Board of Trustees for Fort Lewis College s2

BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR FORT LEWIS COLLEGE October 1, 2010 Student Life Center, Fort Lewis College

Vol. 10-68

Call to Order

Chair Richard Ballantine convened the meeting of the Board of Trustees for Fort Lewis College at 10:10 a.m.

Trustees Present:

Richard Ballantine, Chair; Heidi Baskfield; Brian Bissell; Peter Decker; Leonel Silva; John Wells; Karen Wilde; Alray Nelson, Student Representative; and Chuck Riggs, Faculty Representative

Staff Present:

Dene Thomas, 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; and Mike Larson, Audio Consultant

RECOGNITION

Dr. Brian Burke, Associate Professor of Psychology, was recognized by the Board as the Featured Scholar for the Academic Year 20010-11. Dr. Burke gave a brief description of his research and how it benefits students. He stated how valuable it is to recognize faculty for their scholarship.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Ron Pease, an artist from Aztec, New Mexico, addressed the Board and expressed thanks to staff for keeping the citizens in the region informed of Board meetings.

Bobby Abshire, ASFLC Senator and chair of the Buffalo Council, provided an update on the work of the Buffalo Council and other student organizations. In addition, Mr. Abshire read a statement regarding issues and concerns related to the Old Fort Lewis campus at Hesperus. ACTION AGENDA -- CONSENT

Peter Decker moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Leonel Silva seconded the motion. Motion carried and the following items were approved.

Approval of Minutes of June 3, 2010 Meeting of the Business Affairs Committee

Approval of Minutes of June 4, 2010 Regular Meeting of the Board Board of Trustees for Fort Lewis College

Approval of Minutes of August 5-6, 2010 Retreat/Meeting of the Board of Trustees for Fort Lewis College

Approval of Minutes of September 15, 2010 Special Teleconference Meeting of the Board of Trustees for Fort Lewis College

CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

 Proposed meeting dates for 2011 were discussed and following is the schedule for 2011:

February 4, 2011 To Be Determined

Friday, April 1, 2011 Durango

Friday, June 3, 2011 Durango

Thurs. & Friday Board Retreat August 4-5, 2011 Location TBD

Friday, September 30, 2011 Durango

Friday, December 2, 2011 Durango

 Board Budget Chair Ballantine stated that he is working with the Deputy Secretary and Budget Director in analyzing the Board’s budget and a report will be made at the December meeting.

 Financial Accountability Plan Decision Steve Schwartz reported that the Financial Accountability Plan was submitted to CCHE today (October 1). He summarized the two strategies for increasing tuition that were included in the FAP, as well as other aspects of the Plan. He stated that this Plan does not bind the Board to any future decisions regarding tutition rates. Committee Reports

Academic & Student Affairs Committee Richard Ballantine, Chair of the Committee, reported that the Committee had met earlier today to hear reports of the 2009-10 program reviews for Teacher Education, Philosophy, Anthropology, Physics/Engineering, and Exercise Science.

Business Affairs Committee Leonel Silva, Chair, reported that this Committee had not met.

Steve Schwartz provided an update on capital construction projects, improvement in signage, and future plans for recreation fields and the library.

Capital Development Committee Chair Brian Bissell stated the committee had not met but reported on the dedication and ribbon cutting event for the new addition to the Student Union, as well as the celebration of LEED Gold Certification for Animas Hall.

Old Fort/Hesperus Sub-Committee Heidi Baskfield indicated that this group had not met, but President Thomas will be reporting later in the meeting on the formation of a new Task Force to work with this Sub-Committee.

Foundation Liaison John Wells referred to the written report in the agenda and asked Jim Foster to elaborate further on activities of the Foundation/Alumni/Development area. Mr. Foster stated that data regarding Alumni donations indicate the number of alumni donating has increased of the last two years. He further stated that his successor as president of the Foundation is Terry Bacon, who has expertise in the area of staffing and will be bringing forth a new staffing plan.

Standing Reports

Faculty Representative Report Chuck Riggs stated that the program prioritization has been taking a large amount of time by the faculty and department chairs. Reports from the departments will be given to the Functional Area Review Groups and a meeting will occur next week to review the information. Dr. Riggs also reported on the Pecos Conference held this summer in Silverton.

Student Representative Report Alray Nelson highlighted several of the activities and projects on campus being undertaken this Fall by the ASFLC and other student organizations. He stated that there is considerable excitement on campus with opening of the addition to the Student Union, and the arrival of a new College President.

Fort Lewis College Foundation/Office of Development Report A report on Foundation/Development activities was given during Committee Reports. PRESIDENT’S REPORT

 Provost Search President Thomas reported that the Faculty Handbook states a process for hiring a provost and chief academic officer, as well as the make-up of the search committee. This process will be followed without the assistance of a search firm. However, if after the first of the year, there fails to be a well-qualified pool of applicants, assistance may be sought from a search firm. Formation of the search committee is underway and the job description is being prepared. Trustee Bissell requested a search timeline, as well as a timeline for interaction with the Board. Ads for the position should go out by early November.

 Update on Old Fort President Thomas reported on the formation of the Old Fort Feasibility Committee and distributed a list of membership, along with the charge to the committee. While the Old Fort Task Force report indicated a vision for the Hesperus campus, this Committee will consider the feasibility of that vision. The change in committee membership from Marcus Smith, student representative, to Christine Myers as student representative was duly noted. The recommendations from this committee will be presented to President Thomas and the Vice Presidents and then to the Board and to the State Land Board. A preliminary report is expected by early March and the final in late April.

A lengthy discussion ensued regarding issues of communication with the State Land Board; the relevance of the report by the Old Fort Task Force which had gone to the SLB without adoption by the Trustees; the access permit currently held by the College and the need for a continuation of the permit beyond December; other leases held by entities other than Fort Lewis and the desire to have input in granting of such leases; and concerns raised by students related to requests to the State Land Board for transparency and fiscal accountability on the Hesperus property.

Fred Kuhlwilm, legal counsel, stated that the Board of Trustees has no responsibility for the action of Colorado State University or the State Land Board prior to establishment of the Board eight years ago. He further indicated that the students who are requesting information can go directly to the State Land Board and request information under the Open Records Act.

 The Administrative Organization Task Force This group of staff and faculty has been asked to explore the administrative organization, i.e. positions, salaries, etc. and to provide two or three recommendations for efficiencies in administration to President Thomas by December.

 Fall Term Enrollment President Thomas happily reported that enrollment for Fall is up 2.1% from the previous year. Headcount for students enrolled on campus is 3,762 and 102 extension students are enrolled in distance learning and off-campus programs – for a total of 3,864. A comprehensive enrollment report was distributed to the Trustees. This report indicates the number of Native Americans is down and Hispanic enrollment has increased. This is due to changes in reporting mandated nation-wide by the U.S. Department of Education.

Julie Love, Director of Student Housing and Conference Services, gave a brief report on student housing occupancy for this Fall. She indicated that Escalante Hall has been redesignated as guest and conference housing and is no long in use for students.

 Academic Program Prioritization Progress Provost Roderick reported on the progress of the program prioritization process currently underway on campus. The process is on target and recommendations are expected to be presented to the Board at their December meeting.

Native American Tuition Waiver Bill President Thomas reported on the trip to Washington, D.C. to meet with legislators in order to gain support for the Native American Tuition bill. The Fort Lewis delegation consisted of President Thomas, Provost Roderick, and Ben and Linda Campbell. The National Congress of American Indians passed a resolution in support of the Bill and it was distributed at every office visited by the Fort Lewis College entourage. Senator Tom Harkin, chair of the Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee, agreed to a hearing on the bill. If this occurs, it will be entered into the Congressional Record.

 Ribbon Cutting for Student Union Addition This event was attended by numerous City, County and Tribal officials. It consisted of day-long events for the students, as well as a faculty/staff reception in the late afternoon. Vice President Sexton stated that the Grand Opening of the entire Student Union will occur at the opening of the Academic Year 2011-12.

President Thomas stated that the College’s Fight Song will be “premiered” at the inauguration ceremony scheduled at 4:00 p.m. this afternoon.

Heidi Baskfield moved to adjourn and Brian Bissell seconded the motion.

Meeting adjourned at 12:35 p.m.