10-02-98minutes
Board of Regents
OFFICIAL MINUTES
Meeting of the
University of Alaska Board of Regents
October 1-2, 1998
Fairbanks, Alaska
OFFICIAL MINUTES
Regents Present:
Michael J. Burns, President
Elsa Froehlich Demeksa, Vice President
Annette M. Nelson-Wright, Secretary
Chancy Croft, Treasurer
Mary Jane Fate
Sharon D. Gagnon
Joseph R. Henri
Michael P. Kelly
R. Danforth Ogg
Mark R. Hamilton, Executive Officer and President of the University of Alaska
Regents Absent:
Joe J. Thomas
Lew M. Williams, Jr.
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
Jim Lynch, Interim Vice President for Finance and Planning
James A. Parrish, General Counsel
Wendy Redman, Vice President for University Relations
Patty Kastelic, Executive Director for Human Resources
Steve Smith, Chief Information Officer
'Nanne Myers, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs
Daniel Johnson, Provost, University of Alaska Anchorage
Paul Reichardt, Provost, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Roberta Stell, Vice Chancellor, University of Alaska Southeast
William S. Rose, Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services, University of Alaska
Anchorage
Frank Williams, Interim Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services, University of
Alaska Fairbanks
Jim Johnsen, Director, Labor Relations
Robert Miller, Director, Public Affairs
Ann Ringstad, Director, Government Relations
John Dickinson, Assistant to the Vice President for Finance
J. Mark Neumayr, Associate General Counsel
Jeannie D. Phillips, Board of Regents' Officer
Dawn Hunziker, Board of Regents' Coordinator
I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by President Burns at 8:10 a.m. on Thursday, October 1, 1998.
II. Adoption of Agenda
Regent Gagnon moved, seconded by Regent Thomas, and passed unanimously that:
PASSED AS AMENDED (amendments indicated by *)
"The Board of Regents adopts the agenda as presented.
I. Call to OrderII. Adoption of Agenda
III. Approval of Minutes
IV. Employee Organization Reports
A. System GovernanceB. Collective Bargaining Units
V. Public Testimony
VI. University President's Report
VII. Consent Agenda
A. Academic and Student Affairs Committee1. Approval of Regents' Policy 09.02 - Student Rights and ResponsibilitiesB. Finance, Facilities and Land Management Committee
1. Approval of Use of Proceeds from Ketchikan Technical Center Easement2. Approval of Sale of the Homer Red Meat Facility
3. Approval of Resolution of Appreciation for the Members of the University of Alaska Heating Corporation
C. Committee of the Whole
1. Consideration of FY00 Tuition Rates*2. Approval of FY00 Operating and Capital Budget Requests (removed from consideration)
VIII. New Business and Committee Reports
A. Academic and Student Affairs CommitteeB. Audit Committee
C. Committee of the Whole
D. Finance, Facilities and Land Management Committee
E. Human Resources Committee
F. Labor Relations Committee
G. Planning and Development Committee
IX. Approval of Honorary Degree and Meritorious Service Award Recipients
X. Approval of FY98 Degree Recipients
XI. Future Agenda Items
XII. Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education Report
XIII. Board of Regents' Comments
XIV. Executive Session
XV. Adjourn
This motion is effective October 1, 1998."
III. Approval of Minutes
Regent Kelly moved, seconded by Regent Nelson-Wright, and passed unanimously that:
PASSED"The Board of Regents approves the minutes of its meeting of August 20-21, 1998 as presented. This motion is effective October 1, 1998."
PASSED
"The Board of Regents approves the minutes of its emergency meeting of August 27, 1998 as presented. This motion is effective October 1, 1998."
IV. Employee Organization Reports
A. System Governance: Faculty Alliance, Staff Alliance and Coalition of Student LeadersA written report was also included in the full agenda.
Lauren Bruce, President of Faculty Alliance, stressed that communication is essential for collaboration and that both formal and informal avenues for discussion need to be planned and in place rather than as a reaction to crisis or conflict. She reported that the Faculty Alliance has passed two recommendations: 1/ that the Board appoint an ex-officio faculty member to the Board of Regents; and 2/ that the Academic & Student Affairs Committee include a non-voting faculty member.
Marie Scholle, Staff Alliance President, reported that the Alliance supported the leave share program; shared concerns regarding upcoming health care changes and the mandatory holiday closure; reported that the Alliance was reviewing the salary survey and grievance policy drafts; and reported that the Alliance would hold a retreat with President Hamilton on November 5 in Anchorage.
Jean Richardson, ASUAF President and representative for Coalition of Student Leaders, expressed concerns regarding the Alaska Student Loan credit checks concerns, no appeals process for catastrophic reasons/extenuating circumstances; candidate forums; Northwest Student Leadership Conference on November 13-14 in Portland.
B. Collective Bargaining Units: ACCFT, CEA, United Academics, United Academic - Adjuncts
Dave Dau, President of ACCFT, thanked each board member for his/her commitment to the University of Alaska; reported that his meeting with President Hamilton was very successful; and conveyed his hope that the University would continue the trend of working toward goals which benefit both parties.
Larry Weiss, President of United Academics, expressed his concerns regarding the treatment of faculty on issues including the lengthening of semester at UAA, and imposition of annual reviews for tenured professors.
Wade Gilmore, Statewide President, and Robert Nash, Northern Region Vice President of CEA, voiced their concerns regarding health care costs and reported on upcoming elections.
V. Public Testimony
Commissioner Shirley Holloway, Alaska Department of Education, reported on the developments with the Alaska Quality Students Initiative and how this initiative will dramatically affect how the University of Alaska trains teachers.
Lt. Governor Fran Ulmer thanked the board for allowing the joint meeting with ASTF and urged that joint meetings continue; and asked that the Board of Regents consider a formal partnership with the Health Care Alliance for Work Force Development, an alliance to encourage the connection of needs of employers with trainers.
Representative John Davies spoke of his optimism on the changing attitude of the legislature in funding the university but cautioned the board to continue to communicate with Alaska citizens on its efficiencies, quality, and esprit de corps of the staff.
Representative Tom Brice thanked the board for its commitment to higher education in the State of Alaska and pledged his continued support during the upcoming legislative session.
Norma Mosso, IAB staff member and John Bryant, IAB Professor, expressed their concerns regarding the decision of the director of the Institute of Arctic Biology to not participate in the RIP program.
Jim Sedinger, interim director of the Institute of Arctic Biology, presented a report on IAB including its research, employment opportunities for students; and effects of RIP on the institute.
Sally Wien, UAF Board of Visitors President, reported that campus repairs have made a difference as evidenced by the increase in corporate and individual partnerships e.g., MAPCO and IBM to computer labs, ARCO to Museum expansion, and Cook Haugeberg to increased scholarships and hiring of UAF students. Ms. Wien also reported on behalf of Sharon Allen, that the Crossroads event is planned for October 31
Rick Sonnefeld, President of the UAF Residence Hall Association, expressed the concerns students have with the Lola Tilly Commons renovations and challenged board members to visit and have lunch at the Commons.
Jake Poole, Executive Director, UAF Alumni Association, reported on Alumni participation in student orientation; that the association continues to build its mentor list; the establishment of a brown bag lunch series for alumni to speak with students; recognition of Niilo Koponen; and legislative efforts including Hutchison Center.
Jenny Pelkola, Judith Snow-Rosander, Catherine Attla and Patty Bowen, from the Interior Aleutians Campus Council, testified on the difference distance education has made in their lives and the lives of their families and urged the Board of Regents to continue its support for the extended campuses.
Jayme Hatfield, Kenai Peninsula College student government president, urged the board to support the capital project for the Kenai Peninsula College; and expressed student concerns regarding perceived lack of leadership at the campus.
Madeline Schatz, UAF Professor of Music and Director of Fairbanks Symphony, cautioned the board to look at more than FTE numbers when talking about faculty productivity.
John French, former UAF employee, expressed his concerns regarding the delay of a grant by Alaska Science and Technology Foundation and university efforts to discredit him.
Kevin Huddy, professor of military science at UAF, reported on growth of the ROTC program at UAF with enrollment up by 43 percent; amount of earned scholarships up by 130 percent; and the largest number of commissioned lieutenants since Viet Nam War; he reported that the ROTC program has a current enrollment of 73 students.
Stewart Weinberg, superintendent of Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, Ron Dixon and Judy Warwick, Tanana Valley Campus Advisory Council members, and Ruth Lister, director of the Tanana Valley Campus, thanked the board for its support for Hutchison Career Center renovations, reported on the critical needs of employers in the area for qualified, trained employees, and encouraged the board to continue its support for increased funding for the project during the upcoming legislative session.
President Burns recessed the Full Board meeting on Thursday, October 1, 1998, at 11:00 a.m., reconvened at 5:00 p.m. and recessed until Friday at 5:30 p.m.
President Burns reconvened the Full Board meeting at 9:15 a.m. on Friday, October 2, 1998.
VI. University President's Report
President Hamilton commented that he had added this item to the agenda in order to keep board members briefed on his activities and upcoming projects. His report included information regarding:
~ Recent trips to Nome, Shishmaref, Wasilla, Palmer, Valdez, Juneau and Washington DC.
~ High Five Rule concerning much smaller entourage of staff at future meetings.
~ 5-Year Research Plan to omnibus research programs around the state for consolidation and direction of effort.
~ Crisis Response Plan: current documents are being reviewed, process for President or Chancellor's Inquiry is being formed and a draft policy will go before the Board of Regents in November.
~ Recruiting: a 7- stage plan is in progress.
~ Distance Learning: concerns that the University is concentrating far too much on building the information highway instead of the pedagogy for how to operate.
~ Scholarships: will set up a meeting of the board within 10 days to discuss the possibility of a University of Alaska Scholars Program, funded by the Natural Resources Fund income not designated for natural resources projects.
~ Intention of hiring a Chief-of-Staff.
VII. Consent Agenda
A. Academic and Student Affairs Committee1. Approval of Regents' Policy 09.02 - Student Rights and Responsibilities Reference 2MOTION
"The Academic and Student Affairs Committee recommends that the Board of Regents approve Regents' Policy 09.02 - Student Rights and Responsibilities as presented in Reference 2. This motion is effective October 1, 1998."
Regent Gagnon moved, seconded by Regent Kelly, and passed unanimously that:
PASSED
"The Board of Regents approves the recommendations of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee as stated above. This motion is effective October 2, 1998."
B. Finance, Facilities and Land Management Committee
1. Approval of Use of Proceeds from Ketchikan Technical Center EasementMOTION AS AMENDED (added text in [ ] )
"The Finance, Facilities, and Land Management Committee recommends that the Board of Regents approve the use of the proceeds from the Ketchikan Technical Center easement for parking improvements and planning and design of remodeling projects for the Center [in consideration of financial support received from the community of Ketchikan]. This motion is effective October 1, 1998."
2. Approval of Sale of the Homer Red Meat Facility
MOTION
"The Finance, Facilities, and Land Management Committee recommends that the Board of Regents approve the sale of the Homer Red Meat Facility, and authorize the administration to execute all documents necessary to complete the transaction. This motion is effective October 1, 1998."
3. Approval of Resolution of Appreciation for the Members of the University of Alaska Heating Corporation
MOTION
"The Finance, Facilities, and Land Management Committee recommends that the Board of Regents approve the resolution of appreciation for the trustees of the University of Alaska Heating Corporation. This motion is effective October 1, 1998."
Regent Henri moved, seconded by Regent Fate, and passed unanimously that:
PASSED
"The Board of Regents approves the recommendations of the Finance, Facilities and Land Management Committee as stated above. This motion is effective October 2, 1998."
C. Committee of the Whole
1. Consideration of FY00 Tuition RatesMOTION
"The Committee of the Whole recommends that the Board of Regents defer until its February 1999 meeting any action regarding setting of tuition rates effective for the summer 1999 and subsequent academic year. This motion is effective October 1, 1998."
2. Approval of FY00 Operating and Capital Budget Requests Reference 6
Removed from consideration.
Regent Kelly moved, seconded by Regent Ogg, and passed unanimously that:
PASSED AS AMENDED
"The Board of Regents approves recommendation 1. of the Committee of the Whole as stated above. This motion is effective October 2, 1998."
VIII. New Business and Committee Reports
A. Academic and Student Affairs CommitteeRegent Gagnon submitted the following written report:
The Academic and Student Affairs Committee:~ Heard a comprehensive report from the UAF College of Science, Engineering and Mathematics and School of Mineral Engineering and the UAA School of Engineering on the accreditation process and the importance of accreditation to students and alumni. They reported that UAA has just received an accrediting visit and that UAF is preparing for one. Committee members emphasized that the Board should be informed as early as possible of possible accreditation problems in these are any other programs. Engineering programs anticipate no difficulties at this point.
~ Approved Policy 09.02 - Students Rights and Responsibilities and forwarded it to the Full Board. This policy underwent one year of governance review, and the committee congratulated the administration and student affairs officers for their excellent work in developing the policy and bringing it to completion.
~ Sent to governance for review Policy 09.07 - Student Organizations. After this second reading, committee members continued to express reservations on some sections of the new policy but believed governance review would help clarify the issues.
~ Requested, through the Chair, that concerns listed by committee members as future agenda items at the August 1998 meeting be addressed in some fashion.
B. Audit Committee
Regent Croft announced that the Audit Committee would meet at the November 1998 meeting.
C. Committee of the Whole
1. Joint Meeting with Alaska Science and Technology FoundationThe University of Alaska Board of Regents met, for the first time, in a joint session with the Alaska Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF) Board of Directors. The one and one-half hour session included discussion regarding common goals, current projects and opportunities for continued and expanded cooperation. As a result of the joint meeting, President Burns was asked to establish a sub-committee of the Board of Regents that could meet with a sub-committee of the ASTF board on a more frequent basis. Board members also requested that the full boards meet on an annual basis.
Participants from ASTF included board members Christina Behr-Andres, Ronald Duncan, John Gerster, John Hargesheimer, George Kozmetsky, Phillip Mundy, Richard Strutz, and Mead Treadwell and Executive Director James Kenworthy.
2. Committee Report
In addition to the action items and the meeting with ASTF, the Committee of the Whole also heard annual reports from the College of Rural Alaska Advisory Council and the Statewide Vocational/Technical Education Advisory Council, heard reports regarding labor relations, employee survey report and progress on the public information campaign.
3. Executive Session Regarding Honorary Degrees & Meritorious Service Award Recipients
The Committee of the Whole held an executive session in accordance with the provisions of AS 44.62.310 to discuss matters relating to the following, these topics being subjects the immediate knowledge of which would have an adverse effect on the reputation or character of a person or persons:
~ Honorary Degree Recipients for Spring 1999
~ Meritorious Service Award Recipients for Spring 1999The session included members of the Board of Regents, President Hamilton, General Counsel Parrish, chancellors, academic vice chancellors and executive staff and lasted 50 minutes.
D. Finance, Facilities and Land Management Committee
In addition to action items, the Finance, Facilities and Land Management Committee heard reports on the University/Medical Community Land Use Option at UAA, and status reports on the Coal-Water Fuel Project and construction projects in progress.
E. Human Resources Committee
No report.
F. Labor Relations Committee
No report.
G. Planning and Development Committee
No report.
IX. Approval of Honorary Degree and Meritorious Service Award Recipients
Recommendations submitted by the University of Alaska Anchorage and University of Alaska Fairbanks for recipients of honorary degrees and meritorious service awards were sent under separate cover for Board of Regents' review prior to the October 1998 board meeting. The honorary degree recipient for the University of Alaska Southeast was approved last year.
Regent Fate moved, seconded by Regent Nelson-Wright, and passed with Regents Burns, Croft, Demeksa, Fate, Gagnon, Kelly, Nelson-Wright, Ogg and Thomas voting in favor and Regent Henri abstaining, that:
PASSED"The Board of Regents approves the list of nominees for honorary doctoral degrees and meritorious service awards, as proposed, for commencement exercises in the spring of 1999 and beyond, and authorizes Chancellors Gorsuch and Wadlow to invite the approved nominees and announce their acceptance. This motion is effective October 2, 1998."
X. Approval of Academic Degree Recipients
Regents' Policy 10.03.01 requires annual approval by the Board of Regents of degree and other formal awards conferred in the preceding academic year. An official listing of these awards was available for inspection at the October 1-2, 1998 Board of Regents' meeting.
Regent Gagnon moved, seconded by Regent Nelson-Wright, and passed unanimously that:
PASSED"The Board of Regents approves the list of degree recipients for the summer and fall of 1997 and the spring of 1998. This motion is effective October 2, 1998."
XI. Future Agenda Items
Regent Croft asked that the administration look into the possibility of televising Board of Regents' meetings.
President Burns announced that three special meetings of the Board would be held prior to the next regular meeting: Board Presidents meeting on October 22; Finance, Facilities and Land Management Committee meeting on October 28; and a Board Retreat on November 13.
Regent Nelson-Wright asked that the Board of Regents hear from the executive director of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustees Council on the possibilities of endowing a chair from the EVOS funds.
Regent Henri asked that the director of the UAF School of Mineral Engineering report to the Board at its November 1998 meeting, the school's response to the Board of Regents' Ad Hoc Committee on the UAF School of Mineral Engineering report of 1995.
Regent Ogg asked that the Board consider revision of Regents' Policy regarding Advisory Councils in order to include involvement of the Board of Regents and local community in the selection of council members.
Regent Ogg asked that the Board revise Board of Regents' Policy regarding presidential recruitment to incorporate the procedure used in the search process during the 1998 presidential search.
XII. Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education Report Reference 9
Regents Demeksa reported on the September 11, 1998 meeting of the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education, including information regarding student credit checks. Included in Reference 9 is the agenda of the September 11 meeting as well as the reference material contained with the ACPE agenda regarding student credit checks.
XIII. Board of Regents' Comments
Regent Thomas expressed his appreciation for the joint meeting with ASTF and ongoing opportunities for joint projects; and stated his belief that the University must produce Alaska employees.
Regent Henri asked that future Finance, Facilities and Land Management Committee meetings contain more items; thanked President Hamilton for his tremendous leadership.
Regent Fate spoke of the support from the Alaska Congressional Delegation; thanked Mark and Patty Hamilton for the reception; and announced that on October 10, the State Chamber of Commerce Conference will be held in Valdez.
Regent Croft congratulated Regent Fate on receiving the 1998 Cancer Awareness Award from the Congressional Families Action for Cancer Awareness; commented that he felt the joint meeting with ASTF was a very interesting meeting and asked President Burns to consider appointing a subcommittee to jointly meet with an ASTF subcommittee; commended Chancellor Wadlow on the program for the Spring 1999 commencement; complimented President Hamilton on a fine start; and asked that future Academic and Student Affairs Committee agendas contain more items for action and discussion.
Regent Nelson-Wright thanked the Hamiltons for the reception.
Regent Demeksa expressed her concern regarding the number of teachers imported from other states to teach in Alaska schools; and thanked President Burns for running an efficient meeting.
Regent Gagnon thanked Mark and Patty Hamilton for hosting the Thursday evening reception.
Regent Kelly thanked President Hamilton for his leadership; and endorsed the idea of a "mystery shopper" that could report on how students are treated by various administrative offices; encouraged board members to read A Balanced Scorecard which deals with value-added; and welcomed Mark and Patty Hamilton to Fairbanks.
Regent Ogg echoed the thanks of others to the Hamiltons for the reception; commented that he believed this had been the most productive meeting he had attended; supported the idea of a subcommittee with ASTF; and asked that administration look into the possibility of having a university faculty member sit on the North Pacific Fisheries Board.
President Burns stated that he will appoint a subcommittee of the Board of Regents to meet with a subcommittee of the Alaska Science and Technology Foundation, and expressed thanks to Mark and Patty Hamilton for the reception on Thursday evening.
XIV. Executive Session
Regent Henri asked that the motion be modified to include discussion regarding honorary degree recipients.
Regent Demeksa moved, seconded by Regent Ogg, and passed unanimously that:
PASSED AS AMENDED"The Board of Regents goes into executive session at 12:30 p.m. A.D.T in accordance with the provisions of AS 44.62.310 to discuss matters the immediate knowledge of which would have an adverse effect on the finances of the university related to land, litigation and labor, including:
~ Collective bargaining negotiations with United Academic-Adjuncts
~ Collective bargaining negotiations regarding collection of agency fees
~ Update on current University of Alaska litigation issues
~ Progress report on UAF Coal-Water Project
~ Progress report on University of Alaska Timber Salesand matters relating to the following, these topics being subjects the immediate knowledge of which would have an adverse effect on the reputation or character of a person or persons:
~ Honorary Degree Recipients for Spring 1999
The session will include members of the Board of Regents, President Hamilton, General Counsel Parrish, and such other university staff members as the president may designate and will last approximately two hours. Thus, the open session of the Board of Regents will resume in this room at approximately 2:30 p.m. A.D.T. This motion is effective October 2, 1998."
The Board of Regents concluded an executive session at 3:25 p.m. A.D.T. in accordance with AS 44.62.310 discussing matters the immediate knowledge of which would have an adverse effect on the finances of the university. The session included members of the Board of Regents, President Hamilton, General Counsel Parrish and other university staff members designated by the president and lasted approximately three hours.
XV. Adjourn
Board President Burns adjourned the meeting at 3:25 p.m. on Friday, October 2, 1998.