February 2002
Board Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, February 21, 2001
World Trade Center
St. Paul, Minnesota

Trustees Present: Mary Choate, Chair, Will Antell, Andrew Boss, Ivan Dusek, Robert Erickson, Bob Hoffman, Jim A. Luoma, Lew Moran, Michael Redlinger, Joann Splonskowski, Joseph Swanson and Michael Vekich

Absent: Nancy Brataas, Daniel Coborn, Dennis Dotson

1. Call to Order
   Chair Mary Choate called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. and reported that a quorum was present. There were no changes to the agenda.
   

2. Chair's Report

   a. New International University, Akita Prefecture Governor Sukeshiro Terata
   Chair Choate welcomed Sukeshiro Terata, the Governor of the Akita, Japan Prefecture, and his guests, who were here to bring greetings and an announcement of a new international university established by the Akita Prefecture. An advocate of international education and cultural exchanges, Governor Terata, hopes to establish a continuing educational partnership between Akita and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. During his stay, Governor Terata is visiting Metropolitan State University, Winona State University and the Mayo Clinic.
   

   Governor Terata commented that it was a great honor for him to be here and to express his gratitude. The new four-year university is set to open in the year 2004. He said that this could not be done without the understanding and patience of the Board of Trustees for their support of the management of the MSU, Akita campus for more than a decade. Governor Terata commented that the Board recognizes and highly values the achievement of the MSU, Akita campus. MSU, Akita is a common base between the Akita Prefecture and the State of Minnesota. Governor Terata commented that he observed with his own eyes what a precious resource the MSU, Akita campus was, and it impressed him and that became the basis of the idea for a new university. MSU, Akita will close in March of 2003. However, Governor Terata continued that it was important to recognize that there is a persistent demand among the younger generation in Japan for the kind of education provided at the MSU, Akita campus, and that many graduates of the school have already attended MnSCU universities. These graduates now have careers in various fields throughout the world. It would be a great pleasure for him if the new university can take over the essential education of MSU, Akita. Governor Terata said that he strongly believes that Minnesota and Akita will grow much closer in the future by keeping the academic and the human resources exchange continuing between us. In conclusion, Governor Terata commented that the distance across the ocean can be shortened through our common efforts and that hopefully the Great State of Minnesota and the Akita Prefecture would share a bright future.
   
   Mr. Kuniaki Sato, Administrative Officer, Academic Affairs Division, Akita Prefectural Government, introduced the members of the Akita delegation:
   

   Mr. Toshihiro Kawakatsu, Director-General, Department of Planning & Development
   Mr. Matsuhiko Sasaki, Director, Secretariat Division, Department of General Affairs
   Mr. Zen-ichiro Shoji, Director, Academic Affairs Division, Department of P & D
   Mr. Masaaki Komatsu, Policy Making Director, Academic Affairs Division
   Mr. Kuniaki Sato, Administrative Officer, Academic Affairs Division

   Chair Choate thanked Governor Terata and the visiting delegation for coming to Minnesota.
   
   b. Minutes of Board of Trustees Meeting of January 16, 2002
   As there were no corrections or additions to the minutes, Chair Choate announced that the minutes stand approved as written.
   
   c. Report of the Executive Committee Meeting of February 6, 2002
   Chair Choate reported that the Executive Committee met on February 6, 2002.
   

3. Trustee Reports
   Trustee Redlinger congratulated Minnesota State Colleges and Universities' students for a very successful lobby day on February 13. Chair Choate, Trustees Antell, Boss, Splonskowksi, and Vekich were present that day. He also acknowledged the Government Relations staff, Public Affairs staff, and Board Office staff for setting up legislative visits for Trustees. Trustee Redlinger encouraged everyone to read the 1999 Minnesota High School Follow-up Survey by the Minnesota Higher Education Services Office and the Minnesota Department of Children, Families and Learning. He also thanked Chancellor McCormick for his outstanding testimony and advocacy on behalf of MnSCU at the Legislature.
   
   Trustee Luoma reported that he and Trustee Hoffman have been representing the Board of Trustees by working with a sub-committee of the Educational Policy and Planning Committee of the University of Minnesota Board of Regents on the post-secondary planning report. The dialog is productive and work is progressing. Trustee Luoma and Associate Vice Chancellor Leslie Mercer attended the Educational Policy and Planning Committee at the Board of Regents meeting on February 7.
   
   Trustee Splonskowski requested that the report on the Association of Community College Trustees National Legislative Seminar in Washington D.C. on February 9-12 be postponed until next month due to time constraints.
   
   Trustee Antell commented that he has accompanied the Chancellor on nearly 20 campus and community visits. He commended Chancellor McCormick and the Public Affairs staff for their organization and support of these visits.
   
   With respect to the logos and names issue that was discussed and acted upon during the Educational Policy Committee, Trustee Antell requested that St. Cloud State University President Roy Saigo's statement to the National Collegiate Athletic Association Minorities Opportunities and Interests Committee on January 28, 2002, be included in today's meeting minutes. Dr. Saigo's statement is attached to these minutes.
   
   Trustee Dusek agreed with Trustee Antell's comments relative to the logos and names issues. He commented that he has participated in several diversity conferences for MnSCU.
   
   Trustee Boss announced that the Citizens Advisory Commission, which has been meeting since September 2001, would meet for the last time on Friday, February 22.
   

4. Chancellor's Comments: James McCormick.
   Chancellor McCormick commented that he has learned and come to understand a great deal about the relationship between Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and Akita, Japan. He continued that just as MnSCU celebrates its deep roots and traditions, the relationship with Akita also should be recognized and celebrated. Several years ago, the president of St. Cloud State University, the Chancellor of the State University System, and others had the vision and courage to establish a program that became the foundation for the international program at Akita. Rather than the end, this is a new beginning for Minnesota's investment and leadership in the arena of international education. Chancellor McCormick thanked everyone that supported the transition of MSU, Akita to the founding of a new international university. Chancellor McCormick thanked Governor Terata for his passionate support.
   
   Reporting on the legislative session, Chancellor McCormick commented that he has had a very positive experience at the legislature and that he has not sensed any hostility toward MnSCU by the legislature. The legislators are trying to do their duty by representing taxpayers and asking tough questions on accountability. Chancellor McCormick commented that MnSCU was observed as a united team at the legislature. He thanked the Presidents for their support and participation at the legislature. He thanked the Board of Trustees as the officially appointed people representing the citizens of Minnesota for their active support and participation, as well. The Board of Trustees are respected and their attendance made a difference. In addition, he acknowledged the strength of MnSCU's Government Relations team, backed up by Vice Chancellor Laura King, Senior Vice Chancellor Linda Baer, and Vice Chancellor Bill Tschida and their staffs.
   
   Chancellor McCormick announced that he has visited with 161 legislators in their home districts and that plans are underway to complete the remaining visits in March and April.
   
   The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has completed its report on St. Cloud State University. Along with SCSU President Saigo, Chancellor McCormick and staff met with the Chester Bailey, the regional director of the EEOC to review the recommendations in the report. Chancellor McCormick reported that the Office of the Chancellor will improve its tracking and monitoring system. President Saigo has initiated the campus level recommendations, and a meeting has been set for Dr. Saigo and Office of the Chancellor staff to meet and brief key legislators.
   
   Chancellor McCormick announced that he will have visited all of MnSCU's 53 campuses as of Monday, February 25. These visits will continue as the Chancellor seeks to have an ongoing dialogue with students and citizens.
   
   Chancellor McCormick acknowledged the Citizens Advisory Commission chaired by Vance Opperman and Glen Taylor. He recognized Mr. Taylor who was in the audience. Chancellor McCormick also acknowledged Cheryl Dickson, a member of the Commission, who served as a member of the Search Advisory Committee for Chancellor also.
   
   Chancellor McCormick commented that one of the most important decisions that the Board makes is the appointment of a president. Later today, he will be honored to make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees for a new president of Minnesota State University, Mankato. Chancellor McCormick thanked Dr. Karen Boubel who has served as Interim President of Minnesota State University, Mankato since June 2001.
   

5. Joint Council of Student Associations
   The following representatives of student associations addressed the Board of Trustees: Brent Glass, Executive Director, Minnesota State College Student Association (MSCSA), and Frank Viggiano, Executive Director, Minnesota University Student Association (MSUSA).
   

6. MnSCU Bargaining Units
   The following representatives of MnSCU bargaining units addressed the Board of Trustees: Karen Foreman, President, AFSCME's Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Policy Committee, Jeanne Cornish, President, Minnesota State University Association of Administrative and Service Faculty, and Jim Pehler, President, Inter Faculty Organization.
   

7. Consent Agenda
   a. Mesabi Range Community and Technical College Virginia Campus Remodeling Project Schematic Design (Second Reading)
   b. Program Approval: Certificate, Law Enforcement Skills; Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, Cloquet Campus
   c. Program Approval: Certificate, Chemical Laboratory Assistant; North Hennepin Community College, Brooklyn Park
   d. Program Approval: Certificates, Basic Massage Therapy and Clinical Massage Therapy; Ridgewater College, Willmar Campus
   e. Program Approval: BS, Geosciences and BS, Earth Science Teaching; Minnesota State University Moorhead
   
   Trustee Erickson moved approval of the Consent Agenda. Trustee Dusek seconded and the Consent Agenda was approved unanimously.
   

8. Board Standing Committee Reports

   a. Finance/Facilities Policy Committee, Robert Erickson, Chair
   FACILITIES: Lew Moran, Vice Chair

   1. Southwest State University Update
      Committee Chair Erickson reported that the committee heard an update on the fire in the Food Service Building at Southwest State University.

   2. *Capital Budget Update (Second Reading)
      Committee Chair Erickson moved that the Board of Trustees authorizes the Chancellor to modify the capital budget request to include (a) sufficient state funding to supplement insurance and Revenue Fund proceeds towards construction of a replacement food service facility at Southwest State University at the highest priority; and to request design/build authority as a method of project delivery; and (b) additional funding for land acquisition up to $19.5 million in recognition of the opportunity to purchase real property in downtown Minneapolis for future growth of Minneapolis Community and Technical College. Trustee Redlinger seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

   3. FY 2003 Revenue Fund Fees and Spending Plan (First Reading)
      Committee Chair Erickson reported that the Finance/Facilities Policy Committee reviewed the FY 2003 Revenue Fund Fees and Spending Plan as a first reading. This will be an action item at the March Board meeting.

   4. Capital Improvement Projects Quarterly Status Report
      Committee Chair Erickson reported that the committee received the Capital Improvement Projects Quarterly Status Report.

   5. South Central College Campus Master Plan
      Committee Chair Erickson reported that the committee reviewed South Central College's Campus Master Plan.
      

      FINANCE: Daniel Coborn, Vice Chair
      

   6. Tuition Waiver Annual Report
      Committee Chair Erickson reported that the committee received the Tuition Waiver Annual Report.

   7. FY 2001 Audited Financial Statements
      Committee Chair Erickson reported that the committee reviewed the FY 2001 Audited Financial Statements.

   8. Rating Agency Presentation
      Committee Chair Erickson reported that the Rating Agency presentation was postponed due to time constraints, and will be reviewed at the March Board meeting.

   9. 2001 Awards Presentation
      Committee Chair Erickson reported that the Finance Division of the Office of the Chancellor has had an annual awards program since 1997. During the committee meeting, the 2001 awards were presented to both teams and individuals in the following categories:
      
      Excellence in Financial Management Awards
      Excellence in Facilities Management Awards
      Office of the Chancellor Awards
      Outstanding Service Awards
      

   10. Allocation Framework Illustration
       Committee Chair Erickson reported that the Allocation Framework Illustration was postponed due to time constraints, and will be reviewed at the March Board meeting.
       

   b. Educational Policy Committee, Robert Hoffman, Chair

   1. Academic and Student Affairs Update
      Linda Baer, Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, announced that Inver Hills Community College was awarded the Bell Weather Award in instructional design from the National Community College Futures Assembly. Also, the 2002 Academic and Student Affairs Awards were presented during the committee meeting. Awards were presented to individuals, programs and institutions in the following categories:
      
      MnSCU Innovative Student Affairs Program Award
      MnSCU Outstanding Academic and Student Affairs Administrator Award
      MnSCU Excellence in Curriculum Programming Award
      

   2. Program Suspensions: Northwest Technical College and Riverland Community College
      Committee Chair Hoffman reported that the committee received notice of program suspensions at Northwest Technical College and Riverland Community College.

   3. Proposed Amendment to Policy 3.14 Program Approval (First Reading)
      Committee Chair Hoffman reported that the committee reviewed a first reading of a proposed amendment to Policy 3.14 Program Approval. This will be an action item at the March Board meeting.

   4. Legislative Report: Accountability Measures
      Committee Chair Hoffman reported that the committee received the Legislative Report: Accountability Measures. As required by statutes, the report will be forwarded to the Minnesota Legislature and the Commissioner of Finance.

   5. Transfer Report
      Committee Chair Hoffman reported that the committee received the Transfer Report.

   6. Use of Logos
      Committee Chair Hoffman moved to suspend the rules to allow consideration of an item not marked as an action item on the agenda. Trustee Dusek seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
      
      Trustee Dusek moved the following resolution on Logos, Names, Mascots and Nicknames:
      
      Whereas, MnSCU seeks to provide a learning environment that acknowledges and values diversity of all kinds, including, but not limited to, race, religion and ethnicity; and
      
      Whereas, eliminating discrimination and ensuring the civil rights of all members of our communities must be a continuing effort by our colleges and universities; and
      
      Whereas, we believe that civility, good citizenship and diversity support and promote high quality intercollegiate competition by students, student-athletes, coaches, institutional advisors, spectators and fans; and
      
      Whereas, logos, names, mascots and nicknames referring to minority cultures may be based on negative images or other stereotypes that do not reflect an authentic identification with those cultures;
      
      Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Board of Trustees of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities:
      

      1. Will not have any discriminatory logos in its institutions.

      2. Strongly opposes the use of derisive logos, names, mascots and nicknames by opposing athletic teams or teams involved in other forms of intercollegiate competition.

      3. Joins those who desire to stop the use of discriminatory logos, names, mascots and nicknames by athletic teams and in other areas of intercollegiate competition.

      4. Directs that this resolution be forwarded to MnSCU College and University Presidents for distribution.

      Trustee Antell seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
      

   c. Technology Committee, Ivan Dusek and Joseph Swanson, Co-Chairs

   1. Security Office Update
      Committee Co-Chair Dusek reported that the committee heard an update on information technology security.

   2. Metropolitan State University Technology Planning
      Committee Co-Chair Dusek reported that committee received an overview of Metropolitan State University's Information Technology Plan.

   d. Advancement Committee, Lew Moran, Chair

   1. Naming Policy Update
      Committee Chair Moran reported that the committee received an update on the Naming Policy.

   2. Marketing Overview
      Committee Chair Moran reported that the committee reviewed a marketing overview.

   3. Northstar Foundation Overview
      Committee Chair Moran reported that the Northstar Foundation Overview was postponed due to time constraints, and will be reviewed at the March meeting.

   4. Legislative Session 2002 Update
      Committee Chair Moran reported that the committee received an update on the 2002 Legislative Session.

   5. Diploma Policy
      Committee Chair Moran reported that the Diploma Policy was postponed due to time constraints and will be reviewed at the March Board meeting.

   6. Mentorship Training for New Trustees
      Committee Chair Moran reported that the Mentorship Training for New Trustees was postponed due to time constraints and will be reviewed at the March Board meeting.

   e. Personnel Policy Committee, Nancy Brataas, Chair

   1. *Appointment of President of Minnesota State University, Mankato
      Chancellor McCormick reported that due to the departure of Richard Rush as president of Minnesota State University, Mankato, Dr. Karen Boubel was named interim president of the university in June 2001. A nationwide search for a new president ensued with the assistance of the executive search firm, Academic Search Consultants. Wilson Bradshaw, President of Metropolitan State University, chaired the search committee. The finalists were interviewed by Chancellor McCormick, members of the Board of Trustees, and senior staff from the Office of the Chancellor.
      
      Chancellor McCormick announced that he was pleased to recommend Dr. Richard Davenport for the presidency of Minnesota State University, Mankato. Dr. Davenport has served nine years as provost in charge of academic and student affairs at Central Michigan University (CMU). He has a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Iowa State University. He received his M.S. in Speech and Hearing Science from Colorado State University and a B.A. in Speech and Hearing Disorders from the University of Nebraska, Kearney.
      
      Committee Vice Chair Dusek moved that the Board of Trustees, upon the recommendation of Chancellor McCormick, appoints Dr. Richard Davenport as President of Minnesota State University, Mankato effective July 1, 2002, 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 Swanson seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
      
      Chair Choate welcomed Dr. Davenport and his wife, Sharlene Davenport. Dr. Davenport thanked the Chancellor and the Board of Trustees for appointing him as President of Minnesota State University, Mankato. He commented that he and his family are very excited to be returning to Minnesota where his family has roots.
      
      Chancellor McCormick thanked Dr. Karen Boubel for serving as interim president of the university since June 2001. He announced that she would continue in that capacity until Dr. Davenport officially begins his duties on July 1, 2002.
      
      Dr. Bradshaw acknowledged the hard work and commitment of the members of the Search Committee who were present today. He also thanked Chancellor McCormick and the Board of Trustees for the opportunity to serve MnSCU as chair of the Search Committee.
      

   2. Workers' Compensation Report
      Committee Vice Chair Dusek reported that the committee received the Workers' Compensation Report.
      

9. Requests by Individuals to Address the Board
   There were no requests by individuals to address the Board.
   

10. Other Business
    There was no other business to come before the Board.
    

11. Adjournment
    Chair Choate adjourned the meeting by consensus at 3:08 p.m.