Board of Trustees for Fort Lewis College s5

BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR FORT LEWIS COLLEGE February 19, 2010 Vallecito Room, Fort Lewis College

Vol. 10-59

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2010

Call to Order

Chair Richard Ballantine convened the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees for Fort Lewis College at 8:40 a.m.

Trustees Present:

Richard Ballantine, Brian Bissell, Peter Decker, Michelle Kenney, Chuck Riggs, Leonel Silva, Heidi Van Huysen, John Wells, and Karen Wilde

Staff Present:

Brad Bartel, President; Steve Roderick, Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs; Steve Schwartz, Deputy Treasurer & Vice President for Finance and Administration; Glenna Witt Sexton, Vice President for Student Affairs; Fred Kuhlwilm, Legal Counsel; Peggy Sharp, Deputy Secretary & Executive Assistant to the President; Mike Larson, Audio Consultant.

RECOGNITIONS

Members of the 2009 NCAA National Championship men’s soccer team and the head coach, Ogie Kennedy, were recognized by the Board. Zane Wells, the team’s goalie, said a few words about the season and thanked the Board, the College, and community for all the support.

Matt Shriver, head coach of the Fort Lewis College Cycling Team, and members of the team were also recognized for winning the 2009 National Mountain Bike Championship and the 2009 National Cyclocross Championship.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Teahonna James, Julie Bison, Alray Nelson and Robert Abshire, Fort Lewis College students, addressed the Board regarding issues related to the Hesperus/Old Fort Property and their concerns about the master lease, the State Land Board, and the use of funds from the Trust – of which Fort Lewis College is the beneficiary. The Board acknowledged their concerns and are working to obtain the Master Lease and to address other concerns voiced by the students. ACTION AGENDA – CONSENT:

Brian Bissell moved to approve the Consent Agenda, with a second by Leonel Silva. Motion passed and the following Consent Agenda items were approved:

Approval of Minutes of December 3, 2009 Meeting of the Academic & Student Affairs Committee

Approval of Minutes of December 3, 2009 Meeting of the Capital Development Committee

Approval of Minutes of December 4, 2009 Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees for Fort Lewis College

Approval of Minutes of December 19, 2009 Meeting of the President Search Committee

Approval of Minutes of January 31,2010 Meeting of the Presidential Search Committee

Approval of Minutes of February 1, 2010 Meeting of the Presidential Search Committee

Approval of Emeritus/Emerita Rank Designation

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT/ANNOUNCEMENTS

Chairman Ballantine introduced the two newest members of the Board, Ms. Heidi Van Huysen, and Mr. John Wells. He appointed Ms. Van Huysen to the Academic & Student Affairs Committee and Mr. Wells to the Business Affairs Committee. Mr. Wells will also serve as the liaison to the Fort Lewis College Foundation.

In reviewing the Planning Calendar, consensus was reached to hold the April 2 meeting of the Board in Durango rather than Denver.

Faculty representatives, Sara Cady-Roberts, Associate Professor of Philosophy; Deborah Walker, Associate Professor of Economics, Carl Lienert, Associate Professor of Mathematics; and Jim Cross, Associate Professor of Exercise Science, were invited to speak to the Board on issues related to faculty concerns in light of anticipated budget cuts within the next two years. Concerns raised by the speakers were: loss of faculty positions; growth in administration; salary equity for faculty relative to administrative salaries; and consideration of the cost of living in Durango. They asked that administration take into consideration the report from the Task Force Report on Hiring & Retaining Quality Faculty and Professional Staff when making budgetary cuts and to announce plans for any lay-offs a year in advance so people can begin to look for other employment or make other plans. Trustee Bissell and Chair Ballantine thanked the faculty for taking the time to make the Board aware of their concerns. BREAK

Committee Reports:

Academic and Student Affairs Committee

Committee Chair Ballantine reported the committee met on Thursday, February 18 to hear the proposal for two new majors. Dr. Maureen Brandon, Dean, School of Natural & Behavior Sciences, described the proposals for a Bachelor of Sciences in Engineering and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Health. She stated that both majors will provide students with valuable career opportunities and both fit well within the Liberal Arts mission. Chair Ballantine stated the Committee had recommended both of the programs for approval by the Full Board.

Business Affairs Committee

Leonel Silva, Chair, reported that the Committee met on Thursday, February 18, and heard reports on three audits: Insurance, Conference Services and Athletics. In addition, the committee reviewed two of the action items being proposed for approval by the full Board. Steve Schwartz described the Voluntary Separation Incentive proposal and stated this incentive plan was only applicable to tenured faculty and classified staff. Some minor changes in verbiage have been suggested by Fred Kuhlwilm. Discussion followed regarding the proposed application deadline March 19, 2010. The consensus was that it did not allow enough time for individuals to consider taking advantage of this incentive plan. The deadline for application will be changed in the proposal to April 30, 2010. Mr. Schwartz then explained the basis for requesting the amendment to the easement agreement for the Crader Open Space Parcel, which had been approved by the Board at their December, 2009 meeting. Chair Silva stated that both the Amended Easement Agreement and the Voluntary Incentive Plans were recommended for approval by the Full Board.

Capital Development Committee

Although this committee had not met, Steve Schwartz provided a brief report on the capital projects and provided a written summary to the Board.

Foundation Liaison

Peter Decker stated he had not been able to attend the last Foundation meeting and asked that Jim Foster, President of the Foundation, give a brief update. Mr. Foster reported the Foundation is taking a hard look at the progress on restoring funds that were deallocated as a result of the economic downturn. He also reported that the Foundation was very close to completing the $5 million campaign for the Student Union.

Chair Ballantine called for the following motion: Moved that the Board go into executive session pursuant to section 24-6-402(3)(a)(II) and -402(3)(b)(I) of the Colorado Revised Statutes to discuss the employment of a new President of Fort Lewis College—that is, to receive and discuss the report and recommendations of the Presidential Search Committee—and to receive such legal advice as may be needed on specific legal questions related thereto and that the following individuals be invited to join the Board in executive session: Members of the Presidential Search Committee; Peggy Sharp, Deputy Secretary to the Board of Trustees; Dr.Constantine Curris, Search Consultant, Tom Schilling, Communications Consultant; and Fred Kuhlwilm, legal counsel.

Brian Bissell so moved and Heidi Van Huysen seconded. The motion passed and the executive session commenced at 10:50 a.m. Brian Bissell moved to recess the executive session for lunch break, and Heidi Van Huysen seconded the motion. The executive session recessed at 12:15 p.m. and reconvened at 1:05 p.m.

The public session was reconvened by Chair Ballantine at 1:40 p.m.

Chair Ballantine called for the following motion:

Moved that the Board go into executive session, pursuant to section 24-6-402(3)(a)(II) and – 402(3)(b)(I) of the Colorado Revised Statutes, to discuss the employment of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs of Fort Lewis College and of the Deputy Board Secretary and to receive such legal advice as may be needed on specific legal questions related thereto and that the following individuals be invited to join the Board in executive session to participate in the discussion: Steve Roderick, Provost; Peggy Sharp, Deputy Board Secretary; Fred Kuhlwilm, legal counsel.

Leonel Silva so moved, with a second by Brian Bissell. Motion passed, and the Board went into executive session at 1:43 p.m.

Chair Ballantine reconvened public session at 2:10 p.m.

Personnel Action: Approval and execution of proposed Employment Contract with Stephen A. Roderick

Brian Bissell moved that the Board of Trustees for Fort Lewis College approve the employment of Stephen A. Roderick for the period from May 1, 2010, through June 30, 2011, on the terms and conditions set forth in the proposed Employment Contract and that the Chair of the Board be authorized hereby to execute the Employment Contract on behalf of the Board of Trustees. Heidi Van Huysen seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.

Personnel Action: Approval of Finalist for position of President of Fort Lewis College

Peter Decker moved that the Board of Trustees for Fort Lewis College accept the recommendation of its Presidential Search Committee and designated the two candidates from Idaho and the one candidate from Arizona as finalist for the position of President of Fort Lewis College. Heidi Van Huysen seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.

Standing Reports

Student Representative Report

Michelle Kenney reported that a few of the issues being addressed by Student Government are the Old Fort property, sustainability issues, and improving the gymnasium weight room. She also reported on the student efforts to lend support to the Native American tuition waiver concern and on the “Funeral for Higher Education” that had taken place on campus this week.

Faculty Representative Report

Chuck Riggs elaborated further on issues brought up in the discussion earlier in the day with faculty members.

ACTION ITEMS – NON-CONSENT

Approval of New Major: Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Heidi Van Huysen moved that the Board of Trustees approve offering a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Engineering. Peter Decker seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

Approval of a New Major: Bachelor of Arts in Public Health

Karen Wilde moved that the Board of Trustees approve offering a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Public Health. Peter Decker seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

Approve Voluntary Separation Incentives Plans

Heidi Van Huysen moved the Board of Trustees for Fort Lewis College approve the proposed Voluntary Separation Incentive Plans for Faculty and Classified Staff with the amended date of April 30, 2010 as a deadline for application and contingent on approval by the Attorney General, the Governor, and the State Controller. Leonel Silva seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.

Approval of Amended Easement Agreement – to Crader Open Space Parcel

Peter Decker moved that the Board of Trustees for Fort Lewis College approve the Amended Easement Agreement with the City of Durango in the form included with the agenda, providing for an easement through Fort Lewis College’s Horse Gulch property in order to access the Crader property. Leonel Silva seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. PRESIDENT’S REPORT

President Bartel provided some further explanation on the salary issues that are of concern to the faculty. He stated the deans and provost are reviewing the Task Force Report on Hiring and Retaining Quality Faculty and Professional Staff and are providing clarification on some of the areas, such as administrative growth. He further stated that staff are feeling that all the focus appears to be on faculty and attempts are being made to reassure all faculty and staff that the cuts will be based on a balanced perspective.

 Budget Update

Steve Schwartz provided information on the state issues affecting the budget cuts and also reported on the visit he and President Bartel made to various legislative entities in Denver to inform them of the disparity in the cuts being made to Fort Lewis College.

Michele Peterson, Budget Director, gave an update on the work of the Budget Committee and the timeline for making decisions relative to budget cuts. She reported that the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Vice President for Finance & Administration and the President are proposing cuts of 125% to their budgets in order to minimize the impact on Academic Affairs. The proposal for cuts in the College’s budget will be presented to the Board at their April 2, 2010 meeting.

 Capital Construction Update

Steve Schwartz stated this topic had been covered previously during the committee reports.

 Institutional Analysis

Richard Miller, Executive Director, Institutional Research, Planning & Assessment, stated this is fairly positive report. One of the encouraging pieces of information is there appears to be an upward trend in the retention rate.

President Bartel stated that Dean of Enrollment Services, Dr. Carol Smith, has prepared a report on the initiatives being undertake in enrollment management and marketing and will give a report at the April 2, 2010 meeting.

Chair Ballantine called for the following motion:

Moved that the Board go into executive session pursuant to section 24-6-402(3)(a)(II) of the Colorado Revised Statutes, to confer with its attorney and receive legal advice on specific legal questions related to proposed legislation affecting Fort Lewis College and that the following individuals be invited to join the Board in executive session to participate in the discussion: Fred Kuhlwilm, legal counsel; Brad Bartel, President; Steve Roderick, Provost; Steve Schwartz, Vice President for Finance & Administration; and Peggy Sharp, Deputy Secretary to the Board.

Brian Bissell so moved, and Heidi Van Huysen seconded the motion. Executive session commenced at 3:35 p.m.

Chair Ballantine reconvened public session at approximately 3:54 p.m. Leonel Silva moved to adjourn the meeting. Karen Wilde seconded the motion.

MEETING ADJORNED