May 2001
Board Meeting Minutes

Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, May 31, 2001
World Trade Center
St. Paul, Minnesota

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

Trustees Absent: Mary Choate

1. Call to Order
   Chair Vekich called the meeting to order at 10:35 a.m. and reported that a quorum was present. There was a change to the agenda. The Educational Policy Committee will recommend that the Board of Trustees take action on the Transfer Report.
   
   Chair Vekich announced that the committee reports would be taken out of order to accommodate the media that was present to cover the appointments of presidents of Bemidji State University and Central Lakes College. The Personnel Policy Committee will go first.
   
   
2. Chair's Report

   a. Approval of Minutes of Board of Trustees Meeting of April 18, 2001
   Trustee Brataas moved approval of the meeting minutes of April 18, 2001. Trustee Boss seconded and the minutes were approved without dissent.
   
   

   b. Report of the Executive Committee Meeting of May 2, 2001
   Chair Vekich reported that the Executive Committee met on May 2, 2001.
   
   c. Ratification of Appointment of External Auditor
   Trustee Boss moved that the Board of Trustees ratifies the action of the Executive Committee of May 2, 2001, of the appointment of the public accounting firm of Deloitte and Touche, LLP to serve as external auditor for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU). The scope of these audit services shall include the annual audit of MnSCU Systemwide financial statements, required annual audit of major federal financial assistance programs administered by MnSCU, and annual audit of the MnSCU Revenue Fund financial statements as required by bond covenants. The term of this appointment begins upon execution of a contract and shall continue to fulfill external auditing needs for the three fiscal years from June 30, 2001 through 2003.
   
   The Board of Trustees authorizes the Executive Director of Internal Auditing and the Vice Chancellor - CFO to negotiate contracts with Deloitte and Touche, LLP consistent with the terms contained in its proposal dated March 30, 2001. Trustee Brataas seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
   
   d. Amendment to Board Policy 1A.2, Board Expenses, Per Diem and Reimbursement (First Reading)
   Chair Vekich explained that the amendment to Board Policy 1A.2, Board Expenses, Per Diem and Reimbursement is a correction so that the policy will reference the Commissioner's Plan instead of the State Managerial Plan. This is a first reading and will return for a second reading and action at the June Board meeting.
   
   e. Timeline for Declarations of Candidacy for Board Officer
   Chair Vekich explained that the Board has changed the date of the annual meeting from September to July. Board Officer elections will be held at the annual meeting, and new officers will begin their duties on August 1. There are four officer positions: chair, vice chair, treasurer and secretary. Board policy provides for the executive director/board secretary to serve as the secretary. Chair Vekich summarized the procedure for declaring candidacy for Board officer positions.
   
   Explaining that he felt it was important for a student to hold an officer position, Trustee Luoma nominated Trustee Splonskowski for a second term as Treasurer. Trustee Splonskowski accepted the nomination.
   
   There were two nominations for Vice Chair. Trustee Dusek nominated Trustee Moran for Vice Chair and Trustee Antell nominated Trustee Luoma for Vice Chair. Trustees Moran and Luoma accepted their nominations.
   
   There were two nominations for Chair. Trustee Coborn nominated Trustee Choate for Chair and Trustee Splonskowski nominated Trustee Boss for Chair. Trustee Choate was absent from today's meeting. Trustee Boss accepted the nomination.
   
   f. Proposed FY 2002 Meeting Calendar
   Chair Vekich reported that the FY 2002 meeting calendar is provided this month as an information item. It will be a first reading at the June meeting, and slated for action at the July meeting.
   
   g. Other
   Chair Vekich reported that the trustee confirmations were not scheduled this year, but they may still occur depending on the outcome of the special legislative session.
   
   Chair Vekich announced that 13 trustees and two board staff attended 26 graduation ceremonies. Trustee Joann Splonskowski graduated from Northwest Technical College and Trustee Joe Swanson graduated from Lake Superior College. Trustee Emeritus Kathleen Caffey graduated from North Hennepin Community College. Executive Director Penny Harris Reynen graduated with a doctorate degree from the University of St. Thomas.
   
   Trustee Andy Boss will be the recipient of the University of Minnesota Regents Award at a ceremony at Eastcliff on June 4. This outstanding achievement award is the highest non-degree award conferred upon distinguished alumni by the University of Minnesota, and recognized graduates or former students of the University who have attained unusual distinction in their chosen fields or in public service.
   
   Chair Vekich highlighted some special achievements on our campuses. Recently, five faculty members from three of our state universities were among the recipients of the prestigious annual Minnesota Book Awards. Congratulations to these MnSCU authors who received awards:
   
   

   • Susan Carol Hauser of Bemidji State University for her book, Wild Rice Cooking: History, Natural History, Harvesting, and Lore.
   • Sheila Coghill and Thom Tammaro of Minnesota State University Moorhead, who co-edited Visiting Emily: Poems Inspired by the Life and Work of Emily Dickinson
   • Steven Hoffbeck, also of Minnesota State University Moorhead, for his book, The Haymakers: A Chronicle of Five Farm Families
   • Alison McGhee of Metropolitan State University, for her novel, Shadow Baby.
     
     Century College's Kaleidoscope summer program for kids won the Exemplary Program award from the Minnesota Consortium for Continuing Education and Customized Training, which includes all of our MnSCU institutions. Kaleidoscope is for kids ages 6-16, and its now in its 12th year of operation. The program offers enrichment courses in visual and performing arts, language, math and science, and teaches study skills. Last year, this fine program had enrolled 2,300 kids.
     
     Century College's chemical dependency instructor, Dick Kotasek won a gold medal in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the Pan American Games recently in Orlando, Florida. Kotasek, who is 59, won the top international honors for his age and belt division.
     
     Ridgewater College student Holly Pick has the distinction of being elected as the new national president of the Delta Epsilon Chi organization for students enrolled in retailing and marketing. She's the organization's first female president and the first national president from Minnesota in nearly 30 years.
     
     A new solar car built by students at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and Winona State University, finished in first place in the stock car class and second place overall in the Formula Sun Grand Prix in Topeka, Kansas. Their vehicle, dubbed the Northern Lights Seven solar car, was built on a budget of $50,000. Their solar car proved more than competitive with other participating teams -- including the University of Minnesota, which had a $500,000 budget. Now the team is preparing for the American Solar Challenge, which is a 2,200-mile run from Chicago to Los Angeles between July 15th and 24th.
     
     For the eighth straight year, 100 percent of Riverland Community College's radiography program graduates passed the national registry exam to become registered radiologic technologists.
     
     Finally, earlier this month, the 11 Metro Alliance schools completed their first year of a new student leadership mentoring program that paired 55 student leaders with community and business leaders, several legislators and the 11 college presidents. The students have been inducted into the first Metro Alliance Leadership Academy. The program was developed to provide students with positive support and to give opinion leaders a personal connection with the Metro Alliance and the students it serves.
     
     Copies of the new MnSCU media guide are available. It has basic facts about MnSCU and a directory of key people on each of our campuses for the media to contact.
     
     
3. Trustee Reports
   a. Report of the Sub-Committee on Trustees, Andrew Boss, Chair
   Trustee Boss provided a report of the Sub-committee on Trustees meeting of May 2. Chancellor-designate McCormick attended the meeting. Also in attendance were Ben Van Der Kooi, chair of the Trustee Candidate Advisory Council, and Billie Young, a member of the TCAC.
   
   b. Other
   Trustee Dusek reported on Dr. Roy Saigo's inauguration at St. Cloud State University and the Founder's Day Celebration. Trustee Mary Choate was recognized for initiating a successful fundraising campaign for the St. Cloud State University Foundation.
   
   
4. Chancellor's Report: Morris J. Anderson.
   There was no Chancellor's report as Chancellor Anderson was at a higher education conference committee meeting at the Legislature.
   
   
5. Joint Council of Student Associations
   The following representatives of student associations addressed the Board of Trustees: Justin Bing, vice president, Minnesota State College Student Association (MSCSA), and Michael Redlinger, state chair, Minnesota State University Student Association (MSUSA).
   
   
6. MnSCU Bargaining Units
   There were no reports from the MnSCU Bargaining Units.
   
   
7. Consent Agenda
   a. Program Approval: BAS, Advertising and Applied Visual Arts; Metropolitan State University
   b. Program Approval: BAS, Food Service/Culinary Arts; Metropolitan State University
   c. Program Approval: BAS, Hospitality, Travel and Tourism; Metropolitan State University
   d. Program Approval: BS, Nursing, St. Cloud State University
   e. Program Approval: MS, Electrical Engineering; St. Cloud State University
   f. Program Approval: Certificate, Network Cabling Technician; Mesabi Range Community and Technical College, Eveleth
   g. Program Approval: Certificate, Kitchen and Bath Design; Century College, White Bear Lake
   h. Program Approval: AAS, Individualized Occupational Preparation; Northwest Technical College, Bemidji, East Grand Forks, Detroit Lakes, Moorhead and Wadena
   i. Program Closures: Alexandria Technical College, and Northwest Technical College
   j. Appointment to Academic Rank
   k. Revision to Chancellor Anderson's Amended Employment Contract
   
   Trustee Coborn moved approval of the Consent Agenda. Trustee Boss seconded and the Consent Agenda was approved without dissent.
   
   
8. Board Standing Committee Reports
   

   a. Finance/Facilities Policy Committee
   FACILITIES:

   1. Capital Projects Quarterly Status Report Committee
      Vice Chair Moran reported that the committee reviewed the Capital Projects Quarterly Status. This item was not listed on the agenda.
   2. FY 2002-2007 Capital Budget Recommendations (First Reading)
      Committee Vice Chair Moran reported that the committee reviewed the FY 2002-2007 Capital Budget Recommendations.
   3. Campus Master Plan-Bemidji State University Committee
      Vice Chair Moran reported that the committee reviewed Bemidji State University's campus master plan.
      
      For the record, Trustee Splonskowski inquired about the use of the ceremonial outdoor space for the American Indian Resource Center on the campus of Bemidji State University. President Bensen replied that all of the facilities of the University belong to the State of Minnesota and the public has access to them, depending on the schedule of the programs or events.
   4. Winona State University Science Building Schematic Design (First Reading)
   5. Minnesota State University Moorhead Science Building Schematic Design (First Reading)
      Committee Vice Chair Moran reported the committee reviewed a joint presentation of science building schematic designs by Winona State University and Minnesota State University Moorhead.
      

      FINANCE:
      

   6. MSUSA Fee Proposal Update Committee
      Vice Chair Coborn reported that this item was postponed due to the stalemate at the Legislature.
   7. 2001 Session Wrap-up Committee
      Vice Chair Coborn reported that Bernie Oman, government relations, and John Ostrem, deputy, government relations, provided an update on the status of the 2001 legislative session.
   8. FY 2002-2003 Preliminary Budget Outlook Committee
      Vice Chair Coborn reported that this item was postponed due to the stalemate at the Legislature.
   9. FY 2002 Institutional Allocations Including Tuition and Fees (First Reading)
      Committee Vice Chair Coborn reported that this item was postponed due to the stalemate at the Legislature.
      
   
   b. Educational Policy Committee
   
   1. Academic and Student Affairs Update
      Committee Chair Luoma reported that Senior Vice Chancellor Baer provided an update on academic and student affairs. He announced that Dr. Baer has worked with representatives of the University of Minnesota to organize a joint meeting of the Educational Policy Committees of the University of Minnesota and MnSCU.
      
      
   2. Program Suspensions: Alexandria Technical College, Northland Community and Technical College, Northwest Technical College, and Rochester Community and Technical College
      Committee Chair Luoma reported that the committee received notice of program suspensions from Alexandria Technical College, Northland Community and Technical College, Northwest Technical College, and Rochester Community and Technical College.
      
      
   3. Academic Program Policy Study: Review of Current Board Policies and Practices
      Committee Chair Luoma reported that the committee reviewed current Board policies and practices as part of the Academic Program Policy Study.
      
      
   4. Metro Alliance Faculty Report
      Committee Chair Luoma reported that the committee heard a report from the Metro Alliance Faculty.
      
      
   5. Transfer
      Committee Chair Luoma moved to suspend the rules in order to take action on an item not listed for action on the agenda. Trustee Swanson seconded and the motion carried without dissent.
      
      Committee Chair Luoma moved that the Board of Trustees adopt the following motion. In order to improve credit transferability, MnSCU will: a) make transfer of credits a priority, b) develop and use transfer standards as part of the campus evaluation process, and c) allocate appropriate resources to transfer initiatives to make it happen. System staff is directed to give periodic updates to the Board on the progress being made on the transfer of credits, with a full report to the Board of Trustees at the September 2002 meeting. Trustee Antell seconded.
      
      Trustee Moran inquired about offering a friendly amendment relative to an earlier recommendation in the program approval process that every new program that is brought forth state in the procedure that it satisfies transfer requirements. Senior Vice Chancellor Baer commented that the friendly amendment not be accepted as it is scheduled to be included in the recommendations for new program approval/review that will be presented to the Board of Trustees later in the Fall. Trustee Moran withdrew his friendly amendment.
      
      The motion carried without dissent.
      
      
   6. Report of the Futures Sub-Committee and Discussion
      Committee Chair Luoma reported that Trustee Antell, Chair of the Futures Sub-Committee, reported on the activities and reference materials used by the committee. The Annual Meeting of the World Future Society will be held in Minneapolis on July 29-31, 2001.
      
      

   c. Personnel Policy Committee, Nancy Brataas, Chair
   

   1. Appointment of President of Bemidji State University
      Committee Chair Brataas moved that the Board of Trustees, upon the recommendation of Chancellor Anderson, appoints Dr. Jon E. Quistgaard as President of Bemidji State University, effective August 24, 2001, subject to the completion of an employment contract, which the Board authorized the Chancellor to negotiate in consultation with the Chair of the Board and Chair of the Personnel Policy Committee in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Personnel Plan for MnSCU Administrators. Trustee Swanson seconded.
      
      Dr. Quistgaard thanked the Board of Trustees for the opportunity to be considered for this position. He commented that he was excited about the possibilities for Bemidji State University, and for the support of the campus community and the search committee.
      
      The motion carried unanimously.
      
      
   2. Appointment of President of Central Lakes College
      Committee Chair Brataas moved that the Board of Trustees, upon the recommendation of Chancellor Anderson, appoints Dr. Joseph Birmingham as President of Central Lakes College, effective August 8, 2001, subject to the completion of an employment contract, which the Board authorizes the Chancellor to negotiate in consultation with the Chair of the Board and Chair of the Personnel Policy Committee in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Personnel Plan for MnSCU Administrators. Trustee Splonskowski seconded, and the motion carried without dissent.
      
      Due to a prior commitment, Dr. Birmingham was unable to attend the meeting today.

   3. Demographic Report
      Committee Chair Brataas reported that the committee reviewed a demographic report.
      
      
9. Requests by Individuals to Address the Board
   There were no requests to address the Board.
   
   
10. Other Business
    Trustee Dusek reported that four Trustees (Vekich, Antell, Choate and Dusek) participated in a panel sponsored by the Kellogg Foundation Fellows on being a citizen trustee.
    
    
11. Adjournment
    Chair Vekich adjourned the meeting by consensus at 11:50 a.m.