferich served with distinction from 1982 to 1983 as the first staff member to be elected as president of the University of Alaska Assembly; and

WHEREAS, Merritt R. Helfferich has shown his dedication to the University and its research mission by serving in professional organizations advancing research including the Alaska Academy of Science and Technology as a charter member; the American Association for the Advancement of Science; the American Geophysical Union; the Explorers Club as a fellow; and the Society of Research Administrators, where he has also given workshops on topics ranging from "Humor in the Workplace" to "Funding Plans for Research Facilities"; and

WHEREAS, Merritt R. Helfferich, while serving on civic organizations, showed his support for his community and state by serving on the boards of the State of Alaska Women's Commission, Dance Omnium, Fairbanks Symphony Association, Women in Crisis-Counseling and Assistance, to name only a few, and as "Admiral" and Co-Founder of the Great Tanana Raft Classic; and

WHEREAS, Merritt R. Helfferich, in 1992, felt the calling of his ancestors and sent in his $25 to the American Fellowship Church to become an ordained minister and has, to date, performed marriage ceremonies for four couples; and

WHEREAS, Merritt R. Helfferich capped his outstanding service to the University of Alaska, as well as the global community, by spearheading the effort to obtain funding for the Elvey II Project, using innovative and creative methods to ensure its construction and completion.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Regents of the University of Alaska takes official recognition of Merritt R. Helfferich's service to the University of Alaska, the state of Alaska, the nation, and the world in its research of the Arctic, extends to him this statement of appreciation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution be appropriately engrossed and conveyed to Merritt R. Helfferich with a copy incorporated in the official minutes of the August 17-18, 1995 meeting of the University of Alaska Board of Regents.

Regent Fate moved, seconded by Regent Williams and passed unanimously that:

PASSED

"The Board of Regents approves the Resolution of Appreciation for Merritt R. Helfferich. This motion is effective August 18, 1995."

XIV. Report from the Ad-Hoc Committee on the UAF School of Mineral Engineering Reference 12

Regent Joseph R. Henri, Chair of the Ad-Hoc Committee on the UAF School of Mineral Engineering, reported on Committee meetings held on June 30 and August 10, 1995. A summary of the June 30 meeting is contained in Reference 12.

XV. Chancellors' Status Reports

[Written reports were also included in the bound agenda.]

Chancellor Gorsuch announced the appointments of Dr. Thomas Brewer as Interim Provost and Charles Neff as Director of the Alaska Center for International Business. He also reported on the groundbreaking for the Aviation Center, the full enrollment for the Masters in Social Work program for the Fall 1995 semester and receipt of candidacy status for full accreditation for the MSW program; highlighted faculty accomplishments over the past year; and reported on faculty convocation plans.

Chancellor Wadlow commended Director Glenn Massay and the Mat-Su staff on the cooperation they have given to the UAF School of Agriculture staff who are stationed in Palmer; reported on the appointment of Phyllis Fast as director of Alaska Native Studies; NIH grant that enabled rural students to work in UAF laboratories during the summer; and described the new partnership between UAF and the city of Bethel to jointly select and fund a youth coordinator for the area.

XVI. UA System Administration Status Reports

None

XVII. Report from Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education Representatives

Regent Forrer reported that he has been elected chair of the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education and that Diane Barrens has been appointed as Acting Director. He also reviewed a white paper written by former director, Joe McCormick, which compared the enabling legislation creating the ACPE with what ACPE currently does, and found that there were no comparisons. Regent Forrer outlined the goals for the ACPE in the next legislative session.

XVIII. Board of Regents' Comments

Regent Hayes questioned what happened to the campus entrance designs; Regent Henri responded that no university funds would be spent without prior approval from the Board.

Regent Breeze thanked Mat-Su College for hosting the Board meeting and especially Glenn Massay for the lovely dinner at his home; she commented that the review of the academic policies will be the most exciting challenge undertaken by the Academic & Student Affairs Committee during her tenure on the Board; and requested that an issue management campaign strategy be discussed at the October Board of Regents' Retreat.

Regent Forrer requested that the Retreat include a discussion on the formulation of firm axioms on which to build future policies.

Regent Croft requested that the possibility of receiving formula funding for University-sponsored developmental education programs be explored, and suggested that the Board formulate a list of "irresistible" capital projects to present to the legislature during the next session.

Regent Kelly commented on salary schedules and perceived inequities between faculty and staff schedules.

President Gagnon commended regents and staff for a successful meeting and stated that she felt incredible progress had been made in refining the mission of the University of Alaska system.

XIX. Adjourn

President Gagnon adjourned the meeting at 4:40 p.m.