December 1999
Board Meeting Minutes

Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, December 15, 1999
World Trade Center
St. Paul, Minnesota

Trustees Present: Andrew Boss, Nancy Brataas, Kathleen Caffey, Brent A. Calhoun, Mary Choate, Daniel G. Coborn, Dennis Dotson, David Erickson, Robert Erickson, Christine Fritsche, Jim A. Luoma, Joann Splonskowski, James Wafler, Michael Vekich, Chair

Trustees Absent: None

1. Call to Order
   Chair Vekich called the meeting to order at 11:20 a.m. and reported that a quorum was present. There were no changes to the agenda.
   
2. Chair's Report

   a. Approval of Minutes of Board of Trustees Meeting of November 15, 1999

   b. Approval of Minutes of Board of Trustees Dinner Meeting of November 15, 1999
   
   c. Approval of Minutes of Board of Trustees Meeting of November 17, 1999
   Trustee Robert Erickson moved approval of the above-referenced minutes. Trustee Fritsche seconded and the minutes were approved without dissent.
   
   d. Report of the Executive Committee, December 1, 1999
   Chair Vekich reported that the Executive Committee met on December 1.

   e. Ratification of Executive Committee Emergency Action Relative to Minnesota State University-Akita
   Trustee Robert Erickson moved approval of the ratification of the Executive Committee's emergency action of December 1, 1999, relative to Minnesota State University-Akita. Trustee Fritsche seconded and the motion carried without dissent.

   f. Other
   Chair Vekich announced the appointments of Trustees Luoma and Calhoun to the Ad Hoc Legislative Committee. Trustee Luoma will serve as chair of the committee.

   Chair Vekich highlighted achievements at several MnSCU institutions. Minnesota State University, Mankato's engineering program ranked among the top 50 programs in U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges 2000 Guide. Moorhead State University has been ranked 4th in the nation among schools with the highest percentage of first-time candidates without advanced degrees who passed all four parts of the uniform Certified Public Accountant examination. Century College's jazz ensemble released a CD called Swinghouse that recently received a favorable review in the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
   

3. Trustee Reports
   Trustee Fritsche reported that she attended a ribbon cutting ceremony at the invitation of Minnesota West President Ron Woods for the opening of a workforce development partnership venture with the city of Marshall.
   
4. Chancellor's Report: Morris J. Anderson.
   Chancellor Anderson summarized some of the more prominent issues that MnSCU successfully addressed during the past year and thanked staff, faculty, students and presidents for their support.
   
5. Joint Council of Student Associations
   The following representatives of student associations addressed the Board of Trustees: Ryan Kulikowski, state chair, Minnesota State University Student Association, Sarah Erickson, MSUSA legislative coordinator, and Justin Wallin, president, Minnesota State College Student Association.
   
6. MCCFA, IFO, and UTCE: Joint Opportunity to Address the Board
   There were no requests to address the Board.
   
7. Consent Agenda
   a) Board Policy 1A.2 Board of Trustees, Part 2. Board Expenses, Per Diem and Reimbursement
   b) Relocation of MnSCU Board Policy 6.3 Naming Colleges and Universities
   c) Program Approval: AS, Computer Information Systems, Northland Community and Technical College
   d) Employee Evaluation Policy
   e) Revenue Fund Audited Financial Statements
   Trustee Luoma moved approval of the Consent Agenda. Trustee Brataas seconded and the Consent Agenda was approved without dissent.
   
   
8. Board Standing Committee Reports
   
   a. Finance/Facilities Policy Committee
   1. FY2000-2005 Capital Budget Modifications
      Committee Vice Chair Dotson reported that the committee reviewed modifications to the FY 2000-2005 Capital Budget. This item is slated for action at the January Board meeting.
   2. Space Utilization Report
      Committee Vice Chair Dotson reported that the committee reviewed a report and recommendations on MnSCU's space utilization program.
   3. Capital Improvement Projects Quarterly Status Report
      Committee Vice Chair Dotson reported that the committee reviewed the Capital Improvement Projects Quarterly Status Report.
   4. 2000 Supplemental Budget Request
      Committee Vice Chair Coborn moved that the Board of Trustees strongly supports the FY2000 Supplemental Budget Request recommended by the Chancellor and approves preparation of the initiatives for the 2000-legislation session. The Chancellor is requested to coordinate with the Ad Hoc Legislative Committee of the Board of Trustees. Trustee Robert Erickson seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
   5. Information Systems Strategic Plan
      Committee Vice Chair Coborn moved that the Board of Trustees approve the MnSCU Information Technology Strategic Plan as outlined in Exhibit A. The Chancellor is requested to return to the Board periodically with updates on progress implementing the plan. Trustee Boss seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
   6. FY2001 Operating Budget Including Tuition and Fees
      Committee Vice Chair Coborn reported that after hearing testimony from student groups relative to the consultative process, the committee recommended postponing action on the FY2001 Operating Budget Including Tuition and Fees until the January Board meeting.
   7. Student Union Financial Restructuring Plan
      Committee Vice Chair Coborn reported that the Committee reviewed a plan for Student Union Financial Restructuring. This item is slated for action at the January Board meeting.
   8. Revenue Fund Reinvestment Program
      Committee Vice Chair Coborn reported that the committee reviewed the Revenue Fund Reinvestment Program.
   9. System Wide Reserves Report
      Committee Vice Chair Coborn reported that the committee reviewed a report on System Wide Reserves.

   · Other
   Trustee Fritsche commented on the situation between the Board, the Chancellor and the MnSCU system relative to the Board's unanimous decision last July not to extend the Chancellor's contract beyond its original term. The Board and the Chancellor agreed to negotiate the terms of a six-month extension to the Chancellor's contract, which has not yet been completed, and that the Chair of the Board, on behalf of the Board, and the Chancellor were to issue a joint statement indicating acknowledgment of the Board's decision and to develop the steps in order to move forward in a constructive manner during the remainder of the Chancellor's contract term. The agreement was made in good faith; the Board feels that the agreement has not been honored and misinformation has been promulgated.

   There was a lengthy discussion whereby several Trustees and Chancellor Anderson affirmed and elaborated on the sentiments expressed by Trustee Fritsche. In conclusion, Chair Vekich thanked Trustee Fritsche for introducing the discussion, and announced the Board's commitment to mutually work with Chancellor Anderson to issue a joint statement and to identify the action steps needed to move forward.

   Board Standing Committee Reports (Continued)
   b. Joint Meeting of the Finance/Facilities Policy and Educational Policy Committees

   1. Anoka-Hennepin Technical College Site Selection
      Trustee Robert Erickson reported that the joint committees discussed the Anoka-Hennepin Technical College site selection. There will be a public hearing on the recommendations on January 12 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Anoka-Hennepin Technical College. The item is slated for action at the January board meeting.

   c. Educational Policy Committee

   1. Applied Doctorate Report
      Committee Vice Chair Luoma moved that the Board of Trustees approve the Chancellor's recommendation to adopt a plan for additional study of the applied doctorate with a report in Spring 2000. Trustee Fritsche seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
   2. Minnesota State University - Akita Transition Plan
      Committee Chair Wafler moved that the Board of Trustees approve the amendments to the 25-year Agreement with Yuwa-machi, Japan. The Board also authorizes the Chancellor to execute these amendments once legal review is complete, and to communicate his action to Mayor Kenichi Ito. Trustee Boss seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
   3. Program Suspensions: Northwest Technical College
      Committee Chair Wafler reported that the committee received notice of program suspensions in communications technology at Northwest Technical College.
   4. Program Reinstatements: Ridgewater College
      Committee Chair Wafler reported that the committee received notice of program reinstatements in sound and vibration engineering technology at Ridgewater College.
   5. MnSCU/Board of Trustees Values Statement
      Committee Chair Wafler reported that the committee discussed the MnSCU/Board of Trustees values statements.
   6. Targeted Industry Partnership Update
      Committee Chair Wafler reported that the committee heard an update on the Targeted Industries Partnerships.

   d. Personnel Policy Committee
   

   1. Defined Contribution Retirement Plan
      Committee Chair Brataas reported that the committee reviewed updates to the Defined Contribution Retirement Plan. This item is slated for action at the January Board meeting.
   2. Update on Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE) Negotiations
      Committee Chair Brataas reported that the committee heard an update on the negotiations (and pending strike plans if a settlement is not reached) with the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE).

   e. Audit Committee
   

   1. Year 2000 Update: Final Readiness
      Committee Chair Boss reported that the committee heard an update on the Year 2000 Status. The majority of MnSCU's campuses have completed all six phases of Year 2000 readiness assessment.
   2. Student Information System Update
      Committee Chair Boss reported that committee heard an update on the Student Information System.
   3. Review of Foundation Procedures
      Committee Chair Boss reported that the committee reviewed revisions to Board Policy 8.3 College- or University- Related Foundations. This item is slated for action at the January Board meeting.
      Chair Vekich requested the Audit Committee to draft a code of ethics for the Board's review.
      
      
9. Requests by Individuals to Address the Board
   Representative Jim Abeler urged the Board to consider an alternative proposal that would allow Anoka-Hennepin Technical College to remain at its current site.
   
   Larry Peterson, vice president, corporate sales, Connexus Energy commented that many area businesses support the continued existence of Anoka-Hennepin Technical College.
   
   Bill Tschida, vice chancellor for human resources, commented on the discussion relative to the Chancellor, which took place earlier in the meeting. Chancellor succession planning and chancellor compensation package are important activities for the Board. The timing of the chancellor transition is a separate issue that the Board may want to consider receiving input on from concerned constituencies.
   
   
10. Other Business
    There was no other business to come before the Board.
    
11. Adjournment
    Chair Vekich adjourned the meeting by consensus at 12:54 p.m.