April 1999
Board Meeting Minutes

Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, April 21, 1999
World Trade Center
Saint Paul, Minnesota

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

Trustees Absent: Kathleen Caffey

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1. Call to Order
   Chair Vekich called the meeting to order at 12:20 PM, and announced that a quorum was present. There were no changes to the agenda.
2. Chair's Report

   a. Approval of March 17, 1999, Meeting Minutes
   Trustee Robert Erickson moved approval of the March 17, 1999, meeting minutes. Trustee Wafler seconded. The minutes were approved without dissent.

   b. Report of the Executive Committee, April 7, 1999
   Chair Vekich reported that the Executive Committee met on April 7. The next Executive Committee meeting on May 5 will be at Minnesota State University, Mankato, in order to coincide with the Taylor Center groundbreaking.

   c. Other
   Chair Vekich recognized Alexandria Technical College for its successful marketing and student recruitment programs. Called College for a Day, high school students are invited to spend the day in classes to learn about the college. This year, 700 students attended the event on April 7. For the first time, parents were also invited to campus to discuss financial aid, tuition, housing, etc.

   Alexandria Technical College President Larry Shellito was recently recognized as the pacesetter of the year by the National Council on Marketing and Public Relations.
   

3. Trustee Reportee
   1. Executive Director/Board Secretary Search Committee Update
      Search Committee Chair Brataas reported that MnSCU received over 150 applications for the Executive Director/Board Secretary position. There are 15 semifinalists and a consultant has been retained to perform comprehensive reference checks of the top ten candidates. The projected date of hire is the May Board meeting.
   2. Ad Hoc Assessment Committee Update
      Ad Hoc Assessment Committee Chair Wafler reported that the committee is in the process of hiring a consultant to assist with the assessment of the Chancellor. The committee plans a report at the July Board meeting.
      
4. Chancellor's Report: Morris J. Anderson.
   Chancellor Anderson reported on the differences between the House and Senate higher education bills, and the State Government Operations Appropriation Bill. Copies of bills were distributed. There was a discussion about the financial impact of the legislation on MnSCU institutions. There was also a discussion about coordinating Trustees' efforts to lobby legislative leadership on behalf of MnSCU.
   
   On Monday, April 26, there will be a grand opening of the United Auto Workers/Ford Motor Company/MnSCU Training Center. The 40,000 square feet facility has classrooms and computer labs and is geared to teach state-of-the-art robotics. St. Paul Technical College and Metropolitan State University have strong partnerships with the facility, that is also open to other MnSCU institutions.
   
5. 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, and Robin Melin, president, Minnesota State College Student Association.
   
6. MCCFA, IFO, and UTCE: Joint Opportunity to Address the Board
   Bruce Hemstad, state president, United Technical College Educators, addressed the Board of Trustees.
   
7. Board Standing Committee Reports
   
   a. Educational Policy Committee
   Committee Chair Wafler reported that the Educational Policy Committee divided its meeting time yesterday, April 20. The committee first convened in the morning at the World Trade Center and then recessed for a tour of Seagate Technologies. In the afternoon, the committee reconvened at Normandale Community College.
   1. Red Wing/Winona Technical College Request for a Name Change
      Committee Chair Wafler reported that following the Educational Policy Committee meeting on April 20, there was agreement among the Trustees that the Board's position on institutional name changes was not clear.
      
      Committee Chair Wafler moved to suspend the rules of Board Policy 1A.1, part 6, in order to take action on name change requests. Trustee Brataas seconded and the motion carried.
      Committee Chair Wafler moved that the Board of Trustees of MnSCU adopt a policy regarding an institution requesting a change to their official name, as follows:
      • If a state university requests a change to its official name, then that institution is directed to adopt the nomenclature Minnesota State University (name of location or designation), e.g. Minnesota State University Bemidji.
      • If a state college (community college, consolidated college, CO-located college or technical college) requests a change to its official name, then that institution is directed to adopt the nomenclature Minnesota State College (name of location or designation), e.g. Minnesota State College Hibbing.

      This policy does not direct any institution to change its name. The institution's present name may be maintained. This policy is effective immediately.
      Trustee Fritsche seconded and the motion carried with one dissent (Trustee Dotson).
      

   2. Proposed Amendment to MnSCU Policy 3.4 Admissions
      Committee Chair Wafler moved that the Board of Trustees approves the amendment to Policy 3.4 Admissions. Trustee Fritsche seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
   3. General Education Discussion
      Committee Chair Wafler reported that the committee had a discussion on general education and they will continue to monitor it as it moves through the legislative process.
   4. System Plan for Global/International Education
      Committee Chair Wafler reported that Jeanette Daines, system director for International Education, reported on a system plan for global/international education. Due to time constraints, the report will be continued at the May meeting.
   5. Progress Report: Minnesota State University, Akita
      Committee Chair Wafler reported that the committee heard a progress report on MSU, Akita from Don Nilson, the interim-provost, and Chancellor Anderson. Based on ongoing discussions with public officials and education officials in the Prefecture, the preliminary recommendation is for Akita to remain open FY 2000-2001, if there is a broader program application and if there is a successful arrangement developed with the new Prefecture and Prefectural University. Developments will be monitored over the summer, and the final report on MSU, Akita is due in September.
   6. Mission Review: Normandale Community College
      Committee Chair Wafler moved that the Board of Trustees approves the mission statement of Normandale Community College. Trustee David Erickson seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
   7. Program Approval: Diploma, Networking Specialist, Rochester Community and Technical College
      See committee agenda item 11.
   8. Program Approval: AAS, Computer Networking Technologies; Diploma, Network Administration--Microsoft; Diploma, Network Administration-- Novell; Certificate, Computer Networking--Novell; Certificate, Computer Networking--Microsoft; Laurentian Community and Technical College District, Mesabi Range Community and Technical College, Eveleth and Vermilion Community College, Ely
      See committee agenda item 11.
   9. Program Approval: AS, Computer Science, Inver Hills Community College
      See committee agenda item 11.
   10. Program Approval: AS, Business/Financial Services; Certificate, Finance/Banking; Certificate, Real Estate; Certificate, Insurance; Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College
       See committee agenda item 11.
   11. Program Approval: Certificate, Women's Studies, Minneapolis Community and Technical College
       Committee Chair Wafler moved approval of programs 7-11 referenced above. Trustee Nesdahl seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
   12. Minnesota State Plan for Vocational Technical Education Carl D. Perkins Act of 1998
       Committee Chair Wafler moved that the Board of Trustees approves the Minnesota State Plan for Vocational Technical Education. Trustee David Erickson seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
   13. Residential Academy
       Committee Chair Wafler reported that the State of Minnesota granted $5.6 million to Catholic Charities to create a residential education program. Catholic Charities has asked MnSCU if it would be willing to officially sponsor the Residential Academy. MnSCU would not incur any financial expense in this endeavor, but via contract would receive an annual report. Based on the importance of the project and the projected timetable presented by Catholic Charities staff, there was consensus among the committee members to consider this item as a first reading. It will be slated for action at the May meeting.

   b. Personnel Policy Committee

   1. Sabbatical Leave Policy
      Committee Vice Chair Dotson moved that the Board of Trustees approves new Board Policy 4.7 Sabbatical Leaves. Trustee Boss seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
      
   2. 1997-98 Sabbatical Report
      Committee Vice Chair Dotson reported that the committee reviewed the 1997- 1998 Sabbatical Report.
      
   3. Demographic Report
      Committee Vice Chair Dotson reported that due to time constraints, this item will be heard at a later date.
      
   4. Closed Session
      Committee Vice Chair Dotson reported that the committee met in a closed session to discuss labor relations strategy.
      

   c. Finance/Facilities Policy Committee

   1. Minnesota State University, Mankato - Student Athletics Facilities Remodeling Project
      Committee Vice Chair Coborn reported that the committee reviewed the Student Athletics Facilities remodeling project at Minnesota State University, Mankato. This will be an action item at the May meeting.
   2. Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College-Campus Master Plan
      Committee Vice Chair Coborn reported that Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College President Jack Briggs presented the campus master plan.
   3. 2000-2005 Capital Budget and HEAPR Budget
      Committee Vice Chair Coborn reported that due to time constraints, this item was postponed until May.
   4. Revenue Fund FY 2000 Proposed Residence Hall Fees (Second Reading)
      Committee Chair Robert Erickson moved that the Board of Trustees approved the FY 2000 finance plans and associated projected fees for the Residence Halls as presented. Trustee David Erickson seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
   5. Itasca Gift and Grant
      Committee Chair Robert Erickson moved that the Board of Trustees approves the grant of $740,000 over three years from the Blandin Foundation to Itasca Community College. Trustee David Erickson seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
   6. Revenue Fund FY 2000 Proposed Student Union Fees and Finance Plans
      Committee Chair Robert Erickson reported that the committee reviewed the Revenue Fund FY 2000 Proposed Student Union Fees and Finance Plans. This will be an action item at the May meeting.
   7. FY 1999 Institutional Budget Update
      Committee Chair Robert Erickson reported that the committee heard an update on the FY 1999 Institutional Budget.
   8. FY 1999 Annual Fee Report
      Committee Chair Robert Erickson reported that the committee reviewed the FY 1999 Annual Fee report.
   9. FY 1998 Preliminary Instructional Cost Study
      Committee Chair Robert Erickson reported that this item was postponed to the May meeting.
   10. FY 2000-2001 Tuition and Fee Rate Discussion
       Committee Chair Robert Erickson reported that the committee reviewed the FY 2000-2001 Tuition and Fee Rates. This item will be continued at the May meeting.
   11. Emergency Bonding Bill
       Committee Chair Robert Erickson reported that the committee added the Emergency Bonding Bill to its agenda because there has been discussion at the Legislature relative to requiring MnSCU to reprogram its reserves and/or reallocate last year's HEAPR dollars. The committee approved a motion authorizing the Chair of the Board to write a letter to legislators expressing the Board's concerns.
       
       Committee Chair Robert Erickson moved to suspend the rules of Board Policy 1A.1, part 6, in order to authorize the Chair of the Board to send a letter to the Honorable Peggy Leppik, Chair, Higher Education Budget Division and the Honorable James Knoblach, Chair, Capital Investment Committee expressing the Board's concern with MnSCU's emergency bonding requests. Trustee David Erickson seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
       

   d. Audit Committee

   1. Contract with Office of the Legislative Auditor for 2000-2001 Biennium
      Committee Chair Boss reported that the committee reviewed the contract with the Office of the Legislative Auditor, and requested staff to provide information about establishing a plan for moving towards certified audits.
   2. First Quarter 1999 Follow-Up Report
      Committee Chair Boss reported that the committee reviewed the first Quarter Follow-up report.
   3. Update on Student Information System Audit
      Committee Chair Boss reported that the committee heard updates from campus personnel on the Student Information Systems. A multidisciplinary team will be established to assist campuses with problems.
   4. Year 2000 Update
      Committee Chair Boss reported that the committee heard an update on the Year 2000.
      
8. Requests by Individuals to Address the Board
   There were no requests to address the Board of Trustees.
   
9. Other Business
   There was a discussion about convening the Board meeting at noon or within 15 minutes of the last committee meeting. For future Board meetings, Chair Vekich announced that the Board will convene at noon, with the exception of days when there is a luncheon commitment.
   
   Trustee Robert Erickson moved that the Board of Trustees extend their sympathy to Joan Barrett, president, St. Cloud Technical College, for the accidental death of her husband. Trustee David Erickson seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
   
10. Adjournment
    Chair Vekich adjourned the meeting by consensus at 1:50 PM.

Michael Vekich, Chair
Recorded by Inge Chapin

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