March 2001
Board Meeting Minutes

Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, March 21, 2001
World Trade Center
St. Paul, Minnesota

Trustees Present: Will Antell, Andrew Boss, Nancy Brataas, Brent A. Calhoun, Mary Choate, Daniel Coborn, Ivan Dusek, Robert Erickson, Bob Hoffman, Jim A. Luoma, Lew Moran, Joann Splonskowski, Joseph Swanson, Michael Vekich, Chair

Trustees Absent: Dennis Dotson

1. Call to Order
   Chair Vekich called the meeting to order at 1:10 p.m. and reported that a quorum was present.
   
   Trustee Luoma requested that agenda item J, program approval for a certificate in Law Enforcement Skills at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College be removed from the consent agenda. He explained that questions had been raised about whether the proposed program was duplicative of existing MnSCU Programs. If this program returns for approval, Trustee Luoma requested that staff bring additional information including, 1) whether similar programs exist in this part of the state, 2) whether prospective Fond du Lac students have particular program needs that are not being met by existing programs, and if certain needs are unmet are there practical answers to those issues, and 3) what impact, if any, a new program at Fond du Lac would have on existing programs, including recent capital and equipment investments. Trustee Luoma explained that this is a normal part of the analysis of new programs by the Educational Policy Committee, but because of time concerns they had not been fully addressed for this proposed program. He continued that despite the time concerns it is important to follow the usual practice and do a thorough analysis of the potential impact of this program and other programs in the area.
   
   There being no objection, Chair Vekich tabled agenda item J. There were no other changes to the agenda.
   
   
2. Chair's Report

   a. Approval of Minutes of Board of Trustees Meeting of February 21, 2001
   Trustee Splonskowski moved approval of the corrected minutes of February 21, 2001. Trustee Brataas seconded and the minutes were approved without dissent. Trustee Erickson abstained as he was absent from the meeting of February 21.
   
   

   b. Report of the Executive Committee Meeting of March 7, 2001
   Chair Vekich reported that the Executive Committee met on March 7, 2001.
   
   

   c. Other
   Chair Vekich congratulated President Kathleen Nelson, Lake Superior College, for her commitment to MnSCU, and her 30th wedding anniversary that she celebrated while attending last evening's dinner meeting with the Board of Trustees and MnSCU presidents.
   
   Chair Vekich recognized some of the good work being done on our MnSCU campuses. First, a hearty congratulations to the St. Cloud State Huskies for their championship in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoffs, in overtime, in a 6-5 victory over North Dakota on Saturday. Now it's on to the NCAA West Regional. Congratulations, Huskies and Coach Craig Dahl, and good luck with your game Sunday. Next, hats off to the Lady Spartans of Fergus Falls Community College for their national championship title. The team won the National Junior College Athletic Association Women's Basketball Tournament on Saturday by defeating Manhattan Borough by 61-58. And Fergus Falls' coach, Ann Williams, was named All-Tournament Coach. Also at that tournament, the Ridgewater College women's basketball team placed third in the nation. Congratulations to both teams. Also, today at 2 p.m., the Mustangs of Southwest State University will compete in the Elite Eight men's basketball tournament in Bakersfield, California. Southwest State and St. Cloud State faced each other in close competition for the North Central Regional title, and the Mustangs won by 67-65.
   
   In other campus news, inauguration ceremonies for President Roy Saigo will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 21. That date has extra significance because he is St. Cloud State's 21st president and the first president for the 21st century. The celebration will be held in connection with Founders Day to mark the successful finish of the university Foundation's Campaign for a New Century that has brought in $21 million dollars. Congratulations to President Saigo and the Foundation. St. Cloud State is in the news for one more event, today's Midwest Summit on American Indian Mascots on the campus. The event is aimed at raising awareness of the issue, giving American Indian students a forum for talking about their concerns, and developing a policy that participants can take back to their campuses for possible implementation.
   
   President Jim Johnson of Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical has been elected to the National Council of Occupational Education representing Minnesota, the Dakotas, Iowa and Nebraska for a three-year term. Congratulations, President Johnson. Also, the Winona Campus of Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical will celebrate the grand opening on April 26 of its new Truck Driver Training Center, where hundreds of students will be prepared annually for the open road in one semester of daytime or evening classes.
   
   Students in the dental assisting program at Central Lakes College are giving free exams and teeth cleanings to dozens of children who are 3 to 5 years old. The Central Lakes students are doing this to contribute to National Children's Dental Health Month. The children are enrolled in a regional Head Start program and for most of them, this is their first experience in a dentist's chair. The Central Lakes student volunteers teach the children how to take care of their teeth while they gain experience working with young clients.
   
   

3. Trustee Reports
   a. Report of the Sub-Committee on Trustees, Andrew Boss, Chair
   Trustee Boss reported that the Sub-Committee on Trustees met on March 20 to continue the discussion of items that they have reviewed over the past number of meetings. Those items include self-assessment of the Board and Trustee orientation process.
   
   b. Report of the Futures Sub-Committee, Will Antell, Chair
   Trustee Calhoun, vice chair of the Futures Sub-Committee, reported that the committee met earlier this morning to review the purpose of the committee.
   
   c. Report of the Ad Hoc Legislative Committee, Daniel Coborn, Chair
   Trustee Coborn reported that the Ad Hoc Legislative Committee met earlier today to hear an update on the legislative session.
   
   d. Other
   Trustee Antell reported that he attended the Midwest Summit on American Indian Mascots held earlier today at St. Cloud State University. At one time, there were 50 to 60 schools that had American Indian mascots, while today fewer than eight schools use them. Trustee Antell commented that he is inspired to work on the elimination of schools' use of American Indian mascots. Trustee Luoma noted that the Educational Policy Committee would look at this issue in the future.
   
   
4. Chancellor's Report: Morris J. Anderson.
   a. MnSCU System Office Strategic Diversity Plan
   Chancellor Anderson noted that the MnSCU System Office Strategic Diversity Plan is for the Board's information.
   
   Chancellor Anderson reported that Alexandria Technical College has been recognized by the United States Department of Agriculture for operating a benchmark practice in local economies. An international panel selected community colleges in rural areas that have a positive impact on regional economies.
   
   Larry Shellito, president, Alexandria Technical College, addressed the assembly. He explained that this is a MnSCU award, not just Alexandria Technical College award. The United States Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the United States Department of Education, the American Association of Community Colleges, and the National Council on Research of Vocational Education, but the Department of Agriculture in particular, established the Fund for Rural America. They hired a firm called Regional Technology Strategies Incorporated. They were given the mission to identify exemplary programs that enhance local economic development and vitality with specific focus on career entry and incumbent workforce training. Specifically, they were looking for creative alignments, using new technologies, and partnering with business and industry. Alexandria Technical College was contacted by a representative of Minnesota Technologies and asked to submit an application. Dr. Kevin Kopischke, vice president, custom services, submitted a paper titled Building Learning Alliances in a Full Employment Economy. The process took well over a year. Nominations were received from 122 different organizations from as far north as Iceland and as far south as New Zealand. Forty-three exemplary practices were chosen and Alexandria Technical College is one of them. President Shellito commended the Board of Trustees, Chancellor Anderson and Richard Tvedten, system director, customized training and continuing career education, and his staff for their focus and work on workforce development.
   
   Chancellor Anderson reported that MnSAT was awarded the prestigious communicator award for excellence for a video entitled, Many Streams One River. St. Cloud Technical College has received accreditation in print education. St. Cloud Technical College is one of only 20 institutions in the country who have a print education certification from the Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation.
   
   Chancellor Anderson invited everyone to visit St. Paul Technical College on March 22 for their grand reopening celebration.
   
   
5. Executive Director/Board Secretary's Report: Penny Harris Reynen
   Executive Director Penny Harris Reynen announced that the Nellie Stone Johnson Scholarship Dinner is on March 22, 2001. Chancellor-designee Dr. James McCormick will be here on March 29 and 30th. A number of Trustees are attending the Association of Governing Boards National Conference on Trusteeship in San Francisco on March 31-April 3. Executive Director Reynen commented that the Board of Trustees has received information from the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. She will review the organization's literature and provide an update in the future.
   
   Executive Director Reynen commented that the Trustees received an updated directory of Minnesota's congressional delegation. Trustee Luoma will be participating in MnSCU's Teacher Education Issues Forum on April 5 and 6. Minneapolis Community and Technical College will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the Wheelock Whitney Building at 2:00 p.m. on April 18, which is the same date as the April Board of Trustees meeting. The Board meeting will be completed by noon that day in order to allow for Trustee participation in the ceremony. Each Trustee has received a poster from the Office of Equal Opportunity that promotes violence-fee, abuse-free campus communities.
   
   Chair Vekich commended the MnSCU Board staff for their work on a vision, mission and values statement that has been shared with the Trustees.
   
   
6. Joint Council of Student Associations
   The following representatives of student associations addressed the Board of Trustees: Michael Redlinger, state chair, Minnesota State University Student Association (MSUSA), and Robin Melin, state president, Minnesota State College Student Association.
   
   
7. MnSCU Bargaining Units
   The following representatives of MnSCU Bargaining Units addressed the Board of Trustees: Jim Pehler, president, Inter-Faculty Organization (IFO).
   
   
8. Consent Agenda
   a. Repeal of Board Policy 1.2, Relationship to Collective Bargaining Agreement (Second Reading)
   b. Revisions of Board Policy 4.6, Relationship to Collective Bargaining Agreement (Second Reading)
   c. Internal Auditing Report: Network Security
   d. Office of the Legislative Auditor Reports: Systemwide Access to MnSCU Data and Statewide Audit Management Letter-Fiscal Year 2000
   e. Program Approval: AAS, Supervisory Management; Certificate, Performance Management Essentials; Certificate, Supervision Essentials; Certificate, Leadership Essentials, Certificate, Quality Improvement Essentials; Certificate, Working Effectiveness Essentials, Century College
   f. Program Approval: Diploma, Electrical Construction and Maintenance Technology; Dakota County Technical College
   g. Program Approval: Diploma, Aircraft Electronics Technician; Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Aviation Center
   h. Program Approval: Certificate, Agricultural Commodities Marketing-Riverland Community College, South Central College, Central Lakes College, Minnesota West Community and Technical College, and Ridgewater College
   i. Program Approval: BS Alcohol and Drug Studies; Minnesota State University, Mankato
   j. Program Approval: Certificate, Law Enforcement Skills; Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College
   
   Trustee Boss moved approval of Consent Agenda items a-i (item j was tabled). Trustee Calhoun seconded and the Consent Agenda was approved without dissent.
   
   
9. Board Standing Committee Reports
   

   a. Finance/Facilities Policy Committee
   FACILITIES:

   1. St. Cloud State University-Lawrence Hall Remodeling Schematic Design (First Reading)
      Committee Chair Erickson reported that the committee reviewed St. Cloud State University's Lawrence Hall Remodeling Schematic Design as a first reading. This will be an action item at the April Board meeting.
      
      
   2. Southwest State University Property Acquisition (First Reading)
      Committee Chair Erickson reported that the committee reviewed Southwest State University's Property Acquisition as a first reading. This will be an action item at the April Board meeting.
      
      
   3. Revenue Fund Reinvestment Program: Defeasance of Current Debt (First Reading)
      Committee Chair Erickson reported that the committee reviewed the Revenue Fund Reinvestment Program: Defeasance of Current Debt as a first reading. This will be an action item at the April Board meeting.
      
      
   4. Alexandria Technical College: New Classroom Building Schematic Design (First Reading)
      Committee Chair Erickson reported that the committee reviewed Alexandria Technical College's New Classroom Building Schematic Design as a first reading. This will be an action item at the April Board meeting
      

      FINANCE:
      

   5. Contract Noncredit Instruction Financial Restructuring (First Reading)
      Committee Chair Erickson reported that the committee reviewed Contract Noncredit Instruction Financial Restructuring as a first reading. This will be an action item at the April Board meeting
      
      
   6. FY 2000 Instructional Cost Study
      Committee Chair Erickson reported that the committee reviewed the FY 2000 Instructional Cost Study. More information on the study will be provided at a future meeting.
      
   
   b. Personnel Policy Committee
   
   1. Repeal of State University Carry Forward Policy 1.1, Definitions of Regulations (First Reading)
      Committee Chair Brataas reported that the committee reviewed the Repeal of State University Carry Forward Policy 1.1, Definitions of Regulations as a first reading. This will be an action item at the April Board meeting
      
      
   2. Discussion of Domestic Partner Report
      Committee Chair Brataas reported that the committee discussed the Domestic Partner Report. The discussion will be continued at the April meeting of the Personnel Policy Committee.
      
      

   c. Audit Committee, Mary Choate, Chair
   Committee Chair Choate reported that the Board of Trustees accepted the Network Security Report that was prepared by the Office of Internal Auditing in the consent agenda. As a result of information in the report, research is being done on the cost, risk, and timeliness of shoring up MnSCU's network security and will be reviewed at a future date.
   

   1. Quarterly Audit Follow-up Report (12/31/00)
      Committee Chair Choate reported that the committee reviewed the Quarterly Audit Follow-up Report as of December 31, 2000.
      
      
   2. RFP/RFI for External Audit Services
      Committee Chair Choate reported that the committee heard an update on the RFP/RFI for External Audit Services.
      
   
   d. Educational Policy Committee
   
   1. Academic and Student Affairs Update
      Committee Chair Luoma reported that the committee heard an update on academic and student affairs from Senior Vice Chancellor Baer.
      
      
   2. Program Suspensions: Minnesota West Community and Technical College and Ridgewater Community College, Willmar Campus
      Committee Chair Luoma reported that the committee received notice of program suspensions at Minnesota West Community and Technical College and Ridgewater Community College, Willmar Campus.

   3. Update: MSU-Akita Committee
      Chair Luoma reported that the committee heard an update on MSU-Akita.
      
      
   4. Update: e-Student Services
      Committee Chair Luoma reported that the committee heard an update on e-Student Services.
      
      
   5. Update: Virtual University Committee
      Chair Luoma reported that this presentation was postponed due to time constraints.
      
      
   6. Policy 3.23 Naming Colleges and Universities Committee
      Chair Luoma reported that the committee reviewed Policy 3.23, Naming Colleges and Universities, and agreed to make the following recommendations in order to clarify the confusion on the naming policy.
      
      Committee Chair Luoma moved to suspend Board Policy 1.A.2, Part 6, Subpart C. in order to consider action on an item not included on the Board agenda as an action item. Trustee Choate seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
      
      Committee Chair Luoma moved to suspend Board Policy 1.A.2, Part 6, Subpart B in order to adopt a policy amendment in one reading. Trustee Choate seconded and the motion carried on a two-thirds vote with one dissenting vote (Trustee Calhoun).
      
      Committee Chair Luoma moved to repeal the language of Policy 3.23 in effect prior to April, 1999 and to direct the System Office, in consultation with college and university presidents and Board members, to study the naming policy and return to the Board with recommendations regarding the policy by the October 2001 Board meeting. Trustee Choate seconded and the motion carried with two dissenting votes (Trustees Calhoun and Splonskowski).
      
      
   7. Presentation: Targeted Industry Partnership (TIP) Project Evolution-The Example in Manufacturing of the "Make It" Campaign, and Support from the 3M Corporation
      Committee Chair Luoma reported that the committee heard a presentation on the Targeted Industry Partnership.
      
      
10. Requests by Individuals to Address the Board
    There were no requests to address the Board.
    
    
11. Other Business
    Trustee Dusek announced that Ridgewater Community College will host its annual Native American Awareness Gathering on April 6 and 7. The event is open to everyone and he invited the Trustees and others in attendance to attend the event.
    
    Chancellor Anderson announced that Hibbing Community and Technical College was also a recipient of the Department of Agriculture's benchmark practice in local economies.
    
    
12. Adjournment
    Chair Vekich adjourned the meeting by consensus at 2:20 p.m.