BOR Minutes: July 8-9, 1999

Academic/Student Affairs Committee

Administrative/Budget Committee

THURSDAY, July 8, 1999

REGENTS PRESENT: Pat Davison (Chair), Ed Jasmin (Vice-Chairman), Jeremy Fritz, Lynn Morrison-Hamilton, Margie Thompson, Deborah Wetsit, and Richard Roehm; Commissioner of Higher Education, Richard A. Crofts

REGENTS ABSENT: None QUORUM PRESENT

The Board of Regents convened for an Executive Session at 7:30 a.m. and recessed at 10:20 a.m.

The Board of Regents convened for a work session at 10:25 a.m. in the Conference Room . All Regents were present. The following items were discussed:

Legislativetrategies for 2001: Cathy Conover and Bob Frazier gave reports on research into what has worked in the past to educate the legislative body on what the Montana University System does in Montana. They will continue to work out plans for the upcoming session and election years.

The Work Session was recessed at 11:20 to permit the committees ample time to cover their agendas. Resumed Work Session Items on Friday at 11:00 a.m. In the absence of Chair Davison, Regent Jasmin was acting Chair.

Restructuring Documents: Discussion ensued on usefulness of Mission Statements as compared to Role and Scope Documents. Mission Statements are minimal by nature, whereas Role and Scope Documents provide far more detail. President Malone will contact Dr. Sandra Elman, CEO of Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges to give a training session at the next Board of Regents' Work Shop to clarify the issues. The Legislature indicated the campuses should move from 11% to 13% for operations and maintenance of facilities, however no additional funding was provided. The Tobacco Tax provides money every two years in the cash portion of the Long Range Building Program. Deferred maintenance statewide is a tremendous problem.

Rising Costs for Students: The Board revisited the issue of students taking on debt without a full understanding of the implications. Regent Roehm indicated a computer program is available to students to figure debt versus income from various careers. Deputy Commissioner Scott indicated that fewer and fewer students from low income families have access to higher education due to rising costs.

Issue Papers: Commissioner Crofts will send out a list of the various issues requesting the Regents to prioritize them. The list will reflect which Regents will be working on the various committees.

RFP to Reorganize System: It was agreed that doing a study of the issue would be too expensive, especially in light of the cost of the DataWarehousing Project. It will cost up to $2,000,000 in the next two years to create the DataWarehouse.

Academic Master Plan: Regent Roehm recommended identifying all assets such as faculty, classrooms, space, labs, libraries, etc. in order to make rational decisions on what programs the University System can offer. A current comprehensive inventory of degrees is being prepared. A restructuring of the proposal procedure is under consideration to keep the Regents and Deputy Commissioner fully informed.

Allocation Model: Regent Jasmin discussed the various methods used by other states for funding. Some use bonuses or debits based on various criteria. Regent Roehm recommended visits to MUS campuses this fall with the Allocation Model presentation developed by the Commissioner's Office, to explain the funding methods to a broad audience.

Combined Board Meetings: Regents discussed the proposal by the Board of Public Education to meet with the Board of Regents to work on common matters. It was agreed such meetings should be limited in number and time, with a predetermined agenda.

With no further work to come before the Regents, the Board adjourned at 12:30 p.m. Friday, July 9, 1999

THURSDAY, July 8, 1999

The Committees Convened at 11:30 a.m. for separate meetings and recessed at 12:40 for lunch.

a. ITEM 104-103-R0799-Staff; Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education

c. ITEM 104-1001-R0799-Resolution Concerning the Retirement of Robert L. Deaton, Professor of Social Work, College of Arts and Sciences; The University of Montana-Missoula

d. ITEM 104-1500-R0799-Staff; Montana Tech of The University of Montana

e. ITEM 104-1501-R0799-Professor Emeritus Status for Jean Bishop; Montana Tech of The University of Montana

f. ITEM 104-1502-R0799-Professor Emeritus Status for Professor Vernon Griffiths; Montana Tech of The University of Montana

g. ITEM 104-1600-R0799-Staff; Western Montana College of The University of Montana

h. ITEM 104-1900-R0799-Staff; Helena College of Technology of The University of Montana

i. ITEM 104-2000-R0799-Staff; Montana State University-Bozeman

j.ITEM 104-2001-R0799-Retirement of Stuart Knapp, Department of Veterinary Molecular Biology; Montana State University-Bozeman

k. ITEM 104-2002-R0799-Retirement of Daniel N. March, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering; Montana State University-Bozeman

l. ITEM 104-2700-R0799-Staff; Montana State University-Billings

m ITEM 104-2701-R0799-Post-Retirement Contract for Dr. Edward Arnold, Professor, Department of Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences; Montana State University-Billings

n. ITEM 104-2702-R0799-Recommendation to Confer (Posthumously) the Title of Assistant Professor of Health and Physical Education Emeritus upon Mr. Robert E. Lee; Montana State University-Billings

o. ITEM 104-2800-R0799-Staff; Montana State University-Northern

p. ITEM 104-2850-R0799-Staff; Montana State University College of Technology-Great Falls

q.ITEM 104-2851-R0799-Retirement of Dr. Patricia J. Kercher, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Student Services, Montana State University College of Technology-Great Falls

OTHER ITEMS:

STUDENT REPORTS

Jessica Kobos, MAS president, and President of ASUM Missoula reported that MAS met and agreed on two formal actions.

a. MAS opposes the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education taking any part of student computer fees.

b. MAS Presidents are to investigate course fee increases over the last decade and submit a report at the September MAS meeting.

MAS will get the community colleges involved in MAS by offering transportation and lodging assistance.

MAS supports the increase in health insurance fees.

Agreement has been reached between students at UM-Missoula and the Administration on the Technology fee.

Jared Harris, MSU-Bozeman reported they are attempting to create peer advising with the assistance of Administration.

Shad Huston - MSU-Billings reported they are trying to balance the student government budget, and restructure student government groups. Campus construction is moving on schedule.

Nels Tooker - Western Montana College reported nothing is going on at this time.

Brian Kelley - MSU-Northern reported the summer is quiet, but they are working with the Banner System now. They also are working on their communication lines and skills with faculty and students.

d. Regents' Information Technology Committee: Preliminary authorization to negotiate an addendum to the current SCT contract.

Regent Jasmin cautioned that although money is short, MUS should not buy less than needed and regret it later.

   Regent Jasmin MOVED to APPROVE Item d. of Old Business.