11-19-99minutes

Board of Regents

OFFICIAL MINUTES

Meeting of the

University of Alaska Board of Regents

November 18-19, 1999

Fairbanks, Alaska

OFFICIAL MINUTES

Regents Present:
Michael J. Burns, Chair
Elsa Froehlich Demeksa, Vice Chair
Mary Jane Fate, Secretary
Chancy Croft, Treasurer
Joshua B. Horst - excused at 1:50 p.m. on November 19, 1999
Robert A. Malone
R. Danforth Ogg
Brian D. Rogers
Frances H. Rose
Joe J. Thomas
Joseph E. Usibelli, Jr.

Mark R. Hamilton, Chief Executive Officer and President, University of Alaska

Others Present:
E. Lee Gorsuch, Chancellor, UAA
Marshall L. Lind, Chancellor, UAF
John Pugh, Chancellor, UAS
Jim Lynch, Interim Vice President for Finance & Planning
James A. Parrish, General Counsel
James R. Johnsen, Chief of Staff
Janet Jacobs, Executive Director, Statewide Human Resources
Pat Pitney, Director, Institutional Research and Budget, SW
Steve Smith, Chief Technology Officer, SW
Martha Stewart, Director, Federal Relations, SW
Ann Ringstad, Director, Government Relations, SW
Bob Miller, Director, Public Affairs, SW
'Nanne Myers, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs
Paul Reichardt, Provost, UAF
Dan Johnson, Provost, UAA
Roberta Stell, Provost, UAS
Carol Griffin, Director, Administrative Services, UAS
F. Stan Vaughn, Interim Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services, UAA
Frank Williams, Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services, UAF
Ralph Gabrielli, Executive Dean, College of Rural Alaska, UAF
Jeannie D. Phillips, Board of Regents' Officer

I. Call to Order

Board Chair Burns called the meeting to order at 9:13 a.m. on Thursday, November 18, 1999.

II. Adoption of Agenda

PASSED AS AMENDED (amendments noted by *)

"The Board of Regents adopts the agenda as presented.

I. Call to Order

II. Adoption of Agenda

III. Approval of Minutes

IV. President's Report

V. Public Testimony

VI. Meeting with Governor Knowles

VII. Consent Agenda

A. Finance, Facilities, and Land Management Committee

*1. Approval of FY2001 Operating and Capital Budget Requests (from FF&LM Meeting on November 5, 1999) (removed from Consent Agenda)

2. Approval of Annual Land Management Development Plan

3. Approval of UAA Energy Improvements Project #1 - Energy Performance Savings Contract

4. Approval of UAA Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Improvement Plan

B. Human Resources Committee

1. Approval of Renumbering and Retitling of Board of Regents' Policy Part IV - Human Resources

2. Approval of Revisions to Regents' Policy 04.01 - Uniform Personnel System

C. Committee of the Whole

1. Budget Approval for Natural Resources Fund Spending Allowance Distribution

VIII. New Business and Committee Reports

A. Academic and Student Affairs Committee

*1. Approval of Regents' Scholarship Program (added)

B. Audit Committee

C. Committee of the Whole

D. Finance, Facilities, and Land Management Committee

*1. Approval of FY2001 Operating Budget Request (moved from Consent Agenda)

*2. Approval of FY2001 Capital Budget Request (moved from Consent Agenda)

*3. Approval of Additional Funding for the University of Alaska Fairbanks Duckering Building Deferred Maintenance Project (added)

E. Human Resources Committee

F. Labor Relations Committee

G. Nominating Committee

H. Planning and Development Committee

IX. Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education Report

X. UA Foundation Report

XI. Future Agenda Items

XII. Executive Session

XIII. Approval of Honorary Degree and Meritorious Service Award Recipients

XIV. Board of Regents' Comments

XV. Adjourn

This motion is effective November 18, 1999."

III. Approval of Minutes

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

PASSED

"The Board of Regents approves the minutes of its meeting of September 30, 1999 as presented. This motion is effective November 18, 1999."

IV. President's Report

Introduction

Thank you Mr. Chairman. I'd like to welcome the Board of Regents to Fairbanks and express my appreciation to all the faculty and staff who have worked very hard to prepare for this meeting.

As is my habit now with these reports to you, I'd like to review some of our recent highlights and then frame up the agenda for these busy two days ahead.

Retreat

We just spent two days together in our planning retreat and I would just like to say that I really appreciate your investment of personal time for the university, on top of the time you already spend on our behalf traveling to and attending all the other meetings of the Board of Regents.

I think it was a great meeting, confirming that all twelve of us are pulling in the same direction toward making the University of Alaska the University for and with Alaska.

Students

Our Alaska Scholars Program continues to thrive. We are contacting young people across the state to stimulate interest in the program for the years ahead. In addition, each of the campuses is putting together special events for the scholars over the coming weeks.

~ At Southeast, Chancellor Pugh is arranging a joint reception with the current scholars and potential scholars from the southeast region.

~ At Anchorage, Chancellor Gorsuch is putting together a reception and a very interesting mentoring and tracking system to ensure that scholars receive effective academic counseling as they move through their programs.

~ And here in Fairbanks, Chancellor Lind is arranging several functions, each with the dean and faculty leaders from the colleges that the scholars have identified as their major fields.

I am particularly interested in the scholars being prepared with a response to the predictable question from friends back home over the holidays, "But I want to get out of Alaska for awhile; how can I do that if I come to UA as an Alaska Scholar?" We want to be sure the scholars know that:

~ UA has exchange programs with colleges and universities across the country and overseas where students can take their junior year as an Alaska Scholar (or paying UA's low tuition if not a Scholar); and

~ The Scholars Program allows students to delay admission to UA for a year to allow them to go outside and return to UA with the scholarship.

I'd also like to note that this time of year, we are witness to some superb displays of athletic prowess from our student athletes. The volleyball team from Fairbanks made it to the regional finals for the first time this year. Coach Angela Rock has really brought a lot of energy to this program. Our hockey teams have both taken a step up in their national campaigns and our basketball teams are just now beginning their seasons. Of course, tonight begins the Top of the World tournament here in Fairbanks and next week Anchorage hosts the Great Alaska Shootout. I strongly encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities to see our best athletes challenge top teams from across the country.

Faculty

I have really enjoyed meeting with various faculty groups as I travel across the state. Like my meetings with our students, every single interaction I have with our faculty breathes new life into my commitment to this university, to making the people of this state, and its legislature, aware of the tremendously gifted faculty we have here teaching our students, conducting the research, and providing service to the state.

As you know, the top priority in our budget request to the legislature is for the funding required to hire new faculty. We have been decimated by the Retirement Incentive Program and we have got to rebuild this critical resource in order to move forward. But we must also enhance our faculty development programs:

~ so the junior professors are appropriately mentored by our senior faculty;

~ so our senior faculty are provided opportunities for continued growth; and

~ so all of our faculty have the support they need to reach out to more students (through information technology) to more research grants (through workshops with more information about grant opportunities), and to more service (through additional partnerships with community organizations).

I will continue to engage with the provosts and the faculty governance leadership in this faculty development issue. By the way, I'd like to express my appreciation to Professors Gatterdam, Cecil, and Bruce for their leadership in working with the General Counsel's office on a revised information resources policy. The policy that is before the Board at this meeting has been revised substantially in response to faculty and staff input and is now, I believe, a much improved policy.

Staff

A brief update on our ongoing searches for executive staff positions. The search for the Director of the Geophysical Institute at UAF is moving forward with the assistance of the Heidrick & Struggles executive search firm. Preliminary interviews will take place this December with on-campus interviews later this winter. The announcement for the Director of IARC position has been released and the review and interview process will take place this spring. The search committee for the Vice President of Finance position has reviewed the initial pool of applicants and has recommended that the pool be supplemented with the assistance of an executive search firm.

Information Technology

We are now connected to the Internet 2 network with all the major research universities in the nation. Thanks to the partnership between the federal government in the NSF and Senator Stevens' office, the University of Washington, and WCI Cable, we are now among the most highly connected universities in America. The next step is to finish connecting our three campuses with high band width cable and we are very close to this through an emerging partnership with GCI.

While we should all celebrate this enhanced connectivity, we have major challenges ahead.

~ We must improve our connectivity to rural Alaska. People in remote parts of the state simply cannot be left on the wrong side of the digital divide.

~ We must plan for the convergence of voice, video, and data transmission technologies that is right around the corner.

~ We must create high quality academic content to be delivered across the state.

~ All these efforts must be driven not by our technology capacity, but instead by our response to the educational and employment needs of Alaskans.

Academic Programs

The faculty and staff at UAS deserve commendation. The campus was visited recently by an accreditation team from the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges Commission of Colleges. In the words of one accreditation team member, "This is a University that, with good reason, feels good about itself." The team viewed UAS as

". . . a dynamic, student- and learning-centered institution which has made significant progress over the past decade-particularly in academic organization, general education proficiencies, and distance education."

It would take an hour to go through all the compliments included in the report so let's just leave it with a job well done by UAS. Thank you John, Robbie, Carol, and Marshall.

We are moving forward on the corporate college, under the leadership of Joyce Helens. We are close to an agreement now with Alyeska Pipeline to provide a range of training to company employees and we are just beginning discussions with Alaska Science and Technology Foundation to develop training for the state's knowledge workers.

On our academic initiatives for this year, the campuses are moving forward to fill faculty lines and otherwise pursue the initiatives. As we continue developing these programs and linking them with important constituencies, I am hopeful we will be able to demonstrate to the people of this state, as well as to the legislature, that the university is the key to the state's economic future.

Legislature

Our meeting last week with legislators provided just one opportunity to make our case. Our presentation is improving each time we make it and I am hopeful that when we have many voices across this state singing the same tune, our legislature will do the right thing.

British Petroleum/Arco Merger

As you have read, the University stands to benefit somewhat from the terms of the tentative agreement reached by the State and BP, if it is implemented. I am pleased that the university has been designated as a recipient of the contribution - it will make a difference - but the amount of the contribution has, unfortunately, been discounted through the negotiation process and I am very concerned that it not be discounted even further by the legislature. The donation is slated to be made each year to the UA Foundation. As details develop, I will update you.

Federal Relations

On the federal front, thanks to our new director of federal relations, Martha Stewart, we are making progress. You have seen her informative weekly reports attached to the Friday faxes we send you.

Among the current legislative issues Martha is following are the University Lands Bill, a bill to allocate funds from Outer Continental Shelf revenues, inclusion of Alaska Native Serving Institutions in federal minority educational programs, and expansion of the EPSCoR program in NIH, and IARC funding.

We are also working hard across the system to develop our federal initiatives for the coming year. The campuses are finalizing their projects and we are developing priorities and strategies with criteria very similar to those used to develop our academic program initiatives.

BOR Meeting

I would like to shift my attention now to this meeting of the Board of Regents.

We have another full agenda for you. After public testimony first thing this morning, we'll see the proposed model of the UA museum expansion.

After lunch we'll go into our several committees, followed at 4:00 p.m. by a short meeting with Governor Knowles. As I reported several weeks back, Chair Burns and I were very encouraged by the Governor's preliminary reaction to our budget presentation. I am very hopeful that once we approve the budget request and send it to him, he will endorse it and include it in his request to the legislature.

Tomorrow morning, we start right out with a breakfast at the Hutchison Career Center with Governor Knowles, Mayor Hove, Stevens' staff, and folks from Alyeska, Williams Petroleum, BP, and the Tanana Valley Campus Advisory Council.

We then dedicate the Howard Cutler Student Apartment Complex and return to meet in Committee of the Whole for several informative presentations. The full board follows and we'll conclude the meeting, as usual with an executive session.

Thank you very much Chairman Burns - I look forward to these next two days working with you and the Board of Regents.

V. Public Testimony

Phyllis Fast, UAF professor and chair of Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Native Education (CACNE), explained that the purpose of the committee is to forge a liaison between the University and the Alaska Native community. She commented that she has found that the time factor in teaching distance education courses is a detriment and encouraged the board to upgrade distance delivery equipment to make this process easier for students and instructors.

Bernice Joseph, UAF assistant professor in Alaska Native Rural Development and member of CACNE, asked for support by the Board of Regents for the extended campuses.

Lorena Williams, Inupiat instructor and member of the CACNE, reported that UAF is the only university to offer such programs in Native education and is the world leader in documentation of Yup'ik Eskimo and Inupiat languages.

George Charles, UAF alumnus, assistant professor in Alaska Native Studies and member of CACNE, urged continued support of Alaska Native education budget requests.

JoAnn Ducharme, director of Alaska Native Studies and member of CACNE, emphasized the importance of learning from each other and sharing with others, and reported that UAF has an Alaska Native student population of 18 percent as compared to 2 percent nationwide.

Cindy Zimmerman, UAA instructor in dentistry and representing ACCFT, thanked the board for its hard work and dedication to the University of Alaska and for the speedy resolution of the contract.

Ron Gatterdam, UAF Faculty Senate president, reported on Faculty Alliance discussions regarding the Information Resources policy and the possible need for a separate policy on privacy.

Art Buswell, member of the UAF College of Fellows, reported on activities of the College including a tour of IARC, flower planting, June dinner at the home of Jo and Dick Scott, the recent gift of Athabaskan blankets to the UA Museum, and the success of the College Town dinner.

Ted Fathauer, member of the UAF College of Fellows, reported that members were meeting regularly with the chancellor in order to better communicate to the community the events and activities taking place at UAF.

Rosie Gilbert, USUAS president, reported on the UAS student ambassador program that started in April. She explained that its focus is on retention and recruitment, and that the requirements for becoming a student ambassador are that a student must be in good standing, nominated by fellow students, fill out an application and go through an interview process. After selection, the student ambassadors go through a training process on student concerns.

Joseph Hardenbrook, ASUAF senator, reported on a press conference with Governor Knowles scheduled for later in the day regarding the student postcard campaign. He also reported that the University Allies meeting will be held in December or January with the purpose of informing and educating. He also reported on additional student activities including a Chamber of Commerce student welcome-back campaign, strategies for the upcoming legislative session, and a voter registration campaign.

Stacey Banks, ASUAF president, gave a status report on the Fairbanks Idea partnership proposal with the Fairbanks community. He reported that they have received support from the chancellor, the president, and Faculty Senate, and are working with the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors to add it to this year's Program of Work. He added that ASUAF is working on the funding for a director and associated costs and are planning on the 100 days to start in February.

Rick Sonnenfeld and Josh Steadman, members of the Residence Hall Association at UAF, reported on the continued work to push for the expansion and overhaul of food services at UAF.

Representative John Davies, UAF class of 1967, reported that he was told that the Georgeson Botanical Garden is maintained by only two people and his concerns regarding its staffing; his thoughts regarding the legislative meeting with the board in Anchorage and his suggestion that we use "community campus" rather than "extended" or "rural" campus. He encouraged the board to continue its budget discussions with the legislature, stating clearly what is required, and that the University is the primary engine to build Alaska's future. He commented that the development of a gas pipeline might be one of the best avenues to support the University since it has the potential to bring in $948 million per year in new monies.

VI. Meeting with Governor Knowles

Governor Knowles met with the Board of Regents at 4:00 p.m. Regent Joshua Horst, on behalf of the students of the University of Alaska, then presented him with approximately 5,000 postcards, encouraging him to support the University of Alaska's budget request.

The meeting was recessed at 5:00 p.m on Thursday, November 18, 1999.

The meeting was called back to order at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, November 19, 1999.

VII. Consent Agenda

A. Finance, Facilities, and Land Management Committee
1. Approval of FY2001 Operating and Capital Budget Requests

Removed from Consent Agenda to New Business, Item VIII.D.1.

2. Approval of Annual Land Management Development Plan Reference 8

MOTION

"The Finance, Facilities, and Land Management Committee recommends that the Board of Regents approve the Year 2000 Land Management Development Plan as presented, and direct the administration to carry out the plan to the extent practicable and in accordance with Regents' Policy and the guidelines set forth above. This motion is effective November 18, 1999."

3. Approval of UAA Energy Improvements Project #1 - Energy Performance Savings Contract Reference 9

MOTION

"The Finance, Facilities, and Land Management Committee recommends that the Board of Regents:

(1) approve the UAA Energy Improvements Project No. 1, as presented;

(2) authorize the administration to award contracts for completion of the projects at a construction cost not to exceed $501,000; and

(3) authorize the vice president for finance to execute a financing agreement with the energy contractor, its designee, or another provider to fund the project for a term not to exceed seven years.

This project approval and authorization to proceed with the award of contracts is subject to execution of a financing agreement or commitment and a written determination by the vice president for finance that the financing arrangement is viable and in the best interest of the university. This motion is effective November 18, 1999."

4. Approval of UAA Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Improvement Plan

MOTION

"The Finance, Facilities, and Land Management Committee recommends that the Board of Regents: (1) approve the UAA ADA Improvement Plan as presented; (2) authorize the administration to implement the plan; and (3) further authorize the administration to make changes to the plan that are within its level of authority as defined in Regents' Policy 05.12.04. This motion is effective November 18, 1999."

Regent Demeksa moved, seconded by Regent Malone, and passed unanimously that:

PASSED

"The Board of Regents approves recommendations 2-4 of the Finance, Facilities and Land Management Committee as stated above. This motion is effective November 19, 1999."

B. Human Resources Committee

1. Approval of Renumbering and Retitling of Board of Regents' Policy Part IV - Human Resources Reference 5

MOTION

"The Human Resources Committee recommends that the Board of Regents approve the renumbering and retitling of Regents' Policy Part IV - Human Resources, as presented. This motion is effective November 18, 1999."

2. Approval of Revisions to Regents' Policy 04.01 - Uniform Personnel System Reference 6

MOTION

"The Human Resources Committee recommends that the Board of Regents approve the revisions to Regents' Policy 04.01 - Uniform Personnel System, as presented. This motion is effective November 18, 1999."

Regent Thomas moved, seconded by Regent Malone, and passed unanimously that:

PASSED

"The Board of Regents approves the recommendations of the Human Resources Committee as stated above. This motion is effective November 19, 1999."

C. Committee of the Whole

1. Budget Approval for Natural Resources Fund Spending Allowance Distribution Reference 12A&B

MOTION

"The Committee of the Whole recommends that the Board of Regents approve the Natural Resources Fund budget as presented in Reference 12A. This motion is effective November 19, 1999."

Regent Demeksa moved, seconded by Regent Malone, 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 November 19, 1999."

VIII. New Business and Committee Reports

A. Academic and Student Affairs Committee
1. Approval of Regents' Scholarship Program

At the September 1999 meeting of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee, the administration was asked to formulate criteria for a Regents' Scholarship. The following were reviewed and modified by the committee for approval by the full board.

Name: Regents' Scholarship

Eligibility: University of Alaska junior, senior or graduate students in good standing.

Criteria: Demonstrated commitment and involvement in leadership and civic or professional service activities, and recognized academic achievement.

Selection: Initial screening by UA Foundation staff. Selection by a committee of five former members of the Board of Regents appointed annually by the chair of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee with the approval of the entire committee.

Funding: Endowment in UA Foundation from private donations from current and former members of the Board of Regents, and other funds designated by the Board of Regents.

Awards: First awardees will be selected in Spring 2000 for use in Fall Semester 2000. The number and amount of awards is dependent on the amount of funding received.

Regent Croft moved, seconded by Regent Rogers, and passed unanimously that:

PASSED

"The Board of Regents approves the Regents' Scholarship Program as amended by the Academic and Student Affairs Committee on November 18, 1999. This motion is effective November 19, 1999."

2. Committee Report

In addition to the action item, the committee also heard presentations from the College of Rural Alaska Advisory Council and on the annual report of educational effectiveness; and discussed the 1st Reading of Regents' Policies on Student Health and Information Resources, UAA community partnerships, service- and community-based learning; and requested that the Academic and Student Affairs Committee hold a special meeting in March to coincide with the visit of guest lecturer Dr. Eugene Rice.

B. Audit Committee

1. Executive Session

In accordance with AS 44.62.310, the Board of Regents' Audit Committee held an executive session to discuss matters the immediate knowledge of which would have an adverse effect on the finances of the university; and matters that would affect the reputation or character of a person or persons. 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 30 minutes.

2. Committee Report

In addition to the executive session, the Audit Committee heard a status report on the FY1999 external audit, reviewed recently completed audits, heard a status report on the FY2000 audit plan, and discussed Internal Audit department staffing and resources. A presentation on Internal Audit controls was deferred until the February 2000 meeting of the committee.

C. Committee of the Whole

The Committee of the Whole heard presentations on the Partners in Science program between the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District and the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the Corporate Programs and Alaska Process Industry Careers Consortium, the University of Alaska Fairbanks' risk management and campus safety programs, and the University of Alaska's insurance program.

D. Finance, Facilities, and Land Management Committee

[Note: items 1 and 2 were removed from the Consent Agenda and the motion was divided.]

1. Approval of FY2001 Operating Budget Request

Regent Demeksa moved, seconded by Regent Ogg, and passed unanimously that:

PASSED AS AMENDED

"The Board of Regents approves the FY2001 operating budget request as presented. This motion is effective November 19, 1999."

2. Approval of FY2001 Capital Budget Request

Regent Demeksa moved, seconded by Regent Ogg, and passed by a majority vote with two regents voting in opposition that:

PASSED AS AMENDED

"The Board of Regents approves the FY2001 capital budget request as presented. This motion is effective November 19, 1999."

3. Approval of Additional Funding for the University of Alaska Fairbanks Duckering Building Deferred Maintenance Project

This item was added to the Finance, Facilities, and Land Management Committee agenda on November 18, 1999.

Regent Demeksa moved, seconded by Regent Ogg, and passed unanimously that:

PASSED #1

"The Board of Regents approves an increase of $800,000 in the total project costs for the UAF Duckering Building Project from $12,237,800 to $13,037,800 in order to include the renovation of labs for MIRL faculty and the replacement of the perimeter baseboard heating system. This approval is subject to the receipt of appropriate authorization for the reallocation of $800,000 to the Duckering Facility Project from the FY99 deferred maintenance, code compliance and renovation funding originally appropriated for the Arctic Health facility. This motion is effective November 19, 1999."

Regent Demeksa moved, seconded by Regent Ogg, and passed unanimously that:

PASSED #2

"The Board of Regents authorizes the vice president for finance to request a reallocation of $800,000 to the Duckering Facility Project from the FY99 deferred maintenance, code compliance, and renovation funding originally appropriated for the Arctic Health facility. This motion is effective November 19, 1999."

E. Human Resources Committee

In addition to action items, the Human Resources Committee also reviewed the annual grievance report.

F. Labor Relations Committee

No report.

G. Nominating Committee

No report.

H. Planning and Development Committee

Chair Burns announced that he has appointed Regent Rogers as chair of this committee and that it will meet in January or February 2000.

IX. Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education Report

No report.

X. UA Foundation Report

No report.

XI. Future Agenda Topics

Regent Ogg requested that the Board hold another one-day meeting in Retreat to discuss board assessment and other topics that were not discussed due to lack of time during the last retreat.

XII. Executive Session

Regent Rose moved, seconded by Regent Usibelli, and passed unanimously that:

PASSED

"The Board of Regents goes into executive session at 4:30 p.m. A.S.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:

~ Litigation
~ Labor
~ Land
~ Contract Negotiations

and matters that would affect the reputation or character of a person or persons including:

~ Personnel Matters
~ Honorary Degrees and Meritorious Service Awards

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 30 minutes. Thus, the open session of the Board of Regents will resume in this room at approximately 5:10 p.m. A.S.T. This motion is effective November 19, 1999."

The Board of Regents concluded an executive session at 5:00 p.m. A.S.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; and matters that would affect the reputation or character of a person or persons. 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 30 minutes.

XIII. Approval of Honorary Degree and Meritorious Service Award Recipients

Recommendations were submitted by the University of Alaska Anchorage for recipients of honorary degrees and meritorious service awards, and were sent under separate cover for Board of Regents' review prior to the November 18-19 board meeting.

Regent Rogers moved, seconded by Regent Fate, and passed unanimously 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 2000 and beyond at the University of Alaska Anchorage, and authorizes Chancellor Gorsuch to invite the approved nominees and announce their acceptance. This motion is effective November 19, 1999."

XIV. Board of Regents' Comments

Regent Usibelli commented that the meeting had been an excellent learning experience.

Regent Thomas asked for information regarding the status of the Brooks Building.

Regent Rogers stated that the breakfast at Hutchison was very positive and highlighted the great partnerships the University of Alaska is developing; and his pleasure in dedicating the Cutler Complex, honoring Dr. Howard Cutler.

Regent Malone stated his appreciation for the support of other regents; and the opportunity to share with Governor Knowles was outstanding.

Regent Demeksa complimented the students on the card campaign, and UAS on their recent accreditation visit.

Regent Fate commented how impressed she was with all the good work done over the last week; spoke of her enjoyment of the legislative meeting and retreat; complimented John Dickinson on his work at the Breast Cancer Detection Center; complimented Dr. Ruth Lister for her work on the Hutchison Career Center partnership; and her delight that Dr. Howard Cutler was honored with the dedication of the Cutler Complex.

Regent Ogg voiced his enthusiasm over the energy and positive steps taken over the course of the board meeting.

Regent Rose requested that newspaper clippings be sent to the board on a regular basis.

Regent Burns complimented the board and staff on their hard work during the board meeting.

XV. Adjourn

Chair Burns adjourned the meeting at 5:10 p.m.