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Minnesota State Colleges and Universities: Board of Trustees

October 19-20
Board Meeting Summary

St. Cloud State University
St. Cloud, Minnesota

THIS SUMMARY IS NOT THE OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE MEETING
Minnesota State University - Akita Recommendation
The Board of Trustees authorized continued good faith discussions with Yuwa-machi, Japan regarding suspension of the 25-year Agreement effective March 31, 2001. The Board also authorized the Chancellor to take the following actions to prepare for possible suspension of the Agreement:

  • Notices to faculty and staff in accordance with applicable provisions of collective bargaining agreements in anticipation of Board Action to suspend or eliminate funding for all or part of the program at Akita;
  • Temporary cessation of student recruitment activities and acceptance of new American students;
  • Notification to Yuwa-machi of MnSCU's intent to observe its obligation under section 5.4 of the Agreement to fund the Japanese Area Studies program through March 31, 2000.

The 'good faith' discussions which will take place between MnSCU representatives and Yuwa-machi will focus on the possible continued provision of educational opportunities for Japanese students enrolled in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program through March 31, 2001. The Chancellor will report on these discussions at the December, 1999 Board meting. The Board will take Final Action on the recommendation to suspend the 25-year Agreement in December. At that time, the Chancellor will forward an updated recommendation that reflects the outcome of the discussions with Yuwa-machi.

At the November meeting the Board will be provided with an MSU-A suspension work plan. This will be an information item only. The work plan will be prepared in accordance with the North Central Association (NCA)'s recommended guidelines for a campus or program closure.

The Board of Trustees also endorsed ongoing discussions with Akita Prefecture regarding a future educational partnership commencing in academic year 2003. The Chancellor is instructed to have discussions directly with Akita government officials on this topic. These discussions should observe the following principles:

  • MnSCU's presence in Japan will be guided by a new partnership agreement with Akita Prefecture;
  • MnSCU will provide programs and services to Akita Prefecture on a program agreement or a contract for service basis, as opposed to maintaining a MnSCU campus in Japan; and
  • MnSCU's financial support, if any, will be based on a new partnership agreement, not on historical participation and support of MSU-A.

The Chancellor will provide an update on these discussions at the December meeting.

The Board further directs the Chancellor, in collaboration with individual MnSCU institutions, to develop a strategic plan of global education, with the system goal to support the programs already existing in MnSCU institutions and to assist them in enhancing their own efforts at international education.

Approval of Inter Faculty Organization (IFO) Collective Bargaining Agreement
The Board of Trustees approved the Inter Faculty Organization contract.

Moorhead State University Request for Name Change
The Board of Trustees established the name "Minnesota State University Moorhead," as the name to replace Moorhead State University effective July 1, 2000.

North Hennepin Community College - Renovation for New Science Building
The Board of Trustees approved the schematic design for North Hennepin Community College Renovation for New Science Building project as presented.

Normandale Community College Land Exchange
The Board of Trustees approved the transfer of approximately 12 acres of state owned real estate on the Normandale campus that is used for athletic fields to the City of Bloomington in exchange for approximately 12 acres of real estate owned by the City of Bloomington, which is adjacent to the Normandale campus, in accordance with Laws of Minnesota 1997, Chapter 183, Article 3, Section 37, Subd. 3.

FY 2000 Finance/Facilities Policy Committee Work Plan
The Board of Trustees approved the proposed FY 2000 work plan for the Finance/Facilities Policy Committee of the Board of Trustees, as contained in Attachment A (page 21 of the October Board meeting materials).

Appointment of Presidents, Policy 4.2
The Board of Trustees approved amendments to Board Policy 4.2, Appointment of Presidents.

Program Approval: AAS, Residential Property Management, Hennepin Technical College, Eden Prairie
The Board of Trustees approved the request by Hennepin Technical College to offer a new AAS in Residential Property Management at Eden Prairie. Program implementation is January 10, 2000.

Program Approval: Diploma, Residential Property Maintenance Technician, Hennepin Technical College, Eden Prairie
The Board of Trustees approved the request by Hennepin Technical College to offer a new diploma in Residential Property Maintenance Technician at Eden Prairie. Program implementation is January 10, 2000.

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