June 1999
Board Meeting Minutes

Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, June 16, 1999
World Trade Center
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Trustees Present: Andrew Boss, Nancy Brataas, Kathleen Caffey, Archie D. Chelseth, Mary Choate, Robert Erickson, Christine Fritsche, Jim A. Luoma, Michael Nesdahl, James Wafler, Michael Vekich

Trustees Absent: Dennis Dotson, David Erickson, Daniel G. Coborn

1. Call to Order
   Chair Vekich called the meeting to order at 12:40 PM, and announced that a quorum was present. He noted the addition of an action item to the Audit Committee report. From now on, the Board will formally accept audit reports conducted by the Office of the Legislative Auditor.
   
2. Chair's Report

   a. Approval of May 19, 1999, Meeting Minutes
   Trustee Nesdahl moved approval of the May 19, 1999, meeting minutes. Trustee Robert Erickson seconded. The minutes were approved without dissent.

   b. Report of the Executive Committee, June 2, 1999
   Chair Vekich reported that the Executive Committee met on June 2.

   c. Other
   Chair Vekich welcomed Jim A. Luoma who was appointed to the Board of Trustees on June 1, 1999, by Governor Ventura. Trustee Luoma is from the Grand Rapids area, where he is retiring as superintendent of public schools on June 30. Chair Vekich announced that Trustee Luoma has been appointed to the Educational Policy and Finance/Facilities Policy Committees.

   Chair Vekich announced that the Executive Committee will meet at 9 AM on July 7. Also on July 7, there will be a public hearing on FY2000 Operating Budgets Including Tuition and Fees from 2 PM to 5 PM at Dakota County Technical College.

   Trustee Wafler announced that the Ad Hoc Assessment Committee will meet on a yet to be determined date in July.

   Chair Vekich commended Metropolitan State University. The College of Management has been selected as the official provider of MBA programs by the Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants. The designation was earned in a competitive process, and Metropolitan State University beat out a number of other institutions for the designation including the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management. Metropolitan State University's art/literary magazine, Haute Dish, recently won a regional mark of excellence award from the Society of Professional Journalists.
   

3. Trustee Reportee
   Trustee Choate announced that she attended the commencement ceremonies at Normandale Community College and at St. Cloud State University, her alma mater.
   
   While attending the commencement ceremony at Hibbing Community College, Chair Vekich noted that he also participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for a new campus facility. Hibbing Community College and the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry have established a University of Minnesota Dental Clinic on the Hibbing campus that will operate in conjunction with Hibbing Community College's existing dental assistant training program.
   
   
4. Chancellor's Report: Morris J. Anderson.
   Chancellor Anderson reported that the targeted industry partnership programs were accepted by the Association of Community College Trustees to be presented at their annual conference in Atlanta in October. Chair Vekich, Sharon Grossbach, president, Hennepin Technical College, Richard Tvedten, director, MnSCU customized training, and Chancellor Anderson will make the presentation.
   
   MnSCU's proposal for a strategic marketing proposal for public higher education was one of 32 papers accepted out of hundreds of applications by the American Marketing Association. Representatives of MnSCU, St. Cloud State University, Rochester Community and Technical College, and Noell Levitz will make the presentation at the Symposium for Marketing of Public Higher Education in October in New Orleans.
   
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.
   
   On behalf of the 70,000 state university students, Trustee Nesdahl thanked Mr. Rust for his leadership as state chair of MSUSA, and wished him well.
   
6. MCCFA, IFO, and UTCE: Joint Opportunity to Address the Board
   Dave Abel, president, Inter-Faculty Organization, addressed the Board of Trustees.
   
7. Board Standing Committee Reports
   
   a. Finance/Facilities Policy Committee
   1. (1) FY2000-2005 Capital Budget Recommendations
      Committee Chair Robert Erickson thanked Elaine Bellew, system director, facilities and programming, for her work on MnSCU's Capital Budget. Ms. Bellew is retiring.
      Committee Chair Robert Erickson moved approval of the FY2000-2005 Capital Budget Recommendations as presented, and contained on Attachment G. The Chancellor is authorized to forward the program to the Governor for consideration in the FY 2000 state capital improvement program. Trustee Chelseth seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
   2. FY 1999 Special Capital Projects - Legislature/Governor Actions
      Committee Chair Robert Erickson reported that the Committee reviewed MnSCU=s FY 1999 Special Capital Projects and how they were affected by the Legislature and Governor's actions.
   3. Metropolitan State University - Library Schematic Design
      Committee Chair Robert Erickson reported that the committee reviewed a schematic design for Metropolitan State University's library.
   4. Approval to Accept Gift to Moorhead State University
      Committee Chair Robert Erickson moved that the Board of Trustees approve the grant of $222,098 from the Dakota Medical Foundation to Moorhead State University. Trustee Luoma seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
   5. FY2000-2001 Operating Budgets Including Tuition and Fees
      Committee Chair Robert Erickson reported that the committee reviewed the FY 2000-2001 Operating Budgets Including Tuition and Fees. Prior to taking action at the July Board meeting, the Board will hold a public hearing on July 7 from 2 PM to 5 PM.
   6. Minnesota State College Student Association FY 2000 Fee Proposal
      Committee Chair Robert Erickson reported that the committee reviewed a first reading of the Minnesota State College Student Association FY 2000 Fee Proposal. The item is slated for action at the July Board meeting.
   7. Proposed Board Policy on Financial Management
      Committee Chair Robert Erickson reported that the committee reviewed information on a proposed Board policy on financial management.
   8. FY 1997 National Peer Analysis
      Committee Chair Robert Erickson reported that FY 1997 National Peer Analysis will be reviewed in greater detail at a future committee meeting.
   9. FY 1998 Instructional Cost Study
      Committee Chair Robert Erickson reported that the FY 1998 Instructional Cost Study will be reviewed in greater detail at a future committee meeting.

   b. Personnel Policy Committee
   Committee Chair Brataas reported that the committee met in closed session to hear an update on labor negotiations.

   1. Appointment of Executive Director/Board Secretary
      As chair of the Search Committee, Chair Brataas reported that the other members are: Trustees Boss and Chelseth, Presidents Frank (Inver Hills Community College), Johns (Anoka-Ramsey Community College), Nielsen (Metropolitan State University), Anne Weyandt, deputy to the chancellor/chief of staff, Bill Tschida, vice chancellor human resources, and Manuel Lopez, associate vice chancellor student affairs. A nation wide search was conducted and there were 169 applications. After an extensive review process, three finalists were selected and interviewed by Board Chair Vekich, Trustees Brataas and Robert Erickson, and Chancellor Anderson. A public forum was held for each finalist.
      
      Committee Chair Brataas announced that Robert J. McFarlin was recommended for the position of Executive Director/Board.
      
      Trustee Nesdahl moved that the Board of Trustees approve the appointment of Robert J. McFarlin as Executive Director/Board Secretary for the MnSCU Board of Trustees effective August 2, 1999, under the terms and conditions of the Personnel Plan for MnSCU Administrators. Trustee Wafler seconded the motion.
      
      Mr. McFarlin has served as director of public affairs and chief of staff for the Minnesota Department of Transportation since 1992. Previously, he worked for the Tunheim Santrizos Company in Minneapolis, the Minnesota Petroleum Council in St. Paul and the Minnesota House of Representatives. Mr. McFarlin has an M.A. in Speech Communication and a B. S. in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota.
      
      Mr. McFarlin commented that he welcomed the opportunity to work with the Board and that his experience and background in administration, communication and government affairs will help the Board and the MnSCU system be successful.
      
      The motion carried without dissent.
   2. Assigned Fields Policy
      Committee Chair Brataas moved that the Board of Trustees approve amendments to Board Policy 3.4, Designation of Assigned Fields/Designated Assignments and Minimum Qualifications for MCCFA Faculty. Trustee Fritsche seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
   3. Student Employees Policy
      Committee Chair Brataas reported that the committee reviewed revisions to the Student Employees Policy 4.5 as a first reading. The amendment to the policy is slated for action at the July Board meeting.

   b. Educational Policy Committee

   1. Mission Review: South Central College and Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical
      Committee Chair Wafler moved approval of the mission statements for South Central College and Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical. Trustee Fritsche seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
   2. Proposed Amendment to MnSCU Policy 3.17 Degrees, Diplomas, and Certificates
      See agenda item 4.
   3. Proposed Policy 3.24 System and Institutional Missions
      See agenda item 4.
   4. Proposed Policy 3.25 Degree Granting Authority
      Committee Chair Wafler moved approval of the Proposed Amendment to MnSCU Policy 3.17 Degrees, Diplomas, and Certificates; Proposed Policy 3.24 System and Institutional Missions; and Proposed Policy 3.25 Degree Granting Authority, and repeals Technical College carry-over policy and standards 2.3.4.0 Awards. Trustee Caffey seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
   5. Program Approval: BS, Environmental Studies, St. Cloud State University
      See agenda item 12.
   6. Program Approval: Certificate, American Indian Studies, and Certificate, Ojibwe Studies, Central Lakes College, Brainerd
      See agenda item 12.
   7. Program Approval: Certificate, Environmental Studies, Central Lakes College, Brainerd
      See committee agenda item 12.
   8. Program Approval: AAS, Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn Park
      See committee agenda item 12.
   9. Program Approval: Diploma, Professional Automotive Service Advisor, Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn Park
      See committee agenda item 12.
   10. Program Approval: Certificate, Health Unit Coordinator, Pine Technical College
       See agenda item 12.
   11. Program Approval: AAS, Echocardiography, St. Cloud Technical College
       See agenda item 12.
   12. Program Closures: AAS, Sign Language Interpreter Preparation, Itasca Community College, and Certificate, Emergency Medical Services, Central Lakes College, Brainerd and Staples
       Committee Chair Wafler moved approval of agenda items 5-12, referenced above. Trustee Choate seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
   13. Program Suspensions: Hennepin Technical College
       Committee Chair Wafler reported that the committee reviewed program suspensions at Hennepin Technical College.
   14. Program Reinstatements: Minnesota West Community and Technical College
       Committee Chair Wafler reported that the committee reviewed program reinstatements at Minnesota West Community and Technical College.
   15. International/Global Planning
       Committee Chair Wafler reported that the committee heard a report on International/Global Planning.
   16. Progress Report, Minnesota State University-Akita
       Committee Chair Wafler reported that the committee reviewed a progress report on Minnesota State University-Akita.
   17. University Center Rochester Update
       Committee Chair Wafler reported that the committee reviewed a progress report on partnership activities including student services, technology, marketing, workforce development, and academic programs at the University Center Rochester.
   18. Program Inventory Report
       Committee Chair Wafler reported that the Program Inventory Report was presented as an information item.
   19. Metro Planning
       Committee Chair Wafler reported that the committee heard an update on metro planning from the Metro Alliance that included the Alliance's vision, mission, goals and strategies. The final plan will be presented for action at the September Board meeting, so the plan can be submitted to the Minnesota Legislature on September 30, 1999.

   d. Audit Committee

   1. Proposed FY 2000 Audit Plan
      Committee Chair Boss moved that the Board of Trustees accept the Fiscal Year 2000 audit plan as presented. Trustee Choate seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
   2. Office of the Legislative Auditor Financial Audits of St. Cloud State University and Central Lakes College
      Committee Chair Boss reported that the committee reviewed audits of St. Cloud State University and Central Lakes College as performed by the Office of the Legislative Auditor.
      
      Committee Chair Boss moved that the Board of Trustees accept the Office of the Legislative Auditor financial audit reports of St. Cloud State University and Central Lakes College. Trustee Robert Erickson seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
   3. Report on Potential Cost and Effort of Audited Financial Statements
      Committee Chair Boss reported that the committee reviewed the potential cost and effort of producing audited financial statements of MnSCU and its institutions. The committee drafted a motion that was accepted as a first reading. This will be an action item at the July meeting.
   4. Student Information Systems Update.
      Committee Chair Boss reported that the committee received a report on Student Information Systems.
   5. Year 2000 Update
      Committee Chair Boss reported that the committee received an update on the Year 2000.

   e. Joint Personnel Policy and Educational Policy Committee

   1. Range Higher Education District Presentation
      Trustee Wafler reported that the Personnel Policy and Educational Policy Committees met in joint session to discuss the Range Higher Education District. The item was referred to the July Educational Policy Committee agenda.
      
8. Requests by Individuals to Address the Board
   There were no requests to address the Board of Trustees.
   
9. Other Business
   
10. Adjournment
    Chair Vekich adjourned the meeting by consensus at 1:47 PM.