October 1997 Board
Meeting Minutes

Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, October 22, 1997
World Trade Center
Saint Paul, Minnesota

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

Trustees Absent: Archie D. Chelseth, Daniel G. Coborn, David Erickson, Gary Mohrenweiser, William Ulland

1. Call to Order
   Chair Vekich called the meeting to order at 12:40 p.m.
   
   
2. Chair's Report
   

   a. Approval of September 17, 1997, Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes
   Trustee Maxwell moved approval of the September 17, 1997, meeting minutes. Trustee Caffey seconded, and the motion carried without dissent.
   
   b. Report of Executive Committee Meeting of October 1, 1997
   Chair Vekich reported that the Executive Committee met on October 1, 1997, and reviewed the agenda for the October meeting.
   
   c. Committee Assignments
   Chair Vekich reported that the new committee assignments are on page 21 of the meeting materials.
   
   d. Other
   Consistent with Board Policy 1A.1, Governing Board Operating Procedures, Subpart C. Duties and Responsibilities, Chair Vekich appointed all non-committee members of the Board to be ex-officio, non-voting members, of every committee. The Board Operations Committee will develop a policy that will make this an automatic process.
   
   Upon the request of the Audit Committee Chair Brataas, Chair Vekich reappointed Dr. R. Glenn Berryman to serve as ex-officio advisor to the Audit Committee. Dr. Berryman has made a significant contribution to the Audit Committee.
   
   Chair Vekich announced that he will read a recommended motion relative to a gift Glen Taylor has made to the Mankato State University Foundation. Before reading the motion, Chair Vekich called upon Mankato State University President Rush to comment.
   
   President Rush commented that Mr. Taylor=s gift of $8 million was to thank the faculty and administrators of Mankato State University who were so meaningful to him when he was a student, and to help educate a workforce that will enable his companies to prosper in the future. Chair Vekich read the motion, as follows:
   
   Whereas, Minnesota businessman and Mankato State University alumnus, Glen Taylor, has supported the education of hundreds of students through presidential and academic scholarships in business, math, engineering, theater, computer science, graphic design and athletics;
   
   Whereas, Glen Taylor has made the largest contribution in the history of Minnesota=s state colleges and universities by offering an $8 million gift to the Mankato State University Foundation, on October 13, 1997;
   
   Whereas, the $8 million gift will develop a multi-functional facility to include a welcome center, admissions offices, and 5,000 seat arena for the betterment of student life and the MSU community;
   
   Whereas, MSU President Richard R. Rush gratefully accepts this gift and the responsibility it bears to provide further for the students of Mankato State University;
   
   Be it resolved, that the Board of Trustees of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities hereby recognizes the unfailing generosity of this gift and directs Chair Vekich to send Mr. Taylor and the Taylor Corporation a letter of gratitude for this historical contribution.
   
   Trustee Maxwell moved to suspend the rules to take action on the recommendation. Trustee Caffey seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
   
   Trustee Dotson moved the recommended motion. Trustee Brataas seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
   
   Chair Vekich and Vice Chair Fritsche presented a plaque of appreciation to Dr. Weiss, Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, who is retiring in November.
   

3. Trustee Reports
   There were no Trustee reports.
   
   
4. Chancellor's Report: Morris J. Anderson
   

   a. Appointment of President of North Hennepin Community College
   Chancellor Anderson reported that following a nationwide search, he is recommending the appointment of Ann Wynia as president of North Hennepin Community College. Ms. Wynia has been a faculty member of North Hennepin Community College since 1970. In addition, she was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1977 to 1989 and majority leader of the House from 1987 to 1989. She was commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services in 1989 and 1990, and a member of the University of Minnesota Board of Regents from 1991-1993.
   
   Trustee Wafler moved that the Board of Trustees appoint Ann Wynia as president of North Hennepin Community College, effective December 1, 1997, under the terms and conditions of the Personnel Plan for Excluded Administrators. Trustee Caffey seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
   
   Ms. Wynia addressed the Board of Trustees and thanked them for the opportunity to serve as the president of North Hennepin Community College.
   
   b. MnSCU Conference on Higher Education Pricing
   Chancellor Anderson reported on the MnSCU Conference on Higher Education Pricing, October 10-13, 1997. Central administration, faculty, students and others convened to discuss issues related to tuition.
   
   c. Board Retreat
   Chancellor Anderson announced that a Board retreat will be held on December 1, 1997. An outline of the retreat is on page 22 of the meeting materials.
   
   d. Other
   Chancellor Anderson gave brief updates on the following: flat enrollment at MnSCU institutions, a tentative settlement with the Minnesota Community College Faculty Association, campus visits, the creation of a universal application form for all MnSCU institutions, and the system office move to the World Trade Center beginning on October 24, 1997.
   

5. Chancellor's Consent Agenda
   There were no items for the Chancellor's Consent Agenda.
   
   
6. Presidential Advisory Committee
   On behalf of the Presidential Advisory Committee, Dr. Cole, president of Metropolitan State University, announced that the presidents are grateful for the opportunity to sit at the table and to comment on agenda items. Therefore, the Presidential Advisory Committee no longer needs a specific agenda item for the future.
   
   
7. Joint Council of Student Associations
   The following representatives of student associations addressed the Board of Trustees: Troy Thielen, vice president, Minnesota Community College Student Association, Francis Klinkner, chair, Minnesota State University Student Association, and Rick Harvala, legislative liaison, Minnesota Technical College Student Association.
   
   
8. 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.
   
   
9. Board Standing Committee Reports
   

   a. Personnel Policy Committee
   

   1. Preliminary Discussions Regarding Excluded Administrators Compensation Plan
      Committee Vice Chair Dotson reported that the committee reviewed the process and approach on the excluded administrators compensation plan. This item will be on the committee agenda for several more meetings in order to address issues such as: at-will employment, notice and severance payment. Any changes in the contract will have to be approved by the Legislature.
      
      
   2. Continuation of Profiles of Employees Covered by Collective Bargaining Agreements
      Committee Vice Chair Dotson reported that the committee heard an update on the profiles of employees covered by collective bargaining agreements.
      
      

   b. Joint Personnel Policy & Board Operations Committees
   

   1. Presidential Search Process Review - Revised Policy 1A.4, System Administration Appointment of Administrators
      Board Operations Committee Chair Dotson moved a recommended motion that will amend Board Policy 1A.4, Subparts a and B. Trustee Robert Erickson seconded and motion carried without dissent.
      

   
   c. Educational Policy Committee
   

   1. Closure of Academic Programs: Anoka-Hennepin Technical College
      Committee Chair Fritsche moved a recommended motion that the Board of Trustees approves closure of the Health Care Technician, Human Services Assistant, Ophthalmic Technology, Surfacing Lab Skills, Finishing Lab Skills, and Advanced Lab Skills programs at Anoka-Hennepin Technical College. Trustee Dotson seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
      
      
   2. Strategic Plan Update
      Committee Chair Fritsche reported that the committee heard an update from Dr. Mercer, associate vice chancellor for policy and planning, on the Strategic Plan.
      
      
   3. Academic Excellence and MnSCU
      Committee Chair Fritsche reported that the committee heard a report from Dr. David O. Rafter, Mankato State University. The report was titled, AAcademic Excellence and MnSCU,@ dated May, 1997.
      
      
   4. Minnesota Financial Aid Policy Formulation
      Committee Chair Fritsche announced that Dr. Poch, director of Minnesota Higher Education Services Office (HESO), provided the committee with an overview of HESO and the role they play in determining financial aid policy.
      
      
   5. Metro Plan Update
      Committee Chair Fritsche announced that because Dr. Reinhardt was unable to attend today's meeting, the time line on the Metro Plan has been extended. The draft recommendation will be presented at the December Board meeting, with the final recommendation presented in January.
      
      
   6. Coordination of SCOPE with Strategic Plan
      Committee Chair Fritsche reported that Dr. Ron Dreyer, system director for program review, presented an overview of the ongoing efforts concerning the interaction of SCOPE and the Strategic Plan .
      
      
   7. Transfer Initiatives
      Committee Chair Fritsche commented that the transfer initiatives were an information item that is on pages 71-72 of the meeting materials.
      

   
   d. Audit Committee
   

   1. MnSCU Information Systems Overview
      Committee Chair Brataas reported that the committee had an extended discussion relative to MnSCU's information systems. Gerry Rushenberg, associate vice chancellor for management information systems, and Dale Jarrell, system director for MIS operations, presented an overview of MnSCU's information systems. Consultants will be hired to render an opinion on the progress and course of action to date on MnSCU's information systems.
      
      
   2. FY 1997 Audits - Progress Reports
      Committee Chair Brataas reported that the committee heard progress reports on the Office of the Legislative Auditor's findings at several MnSCU institutions.
      
      

   e. Facilities Committee
   Due to time constraints and because the Audit Committee discussion was very substantive, Facilities Committee Chair Robert Erickson allowed the Audit Committee to continue its meeting and canceled the Facilities Committee meeting. The sole agenda item for the Facilities Committee - Capital Improvement Projects Update and Review of Construction Project Management - was not an action item and will be heard at the November meeting.
   
   f. Fiscal Policy Committee

   1. FY 1998 Final Institutional Budgets
      Vice Chancellor King reported on behalf of Committee Chair Chelseth, who was unable to attend the meeting because of a business commitment. The FY 1998 final institutional budgets report was an update that showed state appropriation at the two and four year institutional levels and tuition forecasts.
      
      
   2. Progress Report Mandates Reduction
      Bill Vice Chancellor King explained that the Mandates Reduction Bill report was also an information item, updating progress made to date, across the system.
      

   
   g. Joint Fiscal & Educational Policy Committees

   1. Wisconsin Reciprocity Agreement
      Educational Policy Committee Chair Fritsche moved the recommended motion that the Board of Trustees approves the Wisconsin/Minnesota Reciprocity Agreement as required by M. S. 136A.08, Subd. 6, effective for the 1998-1999 academic year. Trustee Wafler seconded and the motion passed with resolve.
      
      
   2. 1998 Supplemental Budget Request
      Educational Policy Committee Chair Fritsche moved the recommended motion that the Board of Trustees approves the 1998 Supplemental Budget as contained on the attached pages 167-175 of the meeting materials. Trustee Brataas seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
      
      
   3. The MnSCU Fee Structure
      Educational Policy Committee Chair Fritsche moved the recommended motion that the Board of Trustees directs staff to develop a MnSCU fell policy that is based on the proposed fee structure and eliminates course fees. Trustee Nesdahl seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
      
      

10. Requests by Individuals to Address the Board
    There were no requests by individuals to address the Board.
    
    
11. 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 Brataas moved to close the public session of the meeting and convene in closed session at 2:15 p.m. Trustee Robert Erickson seconded. The motion carried without dissent.
    
    Trustee Wafler moved to adjourn the closed session of the meeting and convene in open session at 2:30 p.m. Trustee Fritsche seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
    
    
12. Adjournment
    Trustee Brataas moved adjournment of the open meeting. Trustee Fritsche seconded and the motion to adjourn carried at 2:31 p.m.

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

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