November 1998
Board Meeting Minutes

Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, November 18, 1998
World Trade Center
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Trustees Present: Andrew Boss, Nancy Brataas, Kathleen Caffey, Archie D. Chelseth, Mary Choate, Daniel G. Coborn, Dennis Dotson, David Erickson, Robert Erickson, Christine Fritsche, Joseph Jung, Michael Nesdahl, Michael Vekich, James Wafler, Charles W. Williams,

Trustees Absent:

Call to Order
Chair Vekich called the meeting to order at 1:05 p.m. and announced that a quorum was present. There were no changes to the agenda.

Chair's Report

a. Approval of October 21, 1998, Meeting Minutes
Trustee Wafler moved approval of the October 21, 1998, meeting minutes. Trustee Fritsche seconded. The minutes were approved without dissent.

b. Report of Ad Hoc Assessment Committee and Board of Trustees Meetings Regarding Chancellor Evaluation

• Ad Hoc Assessment Committee, November 13, 1998
  Trustee Wafler reported that the Ad Hoc Assessment Committee met with Chancellor Anderson on November 13 for the purpose of conducting an evaluation of his performance. Highlights of the Chancellor's performance over the last year and one-half include: stabilizing the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, reestablishing Minnesota State Colleges and Universities credibility at the legislature, introducing a team approach, and moving forward the Board's strategic planning process.
  
  Trustee Brataas moved that effective November 18, 1998, the Chair and Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees and the Chair of the Personnel Policy Committee are authorized to negotiate the terms and conditions of an employment agreement with Interim Chancellor Morris J. Anderson as Chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. The employment agreement shall be presented to the Board of Trustees at its December 1998 Board meeting and shall include the general terms of the Personnel Plan for MnSCU Administrators, appropriate performance indicators, and other conditions as appropriate. The Chair may engage a consultant(s) for the purpose of providing assistance in negotiating an employment agreement with Mr. Anderson. Trustee Williams seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
  
  Chancellor Anderson thanked the Board of Trustees for their expression of confidence in him and the team of presidents and staff. He noted that the work completed to date has been achieved by the partnership between the presidents, staff and the Board of Trustees.
  
• Board of Trustees Meeting, November 17, 1998
  Chair Vekich announced that the Board of Trustees met in closed session on November 17 to discuss the Chancellor's performance evaluation. The evaluation included a review of a self-evaluation, a peer review, and a Board review of his work over the last 18 months.

c. Report of the Executive Committee, November 4, 1998

• Revisions to Chapter One, Board Policy
  Chair Vekich announced that the Executive Committee reviewed a first draft of revisions to Chapter One of the Board Policy at its meeting on November 4. Additional revisions were requested by the Committee and they will review it again on December 2, when the Executive Committee next meets.
  

1. Trustee Report
   • Report of the Ad Hoc Seal Committee
     Trustee Chelseth, chair of the Seal Committee, explained that over the past several months the Committee has been working on the design of an official seal for the Board of Trustees. Committee members are Trustees Brataas, David Erickson, Vekich and Wafler. The Committee hired Russell and Herder, a public relations firm. Trustee Chelseth announced that the Committee has agreed on a seal recommendation, and he introduced Carol Russell and Brain Herder to present the seal.
     
     Mr. Herder and Ms. Russell unveiled a seal for the Board of Trustees. Mr. Herder explained that the symbols shown in the seal are the world, a path, the horizon, and sunrise, and they are icons representative of journey, opportunity, progress, technology and the future. Russell and Herder also developed a proposed uniform application for use of the seal in letterheads, envelopes, business cards, and diplomas.
     
     Trustee Chelseth reported that the Seal Committee will ask the Board of Trustees to adopt the seal at its December Board meeting.
     
2. Chancellor's Report: Morris J. Anderson.
   Chancellor Anderson reported that North Central Accreditation will recommend accreditation for Anoka-Hennepin Technical College.
   
   Chancellor Anderson introduced Dolores Fridge, associate vice chancellor for equal opportunity. The first African American woman to graduate from Winona State University, Dr. Fridge began her career as a school teacher in Minneapolis. Dr. Fridge was the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
   
   Chancellor Anderson reported that MnSCU has hired Sagamore Associates of Washington, D.C., to assess potential opportunities for MnSCU in federal relations.
   
   MnSCU received five proposals from national higher education research firms in response to its request for proposal for market research/enroll management. A team of campus representatives from MnSCU selected the USAGroup Noel-Levitz, one of the premiere education market research firms in the country. They will begin working in early December.
   
   Chancellor Anderson announced that MnSCU has been asked to join in a partnership with Minnesota Public Radio Civic Journalism Initiative. The project is on ethnic, religious, and racial diversity in rural Minnesota.
   
   Chancellor Anderson reported that MnSCU has been in contact with Governor-elect Ventura and his staff and will meet with his transition chief of staff in the near future.
   
3. Joint Council of Student Associations
   The following representatives of student associations addressed the Board of Trustees: Tony Rust, state chair, Minnesota State University Student Association, Robin Moline, vice president, Minnesota State College Student Association.
   
4. MCCFA, IFO, and UTCE: Joint Opportunity to Address the Board
   Bruce Hemstad, president, United Technical College Educators, addressed the Board of Trustees.
   
5. Board Standing Committee Reports
   
   a. Educational Policy Committee
   Committee Chair Fritsche reported that the Committee met on the campus of Inver Hills Community College on November 17. She thanked President Cheryl Frank and other staff for their hospitality.
   1. Program Approval: Advanced Technical Certificate, Construction Electricity Apprenticeship, St. Paul Technical College
      Committee Chair Fritsche moved that the Board of Trustees approve the request by St. Paul Technical College to offer an Advanced Technical Certificate in Construction Electricity Apprenticeship. Trustee David Erickson seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
   2. Program Suspensions
      Committee Chair Fritsche reported that the Committee heard a report on program suspensions at Hennepin Technical College, Eden Prairie and Rainy River Community College, International Falls.
   3. CO-College Report
      Committee Chair Fritsche reported that Bemidji State President James Bensen reviewed the Corporate College of Minnesota, an initiative of MnSCU for meeting the needs of business, industry, education, governmental agencies and other organizations.
   4. International Education Within MnSCU
      Committee Chair Fritsche reported that the Committee reviewed a report on international education within MnSCU.
   5. Inver Hills Community College Highlights
      Committee Chair Fritsche reported that Inver Hills Community College President Cheryl Frank gave a brief overview of the college and staff provided reports on the following programs:
      • Liberal Studies/Professional Studies
      • CISCO Computer Technology Networking Certification Training Program
      • Emergency Health Services Program Electronic Academy Grant: Field Internship Data Acquisition Program
   6. Metro Plan Draft Report
      Committee Chair Fritsche reported that the Committee reviewed a draft of the Metro Plan. Public hearings on the Metro Plan have been scheduled on: Thursday, December 3, Normandale Community College, 4:00 to 7:00 PM; Thursday, December 10, North Hennepin Community College, 9:00 AM to noon; and Century College, 2:00 to 5:00 PM.

   b. Personnel Policy Committee

   1. Presidential Appointment Policy
      Committee Chair Brataas moved that the Board of Trustees approve amendments to Board policies 1A.3 and 1A.4, and new Board policy 4.2 Trustee R. Erickson seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
   2. Re-employment of Early Retirees
      Committee Chair Brataas moved that the Board of Trustees approve new Board policy 4.6. Trustee Williams seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
   3. Chancellor's Salary
      Trustee Brataas moved that the Board of Trustees set the salary of the Chancellor at $170,000 for fiscal year 1998 and $185,000 for fiscal year 1999, subject to the terms of the Personnel Plan for MnSCU Administrators. Trustee Williams seconded and the motion carried without dissent.

   c. Audit Committee

   1. Review Office of Legislative Auditor Financial Audits of Riverland Community College, Ridgewater College, South Central College, and Anoka Hennepin Technical College
      Committee Chair Boss reported that the Committee reviewed audit reports from the Office of the Legislative Auditor of Riverland Community College, Ridgewater College, South Central College and Anoka Hennepin Technical College.
   2. Year 2000 Update
      Committee Chair Boss reported that the Committee heard an update on Year 2000 progress.
   3. Procedures for Reporting Instances of Possible Noncompliance or Legal Violations
      Committee Chair Boss reported that the Committee heard a report on procedures for reporting instances of possible noncompliance or legal violations as contained in MnSCU Board Policy 7.2. The policy will be amended to be consistent with the Internal Auditing Charter.
   4. Internal Auditing Services for MnSCU Presidents
      Committee Chair Boss reported that the Committee reviewed issues related to Internal Auditing services to be provided for MnSCU presidents.

   
   d. Finance/Facilities Policy Committee
   Committee Chair R. Erickson announced that the Committee will hold a public hearing on the FY2000-2005 Capital Budget at Anoka Ramsey Community College in Cambridge on December 9, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The first hearing was at South Central College in Mankato on November 12.

   1. Hibbing College Schematic Design
      Committee Vice Chair Coborn moved that the Board of Trustees approve the schematic design of the Hibbing Integration Project as presented. Trustee R. Erickson seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
   2. Property Acquisition and Land Transfer
      Committee Vice Chair Coborn moved that the Board of Trustees approve the acquisition of real property at Metropolitan State University. This approval is contingent upon execution of legal documents consistent with MnSCU policies. Trustee R. Erickson seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
   3. Inver Hills Community College Instructional Building Schematic Design
      Committee Vice Chair Coborn reported that Inver Hills Community College presented a schematic design for a new instructional building.
   4. Ridgewater College - Project Status
      Committee Vice Chair Coborn reported that two major projects under design at Ridgewater College have been halted because the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) project exceeds the appropriation amount. Recommendations for resolving the problem will be presented at a future meeting of the Committee.
   5. Space Utilization Survey Plan
      Committee Vice Chair Coborn reported that the Committee reviewed a space utilization survey plan.
   6. Fiscal Year 1999 Committee Work Plan
      Committee Chair R. Erickson moved that the Board of Trustees approve the Fiscal Year 1999 Committee Work Plan. Trustee D. Erickson seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
   7. Acceptance of Gift to Northwest Technical College
      Committee Chair R. Erickson moved that the Board of Trustees approve the gift of materials used for telecommunications programs from the Halstad Telephone Company to Northwest Technical College. Trustee Jung seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
   8. Proposed Board Policy 5.8, Refunds Withdrawals and Waivers
      Committee Chair R. Erickson reported that the Committee reviewed a proposed policy on refunds, withdrawals and waivers. The policy will be rewritten and presented to the Committee as a first reading in either December or January.
   9. Debt Management Guidelines
      Committee Chair R. Erickson reported that the Committee reviewed debt management guidelines for 1999-2008.
   10. State Board of Investment Performance Review Concerning Revenue Bond Fund
       Committee Chair R. Erickson reported that the Committee will receive bi- annual reports on the State Board of Investment performance review of the Revenue Bond Fund.
   11. Acquisition, Disposal, and Leasing of Personal Property
       Committee Chair R. Erickson reported that due to time constraints, the Committee postponed this item until the December meeting.

   
   e. Joint Finance/Facilities Policy and Educational Policy Committee

   1. FY2000 and Beyond Allocation Model
      Finance/Facilities Policy Committee Chair R. Erickson moved that the Board of Trustees approve the allocation framework and directs the Chancellor to implement the Transition Plan. The Board will be updated periodically on the status of working group activities and shall receive reports summarizing the results of the annual simulations of the model. The Chancellor will return with any proposed policy changes concerning the Framework for the Board's review and approval prior to implementation. Full implementation of the model will be effective with the FY2002 budget process. Trustee Fritsche seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
   2. FY2000-20001 Biennial Operating Budget Request
      Finance/Facilities Policy Committee Chair R. Erickson reported that the Committee reviewed the FY2000-2001 Biennial Operating Budget Request. This will be an action item at the December meeting.
   3. Akita Planning
      Finance/Facilities Policy Committee Chair R. Erickson reported that the Committee had a substantial discussion regarding Minnesota State University Akita. The Chancellor will present more information and recommendations for the Board's consideration at the December meeting.
      
6. Requests by Individuals to Address the Board
   There were no requests to address the Board of Trustees.
   
7. Other Business
   There was no other business to come before the Board of Trustees.
   
8. Adjournment
   Trustee Wafler moved to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Fritsche seconded and the meeting adjourned at 2:10 p.m.

Michael Vekich, Chair
Recorded by Inge Chapin

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