Minutes
UWF Board of Trustees
UWF Conference Center
June 6-7, 2002
Chair Collier Merrill called the meeting of the University of West Florida Board of Trustees to order at 3:54 p.m. Trustees present were:
Pam Bilbrey
Travis Bowden
K.C. Clark
Jason Crawford
Sharon Hess Herrick
Charles Horner
Collier Merrill
JoAnn Morgan
Eddie Phillips
Roy Smith
Chair Merrill read the following resolution honoring former Trustee Angie Bowler for her service as a charter member of the UWF Board of Trustees.
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Resolution 2002 - 5
University of West Florida Board of Trustees
Resolution recognizing Trustee Angela Bowler
WHEREAS, Angela Bowler has provided dedicated service to the University of West Florida as the student member of the Board of Trustees since July 1, 2001, and
WHEREAS, Ms. Bowler has used her position as trustee to encourage discussion and interest in the issues affecting University of West Florida students, and
WHEREAS, Ms. Bowler, as an active member of the Trustee Search Committee, diligently represented students during the search for and appointment of the next president of the University of West Florida, and,
WHEREAS, Ms. Bowler completed her one-year tenure on the Board of Trustees, now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED that the University of West Florida Board of Trustees, meeting in the University Conference Center on this 6th day of June, 2002, does hereby commend Ms. Bowler for her contributions to the University of West Florida, and does wish her well with her career, and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be included in the minutes of this meeting, and a copy be presented to Ms. Bowler as a token of the board's appreciation and thanks.
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J. Collier Merrill
Chair, University of West Florida Board of Trustees
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Trustee Clark moved and Trustee Bowden seconded adoption of the resolution. It passed unanimously.
Chair Merrill introduced Jason Crawford, the newest trustee and president of the Student Government Association, who was attending his first meeting.
The Board then conducted a workshop on the Strategic Plan.
Trustee Morgan said an ad hoc committee of the Board of Trustees worked on the plan since April, and the University Planning Council approved the plan.
She suggested several modifications of the proposed plan, including elimination of "partnership" from the title because two of the goals in the plan represent the partnership role. She also said that other universities have national and international goals while the proposed plan does not specify any particular niche or level the university hopes to attain. She suggested that another imperative be added under the third goal: "To develop carefully targeted areas that address critical national objectives."
A discussion ensued on whether that means the university would abandon its regional emphasis. President Marx said the university cannot serve the region well unless it has national standards. Thus, the university could seek national prominence in those things that serve the region. He cited archaeology as an example. General Horner said that the plan also should emphasis international aspects, especially in the business area. Trustee Morgan said she'd work on the final wording for presentation to the Board on Friday. She also recommended the rest of the plan remains as is, and the new president will provide his input.
Executive Vice President Parks Dimsdale presented a brief overview of how the university addresses the top strategic issues, highlighting development of the nursing program, which is a response to the needs of the region, one that took four years to develop.
Not only is the quality of students rising, but UWF also is attracting from a wide geographic area. Of the nearly 900 freshmen last year, 60 percent came from West Florida, 26 percent form other parts of Florida and 14 percent from outside of Florida. The 40 percent from outside the region come because of distinctive programs, student housing and the athletic and recreational opportunities.
One of the main issues affecting the Strategic Plan is the need for additional resources to meet the goals and objectives, Dr. Dimsdale said. That requires utilizing resources of the community. Trustees can help by identifying those resources, because UWF will need alternate resources. The nursing program, for example, requires laboratory space and nursing faculty. The three regional hospitals have committed money, space and faculty.
Associate Vice President Jerry Norris said the Strategic Plan is the basis for everything the university does, and it is developed from the bottom up. The university soon will have 10 percent of its budget based on accountability measures, and those will be based on the Strategic Plan.
The meeting recessed at 4:45 p.m.
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Chair Merrill reconvened the meeting at 8:42 a.m., Friday, June 7 in the UWF Conference Center.
The chair reported that the Florida Board of Education ratified the selection of Dr. John Cavanaugh on June 3. The new president will visit the campus in late June and officially begin his duties on July 15.
President Morris Marx reported administrative changes to assist the new president, who will need to be available to meet a variety of people at the university and in the region, Tallahassee and Washington. For that reason, he has appointed Dr. Dimsdale as the chief operating officer for as long as the new president wishes. His additional duties include supervising the vice presidents and the director of Information Technology Services. Some advancement functions may move to the Office of the President. The inspector general continues to report to the president. President Marx said his final day as president will be July 14.
"It will conclude what has been a very happy 14-and-one-half years for me," he said.
Approval of Minutes
Trustee Bowden moved and Trustee Horner seconded adoption of the minutes from the May 22 BOT meeting. It passed unanimously.
Trustee Hess Herrick moved and Trustee Bilbrey seconded adoption of the minutes from the May 24 BOT meeting. It passed unanimously.
Action item 1 - UWF Strategic Plan
Trustee Morgan said the plan was changed based on the Thursday conversation. "Partnership" was removed from the title and the following was added under the third goal: "Develop targeted areas in education and research that address critical national and international objectives."
Trustee Morgan moved and Trustee Clark seconded adoption of the Strategic Plan. It passed unanimously.
Action item 2 - 2002-03 budget
President Marx reported that it was impossible at this time to create a final 2002-03 budget, but the Board is being asked to approve a preliminary budget, which will allow the university to operate. A detailed budget will be presented to the Board later after exact revenues are known.
The Legislature provided $6.9 million to complete the fieldhouse complex, which will be used for teaching during the day and recreation at night. The Legislature did not approve $2.3 million for deferred maintenance on the downtown historic properties, however. The university has a plan to get money in the governor's budget next year. That money is sorely needed because for the last 20 years those buildings had to be rented to get enough money to keep them from falling down, President Marx said.
He congratulated the Board for successfully lobbying for full funding of the enrollment, which will help in restoring the earlier budget cuts. The Legislature also budgeted more than $900,000 for local initiatives and more than $900,00 for branch campuses and centers. The university already plans to expand electrical engineering to Fort Walton Beach.
The Legislature also increased tuition by 5 percent for in-state students and 10 percent for out-of-state and graduate students. It also authorized local boards of trustees to increase tuition another 5 percent or 10 percent. For a typical in-state graduate student, the increased cost is $60.21 per semester. It would be $123.48 per semester with an additional 10 percent increase. Typical out-of-state undergraduate students would pay an additional $788 per semester with the increase, President Marx said. While graduate enrollment is the least robust and out-of-state enrollment is growing, it is difficult to determine how much enrollment would be affected by any additional tuition increase. He did not recommend a tuition increase, at this time, adding that more information is necessary to determine the impact on enrollment due to increased tuition.
The Board held a general discussion on whether a tuition increase should be implemented for the spring semester, and Chair Merrill said the Board will re-examine the issue at the September meeting when more information is available.
Trustee Crawford moved approval of the tentative 2002-03 operating budget and authorization for the president to make subsequent changes to the budget, as needed. Trustee Bowden seconded that motion. It passed unanimously.
Action item 3 - President Marx transition package
Trustee Bowden moved and Trustee Bilbrey seconded approval of the transition package for President Marx. It passed unanimously with no discussion.
Chair Merrill read the following resolution:
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Resolution 2002 - 6
University of West Florida Board of Trustees
Resolution recognizing President Morris Marx
WHEREAS, Dr. Morris Marx has served admirably in his role as president of the University of West Florida since his appointment in February, 1988, and
WHEREAS, under the leadership of Dr. Marx, enrollment has increased from 6,781 students in 1988 to 9,136 in the fall of 2001, and
WHEREAS, student diversity also has increased substantially during his tenure as president, rising from 682 minority students in 1989 to 1,537 in 2000, and,
WHEREAS, sponsored research has steadily increased from $12.2 million in 1992 to more than $20 million in 2001, and
WHEREAS, Dr. Marx successfully led the transition of the University of West Florida governance that includes a local Board of Trustees, and
WHEREAS, Dr. Marx will resign his position as president to join the faculty ranks as a Trustee Professor on July 14, 2002, now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED that the University of West Florida Board of Trustees, meeting in the University Conference Center on this 7th day of June 2002, does hereby congratulate and commend Dr. Marx for his many accomplishments and contributions, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the University of West Florida Board of Trustees bestow upon Dr. Marx the title of President Emeritus, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be included in the minutes of this meeting, and a copy be presented to Dr. Marx as a token of the board's appreciation and thanks.
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J. Collier Merrill
Chair, University of West Florida Board of Trustees
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Trustee Clark moved and Trustee Bowden seconded adoption of the resolution. It passed unanimously.
Action item 4 - President Cavanaugh compensation package
Trustee Clark moved and Trustee Bowden seconded adoption of the compensation package for President Cavanaugh.
A discussion centered on the length of the contract and any buy-out provisions included in such a contract. Chair Merrill said that he does not want to commit to a five-year contract now, and Trustee Clark said that the Board could enter into a one-year contract, which allows the Board to do a fair evaluation and then negotiate a multi-year contract. Other suggestions ranged from offering a long-term contract with either party able to exit the contract after the first year with no buy-out provisions to having no fixed term, which allows the president and the institution to be free from any long-term commitments. Chair Merrill recommended a one-year contract. The motion, with that provision, passed unanimously.
Committee reports
Academic and Student Affairs Committee
Committee Chair Smith reported that the committee approved four degree programs for exploration. They are a bachelor's degree in Maritime Studies, a master's degree in Anthropology, a master's degree in Heritage Studies and a bachelor's degree in Hospitality, Recreation and Tourism Studies. Those programs are likely to be brought back to the committee and then the full Board for approval, likely in fall. It is important for the universities product line to meet the demands of the community, he said.
Trustee Smith reported the committee approved the proposed accountability measures, submitted to the Division of Colleges and Universities to develop performance-based funding. Dr. Norris explained that 10 percent of the UWF budget, beginning in 2004-05, will be determined by the accountability measures. The submission of the UWF proposed measures is the first step in negotiating the final measures. Dr. Norris said the proposed measures spread the 10 percent over eight areas. More specific targets will be developed. The university already has 30 accountability measures.
Trustee Phillips moved and Trustee Bowden seconded adoption of the proposed accountability measures. It passed unanimously.
Discussion item 1 - School Code Rewrite
President Marx presented a PowerPoint demonstration on the important changes in the School Code Rewrite, recently signed into law by the governor. It becomes effective Jan. 7, 2003.
Highlights of the presentation:
(a) The State Board of Education has enforcement authority over universities. Other general powers include:
1. To contract with independent institutions
2. To adopt criteria and implementation plans for future growth issues
3. To approve new professional or doctoral level programs
4. To recommend to the Legislature a plan for implementing block tuition programs
5. To adopt rules regarding limited-access status to programs.
6. To review, approve/disapprove, baccalaureate-degree programs exceeding 120 semester hours
7. To establish criteria for establishment of additional centers or campuses
8. To develop and implement a common placement test
9. To provide for the cyclical review of all academic programs at state universities at least every 7 years
(b) University issues
1. Universities become public corporations with sovereign immunity and right to eminent domain
2. Universities can collectively bargain and resolve impasses
3. The 5% cap on university carry forward funds is lifted
4. The Board of Trustees is the contracting agent for the university.
5. Universities will establish their own purchasing and contracting systems
6. Boards of Trustees shall govern admission of students pursuant to rules of the State BOE
7. DSO certification authority goes to the university boards. The chair of the university board may appoint a representative to the DSO board of directors and the DSO executive committee.
(c) Board of Trustees shall
1. Develop a strategic plan specifying institutional goals and objectives
2. Develop an accountability plan pursuant to guidelines established by State BOE
3. Prepare and adopt a campus master plan
4. Submit to the State BOE plans for all new campuses and instructional centers
5. Prepare, adopt, and execute a campus development agreement
The three things sought by universities and not receive were authority to set tuition and fees, bonding authority and a release from the State Administrative Procedures Act.
Discussion item 2 - Capital renewal and deferred maintenance
Dr. Cornelius Wooten, vice president for Administrative Affairs, said that deferred maintenance is a common phenomenon at higher education institutions, but with UWF facilities aging, we must pay attention to them. As the Board of Trustees develops the Master Plan, he wanted to brief the Board on the issue for a balanced approach. The university receives about $3.5 million per year for maintenance, but the need is $8 million to $10 million. There are $89 million in projects requiring attention.
Dr. James Barnett presented a PowerPoint presentation to highlight some of the specific needs for the 104 facilities on the main campus and the 22 structures downtown.
Other business
Trustee Clark requested that trustees be provided with the Board members terms of office. And he notified the Board that the Finance, Administration and Audit Committee will meet before the next meeting.
Trustee Hess Herrick said she will help plan a Board reception for Patrice Cavanaugh
Trustee Morgan said that since the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition reports to the Board, it should provide a report at the meetings.
The meeting adjourned at 11:25 a.m.