BOARD OF
Decker & Associates, Denver, CO
Vol. 04-14
Call to Order
Chairman Peter Decker convened the regular meeting of the
Board of Trustees for
Trustees Present:
Richard Ballantine, Linda Campbell, Justin Clifton, Peter Decker, Susan Moss, Michael Pugh, Sally Schaefer, and Leonel Silva.
Staff Present:
Robert Dolphin, President; Steve Roderick, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Steve Schwartz, Vice President for Business and Finance; Glenna Sexton, Vice President for Student Affairs; Fred Kuhlwilm, Legal Counsel; Peggy Sharp, Executive Assistant to the President; David Eppich, Assistant to the President for External Affairs; Joe Taylor, Internal Auditor, and Mike Larson, Audio Consultant.
Chairman’s Report
& Announcements
Peter Decker welcomed Dr. Brad Bartel, who will assume the
presidency at
He read two formal resolutions commending former trustees, Ron Pettigrew and Rita Kahn for their service. These will be framed and presented to Mr. Pettigrew and Ms. Kahn. The Governor has not appointed a replacement for Trustee Kahn but an announcement is expected soon.
Danny Tomlinson, the lobbyist for the Board and the College,
was introduced and gave a report on the State’s fiscal situation, the status of
the Colorado Opportunity Fund, the Academic Freedom bill, and other legislative
issues facing higher education in
The Board confirmed their position on the Colorado Opportunity Fund response that was distributed at the end of January.
Chairman Decker reported on his meeting with Bob Hill, president of the Fort Lewis College Foundation. The discussion centered on the relationship between the College and the Foundation and the need for clarification. Peter asked that, upon assuming the presidency, Brad Bartel meet with the Foundation and that a Memorandum of Understanding be drawn up defining the relationship between the two entities and the duties and responsibilities of the staff. Sally Schaefer asked that the statutory relationship of the Foundation to the Board of Trustees be reviewed. She offered to share a piece of correspondence that was sent to members of the Mesa State College Foundation citing specific legislation. This letter will be circulated to the Trustees and with Fred Kuhlwilm.
Break
Chairman Decker appointed the following trustees to the Budget Committee: Sally Schaefer, chair; Justin Clifton, Richard Ballantine, and Susan Moss.
PRESIDENT’S AGENDA
Steve Schwartz presented an update on the College’s budget process and the impact of the impending cuts due to the State’s financial situation. Several issues were addressed:
the vulnerability of the Native American tuition waiver and the possibility for seeking Federal funding to cover this waiver; generating more income from private fund-raising; and increasing our recruiting efforts for out-of-state students. Brad Bartel suggested that the College prepare a white paper on the history of the Native American tuition waiver in order to make legislators aware of this commitment. Steve Roderick stated that the direction and goals set at a series of admission/marketing meetings with the President and Vice Presidents will be shared with the Trustees and Dr. Bartel.
Steve Schwartz outlined a few of the measures being considered to address the cuts that will be necessary if the Joint Budget Committee reduces funding to higher education. Sally Schaefer and Michael Pugh both emphasized that the Board had made a commitment to increase faculty salaries. Steve Schwartz stated that the College is looking at several ways to address the matter of awarding raises in the face of impending state cuts.
After extensive discussion of possibilities for addressing budgetary cuts as well as strategies for generating more revenue, the Board’s consensus was that the College should attempt to give a 2% raise to faculty/staff, or one equivalent to that given to classified staff. It was suggested that the monies for the increase be taken half from permanent budget cuts and half from one-time money.
Several topics for the Board Retreat emerged from the budget discussion:
· Public/Private Partnerships
· Discussion of possible mix of graduate programs
· College identity – core values
· Regional economic development – what is true about our region?
· Discussion of programs, e.g., those needing to be expanded as opposed to the programs that are in less demand
· Strategic Planning Process – Staff will provide background data
Steve Roderick, Vice President for Academic Affairs, reported that while Winter enrollment was down by 82 students from last winter. Freshmen retention from Fall to Winter is 84.2%, up about 4% from the last several years.
A synopsis of
In response to a request by Sally Schaefer, President Dolphin requested the Athletic Director to prepare a report on recruiting practices, the culture with the programs, and the utilization of campus resources. This report reflected that there are no areas of concern in the College’s athletic programs. Trustee Schaefer asked if student athletes had been interviewed in this process and the response was negative. Schaefer stated that the report was incomplete without input from the athletes. Dr. Bartel suggested that exit interviews be conducted with senior athletes. Justin Clifton stated Student Senate and/or other student groups could assist with surveys or forums to obtain additional input.
With regard to the ongoing correspondence and conversations
with the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, President Dolphin stated that we had
received a letter listing their concerns.
Although we had responded to their concern regarding availability of
health services for Native American students, they have some additional
questions. Chairman Decker stated that
the Board is willing to meet with the Commission. However, the Board needs the following
information prior to the meeting: specific areas of concern; the data on which
the concerns are based; and whether or not these issues are truly within the Commission’s
purview. Michael Pugh suggested that
after Brad Bartel assumes the presidency, a sub-committee be appointed to sit
down informally with the Commission to attempt to discern their underlying
concerns and issues. Members suggested for
the sub-committee were Sally Schaefer,
The meeting was recessed for a luncheon meeting with members of the Colorado Commission on Higher Education.
Lunch Break
Chairman Decker reconvened the regular meeting at 1:45 p.m. and asked for a motion to go into executive session, pursuant to Section 24-6-402(3)(a)(II) and (b)(I) of the Colorado Revised Statutes, to consider the employment of a member of the administration of Fort Lewis College and confer with Board’s attorney regarding that employment, and the following individuals be invited to join the Board in executive session to participate in the discussion: Bob Dolphin, President, and Fred Kuhlwilm, Legal Counsel. Sally Schaefer so moved with a second by Leonel Silva.
Motion carried.
Executive session adjourned at
Break
REPORT/DISCUSSION ITEMS
Report: Faculty Representative and Student Representative Reports
Susan Moss elaborated on her written report regarding the freshmen experience and plans for future enhancements of the program. Several suggestions for strategies to engage freshmen students in campus and community were discussed. Copies of the ACT Student Opinion Survey will be provided to Trustees and Dr. Bartel.
Justin Clifton expressed enthusiasm
about the College’s
Report: Sabbatical Leaves Completed in Academic Year 2002-03
Steve Roderick stated that these reports are required by Board policy and stand as submitted.
Discussion of Proposed Faculty Personnel Policies for the Faculty Handbook
Steve Roderick stated a complete revision of the Faculty Handbook has been in process for five years. Part II – Personnel Policies is being presented for discussion only. Peter Decker asked that Brad Bartel review these policies and provide comments. Extensive discussion ensued regarding various aspects of these personnel policies. President Dolphin, Vice President Roderick, Susan Moss and Fred Kuhlwilm expressed the need to move forward on approval of the Faculty Handbook and not delay it any further. The concern is that the Handbook as it now exists has many legal problems. The three major issues are:
the grievance policy; issues of discrimination; and family and medical leaves (particularly as they relate to maternity and paternity leave and parental rights). Dr. Bartel will provide his input to Susan Moss and Dr. Roderick. Board approval of the Faculty Handbook will be on the April agenda.
ACTION AGENDA
CONSENT ITEMS
Leonel Silva moved for approval of
the Consent Items. Sally Schaefer
seconded. Motion passed to approve the following items:
Approval of the Minutes of the
Meeting of the Board of Trustees for
Approval of Non-Delegated Personnel
Actions
Approval of the
Indicator System Report as Recommended by the Audit and Performance
Committee of the Board of Trustees
Approval of Recommendation for
Sabbatical Leaves – Revised
Approval of Request for a One-Year
Postponement from
CCHE on Discontinuance of the Music
Program Due to Low Demand
ACTION ITEMS
Approval of Conferral of the Honorary Degree of Bachelor of Humane Letters
Leonel Silva moved to confer the proposed honorary degree; Sally Schaefer seconded. Motion passed.
While the recipient of the
honorary degree is confidential at this time, President Dolphin expressed the
College’s pleasure on conferring this award.
Chairman Decker stated that this is the first honorary degree awarded by
the Board of Trustees.
Chairman Decker asked for a motion to adjourn. Sally Schaeffer so moved with a second by Leonel Silva. Motion carried.
Meeting Adjourned
at