October 2002
Board Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, October 16, 2002
World Trade Center
St. Paul, Minnesota

Trustees Present: Mary Choate, Chair, Will Antell, Andrew Boss, Daniel Coborn, Cheryl Dickson, Ivan Dusek, Clarence Hightower, Robert Hoffman, Vincent Ijioma, Jim Luoma, Lew Moran, David Paskach, Michael Redlinger, Ann Curme Shaw, and Shaun Williams

Absent: None

1. Call to Order
   Chair Mary Choate called the meeting to order at 1:05 p.m. and reported that a quorum was present. There were no changes to the agenda.
   

2. Chair's Report

   a. Campus Good News
   Chair Choate announced that more than 400 students from community colleges across the state convened at Minnesota State University, Mankato for an art symposium the week of October 14, 2002.
   
   Faculty members from Lake Superior College were in China during the month of October to present workshops at an international ceramics conference and were invited to give demonstrations. The finished works from the Foshan Ceramic Exposition will become the property of the People's Republic of China for display in art galleries.
   
   Central Lakes College and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe jointly held two recent workshops to deal with attitudes surrounding Native American law enforcement. The program was developed with help from an Otto Bremer Foundation grant.
   
   South Central College hosted the Southern Minnesota gubernatorial debate on September 26, 2002. The debate was co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters and was broadcast statewide on public television. Chair Choate announced that President George Bush would be speaking at Rochester Community and Technical College on Friday, October 18, 2002, on behalf of Senate candidate Norm Coleman. Winona State University has been inducted in the World Farm Hall of Fame for its beautiful grounds.
   
   b. Minutes of the Board of Trustees Meeting of September 18, 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 October 2, 2002
   Chair Choate reported that the Executive Committee met on October 2. Trustees Cheryl Dickson, Vincent Ijioma, Ann Curme Shaw and Chair Choate, along with Chancellor McCormick, attended the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Convention held September 18-21, 2002, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Chair Choate also reported that she and Chancellor McCormick attended the Association of Governing Boards (AGB) Leadership Institute, held September 29 through October 1, 2002, in Alexandria, Virginia.
   
   The Executive Committee also discussed the upcoming legislative session and the Biennial Budget request, received a report from President Wilson Bradshaw on the Leadership Council meetings in September, and reviewed the October board meeting agenda.
   
   d. Amendment to Board Policies 1A.2, Part 4, Officers of the Board, and 1A.4, Part 5, Board of Trustee Administrators Positions (Second Reading)
   Vice Chair Luoma moved that the Board of Trustees approves the amendments to Board Policies 1A.2, Part 4, Officers of the Board, and 1A.4, System Administration, Appointment of Administrators, Part 5, Board of Trustee Administrators Positions. The motion was seconded by Trustee Antell and carried unanimously.
   
   e. Board of Trustees Retreat
   Chair Choate announced that Narcisa Polonio, Director of Board Services, Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), attended the Board meeting on Tuesday, October 15, 2002, to observe the meetings and to visit with the Board members. The Board of Trustees retreat is November 18-20, 2002.
   

3. Trustee Reports
   Trustee Ivan Dusek reported his attendance at the following events: the Winona State University campus visit on September 24, 2002; the Multi-Cultural Diversity Forum on September 19, 2002 in Saint Paul; and the annual Minnesota Minority Education Partnership on October 10, 2002. Darcel Lewis of the Equal Opportunity and Diversity division was one of two people who won the annual Ron McKinley All My Relations Award. Trustee Dusek also attended the Third Early Awareness Collaboration Conference sponsored by the Higher Education Services Office on October 11, 2002, at Metropolitan State University; and the Human Resources conference October 8 and 9, 2002, in Rochester. Trustee Dusek reported the new Nancy Brataas Award for Excellence in Human Resources was awarded to Jan Anderson, Human Resources director at Metropolitan State University.
   
   Trustee Dickson reported that she attended the Northland Community and Technical College, East Grand Forks and Thief River Falls campus visits on October 10, 2002.
   
   Trustee Ijioma reported that he attended the St. Cloud Technical College campus visit on October 3, 2002. He also attended the International Global Education Conference on October 4, 2002, and the opening of the Rochester Community and Technical College Horticultural Center on October 5, 2002.
   
   Vice Chair Jim Luoma reported that he attended the Winona State University campus visit on September 24, 2002. Vice Chair Luoma also attended the inauguration of President Quistgaard at Bemidji State University on October 4, 2002.
   
   Trustee Antell reported that he also attended the Global Education Conference on October 4, 2002. Trustee Williams introduced his mother, Leeann Williams, who was present to observe the Board meeting.
   

4. Chancellor's Comments: James McCormick.
   Chancellor McCormick thanked the Board of Trustees for their participation at the recent campus visits to Winona State University, Northland Community and Technical College and St. Cloud Technical College, and acknowledged the leadership work of President Darrell Krueger, President Orley Gunderson and President Joan Barrett-Volkmuth.
   
   Chancellor McCormick stated that he has been involved in several business meetings as part of the Work Plan, including visits with the following Chambers of Commerce: the American Indian Chamber, the Asian American Chamber, the Latino Chamber, as well as the statewide Chamber of Commerce.
   
   Chancellor McCormick commented on Trustee Hightower's column in the Minnesota Spokesman Recorder newspaper, and quoted Trustee Hightower, "Often we must resist the temptation to engage in battle when we can focus our collective energy on winning a greater struggle."
   
   Chancellor McCormick recognized the importance of the Leadership Council's alignment of its working committees with the committees of the Board of Trustees, moving away from the Chancellor's staff and the presidents to a Leadership Council. Chancellor McCormick recognized the committees and their leadership: Academic and Student Affairs Committee co-chairs President Cheryl Frank and Linda Baer; Advancement committee co-chairs President Roy Saigo, Linda Kohl and John Ostrem; Finance and Administration co-chairs President Darrell Krueger and Laura King; Human Resources co-chairs President James Johnson and Bill Tschida; and Technology Committee co-chairs President Robert Musgrove and Ken Niemi.
   
   Chancellor McCormick commented that a great amount of time was spent during the last quarter on presidential and cabinet evaluations. Trustee Dusek and others on the Human Resources committee will be working on refining the process for the next year.
   
   a. Chancellor's Quarterly Report
   Chancellor McCormick stated that the expectation of a Work Plan and the need for increased communications began with the development of the annual Work Plan and the Quarterly Reports.
   
   Chancellor McCormick commented that this has been a transition year with a new Chancellor and new Board members. The Work Plan had been delayed so that the new Board members would have a part in the development of the Work Plan. This is the first Quarterly Report and will become more substantive as the year goes on. The plan has four strategic directions: to increase access and opportunity; to expand high quality learning programs and services; to strengthen community development and economic vitality; and to fully integrate the system. Two more items (which came from the Chancellor's evaluation) were added to the Work Plan: to increase support and to add measurement.
   
   Chancellor McCormick stated that the report on the first quarter is designed to communicate the accountability of the system, which is all of the public colleges and universities. The focus was placed on the system; the Work Plan develops with the leadership of the Board and through the campuses. For the first time, individual campuses have been cited where the six areas of the Work Plan are being accomplished. The Work Plan has been built into the Leadership Council framework, as the presidents and cabinet members work together with the same goals and objectives.
   
   

5. Joint Council of Student Associations
   The following representatives of student associations addressed the Board of Trustees: Yorgun Marcel, Chair, Minnesota State University Student Association (MSUSA); and Brian Axell, Associate Director of College and Government Relations, Minnesota State College Student Association (MSCSA).
   

6. Minnesota State Colleges and Universities' Bargaining Units
   The following representatives of the bargaining units addressed the Board of Trustees: Karen Foreman, President, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees' (AFSCME) Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Policy Committee; Jeanne Cornish, President, Minnesota State University Association of Administrative and Service Faculty (MSUASF); and Jim Pehler, President, Inter Faculty Association (IFO).
   

7. Consent Agenda
   a. St. Cloud State University Stadium and Recreation Center Schematic Design
   b. Minneapolis Community and Technical College and Metropolitan State University Remodeling/Co-Location Schematic Design
   c. Mission Approval: St. Cloud State University
   d. Program Closures: Century Community and Technical College
   e. St. Paul Technical College Request for a Name Change
   
   Trustee Andrew Boss 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, Andrew Boss, Chair

   1. Joint Presentation of Metropolitan State University and Minneapolis Community and Technical College - Campus' Master Plans
      Committee Chair Andrew Boss reported that Presidents Wilson Bradshaw and Phillip Davis jointly presented the campus master plans of Metropolitan State University and Minneapolis Community and Technical College.
      

   2. Amendment to Board Policy 5.10 Reserves and Year-end Balances (First Reading)
      Committee Chair Boss reported that the committee reviewed a first reading of the Amendment to Board Policy 5.10 Reserves and Year-end Balances. This will be an action item at the December Board meeting.
      

   3. *FY 2004-2005 Biennial Budget Request (Second Reading)
      Committee Chair Boss moved that the Board of Trustees approves the FY 2004-2005 Biennial Budget Request. The Board of Trustees is committed to provision of high-quality, accessible education, public service and research at all Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. The Board strongly urges the State of Minnesota to support the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities FY 2004-2005 Biennial Budget Request. The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees approves the final FY 2004-2005 Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Biennial Operating Budget request for transmittal to the Department of Finance. The Chancellor is requested to provide periodic updates on the progress of the budget through the executive and legislative branch review and approval process. Vice Chair Luoma seconded.
      
      Trustee Antell commended Chancellor McCormick and Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Laura King for putting together a very thoughtful budget and stated that the need for more resources is recognized by all. Trustee Antell stated that the credibility of the Chancellor, the staff and the Board will be helped by being forthright with the legislature as they struggle through the question of how to balance the budget and bring forth the necessary resources. Trustee Antell stated that these types of crises are a blessing as they give us an opportunity to think hard and deep about what higher education means to Minnesota.
      
      Trustee Redlinger thanked the participants who testified at the public hearings, stating that this is a survival budget and that Minnesota State Colleges and Universities need to survive to meet the critical needs of the state. Trustee Redlinger repeated a statement that he made previously: "Tough times for Minnesota, does not mean that we need to visionless."
      
      Committee Chair Boss commended the process and stated that the comments of the student associations and bargaining units are very important to the Board. He continued that Vice Chancellor King and her staff did a great job, and that Chancellor McCormick provided excellent leadership. Committee Chair Boss reported that the budget request was adjusted after hearing some of the testimonies. Committee Chair Boss noted that when staff calculated the budget request they came up with a budget request of $300 million, yet Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is asking for one-third of that amount. The budget request is based on a three percent tuition increase and a three percent operating cost increase each year of the biennium.
      
      Committee Chair Boss called the question and the motion carried unanimously.
      

   4. *Gift of Real Property - Northland Community and Technical College
      Committee Chair Boss moved to suspend the rules to allow consideration of action on this agenda item. Trustee Williams seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
      
      Committee Chair Boss moved that the Board of Trustees is pleased to accept the gift of the Lowell and Marjorie Swenson residence in Thief River Falls to Northland Community and Technical College, subject to due diligence review (including but not limited to environmental, health and safety; title opinion; and zoning restrictions) and use of Attorney General approved documents. The Board gratefully acknowledges the generous gift from the Swensons to the State of Minnesota, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, and Northland Community and Technical College. Trustee Williams seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

   b. Human Resources Policy Committee, Ivan Dusek, Chair

   1. Amendment to Policy 4.4, Weather/Emergency Closings (First Reading)
      Committee Chair Dusek reported that the committee reviewed an amendment to Policy 4.4, Weather/emergency Closings as a first reading. This will be an action item at the December meeting.
      
      
   2. Review of Policy 4.7, Sabbatical Leaves
      Committee Chair Dusek reported that the committee reviewed Policy 4.7, Sabbatical Leaves. The policy was also reviewed by the Leadership Council Human Resources Committee which recommended no change.
      
      
   3. Office of the Chancellor Staff Reductions
      Committee Chair Dusek reported that this item was added to the agenda. Vice Chancellor Bill Tschida provided an update on the Office of the Chancellor staff reductions. Thirty one positions were eliminated last fall with the resulting cost savings reallocated to the campuses.

   
   c. Educational Policy Committee, Will Antell, Chair

   1. Academic and Student Affairs Update
      Committee Chair Antell reported that Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs Linda Baer provided an update.
      
      
   2. Work Plan Theme - Futures
      Committee Chair Antell reported that the committee viewed a presentation titled "Developing Futures Competencies," by Senior Vice Chancellor Baer.
      
      
   3. Transfer
      Committee Chair Antell reported that the committee reviewed a status report on transfer issues, and concluded that there is a need to establish a baseline transfer system.

   
   d. Technology Committee, Lew Moran,Chair

   1. Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Information Technology Update
      Committee Chair Moran reported that the committee received an update on information technology.
      
      
   2. Minnesota State University, Mankato E-Museum
      Committee Chair Moran reported that the committee viewed a demonstration on the E-Museum at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

   
   e. Advancement Committee, Robert Hoffman,Chair

   1. Development Update Committee
      Chair Hoffman reported that the Northstar Foundation has a new name and is now known as the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Foundation.
      
      
   2. Legislative Update
      Committee Chair Hoffman reported that the committee reviewed preliminary plans for the coming legislative session.
      
      
   3. Federal Relations Update
      Committee Chair Hoffman reported that the committee discussed plans for federal relations.
      
      
   4. Marketing Update - Minority Media Coalition Campaign
      Committee Chair Hoffman reported that the committee received an update on the Minority Media Coalition Campaign.
      
      
   5. Advancement Committee Operations
      Committee Chair Hoffman reported that the committee discussed how it conducts its operations.
      
      

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

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

11. Adjournment
    Chair Choate adjourned the meeting by consensus at 2:38 p.m.