BOR Minutes: May 22-23, 1997
Montana Board of Regents of Higher Education
MINUTES
May 22-23, 1997
Heritage Hall, MSU College of Technology--Great Falls
2100 16th Avenue South
Great Falls, Montana
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Approved unanimously at the July 10-11, 1997 meeting. |
REGENTS PRESENT: Jim Kaze (Chairman), Pat Davison, Paul Boylan, Mike Green, Ed Jasmin, and Margie Thompson; Commissioner of Higher Education Richard Crofts
REGENTS ABSENT: Colleen Conroy (Excused)
ADMINISTRATIVE/BUDGET COMMITTEE
ACADEMIC/STUDENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
THURSDAY, MAY 22, 1997
Chairman Jim Kaze called the regular meeting of the Board of Regents to order at 11:15 a.m. Roll call showed a quorum was present. Chairman Kaze said approval of the minutes from the February 18, 1997 conference call meeting and the March 27-28, 1997 regular meeting would be deferred to the July 10-11, 1997 meeting in Helena. The minutes from those two meetings were not completed in time for approval at the May meeting.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
Staff Items
a. ITEM 95-100-R0597—Staff; Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education
b. ITEM 95-1000-R0597—Staff; The University of Montana—Missoula
c. ITEM 95-1005-R0597—Resolution Concerning the Retirement of Darshan S. Kang, Professor of Geography, College of Arts and Sciences; The University of Montana—Missoula
d. ITEM 95-1006-R0597—Resolution Concerning the Retirement of William A. Kittredge, Regents’ Professor of English, College of Arts and Sciences; The University of Montana—Missoula
e. ITEM 95-1007-R0597—Resolution Concerning the Retirement of Ronald F. Perrin, Professor of Political Theory and Philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences; The University of Montana—Missoula
f. ITEM 95-1008-R0597—Resolution Concerning the Retirement of James H. Polsin, Associate Professor of Communication Studies, College of Arts and Sciences; The University of Montana—Missoula
g. ITEM 95-1009-R0597—Resolution Concerning the Retirement of Herman A. Walters, Professor of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences; The University of Montana-Missoula
h. ITEM 95-1010-R0597—Resolution Concerning the Retirement of Raymond L. Corro, Professor of Spanish, College of Arts and Sciences; The University of Montana—Missoula
i. ITEM 95-1011-R0597—Resolution Concerning the Retirement of John G. Hay, Professor of Classics, College of Arts and Sciences; The University of Montana—Missoula
j. ITEM 95-1012-R0597—Resolution Concerning the Retirement of J. Ray Lanfear, Professor of Philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences; The University of Montana—Missoula
k. ITEM 95-1600-R0597—Staff; Western Montana College of The University of Montana
l. ITEM 95-2000-R0597—Staff; Montana State University—Bozeman
m. ITEM 95-2300-R0597—Staff; Agricultural Experiment Station
n. ITEM 95-2301-R0597—Retirement of Rosemary K. Newman, Plant, Soil and Environmental Sciences Department, Agricultural Experiment Station; Montana State University—Bozeman
o. ITEM 95-2400-R0597—Staff; Extension Service
p. ITEM 95-2700-R0597—Staff; Montana State University—Billings
q ITEM 95-2800-R0597—Staff; Montana State University—Northern
r. ITEM 95-2801-R0597—Retirement of Michael J. Wojtowick, Department of Agricultural and Mechanical Technology; Montana State University—Northern
Capital Construction Items
a. ITEM 95-1004-R0597—Construct Playground for University Villages; The University of Montana—Missoula
Other Items
a. ITEM 95-002-R0597 (REVISED)—Approval of Executive Board Appointments: Barbara Holt Harrington (WMC-UM); Carol Vega (Montana Tech-UM); Sue Leigland (MSU-Bozeman); Carolyn Ennis (MSU-Billings); Judy Greenwood (MSU-Northern); and Leonard Landa (The UM-Missoula); Montana University System
b. ITEM 95-004-R0597—Approval of Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Montana University System Maintenance Painters Union; Montana University System
c. ITEM 95-101-R0597—Rural Physician Incentive Program; Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education
Commissioner of Higher Education Richard Crofts distributed a revised version of ITEM 95-002-R0597. He said two changes had been made to the item that was sent to the Regents: (1) The appointment of Judy Greenwood (MSU—Northern) had been excluded from Governor Marc Racicot’s April 24, 1997 letter to the Regents; and (2) that same letter included incorrect ending dates for the terms of appointments. Instead of 1999, the terms will end in 2000. Commissioner Crofts noted all changes had been made in the revised version of ITEM 95-002-R0597. He said the statute called for the Governor to make these appointments and the Regents to confirm them.
Commissioner Crofts said ITEM 95-100-R0597 was an addition to the agenda. He was recommending two personnel changes in the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education and asked the Board to approve the appointments of (1) Dr. Stuart Knapp as Deputy Commissioner for Academic Affairs (removal of interim status) through June 30, 1998; and (2) Arlene Hannawalt as Director of the Montana Guaranteed Student Loan Program (removal of interim status) through June 30, 1998, at an annual salary of $58,000. Commissioner Crofts noted that a search had been conducted to fill the MGSLP Director position.
Regent Jasmin moved that the Board approve all items on the Consent Agenda (Staff, Capital Construction, and Other), including the revised version of ITEM 95-002-R0597 and the addition of ITEM 95-100-R0597. The motion passed by a 5-to-1 vote; Regent Boylan voted against the motion.
STUDENT REPORTS
The Board heard reports from Jim McCray (MAS and ASMSU), who said the students wanted to commend Mike Green for his service as student regent for the past two years.
Jason Thielman (ASUM) introduced Jennifer Gardiner as the new vice-president of ASUM.
Kim Cunningham (ASMSU-Billings) distributed a booklet titled "New Student Guide" (on file), which was designed to help students in the area of advising as they planned their academic careers. Ms. Cunningham said the guide was mailed to all transfer and new students accepted at MSU—Billings.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
ADMINISTRATIVE/BUDGET COMMITTEE
The Administrative/Budget Committee met at 9:00 a.m. in Rooms 209-210 of the MSU College of Technology—Great Falls. Chairman Kaze asked Regent Jasmin (acting chair) to present the committee's report to the full Board.
SUBMISSION AGENDA
a. ITEM 71-901-R0691—Rural Physician Incentive Program; Office of Commissioner of Higher Education (940.25 REVISED)
Commissioner Crofts said part of their legislative agenda was to make a minor change in the Rural Physician Incentive Program. With the change, Section 3.iv. would read: "The maximum amount of educational debt payment that a rural physician may receive is $45,000 over a 5-year period or a proportionally reduced amount for a shorter period." The previous figures were $30,000 over a 4-year period. The revised policy reflected statutory changes to Section 20-26-1503, MCA, which was amended by the 1997 Legislature in Senate Bill 126.
Following brief discussion, the Board concurred with the committee’s recommendation to move ITEM 71-901-R0691 to the action agenda at the July 10-11, 1997 meeting in Helena.
CONSENT AGENDA—ACTION
a. ITEM 95-003-R0597—Authorization to Expend Reverted Appropriations; Montana State University—Billings
b. ITEM 95-1001-R0597—Student Computer Fee Allocation; The University of Montana—Missoula
c. ITEM 95-2701-R0597 (REVISED)—Authorization to Expend Student Equipment Fee Allocations; Montana State University—Billings
MSU—Billings Chancellor Ron Sexton distributed a revised version of ITEM 95-2701-R0597, which included some changes to the second paragraph noting the expenditures had been recommended for approval by a committee that included the Provost and Academic Vice Chancellor, the Administrative Vice Chancellor, and MSU—Billings students.
Chancellor Sexton also distributed two handouts: (1) a copy of a memo (on file) from Robert Carr, Dean of the Billings College of Technology, in regard to a student vote on mandatory fees; and (2) some information (on file) on proposed mandatory fee and tuition increases at the Billings College of Technology. Chancellor Sexton said these handouts related to the upcoming item on the inventory and validation of fees.
Regent Jasmin moved that the Board concur with the committee’s recommendation to approve ITEMS 95-003-R0597, 95-1001-R0597, and the revised version of 95-2701-R0597. The motion passed unanimously.
ACTION AGENDA
a. ITEM 95-001-R0597—Inventory and Validation of Fees; Montana University System
Commissioner Crofts said the tuition and fee increases were consistent with those presented at the January 1997 meeting. The University of Montana—Missoula was requesting tuition increases for its colleges of technology of 6.5% for each of the next two years. In January, they discussed the possibility of providing incentives for students to attend those institutions by holding tuition increases down. However, given the current fiscal analysis, The UM—Missoula felt those needed to be increased consistent with the average of 6.5% throughout the rest of The University of Montana campuses.
Commissioner Crofts said ITEM 95-1013-R0597—Mandatory Recycling Fee; The University of Montana—Missoula was an addition to the inventory book. He said this was a fee initiated and agreed upon by the students, who wanted to add it to the fee schedule.
Laurie Neils, Director of Accounting & Budget in the Commissioner’s Office, said two items were missing from the book: (1) a schedule of room and board rates submitted by MSU—Bozeman; and (2) a graduate fee schedule for MSU—Billings. She said she would make sure the Regents received copies of those.
Kris Johnson, President of ASWMC, said the students at Western Montana College of The UM wanted to raise the computer fee an additional $10.00 a semester.
Chairman Kaze clarified that the students were recommending the computer fee be increased by $9.00 in the first year of the biennium and $10.00 in the second year from the fee in the inventory book that was recommended by the administration.
Mr. Johnson said that was correct. The students believed this increase would benefit them more directly than an increase in the equipment fee. The equipment fee in the book was correct.
Chairman Kaze said the Board would recess at 12:00 noon for its luncheon/meeting with students representatives.
The Board reconvened at 1:40 p.m.
Chairman Kaze said they would continue with the discussion of ITEM 95-001-R0597, which included tuition and mandatory fees.
Regent Jasmin moved that the Board concur with the committee’s recommendation to approve ITEM 95-1013-R0597—Mandatory Recycling Fee; The University of Montana—Missoula as an amendment to the inventory and validation of fees. The motion passed unanimously.
Regent Jasmin moved that the Board concur with the committee’s request to approve the Western Montana College students’ requested increase in the computer fee by $9.00 the first year of the biennium and $10.00 the second year as an amendment to the inventory and validation of fees. The motion passed by a 4-to-2 vote; Regents Boylan and Davison voted against the motion.
Regent Jasmin moved that the Board concur with the committee’s request to approve a 6.5% increase in tuition at The University of Montana’s colleges or technology as an amendment to the inventory and validation of fees.
Chairman Kaze clarified those increases were zero at the January 1997 meeting, which was predicated on the hope the university would be able to convince the Board they would reduce tuition at the colleges of technology through a mechanism described at that time. The Board did not approve that, and now UM was saying the 6.5% increase was needed at the colleges of technology.
President Dennison said the proposed reduction or no increase in tuition at the colleges of technology was predicated on having a sufficient amount of general fund to maintain the programs. As they examined the budgets and in view of what had happened in the legislature, it was important to continue to stress quality in those programs as well.
Jason Thielman suggested the discussion on this issue be postponed until after the discussion on differentiated tuition.
Following lengthy discussion, Chairman Kaze restated Regent Jasmin’s motion to concur with the committee’s recommendation to approve a 6.5% tuition increase at The University of Montana’s colleges of technology as an amendment to the inventory and validation of fees. The motion passed unanimously.
Regent Jasmin moved that the Board concur with the committee’s recommendation to approve ITEM 95-001-R0597—Inventory and Validation of Fees; Montana University System as amended.
Chairman Kaze clarified they would be adopting the tuition and fees as amended. He said the tuition levels were those the Regents tentatively agreed to at the January 1997 meeting. There were no increases over what was agreed to in January, with the exception of those approved in the three amendments.
Jason Thielman distributed a handout (on file) to the Regents that outlined some student concerns. The primary concern was the model of differentiated tuition proposed by The University of Montana campuses, which involved two sub-discussions: philosophical and financial. The second issue was a 6.5% tuition increase rather than the 6% proposed by the students at The UM—Missoula, Western Montana College of The UM, and Montana Tech of The UM. Mr. Thielman noted the student leadership at those three campuses opposed differentiated tuition.
Jennifer Gardiner, ASUM Vice-President, said the primary objective of differentiated tuition was to encourage students to take 100- and 200-level classes as freshmen and sophomores. She said that objective was far from being achieved, and the basic assumption was incorrect. Upperclassmen were required to take classes they could not get into as freshmen and sophomores. Because students did not have satisfactory access to classes and were forced to take lower-division credits when they were upperclassmen, and also because they were unaware of the financial incentive, differentiated tuition was not achieving its objective and was unnecessary.
Kris Johnson, ASWMC President, said the student senate had met to discuss tuition and when they looked at the numbers realized upper-division tuition was going up 10.2%. He said the 6.5% increase was misleading and not being labeled properly. If the tuition increase for upper-division courses was 10.2%, it needed to be advertised at that level. If lower-division tuition was being increased by 2.9%, it needed to be advertised at that level. Mr. Johnson said the 6.5% increase did not apply to everyone.
Jason Thielman reviewed the handout to the Board, noting the spreadsheet on page 1 was based on the assumptions that developed the budget for The University of Montana—Missoula. The spreadsheet on page 2 was based on the model ASUM was promoting. Page 3 indicated the actual projected increase in the cost of education at The University of Montana—Missoula. Pages 4 and 5 listed closed courses on the Missoula campus. Mr. Thielman asked that at the very least the Board consider freezing differentiated tuition. He said the students’ preferred model would repeal it entirely.
Mr. Thielman said an additional concern created by differentiated tuition was an incorrect comparison of costs between The University of Montana—Missoula and Montana State University—Bozeman. Tuition for freshmen was 10% less at The UM—Missoula than MSU—Bozeman. This would lead to a faulty conclusion if a student decided to attend UM rather than MSU.
Chairman Kaze said he was concerned about the truth-in-advertising comments, noting they had an obligation to be truthful in the way they advertised. He said no student should believe they were getting a 10% break by going to The University of Montana—Missoula, which would not hold true over a four-year period. They needed to make it abundantly clear what differential tuition was. If it was a 10% increase at the upper level, they had the obligation to make that clear to upper-division people.
Lengthy discussion followed on the rationale behind differentiated tuition, the cost factors that went into arriving at the cost of education, measures that had been taken to ensure students have access to the courses they need in order to graduate in four years, and increased carrying loads.
Regent Davison said when they adopted differentiated tuition, they recognized there would be a learning curve. He said it needed to be tested for more than one biennium and was willing to stick with it, continue to evaluate it, and see what happened.
Jason Thielman clarified they were talking about eliminating differential tuition for undergraduate students only. He also suggested perhaps they should stay with the current levels and give it another biennium to see what happened.
Regent Green moved that the Board amend the inventory and validation of fees further to include a freeze on undergraduate differentiated tuition at current biennial levels. The motion failed by a 5-to-1 vote; Regents Boylan, Davison, Jasmin, Kaze, and Thompson voted against the motion; Regent Green voted for the motion.
Jason Thielman referred to a February 27, 1997 letter (on file) from Governor Racicot stating that he "would like to point out that the increase in tuition instituted by the University of Montana for FY 1998 was above and beyond what was needed to make up for the general fund shortfall. State support declined by $1.8 million from 1995 to 1996. During that same period, tuition revenues increased by $5.0 million."
Mr. Thielman said Governor Racicot also stated that "[G]iven the level of tuition increases proposed by the University of Montana, our budget projections would increase. Increases beyond our recommended budget levels would be difficult for us to support."
Mr. Thielman said the average annual tuition increase as anticipated in the plan was closer to 8% than 6.5%. He referred to the Statement of Intent between the UTU and the Board of Regents that said if they had problems in the last two years of the biennium meeting certain areas, tuition was not supposed to make up the difference. He said the students were concerned with the 6.5% level and would encourage 6% instead.
In reference to Governor Racicot’s letter, President Dennison said he believed the $1.8 million referred to residents, and the $5 million referred to all tuition.
Commissioner Crofts said they talked consistently about state support for tuition rates for resident students. Nonresidents were outside the equation because they paid at or above the full cost of education. He thought the Governor was looking at total revenue generated through all tuition sources, including nonresidents. He said he would follow up with the Governor to make sure they were both clear on the points in the letter.
President Dennison said the tuition increases for 1995 and 1996 were presented to the legislature. They presumed the Governor’s budget and did not vary from that.
Rod Sundsted noted that tuition and fee schedules for the community colleges were included in the inventory book for the first time and wanted to acknowledge their work in preparing the schedules. He said their inclusion made the document more useful.
Following further discussion, Chairman Kaze called for a vote on Regent Jasmin’s motion.
Regent Jasmin’s motion to approve ITEM 95-001-R0597 with the three amendments previously approved (recycling fee at The UM—Missoula, computer fee at Western, and 6.5% tuition increase at The UM colleges of technology) passed unanimously.
b. ITEM 39-001-R0683—Computer Fee; Montana University System (940.23 REVISED)
Regent Jasmin said ITEM 39-001-R0683 was on submission at the March 1997 meeting. This revision to Board Policy 940.23 would increase student membership on the computer fee advisory committees from 25 to 50 percent.
Regent Jasmin moved that the Board concur with the committee’s recommendation to approve ITEM 39-001-R0683. The motion passed unanimously.
c. ITEM 95-1002-R0597—Agreement to Form Montana Public Television Affiliation between KUFM-TV at The University of Montana—Missoula and KUSM at Montana State University—Bozeman; The University of Montana—Missoula
Following brief discussion, Regent Jasmin moved that the Board concur with the committee’s recommendation to approve ITEM 95-1002-R0597. The motion passed unanimously.
d. ITEM 95-1003-R0597—Planning for Construction of Alumni Center/Foundation/Art Gallery Building; The University of Montana—Missoula
Regent Jasmin said ITEM 95-1003-R0597 authorized The University of Montana—Missoula to implement steps necessary to retain a consultant to plan this building. The schematic planning for the facility would not exceed $75,000, and a loan from interest earnings from the Series D Revenue Bonds would fund the project.
Commissioner Crofts said that legislators did not approve the system’s request for their authorization for building projects at Missoula and Bozeman. The legislators said they did not need to be included. Commissioner Crofts said the system included them to be forthcoming about their plans. That bonding authority, despite the fact no state money was included, was turned down by the legislature. He pointed out they were now taking the first step to accomplish one of those projects despite that fact. Commissioner Crofts said he believed they had unquestioned authority to do so, but there was some possibility down the road that some legislators might react to that.
Chairman Kaze suggested they write a letter to the committee that dealt with the bonding proposals and let them know what action the Regents were taking.
President Dennison said he would draft a letter to that effect.
Regent Jasmin moved that the Board concur with the committee’s recommendation to approve ITEM 95-1003-R0597. The motion passed unanimously.
e. ITEM 95-1601-R0597—Authorization to Complete Land Exchange; Western Montana College of The University of Montana
Regent Jasmin said ITEM 95-1601-R0597 authorized Western Montana College to complete the Vigilante Park land exchange with the City of Dillon. He said the university attorney had discussed the appraisal with the city attorney and mayor and recommended this as a fair exchange for the value received. Regent Jasmin said this benefitted both the city of Dillon and Western Montana College. The committee recommended approval provided that both parcels of land continue under the use of Western Montana College and the City of Dillon, that there be a notice of public hearing as to the transaction, and that the best interests of the university system be served.
Chairman Kaze reminded the Regents this would still go to the Land Board under state law.
Following brief discussion, Regent Jasmin moved that the Board concur with the committee’s recommendation to approve ITEM 95-1601-R0597 subject to the conditions recommended by the committee. The motion passed unanimously.
f. ITEM 95-2001-R0597—Authorization to Grant a Pipeline Easement to the Montana Power Company for a Natural Gas Pipeline in Gallatin County; Montana State University—Bozeman
Regent Jasmin said ITEM 95-2001-R0597 authorized MSU—Bozeman to execute a pipeline easement with Montana Power Company for a gas pipeline on the Fort Ellis property in Gallatin County. The committee recommended approval subject to a standard lease agreement that Montana Power would return the land back to its condition prior to excavation for the pipeline; that it be buried below the plow line; and that the standard lease agreement fit both MSU—Bozeman and MPC.
Chairman Kaze noted they were being paid $6.00 per rod and were assured that was market for easements of this nature.
In response to a question from Regent Boylan, President Malone said the funds would stay with the Fort Ellis site.
Regent Jasmin moved that the Board concur with the committee’s recommendation to approve ITEM 95-2001-R0597 subject to the conditions recommended by the committee. The motion passed unanimously.
g. ITEM 95-1014-R0597—Purchase of 1000 East Beckwith; The University of Montana—Missoula [item number assigned after meeting]
President Dennison said ITEM 95-1014-R0597 was an addition to the agenda that would authorize The University of Montana—Missoula to take the steps necessary to purchase the residential property located at 1000 East Beckwith from the UM Bookstore. The purchase of the property would be acquired by a mortgage obtained by the university. The mortgage would be retired and the facility maintained through the use of rental income. President Dennison said the low appraisal was $130,000 and the high one was $140,000. They were offering $135,000 and were asking for special approval since the property was outside the acquisition zone.
Following brief discussion, Regent Jasmin moved that the Board concur with the committee’s recommendation to approve ITEM 95-1014-R0597. The motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Crofts referred to a May 22, 1997 letter (on file) from Frank Williams, President of Miles Community College, in reference to tuition waivers during the 1997 summer session at MCC for 1997 Montana high school graduates. The Administrative/Budget Committee briefly discussed an action taken by the Miles Community College Board of Trustees to offer tuition fee waivers to all 1997 graduates of Montana high schools to attend Miles Community College this summer. Commissioner Crofts said he had some questions and concerns about it. The committee’s conclusion was to informally continue discussions between the Commissioner’s Office and MCC and not to take any specific action at that time.
Regent Davison said he also had some questions about it and wanted to be better informed before discussing it further. He said when something like that came up, it would be better not to have to deal with it after the fact.
Chairman Kaze said the committee had a question as to whether the Regents ever entertained issues regarding fee waivers at community colleges. The general conclusion was they probably had not because there was no obligation under the statue to do so. He said it was being treated as a fee waiver issue by Miles Community College, and that may be the reason the Regents were not informed ahead of time. Chairman Kaze said he was unsure about the impact—whether it was good or bad or what type of precedent it might set. The committee thought they should work informally through the Commissioner’s Office to continue the discussions.
Chairman Kaze thanked Regent Jasmin for the Administrative/Budget Committee report.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
ACADEMIC/STUDENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
The Academic and Student Affairs Committee met at 9:00 a.m. in Rooms 106-107 of the MSU College of Technology—Great Falls. Chairman Kaze asked Regent Davison (chair) to present the committee's report to the full Board.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The following Level I changes were approved by the Commissioner's Office (May 19, 1997 memo to Board of Regents from Deputy Commissioner for Academic Affairs Stuart Knapp on file):
a. Montana Tech of The University of Montana
Add a third option (Engineering Geology) under the Geological Engineering degree to the two existing options (Mining Geology and Hydrogeology).
b. MSU College of Technology—Great Falls
Rename the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Microcomputer Management to an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Computer Technology, and retitle existing curriculum as options in Microcomputer Support and Network Support.
ACTION AGENDA
a. ITEM 94-1003-2006-R0397—Approval of Proposal to Create a New Doctoral Degree in Wildlife Biology; The University of Montana—Missoula and Montana State University—Bozeman
Regent Davison said this proposal represented one of the more significant efforts they had seen in trying to build a unified system. When the two separate proposals first came forward in January, they saw a real issue of duplication. As they began discussions, they discovered two different perspectives of how these doctoral degrees worked. Regent Davison said he applauded the efforts of the deans and provosts of both campuses and everyone involved in combining their efforts to put everything into one program and make it work. Regent Davison referred to an addendum (on file) to the previous proposals to initiate a joint Ph.D. degree in Fish and Wildlife Biology. He said the committee was satisfied there was a commitment to genuine cooperation in the development of a single degree in this field of study. The Executive Program Committee was charged by the Academic and Student Affairs Committee to report back once a year for the next five years at a minimum as to how this joint degree had been achieved. The Academic and Student Affairs Committee agreed to recommend that the Board of Regents would step forward to resolve any problems that may arise between the campuses.
Following discussion, Regent Davison moved that the Board concur with the committee’s recommendation to approve ITEM 94-1003-2006-R0397. The motion passed by a 5-to-1 vote; Regent Boylan voted against the motion.
b. ITEM 94-1502-R0397—Approval of Proposal to Initiate a New Instructional Program Leading to a Master’s Degree in Technical Communications; The University of Montana—Missoula and Montana Tech of The University of Montana
Regent Davison moved that the Board concur with the committee’s recommendation to approve ITEM 94-1502-R0397. The motion passed unanimously.
c. ITEM 94-2002-1501-R0397—Authorization for the College of Engineering, Montana State University—Bozeman and Montana Tech of The University of Montana to Offer a Master’s of Project Engineering and Management; Montana State University—Bozeman and Montana Tech of The University of Montana
Regent Davison said this proposal again demonstrated the cooperative effort on the part of two campuses going across affiliations to provide a necessary degree that fit within what was happening in today’s technology.
Regent Davison moved that the Board concur with the committee’s recommendation to approve ITEM 94-2002-1501-R0397. The motion passed unanimously.
d. ITEM 94-2003-R0397—Authorization for the School of Architecture to Replace the Current 5-Year, 150 Semester Credit Bachelor of Architecture Degree with (1) a 4-Year, 120 Semester Credit Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Design Degree and (2) a Subsequent 1-Year, 30 Semester Credit Master of Architecture Degree; Montana State University—Bozeman
Regent Davison pointed out the program’s accrediting body had encouraged the direction the campus was taking with this proposal.
Following discussion, Regent Davison moved that the Board concur with the committee’s recommendation to approve ITEM 94-2003-R0397. The motion passed unanimously.
e. ITEM 94-2004-2702-R0397—Authorization to Offer a Bachelor of Science in Health Administration at Montana State University—Bozeman and Montana State University—Billings
f. ITEM 94-2005-2703-R0397—Authorization to Offer a Master’s in Health Administration at Montana State University—Bozeman and Montana State University—Billings
Following brief discussion, Regent Davison moved that the Board concur with the committee’s recommendation to approve ITEMS 94-2004-2702-R0397 and 94-2005-2703-R0397. The motion passed unanimously.
g. ITEM 94-2701-R0397—Approval of Proposal to Implement the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Process Plant Technology; Montana State University—Billings, College of Technology
Regent Davison said this proposal was developed in response to a local need in the Billings area by refineries and processing plants.
Regent Davison moved that the Board concur with the committee’s recommendation to approve ITEM 94-2701-R0397. The motion passed unanimously.
h. ITEM 94-301-R0397—Proposal to Establish the Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree to Replace Both the A.A. and A.S. Degrees; Flathead Valley Community College
Regent Davison said Flathead Valley Community College agreed with the committee to defer action on ITEM 94-301-R0397 until a later date.
Regent Davison said the committee also heard a report from the Deans of Student Services in regard to the student health insurance program.
Chairman Kaze thanked Regent Davison for the Academic and Student Affairs Committee report.
The Board reconvened at 4:05 after a 10-minute break.
OLD BUSINESS
a. 1997 Legislative Summary
Commissioner Crofts distributed a summary titled "University Legislative Issues, 1997 Final Status" (on file) and briefly discussed the following bills:
House Bill 17 (National Guard Fee Waivers)
House Bill 58 (Proprietary School Regulation)
House Bill 121 (Optional Retirement Program Rate Adjustment)
House Bill 142 (Staff Optional Retirement Program — DID NOT PASS)
House Bill 180 (License Suspension for Student Loan Defaulters)
House Bill 188 (Technology Bonding)
House Bill 193 (Foundation Records)
House Bill 259 (Unified Education Budget and Certification of Conditions — DID NOT PASS)
House Bill 280 (WICHE/WAMI Payback — DID NOT PASS)
House Bill 344 (University Land Sales)
House Bill 394 (Lobbying Regulation — VETOED BY GOVERNOR; MAIL BALLOT TO DETERMINE WHETHER VETO WILL STAND)
House Bill 536 (Family Education Savings Program)
Senate Bill 126 (Rural Physicians Incentive Program)
Senate Bill 187 (Interest Earnings)
Senate Bill 133 (Six-mill Levy)
Senate Bill 264 (Western Governors’ University)
Senate Bill 313 (University Statutory Clean-up)
Senate Joint Resolution 2 (Legislative Policy Recommendation on Higher Education — DID NOT PASS)
Commissioner Crofts said he wanted to thank his staff, the campuses, and the students for all their hard work during the legislative session.
Regent Boylan moved that the Regents acknowledge Governor Racicot and the legislature for the amount of appropriations they allocated to the university system. The motion passed unanimously.
Regent Davison said he also wanted to thank Rod Sundsted and Laurie Neils for the inventory and validation of fees information.
The Board recessed at 4:30 p.m. for a meeting with faculty representatives.
FRIDAY, MAY 23, 1997
The Board reconvened at 8:40 a.m.
Regent Jasmin referred to the 1990 report prepared by the Montana Education Commission for the Nineties and Beyond. He said this commission was a group of citizens who participated in a lengthy study of the higher education system and made some positive recommendations, some of which had been implemented and some of which had not. He suggested they take another look at those recommendations.
Following brief discussion, Regent Jasmin moved that the Regents invite the members of the Commission for the Nineties to meet with the Regents to discuss their report, what had already been done, and what might be done to accomplish the remaining recommendations. The motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Kaze said they would extend an invitation to the Commission members to attend the July meeting and perhaps a follow-up meeting in September.
NEW BUSINESS
a. Montana Academic Forum Report
Deputy Commissioner for Academic Affairs Stuart Knapp referred to the May 1997 "Report to the Montana Academic Forum"(on file) that had been distributed to the Regents. He said they would hear presentations on each of the three main sections the steering committee decided to put into the report: distance education, services to students, and proficiency-based admissions and graduation requirements.
Nadir Shooshtari, chair of the Faculty Senate from The University of Montana—Missoula, introduced and summarized the distributed learning recommendations.
Funding Recommendations
The funding level needed to establish and manage information technology on university campuses must be provided separately from existing budgetary considerations.
Technology funding needs to be treated as an operating cost instead of one-time equivalent costs.
A funding formula for distance-learning classes must be developed.
A state-supported budget needs to be developed to maintain distance-learning programs that includes support for faculty, staff, equipment, and student services.
Better coordination of distance-learning programs and initiatives is needed.
A comprehensive inventory and assessment of distance-learning infrastructure is needed along with programs and courses currently offered.
Full cooperation is needed from all the units to develop and share resources for distributed learning.
Faculty Issues
Faculty need training on the use of information technologies and in teaching distance-learning classes.
Adjustments and a flexible approach to determining workload will encourage faculty who would otherwise be reluctant to teach distance-learning classes.
The reward structure must be changed to encourage risk-taking on the part of faculty with regard to innovative approaches to curriculum development.
Unless additional resources are made available, offering distance-learning classes may result in a reduction of courses offered in a campus setting to other students.
Denise Solko, Chair of the Faculty Senate at Montana Tech of The University of Montana, introduced and summarized the recommendations on services to students.
Cooperation and Coordination between OPI and OCHE
Since there are common concerns and goals with respect to the transition between secondary school and the university system, strengthening the coordination between OPI and OCHE is encouraged.
Administrative Services
Some of the issues noted below are those that seem to resurface year after year in discussions that involve serving students. The Montana Academic Forum addressed the following:
Transferability of Courses
One-Stop Shopping
Gathering of Information
Recruiting Students to Institutions That Meet Their Needs
Implementing Significant Admission Fees
Creating and Communicating Expectations of Students
Teaching
The specific areas addressed include:
Cooperative Education
Independent Studies
Use of Teaching Assistants
Absent Students
Sticking to Standards
Broader-Thinking Students
Advising
This topic is being actively discussed on each of the campuses as well as with the Board of Regents.
Differing Types of Advising
Prioritizing the Need for Appropriate Advising
Sharing and Dissemination of Institutional Information
Norm Eggert, Chair of the Faculty Council at Montana State University—Bozeman, introduced and summarized the section on proficiency-based admissions and graduation requirements.
The Montana Academic Forum recommends the following concerning the adoption of a proficiency-based graduation system with the Montana University System:
Since a transferable General Education core has already been mandated by the Regents, and all the campuses are currently involved in meeting that mandate, the proficiency-based model as a first phase should be applied to the General Education core.
Consistency must be ensured across the Montana University System in both standards and operations.
The setting of specific goals and realistic timelines is encouraged for implementation of a proficiency-based admissions and graduation system.
Following discussion, Regent Davison suggested Commissioner Crofts prepare a budget for the Montana Academic Forum to be submitted at the July 1997 meeting. He said this would demonstrate the commitment on the Regents’ part and provide critical planning of what needed to be done in the development of education.
Deputy Commissioner Knapp said he wanted to thank Superintendent of Public Instruction Nancy Keenan and Board of Public Education Secretary Wayne Buchanan for their support and involvement in the K-12 forum. He also thanked the chief academic officers, the chancellors, and Presidents Dennison and Malone for their cooperation.
The Board reconvened at 10:40 a.m. after a 10-minute break.
b. 1998-99 Biennial Budget
Commissioner Crofts said shortly after the legislative session ended, they began to work with the campuses to develop the next biennial budget. To this point, they had distributed several passes at the allocation of state support to the campuses. Commissioner Crofts referred to his May 16, 1997 memo (on file) to the Regents in reference to the 1998-99 biennial budget and reviewed the major assumptions built into the allocation of general fund and millage.
Continue to stress that they allocated general fund and millage to support resident students. No state funding was allocated for nonresidents since they were paying the full cost of their education.
They were allocating full state support for resident student enrollment in the base—with the base defined as actual 1997 enrollments. Projected enrollment growth was funded on the margin. In the past, both base and enrollment and projected enrollment growth were fully funded. That practice was eliminated because of its unintended effect of providing incentive to overestimate projected enrollment levels.
Faculty salaries were a major factor in the allocation model. Faculty salary targets for each unit were developed by comparison to similar institutions in the six states above and below Montana in average per capita income.
Athletic expenditures and athletic fee waivers were included in the model based on approved budgeted expenditures. This level was fixed and not affected by enrollment changes or projections. Research and public service programs were outside the allocation model and were funded at actual expenditure levels.
General fund and millage dollars were allocated to the campuses according to the principle that each campus received state support as a percentage of their need based on the cost of education targets. Those targets took into account a wide variety of factors, including differences in cost by discipline (driven largely by differences in faculty salaries). The percentages were the same for each campus with two exceptions. Montana Tech of The UM was provided transition funding in 1995, which would phase out in 1999. This transition funding was in recognition of the fact that Montana Tech’s historical expenditure levels were significantly higher relative to their target cost of education than was true for the other units. Without transition funding, they would have encountered serious financial difficulty or would have had to raise tuition at an excessive rate. The colleges of technology were incorporated into the same allocation model as all other units for 1998 and 1999. A similar period of transition seemed necessary for them because their current expenditures were much closer to the cost of education calculated by the model.
Commissioner Crofts said all these assumptions had been discussed with the Policy Committee, and there was general agreement about this direction. They were attempting to discuss and resolve as many questions as possible with the goal being an allocation that was as fair as possible to all interests.
Commissioner Crofts said there was one aspect of the allocation process on which there was clear disagreement. He had asked Rod Sundsted to withhold $1 million over the course of the biennium for their distance learning/distributed education initiative. He said the initiative totaled $2.8 million when the Regents’ approved it as their second priority. During the legislative session, the appropriations subcommittee did not approve the initiative. Commissioner Crofts said he continued to argue strongly for the initiative. The purpose of the proposal was to accelerate the development of courses and programs and services for electronic delivery to time- and place-bound Montanans. He asked Deputy Commissioner for Academic Affairs Stuart Knapp to work with the academic officers, the Montana Academic Forum, and leaders in distance-learning on the campuses to develop within the next month a proposal to determine whether funding was needed for the technology initiative and, if so, what it should try to achieve and how much money would be needed to reach those goals. Commissioner Crofts said maybe $1 million was not necessary, but it was his recommendation that some type of commitment needed to be made. He said there was no clearer area in which they needed a system initiative and system coordination.
Commissioner Crofts said the Regents’ third priority was a proposal to fund MTAP, a new student tuition assistance program recommended last year by the task force. It would be funded with the university system being able to retain interest on funds it held in deposit. The bill to do this was carried by Senator Crippen, and it was the next-to-last bill passed by the legislature. Unfortunately, the appropriations committee removed from the Governor’s general fund recommendation for the university system a sum of money equivalent to what would be gained through the tuition savings. Commissioner Crofts said the students had supported Senate Bill 187 and helped pass it. However, they also said the whole point was not to keep the interest income while at the same time losing the equivalent amount in general fund, which is what happened. He said they needed to look carefully at this issue and decide what to do. Through the appropriations process, a small sum of money had been identified and appropriated for this purpose, but it was inadequate.
Lengthy discussion followed concerning the technology initiative and alternative uses for the $1 million set aside for the technology initiative, the need for a systemwide faculty development effort, the issue of reverting general fund, access issues, enrollment projections, admission standards, and using the joint interim committee as a forum for communicating the Regents’ actions and receiving feedback.
Commissioner Crofts said they would proceed on this course and develop a proposal for the Regents’ consideration. This discussion was simply to give them some background and a heads-up on the budgetary issues.
c. FY98 Salary Increases
Commissioner Crofts reviewed his May 16, 1997 memo (on file) to the Regents in reference to FY98 salary increases.
He said the system’s classified employees were covered by the state’s pay plan. The stated average increase for state employees under that plan was 1.5%. However, as campuses began to apply the adjustments called for in the pay plan to their specific employees, it appeared the average incenses might be about 2.5%. Commissioner Crofts said he and the presidents testified before the legislature that the pay plan was insufficient and that classified employees deserved a higher pay increase. However, the legislature passed the 1.5% plan.
In regard to faculty salaries, all the collaborative agreements established targets for FY98 and FY99. With the exception of the colleges of technology, those targets for salary increases fell between 6.2 and 7.3%. No legal obligation existed to award those increases, but expectations were high. In addition, Commissioner Crofts noted they concluded in their assessment last fall the faculty in all the units had met their productivity increases. He referred to a table attached to his memo that provided information about salary increases. Commissioner Crofts said completing work on the collaborative agreements was the first priority in the budget process. However, the fiscal situation they were facing provided a significant challenge on all the campuses, particularly the smaller units. He said they now faced the significant possibility of the gap increasing among faculty salary percentage increases at some of the campuses. Commissioner Crofts said they viewed the projected salary increases not as a legal obligation but as one to which they had a high degree of moral, ethical, and principled commitment. He said they entered into the agreements in good faith and had concluded the faculty had achieved the agreed-upon productivity increases.
Commissioner Crofts said salary increases for people on Regents’ contracts had been somewhere between the rate negotiated for faculty salaries and that allocated under the state pay plan. Salary comparisons with peer states continued to show these individuals were paid significantly under the market, which presented serious obstacles to overcome in recruiting new administrators. He said they received indications from the universities that r Regents’ contract administrators would likely receive salary increases no more than 1 to 2% below those of faculty.
Discussion followed on classified salaries, comparative salaries with peer institutions, national search experiences, and negotiations with faculty unions.
d. Montana State University Distance-Learning Strategies—Dr. Michael Malone, President, Montana State University
President Malone distributed "MSU from a Distance," an overview of the Montana State University System Distance Degree Program, and an inventory of the courses that would be offered in fall 1997 (on file).
The overview described the results of an 18-month process to develop a plan for the MSU System Distance Degree Program, a comprehensive, coherent distance-learning program to be delivered by the multiple campuses of Montana State University. Key features o the plan included:
Development of full degree programs that can be delivered, in substantial part at least, at a distance;
A focus on ease of access for students in procedures for application and matriculation and in the delivery of courses;
Leveraging of current course offerings to develop full degree programs;
Supplementing of current individual-campus course offerings with degree programs developed and delivered in concert by all campuses of the university;
Provision of incentives for colleges and departments to develop those degree programs with participation by multiple campuses of MSU;
Provision of credit and compensation for ongoing participation by campuses in delivering courses in the system degree program;
Support for faculty to make the transition to offer courses that are concurrently classroom-based and delivered at a distance;
Implementation of a modest central administrative organization to provide services such as development, coordination, and marketing for the campus efforts;
Routine assessment and external review of the program; and
Development of a multiyear business plan to establish concrete, measurable objectives for the program.
The system degree program plan would be student-centered with the following features:
easy access for students
high-quality programs
consistency within the MSU system for system degree programs
a single catalog for all system degree offerings
one admission procedure and fee
seamless transfer of accumulated credit among campuses
guaranteed course offerings adequate for a student to complete a degree program within a reasonable time
processes for closing programs that do not jeopardize the investments students have made in working toward a degree through the program.
Following discussion, Chairman Kaze thanked President Malone for his report.
CAMPUS REPORTS
a. Western Montana College of The University of Montana
Chancellor Sheila Stearns said Western had received full NCATE (National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education) accreditation. She said this was a significant milestone that represented immense achievement on the part of their division of education, librarians, students, and faculty.
b. Helena College of Technology of The University of Montana
Dean Alex Capdeville said their interim accreditation from Northwest went very well for a five-year review. They also received a four-year approval from the Board of Nursing.
Chairman Kaze noted this was Regent Green’s last meeting and said he wanted to take the opportunity to thank Mike for his two years of dedicated service as a student regent.
Chairman Kaze also thanked Dean Will Weaver and his staff for hosting the Regents’ meeting.
With no other business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 1:35 p.m.