10-13-95minutes

Board of Regents

OFFICIAL MINUTES

Board of Regents' Meeting
October 13, 1995
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, Alaska

Regents Present:

Sharon D. Gagnon, President

Michael P. Kelly, Vice President

Mary Jane Fate, Secretary

R. Danforth Ogg, Treasurer

Virginia W. Breeze

Chancy Croft

Eric Forrer

Joe L. Hayes, Jr.

Joseph R. Henri

Joe J. Thomas

Lew M. Williams, Jr.

Jerome B. Komisar, Executive Officer and

President of the University of Alaska

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

Wendy Redman, Vice President for University Relations

Thomas Brewer, Interim Provost, University of Alaska Anchorage

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, Director of Statewide 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 9:00 a.m. on Friday, October 13, 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. Consent Agenda:

Finance, Facilities and Land Management Committee

A. University of Alaska Southeast Mourant Building Food Service Remodeling - Project Approval

B. University of Alaska Fairbanks Stevens, Nerland and McIntosh Halls Deferred Maintenance - Project Approval

C. Approval of Loan to UA Technology Development Corporation

D. Adoption of Proposed Policy 08.06 - Information Technology

E. UAF Near Island Research Facility, Kodiak Approval of Feasibility Study - Approval of Lease, and Transfer of Responsibility

Committee of the Whole

A. Approval of FY97 Operating Budget Request

B. Approval of FY97 Capital Budget Request

C. Approval of Technical Corrections to Board of Regents' Policy and University Regulation

D. FY97 Tuition Recommendations

VI. New Business:

Academic and Student Affairs Committee

Finance, Facilities and Land Management Committee

Human Resources Committee

Committee of the Whole

A. Faculty Compensation

VII. Approval of Honorary Degrees and Meritorious Service Awards

VIII. Approval of Academic Degree Recipients

IX. Ratification of Naming of UAF Natural Sciences Building Lecture Hall

X. Chancellors' Status Reports

XI. UA System Administration Status Reports

XII. Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education Representatives' Report

XIII. Board of Regents' Comments

XIV. Board of Regents' Retreat

XV. Adjourn

This motion is effective October 13, 1995."

III. Approval of Minutes

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

PASSED

"The Board of Regents approves the minutes of its August 18, 1995 meeting as presented. This motion is effective October 13, 1995."

IV. Public Comment

A. General Public

Bill Robertson, Chamber of Commerce member, thanked the community for the support given on College Town Days.

Mike Cook, Cook & Haugeberg and member of the UAF School of Management Advisory Board, spoke in support of the School of Management's programs.

Matt Soden, Fairbanks Police Department, and Sean McGee, University Police Department, urged the Board to continue the support for the UAF Justice Department and its internship program with the Trooper Academy.

B. University Councils

Therese Sharp, UAF Board of Visitors, spoke in support of maintaining UAF as the doctoral granting institution of the University of Alaska system.

C. System Governance

Pat Ivey, on behalf of Donna Chantry, President of System Governance, reported on a meeting to be held October 27, governance concerns regarding review of policy, and information regarding System Governance that is now available via world wide web.

Catherine Wheeler, Coalition of Student Leaders, reported that the Coalition of Student Leaders would be meeting in Fairbanks the next day, Saturday, October 14.

Richard Hacker, Faculty Alliance, spoke with Board members concerning the faculty compensation policy and need for better communication between faculty, administration and the Board of Regents.

Marie Scholle, Staff Alliance and UAF Staff Council, reported on upcoming Staff Alliance meetings that will deal with strategies for presenting staff concerns to the administration, upcoming legislation that affects staff and recent UAF Staff Council activities including support for the faculty's position on faculty compensation, review of the dispute resolution policy revisions, and major concerns regarding the impact of geographic differentials to the rural campuses. She also reported on UAF Staff Council activities that have taken place recently including the cookie distribution to the students, the success of the College Town Day dance, the Carolyn Sampson Memorial Scholarship Fund raffle, and the donation of food for the Coalition of Student Leaders' meeting. Ms. Scholle concluded by inviting all regents to attend the evening's hockey game between UAA and UAF.

D. Faculty and Staff

Fred Husby, Glenn Juday, and Steven Sparrow, UAF School of Agriculture and Land Resource Management, urged the Board to reinstate funds to the program that have been deleted from the Alaska Science and Technology Program budget.

Winfred Rozell, UAF Physical Plant, spoke of his concerns regarding lack of staff, no support for CEA contract, and low wages for UAF Physical Plant employees.

Stephen Gemmell, UAF Power Plant, stated his concerns regarding low wages and lack of staff at the UAF Power Plant.

Ron Johnson, Department Head of Mechanical Engineering Program, UAF School of Engineering, expressed his concerns regarding the faculty compensation policy.

E. Certified Bargaining Representatives

ACCFT

Ralph McGrath, President of the ACCFT, addressed the Board regarding the faculty compensation policy and progress made on contract negotiations.

CEA

Mike Mayberry, President of the CEA, expressed his concerns regarding the university's position as it relates to funding the CEA contract.

F. Students

Stephen O'Connell, Victor Martin and Matt Krieger, spoke of TTY communication problems on the UAF campus and their efforts to correct the problems, and their desire to see American Sign Language recognized as a foreign language in the UAF curriculum.

Angel Largay, UAF student, urged the Board to delay any increases in housing costs.

Jerett Fuller, UAA student, spoke on his concerns regarding tuition, housing, equipment problems in UAA classrooms, and inadequate food service.

Tom Walker, USUAA President, urged the Board to carefully consider whether it is wise to again raise tuition.

Terry Perry, UAA student, expressed his concerns regarding the cost increases UAA students are facing.

Christina Brollini, UAA student, urged the Board to reconsider its nondiscrimination policies to add the phrase "sexual orientation."

Shawn Paul, student body president at UAS, thanked the Board for its support of the Mourant Building funding and for additional funding for food service at UAS.

Robb Benitz, UAS student, expressed his concerns regarding rising costs of fees and tuition for students.

Ann Kennedy, Mat-Su student, thanked the Board for their support of the bridge completion at the Machetanz Building.

G. Alumni

Fred Husby, on behalf of Steve Becker, urged the Board to continue funding for the UAF School of Agriculture and Land Resource Management.

V. Consent Agenda

Finance, Facilities and Land Management Committee

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

A. University of Alaska Southeast Mourant Building Food Service Remodeling - Project Approval Reference 1

MOTION

"The Finance, Facilities and Land Management Committee recommends that the Board of Regents approve the University of Alaska Southeast Mourant Building Food Service Remodeling project as presented and authorize the University administration to proceed with hiring a consultant and preparing construction documents. This motion is effective October 12, 1995."

B. University of Alaska Fairbanks Stevens, Nerland and McIntosh Halls 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 Stevens, Nerland and McIntosh Halls Deferred Maintenance Project as presented and authorizes the University administration to proceed with hiring a consultant and preparing construction documents. This motion is effective October 12, 1995."

C. Approval of Loan to UA Technology Development Corporation

Reference 3

MOTION

"The Finance, Facilities and Land Management Committee recommends that the Board of Regents authorize the President and Vice President for Finance to execute a loan agreement with University of Alaska Technology Development Corporation in the additional amount not to exceed $165,000. This motion is effective October 12, 1995."

D. Adoption of Proposed Policy 08.06 - Information Technology

Reference 4a-d

MOTION

"The Finance, Facilities and Land Management Committee recommends that the Board of Regents adopt new Regents' Policy 08.06 - Information Technology, as contained in Reference 4a and amended by the Committee. The administration is authorized to renumber affected policies accordingly. This motion is effective October 12, 1995."

E. UAF Near Island Research Facility, Kodiak - Approval of Feasibility Study, Approval of Lease, and Transfer of Responsibility Reference 5

MOTION

"The Finance, Facilities and Land Management committee recommends that the Board of Regents 1) approve the August 1995 feasibility study identifying no ongoing UAF operating costs and approximately 6,991 square feet of dedicated UAF space and approximately 1,269 square feet of shared space; 2) authorize the administration to negotiate with OMB and the Kodiak Island Borough (KIB) to the transfer of responsibility for the project to the KIB and to arrange for an acceptable method to make the $3.0 million state appropriation to the University available to the KIB; 3) authorize the no ongoing-cost space lease with the KIB; 4) authorize the administration to release the Borough from its pledge to provide the site to the university at no-cost if the above described lease is executed and the facility is constructed; and 5) authorize the president and the vice president for finance to execute any and all documents necessary to conclude the above. This motion is effective October 12, 1995."

Regent Henri moved, seconded by Regent Williams, 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 13, 1995."

Committee of the Whole

The Committee of the Whole made the following recommendations:

A. Approval of FY97 Operating Budget Request Reference 10

The Committee of the Whole amended the FY97 Operating Budget Request by moving the "UAA Library" increment to "Fixed Costs."

MOTION

"The Committee of the Whole recommends that the Board of Regents adopt the FY97 operating budget request as amended. This motion is effective October 12, 1995."

B. Approval of FY97 Capital Budget Request Reference 11

The Committee of the Whole amended the FY97 capital budget request by moving item 27 in Reference 11 to item 8 and renumbering the remaining requests accordingly.

MOTION

"The Committee of the Whole recommends that the Board of Regents adopt the FY97 capital budget request as amended. This motion is effective October 12, 1995."

C. Approval of Technical Corrections to Board of Regents' Policy and University Regulation Reference 12

MOTION

"The Committee of the Whole recommends that the Board of Regents approve the technical corrections made to Board of Regents' Policy 04.10.07 and University Regulation 04.10.05 as contained in Reference 12. This motion is effective October 12, 1995."

D. FY97 Tuition Recommendations Reference 13

MOTION

"The Committee of the Whole recommends that the Board of Regents defer until its February 1996 meeting, action for setting tuition rates for the academic year beginning in summer 1996, thus providing additional time for student discussion and testimony as well as time to gather better information regarding FY96 enrollments and tuition revenues. This motion is effective October 12, 1995."

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

PASSED

"The Board of Regents approves the recommendations of the Committee of the Whole as amended. This motion is effective October 13, 1995."

VI. New Business

Academic and Student Affairs Committee

Regent Breeze reported that the Academic and Student Affairs Committee had discussed the following issues:

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

The committee reviewed a proposal for revisions to policies covering the academic program and its administration. This proposal was drafted by the University's administration at the request of the Regents in order that there be a single document under discussion by the University community. The next step in the review process is for the document to undergo review by the faculty.

Report on the Joint Board of Regents/Board of Education Subcommittee meeting of October 10, 1995

Virginia Breeze reported that the subcommittee had identified issues of common concern to come before a joint meeting of the Board of Regents and Board of Education planned for December 7, 1995.

Report on Fall 1995 Enrollment

Abe Baggen, Director of Information Services, reported on trends in Fall enrollments. A fall in overall enrollment at UAA and in enrollment of new students at UAF and UAA contributed to a 5 percent decrease in total enrollment over the last five years. The committee has requested that a study be conducted to determine why enrollments are dropping.

Finance, Facilities and Land Management Committee

Regent Henri reported that the Finance, Facilities and Land Management Committee had, in addition to the consent agenda items, discussed the following issues: update to the Financial Plan for the UAF Elvey II Addition, update on Regents' Policy on Real Property/Land Stewardship, and a facilities requirement analysis. The following requests were also made by committee members:

1. that a special FF&LM committee meeting occur via video-conference to discuss policy on real property/land stewardship;

2. that the Full Board or FF&LM Committee meet in Kodiak in August 1996 for the FITC groundbreaking;

3. that a conference call occur in which Regent Henri, Professor Cole, John Dickinson and Wendy Redman discuss federal lands acquisition and that Board action on federal lands acquisition follow this meeting;

4. that an outside consulting firm be used regarding the Facilities Requirement Analysis;

5. that a report be made on FP&C Overhead with Janet Hillyer and staff to provide study results;

6. that a progress report on Banner System Implementation be given during the December Board meeting; and

7. that a progress report on actions of Ad Hoc Committee on School of Mineral Engineering be given at the December Board meeting.

Human Resources Committee

Regent Kelly reported that the Human Resources Committee reviewed and discussed University of Alaska indirect compensation programs and Policy 04.08 regarding dispute resolution. The following requests were also made during the meeting: for a report on a comparison of UA benefits within the health coverage package to other employers' packages; and a report on a cost breakdown of the value of indirect compensation to an individual employee.

Committee of the Whole

President Gagnon reported that along with the items on the consent agenda, discussions and presentations were made on FY96 insurance coverage, the 1996 legislative agenda, the fiscal condition of the State of Alaska, and progress made on program assessment goals. In addition, a new item was added to the Committee of the Whole that follows.

A. Faculty Compensation

The Board of Regents discussed at length the concerns expressed by faculty members regarding the adoption of faculty compensation policy and regulation at the August 1995 Board of Regents meeting. The following motion was passed in response to faculty concerns.

PASSED

"In response to concerns expressed by the University community, the Board of Regents directs the Chancellors and their academic administrators to meet with their faculty to begin formulating procedures relevant to Policy and Regulation 04.05.03 on faculty compensation. It is the Board of Regents' strong desire that the Chancellors make every reasonable effort during the implementation process, within the parameters of existing policy and regulation, to explore with faculty the issues they have raised.

The Board of Regents directs the Chancellors to report at the February 1996 Board meeting on the procedures their campuses will be following to implement Policy and Regulation 04.05.03; the Board of Regents further directs the President and the Chancellors to evaluate the procedures that were implemented and report the results of their evaluation to the Board at its September 1996 meeting so that the Board may consider refinements to existing Policy and Regulation. This motion is effective October 13, 1995."

VII. Approval of Honorary Degrees and Meritorious Service Awards

Recommendations submitted by the University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and University of Alaska Southeast for recipients of honorary degrees and meritorious service awards were bound separately and included in Regents' agenda packets for their review prior to the October 1995 Board meeting.

Regent Henri moved, seconded by Regent Williams, 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 1996, and authorizes Chancellors Gorsuch, Lind and Wadlow to invite the approved nominees and announce their acceptance. This motion is effective October 13, 1995."

VIII. Approval of Academic Degree Recipients

Regents' Policy 10.01.02 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 were available for Regents' inspection at the October 12-13, 1995 Board of Regents meeting.

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

PASSED

"The Board of Regents approves the list of degree recipients for the summer and fall of 1994 and the spring of 1995. This motion is effective October 13, 1995."

IX. Ratification of Naming of UAF Natural Sciences Building Lecture Hall

On September 21, 1995, the UAF Natural Sciences Building lecture hall was officially dedicated and named "Pearl Berry Boyd Hall." Ms. Boyd, who died in 1990 eight months before her 100th birthday, was the daughter of H. Frank Berry, one of the mining Berry brothers who rose to prominence in the Fairbanks area at the turn of the century. The town of Ester, Alaska, was called Berry until 1965 because of its proximity to the Berry brothers' mining claims. Ms. Boyd made possible one of UAF's first major private contributions, which honored her uncle Clarence J. Berry, the inventor of the steam point method of thawing permafrost. The invention revolutionized Alaska's mining industry, changing it from a seasonal to a year-round business.

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

PASSED

"The Board of Regents ratifies the naming of the UAF Natural Sciences Building lecture hall as 'Pearl Berry Boyd Hall.' This motion is effective October 13, 1995."

X. Chancellors' Status Reports

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

Chancellor Wadlow gave a report on College Town events and the Natural Sciences Building grand opening; the Crossroads event activities; the West family donation to the UA Museum; the efforts of the Geophysical Institute regarding earthquake and volcanic activity; Dean Alexander's appointment by President Clinton to the United States Marine Mammal Commission; the final report received from the School of Engineering and Alaska Department of Transportation regarding the load restriction criteria on several Alaska highways; the national ranking of UAF by U.S. News & World Report; and the 'Top of the World" basketball tournament planning developments.

Chancellor Gorsuch reported on the "Great Alaska Shootout" activities; recent accreditation visits including ABET, School of Music and Northwest Association of Schools five-year visit; the receipt of a Japan Foundation grant; the receipt of an NSF grant for a joint project between UAF Institute of Arctic Biology and UAA Institute of Social & Economic Research; enrollment increases seen in the Masters in Social Work program; the appointment of Joseph Emmons as director of the Matanuska-Susitna College; progress made on telecourse delivery; and the activities associated with the Celebrity Chef Invitational coordinated by the UAA Food Service Program.

Chancellor Lind reported on the increased enrollment seen at UAS this semester; the pressing need for an athletic structure; the news that Gary Bowen will be leaving the university; and work being done on the BBA program via distance delivery.

XI. UA System Administration Status Reports

No reports were given.

XII. Report from Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education Representatives

Regents Forrer and Fate reported on activities of the Commission including the concern regarding the decrease in funds for Alaska student loans; new members that have been appointed to the Commission (Mark Begich, Rosa Foster, Scott Sterling and Charlie Parr); and the receipt of notice that the Alaska Junior College closed effective October 6, 1995.

XIII. Board of Regents' Comments

Regent Henri requested follow-up information regarding Russian students attending the University of Alaska and the kind of recruitment efforts being made to attract Russian students.

Regent Breeze thanked the members of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee and the administration regarding the work done on the academic policies review; and reminded members that during the December Board meeting, the full board would be meeting with the State of Alaska Board of Education.

Regent Fate expressed her hope that recruitment techniques used with the Russian populations would also be helpful in Alaska rural communities.

Regent Thomas requested on the interpretation of the university's ability to fund the CEA contract; stressed the need for strong industry ties and requested a report on the history of successes and failures the university has faced with industry.

Regent Ogg requested a status report on a meeting between the Department of Fish and Game and the University of Alaska regarding cooperative ventures; and his commendation to the Board for efforts made regarding strengthening communication between the Board and faculty.

Regent Forrer reported on the meeting held by the joint committee of the Board of Regents/Board of Education and his observations regarding the potential for change in educational issues.

Regent Kelly thanked Professor Hacker for his cooperation in the faculty communication discussions; and the need for another look at the feasibility of a market-based compensation system for the university.

Regent Gagnon spoke regarding shrinking funding and how the university must prepare itself to face these difficulties while still maintaining a quality institution.

XIV. Board of Regents' Retreat

The Board of Regents recessed and moved the Retreat portion of the meeting to the President's Residence where the meeting then resumed.

XV. Adjourn

President Gagnon adjourned the meeting at approximately 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 14, 1995.