November 1997 Board
Meeting Minutes

Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, November 19, 1997
World Trade Center
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Trustees Present: Nancy Brataas, Kathleen Caffey, Daniel G. Coborn, Dennis Dotson, David Erickson, Robert Erickson, Christine Fritsche, Stephen L. Maxwell, Gary Mohrenweiser, Michael Nesdahl, Denise Stephens, Michael Vekich, James Wafler

Trustees Absent: Archie D. Chelseth

1. Call to Order
   Chair Vekich called the meeting to order at 12:40 p.m., and announced that a quorum was present. There were no changes to the agenda.
   
   
2. Chair's Report
   

   a. Approval of October 22, 1997, Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes
   Trustee Brataas moved approval of the October 22, 1997, meeting minutes. Trustee Robert Erickson seconded, and the motion carried without dissent.
   
   b. Report of Executive Committee Meeting of November 3, 1997
   Chair Vekich reported that the Executive Committee met on November 3, 1997, and reviewed the agenda for the November meeting.
   
   c. Other
   Chair Vekich reported that William Ulland resigned from the Board of Trustees on November 4. Chair Vekich acknowledged and thanked Mr. Ulland for his contribution during the merger of the MnSCU system.
   
   Chair Vekich made the following appointments: Trustee Wafler as Vice Chair of the Audit Committee, and Trustee Mohrenweiser to the Audit Committee. Trustee Mohrenweiser will step down from the Personnel Policy Committee.
   

3. Trustee Reports
   There were no Trustee reports.
   
   
4. Chancellor's Report: Morris J. Anderson
   Chancellor Anderson thanked the faculty, presidents, students, and administrators for participating in the strategic exercises with Bill Harley, in preparation for the December 1 Board of Trustees retreat.
   
   Chancellor Anderson announced that Inver Hills Community College was granted 10 year accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools on November 19, 1997.
   
   Chancellor Anderson reported that Anne Weyandt, currently interim vice chancellor for labor relations, will assume responsibilities in the near future as his deputy assistant and chief of staff.
   
   Chancellor Anderson announced that he had appointed Gary Langer as interim president of Century Community and Technical College, to replace Dr. Meznek who resigned.
   
   Chancellor Anderson reported that MnSCU is participating in the Global University with the University of Minnesota and private colleges.
   
   
5. Chancellor's Consent Agenda
   There were no items for the Chancellor's Consent Agenda.
   
   
6. Joint Council of Student Associations
   The following representatives of student associations addressed the Board of Trustees: Jason Krogerson, president, Minnesota Community College Student Association, Joe Jung, west metro region representative for Minnesota Technical College Student Association, Heidi Hage, associate director for development, Minnesota State University Student Association. Mr. Jung submitted 1,583 letters from students who were concerned with transferability of credits to the Board of Trustees. Mr. Krogerson said two candidates' names will be forwarded to the Governor's office as recommendations for MCCSA's student representative on the Board of Trustees: Kathleen Caffey and Troy Thielen.
   
   
7. MCCFA, IFO, and UTCE: Joint Opportunity to Address the Board
   The following representatives of faculty associations addressed the Board of Trustees: Dave Abel, president, Inter Faculty Organization and Larry Litecky, president, Minnesota Community College Faculty Association. Dr. Abel submitted copies of a petition addressed to Chancellor Anderson and signed by a number of IFO faculty in support of the IFO bargaining position.
   
   
8. Board Standing Committee Reports
   

   a. Educational Policy Committee
   

   1. Infant Child Care Grant Recommendations
      Committee Chair Fritsche moved the recommended motion as amended by the committee on page 18. The amendment defined the infant age range as six weeks to fifteen months. Trustee Caffey seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
      
      
   2. Policies
      
      • Program Redesign (First Reading)
        Committee Chair Fritsche reported that the proposed policy rescinds Technical College carry forward policy 2.1.3.0, and will permit colleges and universities to change programs' credit length within limits set by Board Policy 3.17, Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates without approval from the Chancellor or designee. The policy will be presented for a second reading at the December Board meeting.
        
        
      • Program Replication and Relocation (First Reading)
        Committee Chair Fritsche reported that the proposed policy rescinds Technical College carry forward policy 2.1.2.0., and will permit colleges and universities to relocate or replicate programs among their campuses without prior approval of the Chancellor or designee whenever the change 1) does not affect an existing agreement between institutions, 2) does not result in a new location that may affect the service area of another institution with a similar program, or 3) is not from one college or university to another college or university. The policy will be presented for a second reading at the December Board meeting.
        
      
      
   3. Governance of Community and Technical Colleges in Northeastern Minnesota
      Committee Chair Fritsche reported that Presidents John Harris (Laurentian Community and Technical College District), Joe Sertich (Itasca Community College), and Allen Rasmussen (Rainy River Community College) presented a report on the governance of community and technical colleges in Northeastern Minnesota.
      
      
   4. Minnesota Colleagues in Caring
      Committee Chair Fritsche reported that brochures were distributed on the Nursing Workforce Development Project.
      
      
   5. Strategic Plan Update
      Committee Chair Fritsche reported that Dr. Mercer, associate vice chancellor for policy and planning, reported on the Strategic Plan.
      
      
   6. Metro Plan Update
      Committee Chair Fritsche reported that Dr. Reinhardt presented a report. There will be a special meeting of the Educational Policy Committee on Thursday, December 11, 1997, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., to continue the discussion of the material.
      
      

   b. Facilities Committee
   

   1. Inver Hills Community College Land Transfer
      Committee Chair Robert Erickson moved the recommended motion on page 29 that the Board of Trustees approves the exchange of parcels of approximately 8 acres each between Inver Hills Community College and the City of Inver Grove Heights. The Attorney General is to prepare the necessary documents to complete the land transfer. Trustee Maxwell seconded and motion carried without dissent.
      
      
   2. Sale of Armory Building, Minnesota West Community and Technical College in Jackson
      Committee Chair Robert Erickson moved the recommended motion on page 31 that the Board of Trustees approves, on behalf of Minnesota West Community and Technical College, the sale of the former armory building located at 214 Grant Street, Jackson, Minnesota. Trustee Wafler seconded and motion carried without dissent.
      
      
   3. Capital Improvement Projects Update and Review of Construction
      Project Management Committee Chair Robert Erickson reported that Vice Chancellor King and Associate Vice Chancellor Bellew reported on the capital improvement projects and construction project management.
      
      Committee Chair Robert Erickson reported that the Facilities Committee will hold a special meeting on Thursday, December 11, 1997, from 1:00 p.m. To 5:00 p.m., To hear input from interested parties related to the Board=s delegation of authority for facilities administration.
      
      Committee Chair Robert Erickson reported that Sue Markham will serve as an advisor to the Facilities Committee through June 30, 1998.
      

   
   c. Audit Committee
   

   1. Reports from the Office of the Legislative Auditor Regarding Rainy River Community College and Inver Hills Community College
      Committee Chair Brataas reported that the committee reviewed audit reports from the Office of the Legislative Auditor regarding Rainy River Community College and Inver Hills Community College. There were several findings, some of a serious nature.
      
      
   2. Preliminary Audit Strategies
      Committee Chair Brataas reported that John Asmussen, the executive director of internal auditing, reviewed preliminary audit strategies, including effective internal controls, staffing requirements, and priorities.
      
      Committee Chair Brataas explained that as a result of the two audits heard earlier, and findings from previous audits, the Audit Committee suspended the rules and approved a resolution relating to following-up to the Office of the Legislative Auditor Financial Audit Reports. Chair Brataas requested that the Board of Trustees approve the following recommended motion:
      
      The Board of Trustees directs John Asmussen, Executive Director, Internal Auditing, to develop a monitoring and reporting mechanism for problem findings reported in financial audits of MnSCU institutions by the Office of the Legislative Auditor. Laura King, Vice Chancellor, Chief Financial Officer, is to develop a continuous quality improvement plan for accurate financial information. The draft plans, including timelines, will be ready by December 1, 1997.
      
      Trustee David Erickson moved to suspend the rules. Trustee Caffey seconded and the motion carried with 12 in favor (Trustees Wafler, Stephens, Nesdahl, Mohrenweiser, Maxwell, Robert Erickson, David Erickson, Dotson, Coborn, Caffey, Brataas, and Vekich) and none opposed. Trustee Fritsche was out of the room during the roll call vote.
      
      Trustee Brataas moved the recommended motion. Trustee Dotson seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
      

   
   d. Personnel Policy Committee
   

   1. Retirement and Turnover Trends
      Committee Chair David Erickson announced that William Tschida, vice chancellor for human resources, officially began his duties on November 3, 1997. The committee reviewed data on retirements and turnover trends for FY 1996 and 1997.
      
      

   e. Board Operations Committee
   

   1. Review of Board Operations Committee Goals and Mission
      Committee Chair Dotson reported that he and Trustee Stephens, will conduct a series of one-on-one interviews with each Trustee related to processes, relationships, image and direction that MnSCU and the Board of Trustees should be taking in the future. The interview results will be compiled and will help guide the committee in formulating future goals and mission.

   
   f. Joint Fiscal Policy and Educational Policy Committees

   1. FY 1999-FY 2003 Allocation Model Development
      Educational Policy Committee Chair Fritsche reported that the joint committees reviewed benchmarks and comparative costs within MnSCU institutions.
      

   
   g. Joint Fiscal Policy and Facilities Committees

   1. Development of 1998-2007 Debt Management Guidelines
      Facilities Committee Chair Robert Erickson reported that the joint committees reviewed debt management guidelines for 1998-2007. The Board is scheduled to review the guidelines as a first reading at the December meeting.
      
      
   2. Student Housing Development Guidelines
      Facilities Committee Chair Robert Erickson reported that there was an extensive discussion on student housing development guidelines.
      
      
   3. Revenue Fund Rate Restructuring Plan
      Facilities Committee Chair Robert Erickson reported that the revenue fund rate restructuring plan discussion will be continued as a first reading in December, with action scheduled for January, 1998.
      
      

9. Requests by Individuals to Address the Board
   Roger O'Connor addressed the Board
   
   
10. Other Business
    Chair Vekich called for a motion to go into closed session to discuss the status of the contract negotiations with IFO, MCCFA, and UTCE pursuant to Minnesota Statute '471.705, subd. 1a (1996) (Minnesota Open Meeting Law).
    
    Trustee Stephens moved to close the public session of the meeting and convene in closed session at 3:30 p.m. Trustee Coborn seconded. The motion carried without dissent.
    
    Trustee Maxwell moved to adjourn the closed session of the meeting and convene in open session at 4:45 p.m. Trustee Caffey seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
    
    
11. Adjournment
    Trustee David Erickson moved adjournment of the open meeting. Trustee Robert Erickson seconded and the motion to adjourn carried at 4:47 p.m.

Michael Vekich, Chair - Board of Trustees
Recorded by Inge Chapin

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