December 2003 Board Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, December 17, 2003
Wells Fargo Place
St. Paul, Minnesota
Trustees Present: Jim Luoma, Chair, Will Antell, Andrew Boss,
Mary Choate, Daniel Coborn, Tyler Despins, Cheryl Dickson, Ivan Dusek,
Clarence Hightower, Robert Hoffman, Vincent Ijioma, Lew Moran, David
Paskach and Shaun Williams
Absent: Ann Curme Shaw
-
Call to Order
Chair Jim Luoma called the meeting to order at 1:03 p.m. and reported
that a quorum was present. Chair Luoma announced that the Educational
Policy Committee would be the first committee report heard on the
agenda.
-
Chair's Report
a. Minutes of Board of Trustees Meeting of October 22, 2003
Chair Luoma announced that a corrected page 4 of the minutes was
distributed, and that the minutes stand approved as written.
b. Minutes of Board of Trustees Emergency Meeting of November
21, 2003
As there were no corrections to the minutes, Chair Luoma announced
that the minutes stand approved as written.
c. Draft Minutes of Executive Committee Meeting of December
3, 2003
Chair Luoma reported that the draft minutes of the Executive Committee
meeting are included for information in the Board packet.
- Trustee Reports
Trustee Will Antell reported that he attended the commencement at
Minnesota State University, Mankato, on December 13, 2003. Trustee
Antell commented that he was pleased that Chancellor McCormick and
staff visited with the superintendent and staff of the Minneapolis
Public Schools. Trustee Antell also attended the inauguration of President
Don Day of Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College in Cloquet, on
November 21.
Trustee Tyler Despins reported that he attended the Minnesota State
University Student Association (MSUSA) Board of Directors meeting
at St. Cloud State University, December 5-7, 2003.
Trustee Ivan Dusek reported that he attended the Academic Quality
Improvement Program (AQIP) Strategy Forum with Ridgewater College,
November 12-15, 2003, in Lisle, Illinois.
Trustee Mary Choate announced that the Association of Community
College Trustees (ACCT) appointed Trustee Dusek as a member of its
Diversity Committee.
- Chancellor's Comments
Chancellor McCormick welcomed the public and the constituency leaders
to the meeting. He commended the staff at the campuses and in the
Office of the Chancellor for the noteworthy audit results. He expressed
the importance to inform the people of Minnesota of how well the System
is managed.
Chancellor McCormick congratulated Minnesota Online for the preliminary
positive report given by the Higher Learning Commission. Through
Minnesota Online, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
will be the provider of high quality online learning opportunities.
He added that a key recommendation by the Higher Learning Commission
was the importance of adequate funding of Minnesota Online efforts.
He added that he fully supports the efforts of building a strong
foundation of programs and services for the online students.
Chancellor McCormick commented that the business and campus visits
have gone very well and that the meetings have brought a realization
that the higher education opportunities are important to the local
community and business leaders.
Chancellor McCormick discussed his membership in the St. Paul Rotary
Club and that he had an opportunity to hear Governor Pawlenty at
a recent meeting along with Matt Kramer, Commissioner of the Department
of Employment and Economic Development. Commissioner Kramer also
met with the Leadership Council and discussed his interest in increased
collaboration to serve the people of Minnesota.
Chancellor McCormick commented that in January a joint meeting
of the Audit and Finance/Facilities committees will review the Sarbanes
Oxley Act of 2002. Although Sarbanes Oxley does not yet apply to
nonprofits, including the higher education institutions, it does
set new standards for accountability.
Chancellor McCormick stated that the Board of Trustees’ annual
“Foundation Thank You Luncheon” in honor of the private
support to the colleges and universities will be held on January
22, prior to the Board of Trustees meeting.
Chancellor McCormick requested that the Leadership Council consider
utilizing the lunch hour at the Leadership Council meetings to feature
individual institutions as the presidents do not often have the
opportunity to visit other campuses.
The Chancellor further commented this is the time that legislators
and others will review their investment in higher education and
to gain their support is to welcome the opportunity to be accountable
and open to scrutiny. He added that we not forget that the colleges
and universities belong to the people of Minnesota.
Chancellor McCormick stated that there are a number of students
in rural communities to be served and although the costs may be
higher, as are many other services provided to the smaller communities,
it is a need that is important to present to the legislature. He
added to support and advocate as a whole system is important in
presenting to the legislature.
- Joint Council of Student Associations
a. Minnesota State College Student Association
Ms. Missi McLaren, President, Minnesota State College Student Association
(MSCSA), addressed the Board of Trustees.
b. Minnesota State University Student Association
Mr. Sam Edmunds, State Chair, Minnesota State University Student Association
(MSUSA), addressed the Board of Trustees.
- Minnesota State Colleges and Universities' Bargaining Units
a. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
Ms. Karen Foreman, President, and Mr. Carroll Partridge, Vice President,
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME),
addressed the Board of Trustees.
b. Minnesota State University Association of Administrative and
Service Faculty
Ms. Jeanne Cornish, President, Minnesota State University Association
of Administrative and Service Faculty (MSUAASF), addressed the Board
of Trustees.
- Consent Agenda
a. Fiscal Year 2003 and Fiscal Year 2002 Audited Financial
Statements
Trustee Daniel Coborn moved approval of the Consent Agenda.
Trustee Tyler Despins
seconded, and the Consent Agenda was approved unanimously.
- Board Standing Committee Reports
a. Finance/Facilities Policy Committee, Andrew Boss, Chair
- Finance/Facilities Division Update
Committee Chair Andrew Boss reported that the committee heard
an update from Vice Chancellor Laura King on the Finance/Facilities
Division. The acquisition of the Billy Graham property has been
completed and will make a significant difference in the services
offered by Minneapolis Community and Technical College and Metropolitan
State University. Chair Boss commended the staff for the challenging
transaction.
- Proposed Amendment to Board Policy 6.4, Facilities
Planning (First Reading)
Committee Chair Boss reported that the committee reviewed the
proposal to present college or university strategic profiles to
the Board on a periodic basis which was also discussed at the
Educational Policy Committee meeting. This will be an action item
at the January meeting.
- FY 2004 HEAPR Capital Allocation Plan
Committee Chair Boss reported that the committee heard a presentation
on the FY 2004 HEAPR Capital Allocation Plan. The committee reviewed
and had a discussion on the plan. Chair Boss noted that there
will be further discussion as the budget is brought before the
2004 legislature.
b. Advancement Committee, Cheryl Dickson, Chair
- Advancement Update
Committee Chair Cheryl Dickson reported that the committee heard
an update on government issues from Deputy to the Chancellor John
Ostrem, Vice Chancellor Linda Kohl and President Joe Sertich.
The update included discussions on strategy sessions; business
meetings; publications and advertising. Mr. Lee Hanson, Chair
of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Foundation, reported
on a plan for staffing the new fundraising effort as a result
of the recommendations from a consultant.
- *Proposed Amendment
to Board Policy 8.3, College or University Related Foundations
(Second Reading)
Committee Chair Dickson moved that the Board of Trustees approves
the proposed amendment to Policy 8.3, College and University Related
Foundations. Trustee Mary Choate seconded and the motion carried
unanimously.
- 2004 State Legislative Session
Committee Chair Dickson reported that the committee heard a report
from Deputy to the Chancellor John Ostrem on issues related to
the 2004 State legislative session.
- 2004 Federal Legislative Proposals
Committee Chair Dickson reported that the committee heard a report
from Deputy to the Chancellor John Ostrem and Mary Jacquart, Federal
Government Relations Director, on progress related to improved
Federal relations.
c. Audit Committee, Daniel Coborn, Chair
- *Plan to Contract with
Certified Public Accounting Firms and the Legislative Auditor
for Fiscal Year 2004 Audits
Committee Chair Daniel Coborn moved that the Board of Trustees
authorizes the Executive Director of Internal Auditing and the
Vice Chancellor – Chief Financial Officer to take the following
steps to implement the fiscal year 2004 external audit plan:
Evaluate the strategy objectives, capacity and cost effectiveness
of conducting
additional institutional financial statement audits. Report the
results of this evaluation and recommendations for future institutional
audits to the Audit Committee in December 2004.
Initiate a competitive bidding process to contract with an external
auditor to serve as the principal auditor for fiscal years 2004
to 2006.
Contract with the Legislative Auditor to test internal controls
and finance-related legal compliance at eight two-year colleges,
perform selected information technology audits, and conduct the
assurance work on state systems that is necessary to support the
external auditors responsible for the fiscal year 2004 financial
statement audits.
Trustee Andrew Boss seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
-
System-Level Accountability Framework Update
Chair Coborn reported that committee heard an update on the
System-Level Accountability Framework. Due to time constraints,
it will be presented again at the January meeting.
d. Technology Committee, Lew Moran, Chair
- Information Technology Update
Committee Chair Lew Moran reported that the committee heard an
update from Vice Chancellor Ken Niemi on the current issues related
to Information Technology.
- FY 2004 Information Technology Priorities
Committee Chair Moran reported that the committee heard a brief
update from Vice Chancellor Niemi on the divisional priorities
for the current fiscal year.
- Instructional Management Systems Implementation Plan
Update
Committee Chair Moran reported that the committee heard an update
from Associate Vice Chancellor John O’Brien and System Director
Dick Johnson on the implementation of Desire2Learn, (the instructional
management system product selected in the recent request for proposals
process).
- ISEEK Overview and Update
Committee Chair Moran reported that the committee heard an update
from Associate Vice Chancellor Gary Langer on ISEEK (Internet
System for Education and Employment Knowledge). ISEEK is one of
the Web portals for Minnesota citizens managed by ISEEK Solutions
which is currently used in high schools, colleges, workforce career
centers, and business and industry.
e. Educational Policy Committee, Will Antell, Chair
- Academic and Student Affairs Update
Committee Chair Will Antell reported that the committee heard
an update from Senior Vice Chancellor Baer on the activities of
the Academic and Student Affairs Division. Chair Antell acknowledged
Dr. Gary Langer, Ms. Lynette Olson, Ms. Shelly Heller and the
campus faculty, students and administrators and Office of the
Chancellor staff that have participated in the development of
Minnesota Online. He noted an observation on Minnesota Online
from Senior Vice Chancellor Baer: “There are challenges
ahead, which we will meet with renewed strength and vision, so
that we can continue the strategic direction of access and integration.”
- *Proposed
Amendment to Policy 3.10 Academic Program Improvement; Deletion
of Policy 3.11 Academic Program Accountability; and Deletion of
Community College Policy III.02.06 Academic Standards: Section
Titled Review and Evaluation of Academic Programs (Second Reading)
Committee Chair Antell moved that the Board of Trustees approves
the proposed amendment to Policy 3.10 Academic Program Improvement;
Deletion of Policy 3.11 Academic Program Accountability; and Deletion
of Community College Policy III.02.06 Academic Standards: Section
Titled Review and Evaluation of Academic Programs. Trustee Tyler
Despins seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
- *Proposed Amendment to
Board Policy 2.6, Intercollegiate Athletics (Second Reading)
Committee Chair Antell moved that the Board of Trustees approves
the proposed amendment to Board Policy 2.6, Intercollegiate Athletics.
Trustee Shaun Williams seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
- Alexandria Technical College – Advanced Manufacturing
Prototype
Committee Chair Antell reported that the committee heard a presentation
from Alexandria Technical College on the Advanced Manufacturing
Prototype. The prototype provides a model that is integrated and
responsive to the needs of industries and students competing in
an increasingly competitive global environment.
- Bold Ideas Update
Committee Chair Antell reported that the committee heard an update
from Senior Vice Chancellor Baer on the “Bold Ideas Initiative.”
He added that there are four such ideas to strengthen K-12 education
and prepare the skilled employees necessary to accelerate the
growth of advanced manufacturing, health care, biosciences and
other targeted Minnesota industries. The ideas are: create the
nation’s top public online university by 2006; Operation
JOBZ; create a world-class teacher center; and increase the number
of nurses in the state.
- DARS Progress Report
Committee Chair Antell reported that the committee heard a progress
report on the Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) implementation.
Many campuses have made great progress and more will be implemented
by spring of 2004.
- College/University Strategic Profiles Presentations
to the Board of Trustees
Committee Chair Antell reported that the committee heard an update
on the college/university strategic profiles. The strategic profiles
will replace the presentations of the facilities master plans
and will focus on key directions and plans of the institutions.
The strategic profiles will showcase each institution’s
unique role, as well as its contribution to the system; replace
the facilities master plan presentation with a more comprehensive
view; and provide an opportunity for dialogue with the Trustees.
- *Higher Education Funding
and Financial Aid (Second Reading)
Trustee Tyler Despins moved to amend the recommended motion
that was approved by the committee earlier in the day. Following
line 32, by adding four options:
- The Pell Pass-Through – a student’s state
grant is not reduced by the amount of the Pell Grant.
- Splitting up the state grant program by sector.
- The Tuition Model – maximum state grant is based
on public college tuition; eligibility based solely on family
contribution from need analysis. 4. The Doermann Medium
Cost Plan – maximum grant amount the same for public
and private students; multiplier applied to parent contribution,
student share lowered.
Trustee Shaun Williams seconded.
During discussion, Trustee Despins stated that one criteria
of the mission of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
is access. He added that there is a need to provide access in
times when resources are not available. Trustee Hoffman responded
that he agrees and feels that the resolution as it stands now
addresses the need. He stressed that it is important to allow
flexibility for Chancellor McCormick as he presents to the legislature.
Trustee Despins stated that the options are in addition to the
language of the resolution and gives the Chancellor flexibility
as he advocates for the System. Trustee Cheryl Dickson stated
that she supports the resolution as it stands, adding that she
is concerned about segmenting the state grant program. Trustee
Shaun Williams agreed with Trustee Dickson but added that the
low-income students’ needs should be addressed and believes
it is a battle he feels is being lost. Chair Luoma stated that
he trusts staff to closely monitor the bills being presented
to the legislature and that there are few resolutions that come
before legislature.
Trustee Will Antell called the question. The amendment
failed with four in favor (Trustees Tyler Despins, Vincent Ijioma,
David Paskach and Shaun Williams) and nine opposed (Trustees
Will Antell, Andrew Boss, Mary Choate, Daniel Coborn, Cheryl
Dickson, Ivan Dusek, Clarence Hightower, Robert Hoffman and
Lew Moran).
Trustee Antell moved that the Board of Trustees adopts
the following resolution:
The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities System supports revising the state financial aid
program to provide access to affordable, high quality public
higher education for all Minnesotans and to reduce the financial
burden for lower-income and part-time students. The formula
currently used to calculate state grant eligibility places an
extra burden on independent students and part-time students.
The Board of Trustees believes that state financial aid
grants should be directed to students with least financial means.
The system supports changes to the current Minnesota state grant
program that would provide better targeting of scarce funds
toward the lowest income students.
The Board of Trustees believes that maintaining affordable
tuition is the best approach to improving access to higher education
for low income students.
The Board of Trustees believes the system’s primary
legislative objective is to preserve the base level of legislative
appropriations, to secure additional enhancements based on the
Board-approved budget request, and to promote changes to the
state grant formula to increase access to higher education to
lower income, independent and part time students.
Trustee Andrew Boss seconded. The motion carried with ten
in favor (Trustees Will Antell, Andrew Boss, Mary Choate, Daniel
Coborn, Cheryl Dickson, Ivan Dusek, Clarence Hightower, Robert
Hoffman, Lew Moran and David Paskach) two opposed (Trustees
Tyler Despins and Shaun Williams) and one abstention (Trustee
Vincent Ijioma).
f. Human Resources Policy Committee, Ivan Dusek, Chair
- Human Resources Update
Committee Chair Ivan Dusek reported that the committee heard an
update from Vice Chancellor Bill Tschida on presidential searches;
director of development search; presidents’ contracts; and
a new hire in the Office of General Counsel.
- *Personnel Plan for Minnesota
State Colleges and Universities Administrators
Committee Chair Dusek moved that the Board of Trustees approves
the Personnel Plan for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Administrators for fiscal years 2004-2005, with the exception
of the proposed salary ranges, and authorizes the Chancellor and
his designees to take appropriate measures to secure legislative
approval to implement the plan. Upon approval by the Board chair
and chair of the Human Resources Policy Committee, the salary
range changes presented to the Board may be proposed to the legislature
or one of its committees before or during the 2004 legislative
session. Trustee Vincent Ijioma seconded and the motion carried
unanimously.
- *Proposed Amendment to
Board Policy 4.8, Emeritus Status (First Reading)
Committee Chair Dusek moved that the Board of Trustees approves
the suspension of the rules to consider an item that was not on
the current Board agenda as an action item. Trustee Vincent Ijioma
seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Committee Chair Dusek moved that the Board of Trustees
approves the suspension of the rules to allow adoption of proposed
amendments without a second reading. Trustee Daniel Coborn seconded
and the motion carried unanimously.
Committee Chair Dusek moved that the Board of Trustee approves
the proposed amendments to Policy 4.8, Emeritus Status. Trustee
Vincent Ijioma seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
-
*Chancellor’s Recommendation
for Distinguished Senior Fellow for Academic Affairs
Committee Chair Dusek moved that the Board of Trustees approves
the recommendation for Chancellor McCormick to appoint Dr. Anthony
Kuznik as distinguished senior fellow for academic affairs,
effective January 5, 2004, through February 27, 2004. Trustee
Vincent Ijioma seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
-
*Appointment of Interim
President of Alexandria Technical College
Committee Chair Dusek moved that the Board of Trustees approves
the recommendation of Chancellor McCormick to appoint Janet
Mahoney as interim president of Alexandria Technical College,
effective December 18, 2003, and authorizes the Chancellor to
negotiate an employment contract to that effect, under the terms
and conditions of the Personnel Plan for MnSCU Administrators.
Trustee Vincent Ijioma seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
- Requests by Individuals to Address the Board
There were no requests to address the Board.
- Other Business
There was no other business to come before the Board of Trustees.
- Adjournment
Chair Luoma adjourned the meeting by consensus at 2:46 p.m.
Recorded by Ingeborg K. Chapin
Board Secretary
|
|
