Official Minutes
Meeting of the Full Board
September 27-28, 2012
Juneau, Alaska
Official Minutes
Board of Regents
Meeting of the Full Board
September 27-28, 2012
Juneau, Alaska
Regents Present:
Patricia Jacobson, Chair
Carl Marrs, Vice Chair
Kirk Wickersham, Secretary
Jyotsna Heckman, Treasurer
Dale Anderson
Timothy Brady
Fuller Cowell
Kenneth Fisher
Mari Freitag
Mary K. Hughes
Michael Powers
Patrick K. Gamble, Chief Executive Officer and President, University of Alaska
Others Present:
Tom Case, Chancellor, University of Alaska Anchorage
Brian Rogers, Chancellor, University of Alaska Fairbanks
John Pugh, Chancellor, University of Alaska Southeast
Michael Hostina, General Counsel
Carla Beam, Vice President for University Relations
Dana Thomas, Vice President for Academic Affairs
Ashok Roy, Vice President for Finance &Administration and Chief Financial Officer
Karl Kowalski, Chief Information Technology Officer
Kit Duke, Associate Vice President, Facilities
Michelle Rizk, Associate Vice President, Budget
Donald Smith, Chief Human Resources Officer
Kate Wattum, Interim Director, Public Affairs
Brandi Berg, Executive Officer, Board of Regents
Julie Benson, Coordinator, Board of Regents
I. Call to Order
Chair Jacobson called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 27, 2012.
II. Adoption of Agenda
Regent Marrs moved, seconded by Regent Anderson and passed with Regents Anderson, Brady, Cowell, Fisher, Freitag, Heckman, Hughes, Marrs, Powers, Wickersham, and Jacobson voting in favor that:
PASSED AS AMENDED (amendment noted by *)
"The Board of Regents adopts the agenda as presented.
I. Call to Order
II. Adoption of Agenda
III. Approval of Minutes
IV. Executive Session
V. Public Testimony
VI. President’s Report
VII. Governance Report
VIII. Presentation from the University of Alaska Southeast
IX. First Review of FY14 Operating Budget Request
X. First Review of FY14 Capital Budget Request and 10-Year Capital Improvement Plan
XI. Approval of Revisions to Board of Regents’ Bylaws
XII. Approval of University of Alaska Fairbanks Research Foundation
XIII. Human Resources Report
XIV. Planning and Development Issues
A. Development Report
B. UA Foundation Report
*XV. Approval of Honorary Degrees and Meritorious Service Awards for Spring 2013 and Beyond (removed from agenda)
XVI. Approval of Tuition Rates for Academic Year 2014
XVII. Approval of Academic Degree Recipients
XVIII. Approval of Board of Directors for Seawolf Holdings, LLC
XIX. Discussion regarding Strategic Direction Initiative
*A. Endorsement and Approval of Strategic Direction Initiative (SDI) (added)
XX. Consent Agenda
A. Academic and Student Affairs Committee
1. Approval of a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies at the University of Alaska Anchorage
2. Approval of a Baccalaureate Degree in Legal Studies at the University of Alaska Anchorage
3. Approval of an Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies at the University of Alaska Anchorage
4. Approval of an Undergraduate Certificate in Legal Nurse Consultant Paralegal at the University of Alaska Anchorage
5. Approval of an Undergraduate Certificate in Retail Management at University of Alaska Anchorage
B. Audit Committee
1. Acceptance of the University of Alaska Foundation FY13 Operating Budget
C. Facilities and Land Management Committee
*1. Approval of the University of Alaska Anchorage Campus Master Plan Amendment for the Engineering Parking Garage (referred to the Facilities and Land Management Committee for reconsideration)
*2. Schematic Design Approval for the University of Alaska Anchorage Engineering and Industry Building (moved to New Business XXI.C.1.)
3. Approval of the University of Alaska Anchorage Matanuska-Susitna College Campus Master Plan Amendment for the Valley Center for Arts and Learning
*4. Approval of Resolution and Schematic Design Approval for the University of Alaska Fairbanks Student Housing and Dining (P3) (approval for student dining)
5. Schematic Design Approval for the University of Alaska Anchorage MAC Housing Renewal Phase 1
6. Schematic Design Approval for the University of Alaska Anchorage Beatrice McDonald Hall Renewal
7. Formal Project Approval for the University of Alaska Anchorage Allied Health Sciences Building Renovation
8. Formal Project Approval for the University of Alaska Fairbanks Toolik Field Station 2012 Capital Improvements
9. Formal Project Approval for the University of Alaska Fairbanks Fine Arts Complex Vapor Barrier Project
10. Schematic Design Approval for the University of Alaska Fairbanks Campuswide Energy Fairbanks Campus
11. Schematic Design Approval for the University of Alaska Southeast Freshman Student Housing (Banfield Hall Addition)
XXI. New Business and Committee Reports
A. Academic and Student Affairs Committee
B. Audit Committee
C. Facilities and Land Management Committee
*1. Schematic Design Approval for the University of Alaska Anchorage Engineering and Industry Building (moved from consent agenda)
2. Formal Project Approval for the University of Alaska Fairbanks Campuswide Infrastructure, Roads and Curbs Project
3. Committee Report
*D. Approval of a Nomination to the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) (added)
*E. Approval of Authorization to Purchase ORCA Facility Located on the Corner of Washington Street and Third Avenue in Seward, Alaska (added)
*XXI.A. Executive Session (added)
XXII. Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education Report
XXIII. UA Athletics Report
XXIV. Future Agenda Items
XXV. Board of Regents' Comments
XXVI. Adjourn
This motion is effective September 27, 2012."
III. Approval of Minutes
Regent Heckman moved, seconded by Regent Powers and passed with Regents Anderson, Brady, Cowell, Fisher, Freitag, Heckman, Hughes, Marrs, Powers, Wickersham, and Jacobson voting in favor that:
PASSED
"The Board of Regents approves the minutes of its regular meeting of June 7-8, 2012 as presented. This motion is effective September 27, 2012."
Regent Cowell moved, seconded by Regent Marrs and passed with Regents Anderson, Brady, Cowell, Fisher, Freitag, Heckman, Hughes, Marrs, Powers, Wickersham, and Jacobson voting in favor that:
PASSED
"The Board of Regents approves the minutes of its special meeting of June 26, 2012 as presented. This motion is effective September 27, 2012."
Regent Marrs moved, seconded by Regent Powers and passed with Regents Anderson, Brady, Cowell, Fisher, Freitag, Heckman, Hughes, Marrs, Powers, Wickersham, and Jacobson voting in favor that:
PASSED
"The Board of Regents approves the minutes of its emergency meeting of July 27, 2012 as presented. This motion is effective September 27, 2012."
Regent Powers moved, seconded by Regent Cowell and passed with Regents Anderson, Brady, Cowell, Fisher, Freitag, Heckman, Hughes, Marrs, Powers, Wickersham, and Jacobson voting in favor that:
PASSED
"The Board of Regents approves the minutes of its regular meeting of August 8, 2012 as presented. This motion is effective September 27, 2012."
IV. Executive Session
Regent Marrs moved, seconded by Regent Fisher and passed with Regents Anderson, Brady, Cowell, Fisher, Freitag, Heckman, Hughes, Marrs, Powers, Wickersham, and Jacobson voting in favor that:
PASSED
"The Board of Regents goes into executive session at 8:10 a.m. Alaska Time in accordance with the provisions of AS 44.62.310 to discuss matters the immediate knowledge of which would have an adverse effect on the finances of the university related to facilities, contracts, compensation, labor and matters the immediate knowledge of which would prejudice the reputation and character of a person or persons related to honorary degrees and meritorious service awards, Seawolf Holdings, LLC, personnel and compliance. The session will include members of the Board of Regents, President Gamble, General Counsel Hostina and such other university staff members as the president may designate and will last approximately 2 hours. This motion is effective September 27, 2012.”
The Board of Regents recessed its executive session at 10:00 a.m.; reconvened executive session at 10:40 a.m. and recessed executive session at 11:40 a.m. on Thursday, September 27, 2012.
The Board of Regents reconvened its executive session at 8:45 a.m. on Friday, September 28, 2012
The Board of Regents concluded an executive session at 9:35 a.m. Alaska Time on September 28, 2012 in accordance with AS 44.62.310 discussing matters the immediate knowledge of which would have an adverse effect on the finances of the university related to facilities, contracts, compensation, labor and matters the immediate knowledge of which would prejudice the reputation and character of a person or persons related to honorary degrees and meritorious service awards, Seawolf Holdings, LLC, personnel and compliance. The session included members of the Board of Regents, President Gamble, General Counsel Hostina and other university staff members designated by the president and lasted approximately 4 hours.
V. Public Testimony
Keri Rochon, Carrs/Safeway employee, spoke in support of the retail management certificate program and the value of online education classes offered at the university.
Sarah Ray, UAS assistant professor of English, spoke in support of the One Campus, One Book program, which emerged from the international common reading program; stated UAS has participated in this program for the past two years and this year has 11 faculty members using Being Caribou by Karsten Heuer in different curriculum across campus.
Kevin Maier, UAS assistant professor of English, welcomed the board to Juneau and thanked the board for ongoing support of programs at UAS; spoke about the success of hosting an international conference on campus during spring 2012 for the Association for the Study of Literature and Environment and how undergraduate students were able to participate in organizing and attending the event.
Robin Walz, UAS history department representative, spoke about the Evening at Egan lecture series and the participation of UAS faculty and Juneau community members in the program; thanked the board for ongoing support of the UAS master plan; and specified the need for a cultural arts center at UAS.
Abel Bult-Ito, president of United Academics, expressed concerns about the increase in tuition and the cost of living in Alaska; mentioned the corresponding consumer price index rates and the relationship to tuition costs at the university; and stated opposition to the 2% tuition increase.
Sol Neely, UAS assistant professor of English and coordinator of the honors program, expressed gratitude for the support the honors program has received; stated the newly formed program is enhancing student learning and success and is attracting a diverse group of students from various disciplines.
Andrew McConnell, USUAA vice president, stated UAA students are split on opinions regarding the tuition increase but the majority are appreciative of the 2% increase; noted the increase is the lowest in the last decade; and highlighted projects USUAA is focusing on this academic year, which include the green bike share program, a student discount program with local businesses, expanded meal options on campus and sustainability projects that could produce revenue for UA.
Jarmyn Kramlich, USUAS president, mentioned the student sponsored events on campus and the 16 active UAS clubs; stated students are involved in the UAS master plan amendment process; expressed his excitement regarding the addition
of Banfield Hall and the location selected for the new building; thanked the board and President Gamble for working hard to keep tuition low; and stated support for the 2% tuition increase.
Angelo Katasse, USUAS vice president, thanked the board for meeting in Juneau; spoke in support of the 2% tuition increase; and stated the priority of student government leaders this year is to promote student success by providing opportunities for traditional and non-traditional students to take part in a variety of campus activities hosted by USUAS.
Frankie Pillifant, Juneau resident, Teck Alaska, Inc. employee and a UAA geology advisory board member, spoke about her background in mining, the significance of training geologists within the state of Alaska; and in support of the university budget for additional faculty positions within the UAA geology department.
VI. President’s Report
No report was provided.
VII. Governance Report
Juella Sparks, Staff Alliance Chair, thanked Provost Caulfield for his positive support and recognition of staff and thanked the board for allowing the governance groups an opportunity to report to the board; highlighted the role of staff in advancing the mission of the university; spoke in support of a 3.5% staff compensation increase; stated concern regarding communication issues between administration and staff; and noted as a leader in staff governance her intent is to first work to improve and protect the university and second to advocate for staff.
Cathy Cahill, Faculty Alliance Chair, thanked President Gamble for listening to faculty concerns regarding Complete College America and his support of faculty recommendations to Governor Parnell about the program; stated faculty is embracing SDI and is looking forward to contributing to the process; and is working to improve the relationship between MAUs to improve education quality, credit transferability and student success.
Shauna Thornton, Coalition of Student Leaders Speaker, stated she is honored to represent students as the newly elected Coalition of Student Leaders Speaker; spoke about the importance of student involvement in SDI and how student leaders will engage students to participate in the process; and noted the importance of being a mentor to fellow students.
VIII. Presentation from the University of Alaska Southeast
The University of Alaska Southeast highlighted student success in elementary teacher education, Alaska Native languages of Southeast Alaska, and undergraduate research opportunities.
IX. First Review of FY14 Operating Budget Request Reference 1
POLICY CITATION
Regents' Policy 05.01.01.A. – Budget Policy, states, "The budget of the university represents an annual operating plan stated in fiscal terms. All budgetary requests shall be adopted by the board prior to submittal to the Office of the Governor or the legislature."
RATIONALE/RECOMMENDATION
President Gamble and Associate Vice President Rizk led a discussion on UA’s Proposed FY14 Operating Budget.
The operating budget discussion provided regents with an understanding of UA’s current operating budget, UA’s proposed FY14 operating budget priorities, the assumptions underlying the FY14 request, and the impact of the requested high demand program request on student outcomes and measures. Administration sought Board of Regents’ feedback on key priorities and answered questions in areas requiring further clarification. There was a discussion regarding the “Heads Up” meeting with the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which occurred on September 26, 2012.
The proposed FY14 Operating Budget includes the necessary resources to cover adjusted base increases (i.e., contractual and fixed cost increases) plus high demand program requests that align with the themes coming out of the Strategic Direction Initiative (SDI). These requests also support the MAU-specific accreditation needs and requirements.