March 1999
Board Meeting Minutes

Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, March 17, 1999
World Trade Center
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Trustees Present: Nancy Brataas, Kathleen Caffey, Archie D. Chelseth, Mary Choate, David Erickson, Robert Erickson, Christine Fritsche, Michael Nesdahl, Michael Vekich, James Wafler

Trustees Absent: Andrew Boss, Daniel G. Coborn, Dennis Dotson

1. Call to Order
   Chair Vekich called the meeting to order at 1:00 PM, and announced that a quorum was present. There were no changes to the agenda.
2. Chair's Report

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

   b. Approval of Joint Finance/Facilities Policy and Educational Policy Committee Meeting Minutes of January 19, 1999
   Trustee Robert Erickson moved approval of the minutes of the Joint Finance/Facilities Policy and Educational Policy Committee meeting of January 19, 1999. Trustee Fritsche seconded. The minutes were approved without dissent.

   c. Report of the Executive Committee, March 3, 1999
   Chair Vekich reported that the Executive Committee met on March 3. A copy of the meeting minutes is included in the Board packet.

   d. Committee Appointments
   Chair Vekich announced the following committee appointments: Trustee Brataas to the Finance/Facilities Policy Committee; Trustee Fritsche to the Audit Committee; and the reappointment of the Ad Hoc Assessment Committee, to be chaired by Trustee Wafler. Trustee Chelseth will be vice chair, and members are Trustees Brataas, Boss and Nesdahl.

   Chair Vekich reported that Joseph Jung resigned from the Board of Trustees effective March 15, 1999. The Governor's Office and Minnesota State College Student Association were notified of the vacancy.

   Chair Vekich recognized President Allen Rasmussen, Rainy River Community College. President Rasmussen announced that Rainy River Community College underwent a North Central Accreditation visit last week, and the preliminary recommendation is for 10 years accreditation.

   President Rasmussen announced that Rainy River Community College's ice hockey team has won the national championship.
   

3. Trustee Report
   There were no Trustee reports.
   
4. Chancellor's Report: Morris J. Anderson.
   Chancellor Anderson reported on Senator Stumpf's request for additional information concerning MnSCU's 2000-2001 budget priorities. Additional information was provided to Senator Stumpf in a letter, dated March 16, 1999. Copies of the letter were distributed
   
   Chancellor Anderson noted that his report on Minnesota State University, Akita, presented to the Educational Policy Committee on March 16, was summarized into a memorandum and distributed to the Board.
   
   Chancellor Anderson reported that he visited St. Cloud State University on March 15 to discuss the presidential transition with students and faculty. An interim president will be announced shortly and plans are underway to convene a search committee.
   
   Chancellor Anderson announced that Riverland Community College and President Gary Rhodes are making significant progress in putting together a broad-based agreement for providing educational programs and services to the Owatonna area. Mankato State University, South Central College and Southwest State University are all participating in this initiative.
   
   MnSCU's Go Places student recruitment campaign won the highest award given by the National Council on Marketing and Public Relations, which is an association of community and technical college marketing professionals from around the country. The recruitment campaign also won a silver award for its radio ads, and a bronze was awarded for last year's bonding publications.
   
   Chancellor Anderson congratulated Anoka-Ramsey Community College's women's basketball team - the Golden Rams - who won the Region 13, Division III, National Junior College Athletic Association National Championship for the third year in a row. This is the fourth time the team has won the nationals.
   
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
   There were no requests by members of the faculty unions to address the Board of Trustees.
   
7. Board Standing Committee Reports
   
   a. Audit Committee
   1. Review Office of the Legislative Auditor Financial Audit of Itasca Community College and Statewide Audit
      Committee Vice Chair Choate reported that the Committee heard a report from the Office of the Legislative Auditor's on the Itasca Community College audit and the annual statewide audit.
   2. Contract with Office of the Legislative Audit for 2000-2001 Biennium
      Due to time constraints, the contract with the Office of the Legislative Auditor for the 2001-2001 Biennium was deferred until the April meeting.
   3. Year 2000 Update
      Committee Vice Chair Choate reported that the Committee heard an update on the Year 2000. In April, staff will report on the number of institutions that rely on electrical coops. In addition, it is expected that all institutions will have completed Phase 2, the readiness inventory, by the May Board meeting.
   4. Student Information System Update
      Committee Vice Chair Choate reported that the Committee reviewed an update on the Student Information System. Representatives from Winona State University and Southwest State University reported on the efficacy of their student information systems.

   b. Personnel Policy Committee

   1. Sabbatical Leave Policy
      Committee Chair Brataas reported that the Committee reviewed a first reading of a proposed new policy on sabbatical leave. This will be an action item at the April meeting.
      
   2. Demographic Report
      Committee Chair Brataas reported that the Committee heard a demographic report on MnSCU employees. Information in the report included the number of employees by bargaining units, description of the various bargaining unit, types of institutions, age of employees and projected faculty retirements.
      
      Associate Vice Chancellor for Equal Opportunity and Diversity Dolores Fridge presented information on population trends in Minnesota between now and the year 2025. Due to time constraints, this report will continue at the April Meeting.
      
   3. Emergency Closed Session
      Committee Chair Brataas reported that the committee met in an emergency closed session to discuss labor relations strategy.
      

   c. Educational Policy Committee

   1. Program Approval: Diploma, Mining Heavy Equipment Operator, Hibbing Community College
      Committee Chair Fritsche moved that the Board of Trustees approves the request by Hibbing Community College to offer a diploma in Mining Heavy Equipment Operator. Trustee David Erickson seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
      
   2. Program Approval: Certificate, CISCO Network Technician, Hibbing Community College
      Committee Chair Fritsche moved that the Board of Trustees approves the request by Hibbing Community College to offer a Certificate in Cisco Network Technician. Trustee Brataas seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
      
   3. Program Closure: Minneapolis Community and Technical College
      Committee Chair Fritsche moved that the Board of Trustees approves the request by Minneapolis Community and Technical College to closed the designated programs: AAS, Fashion Management and Diploma, Fashion Management. Trustee Choate seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
      
   4. Mission Review: Minneapolis Community and Technical College
      Committee Chair Fritsche moved that the Board of Trustees approves the mission statement of Minneapolis Community and Technical College. Trustee David Erickson seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
      
   5. Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree
      Committee Chair Fritsche moved that the Board of Trustees formally endorses Minnesota State University-Akita's intention to exercise the authority to award an honorary doctorate to Mr. Yasushi Akashi (under-secretary general for humanitarian affairs, The United Nations). The Board of Trustees endorses the intention to confer the degree at an honor ceremony in June of 1999 at MSU- Akita campus. Trustee Wafler seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
      
      Committee Chair Fritsche reported that the Committee will add a review of the MnSCU Policy that confers honorary degrees to its work plan.
      
   6. Proposed Amendment to MnSCU Policy 3.4 Admissions
      Committee Chair Fritsche reported that the Committee heard a first reading of a proposed amendment to MnSCU Policy 3.4 Admissions. The amendment will be an action item at the April meeting.
      
   7. Program Suspensions
      Committee Chair Fritsche reported that the Committee received notice of program suspensions at Central Lakes College, Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Normandale Community College, Rainy River Community College, Rochester Community and Technical College and St. Paul Technical College.
      
   8. Minnesota State University Akita Update
      Committee Chair Fritsche reported that the Committee heard an update from Chancellor Anderson on Minnesota State University, Akita. Another report will be presented at the April meeting.
      
   9. Other
      Committee Chair Fritsche reported that the Educational Policy Committee will meet at Normandale Community College in April.
      

   d. Finance/Facilities Policy Committee

   1. Minnesota State University, Mankato - Student Athletics Facilities Remodeling Project
      Committee Chair Robert Erickson moved that the Board of Trustees approves the complete demolition and replacement of Myers Field House as described in Attachment A (of the meeting materials), and directs the Chancellor to make the appropriate legislative notifications. Trustee Nesdahl seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
      
   2. Minneapolis Community and Technical College - Schematic Design
      Committee Chair Robert Erickson moved that the Board of Trustees approves the schematic design for the Minneapolis Community and Technical College Library/Instructional Technology Addition and Consolidation Remodeling Project as presented. Trustee David Erickson seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
      
   3. Two-Year Student Housing Guidelines
      Committee Chair Robert Erickson reported that the Committee reviewed a first reading of two-year student housing guidelines. Following discussion, the Committee requested additional information over the next couple of months before adopting a policy.
      
   4. 2000-2005 Capital Budget Recommendations
      Committee Chair Robert Erickson reported that the Committee reviewed the 2000-2005 Capital Budget Recommendations, Two projects were discussed: Anoka-Hennepin Technical College's renewal/replacement project and CO- location shared by Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College. The Finance/Facilities Policy Committee held a hearing at Anoka-Hennepin College on March 11.
      
   5. Capital Improvement Projects Quarterly Status Report
      Committee Chair Robert Erickson reported that the Committee heard the Quarterly Improvement Projects Quarterly Status Report.
      
   6. Minnesota West Community and Technical College Transfer of Real Property
      Committee Chair Robert Erickson moved to suspend the rules of Board Policy 1A.1, part 6, in order to take action on the transfer of real property at Minnesota West Community and Technical College in Pipestone. Trustee David Erickson seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
      
      Committee Chair Robert Erickson moved that the Board of Trustees approves seeking legislative approval for the transfer of real property at Minnesota West Community and Technical College, Pipestone Campus. Property transfer shall comply with MnSCU policies and procedures for real estate actions. Trustee Brataas seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
      
   7. Proposed Board Policy 5.8, Refunds, Withdrawals and Waivers
      Committee Chair Robert Erickson moved that the Board of Trustees adopts Board Policy 5.8, Refunds, Withdrawals and Waivers, and repeals the following carry-forward policies:
      • Community College Carry-forward Policy IV.01.06, Completion of Enrollment;
      • Community College Carry-forward Policy V.01.04, Refund of Tuition and Fees, Total Withdrawal from College;
      • State University Carry-forward Policy 5.7, Collection of Tuition, Fees and Deposits;
      • State University Carry-forward Policy 5.8, Refund of Tuition and Fees.

      Trustee Brataas seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
      

   8. Revenue Fund FY 2000 Proposed Residence Hall Fees and Finance Plans
      Committee Chair Robert Erickson reported that the Committee reviewed a first reading of the Revenue Fund FY 2000 Proposed Residence Hall Fees and Finance Plans. This will be an action item at the April meeting.
      
8. Requests by Individuals to Address the Board
   There were no requests to address the Board of Trustees.
   
9. Other Business
   There was no other business to come before the Board of Trustees.
   
10. Adjournment
    Chair Vekich adjourned the meeting by consensus at 2:00 PM.