WASHBURN UNIVERSITY OF TOPEKA
BOARD OF REGENTS
MINUTES
February 14, 1996
____________________________________________________________________________
I. Chairperson Roth called the meeting to order at 2:12 p.m. in the Club I room, Topeka
Country Club, Topeka, Kansas.
II. Present were: Mr. Dick, Mayor Felker, Mr. Maag, Mrs. Parks, Mrs. Porter and Mr.
Roth.
It was moved and seconded to recess to Executive Session in Club I, Topeka Country
Club, until 2:50 p.m. for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter involving non-
elected personnel and to reconvene in open session in Club I at 2:50 p.m. Motion passed.
At 2:50 p.m. the Board reconvened in open session. No action was taken. The Board of
Regents then took a short recess.
At 3:04 p.m. the Board of Regents reconvened in open session in Club II of the Topeka
Country Club, Topeka, Kansas.
III. It was moved and seconded to approve the minutes of the January 20, 1996 and
January 31, 1996 meetings as circulated. Motion passed.
IV. Old Business
A. Student Housing Project
President Thompson reported that an ad hoc housing committee has been formed.
Chaired by Dr. Sheley, and including on its membership Vice President Mosiman,
Ms. Vogel, Mr. Dickes and Mr. Kidd, the committee is to make recommendations
with respect to housing on the University's campus. President Thompson
indicated that the University does need to come into focus about the use of
Kuehne, West and Carruth Halls and with the family student housing. He said
that after some discussion with the Board Chair, he believed there should be
others added to the committee from the community who are interested in
Washburn but not interested in participating in development of housing projects
either on or off the campus. He said that Mr. Ron Robb has consented to serve
on the committee. He said the committee will be coming back with specific
recommendations with respect to existing and future housing on the campus. He
said the report is to be to him by April 11.
The Board Chair recognized Grigory Vorontsov, who is a resident of the University's
family student housing. Mr. Vorontsov reported that residents of the University's
family housing units are concerned as they recently received a letter from the
University's Business Manager, Harold Holden. They were previously unaware that
there were discussions ongoing which might affect the University's family housing
units. He said it's not clear what's going to happen and there is concern that all
families will be moved out of the family housing units and that there will be no more
such housing on the University's campus and that, as a consequence, single parents
will be unable to go to school. Mr. Vorontsov circulated to members of the Board of
Regents a letter which he had prepared.
Chairperson Roth reported the Board wants to examine the issue and that no decision
has been made whether to include or exclude the current family student housing
units in any proposal but that the Board will be taking the time to look at the
recommendations of the administration.
Chairperson Roth recognized Edwin Carpenter, who is counsel for Mr. Jerry Wittmer.
Mr. Carpenter said it was clear following the special meeting in January that the
proposal from Mr. Wittmer as initially presented had not been considered carefully
by everyone and that there wasn't a clear policy or consensus about what should be
done. He said it is unfortunate his client, Jerry Wittmer, is a lightening rod in this
matter. He said that Mr. Wittmer is ready to explore options for the International
Center for the institution, that's what he wants to focus on, and that he stands
ready to assist in any manner that he can. Mr. Carpenter said, however, that "you
all have to tell us what you want and set parameters" for any proposal. Regent Dick
concurred that it is unfortunate that Mr. Wittmer has become the lightening rod and
asked that Mr. Carpenter convey his thanks for taking on this role and extended to
Mr. Wittmer his apologies for his becoming a lightening rod.
Mr. Maag departed the meeting at 3:20 p.m.
IV. New Business
A. Proposed Changes in University Payment of Health and Life Insurance Programs
While an Employee is on an Official Unpaid Leave of Absence
It was moved and seconded to approve the changes in the policy as presented in the
agenda item. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Request for Funds from Washburn Endowment Assn. (WEA)
It was moved and seconded to authorize President Thompson to request $62,000
under the WEA's total return concept to purchase computer equipment to upgrade
the AS400 as requested. Motion passed unanimously.
C. Sculpture Exhibition
President Thompson outlined briefly a proposal presented by his Campus
Beautification Committee for an annual competition for placement of up to ten (10)
outdoor sculptures on the University's campus. He introduced Mr. Greg Inkman,
who is a student representative on the Campus Beautification Committee, who
briefly outlined how entries for the competition would be solicited and where these
would be directed. It was moved and seconded to endorse the Washburn University
Sculpture Exhibition as outlined in the agenda item. Motion passed.
D. Purchases over $25,000
1. Distance Learning Classroom Equipment Purchase
It was moved and seconded to authorize the administration to purchase a
distance learning classroom system from Cytek Media Systems INC in the
amount of $66,861.00. Motion passed unanimously.
System to be comprised of: 2 Sony DXC-930 Cameras; 2 Sony Wide Angle
Lens W/Pre Set; 2 Sony Power Supplies for Camera Lens; 2 Sony Remote
Control Cables; 2 Custom Wall Mounts for Camera; 2 Q-Link (APT-3DCP2) Pan-
Tilt with Pre-Sets; 1 Sony VID-P100 Overhead Camera; 1 Q-Link Control
System; 12 Beyer Dynamic MTS320 P/T Push to Talk Microphones; 1 Audio
Tech AT-ML 16" Gooseneck Microphone; 1 Shure SC1484 Wireless Microphone;
1 Shure RA Rack Mount for Wireless Receiver; 1 Toa A903MKII Mixer with Rack
Mount Adapter; 1 Toa A903MKII Mixer Amplifier with Rack Mount Adapter; 4
Toa U01R Amp Input Modules; 2 Toa F155G Speakers; 2 Toa WCB10 Wall
Brackets; 2 Shure 810 Auto Mixers and Rack Mount Kit; 1 Gentner GT7000
Echo Cancellor and Rack Mount Kit; 4 Hitachi 27CX3B 27" TV Monitors; 1 Scan-
It Scan Converter; 4 Hitachi 27CX3B TV Monitors; 8 Advance Custom Mounts
27X; 2 Strut Mounts for Ceiling Mounts; 1 Z-link PIP; 2 Sierra 82V 8X2 Routers
with RS-232 Control; 1 Q-Link Router for Video Recorder; 1 Kramer 4X4 Router;
6 Sigma Video DA/ 1 Panasonic PV-4514 W RS-232 Rec/Play; 1 Xantech
Wireless Remote; 1 Atlas 72 Rack for Equipment; 6 Atlas 3-19R Shelvevs; 1
Atlas AC Strip for Rack; 1 Pioneer CLDV-2600ML Laser Player W Barcode; 1
Elmo TR-35 35MM Slice to Video; 1 Muratec 4500 Plain Paper Fax; 1
Sony(Sansui) Remote Control Caassette Deck; 1 Computer with 14" Color
Monitor; 1 Custom Teachers Station; and, 1 Installation & Set Up.
E. Financial Reports
1. Depository Security Transactions, and 2. Public Fund Investments
It was moved and seconded to approve the Depository Security Transactions and
Public Fund Investments reported in agenda items V.E.1. and V.E.2. Motion
passed unanimously.
* Karlyle Woods Biological Field Station; Sewer Participation
It was moved and seconded to approve the proposed sewer participation agreement set
forth in the agenda item. Motion passed unanimously.
* Washburn Retirees; State taxation of retirement income
It was moved and seconded to adopt a resolution supporting the enactment of legislation
excluding from state income taxation the income received by participants of the
University's retirement plan as set forth in the agenda item. Motion passed unanimously.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the income by retirees of public employers in the state of Kansas, such
as cities, counties, unified school districts, and the Kansas Board of Regents, is excluded
from Kansas income taxation; and
WHEREAS, the income received by retirees of Washburn University of Topeka, a
taxing subdivision of the state of Kansas, under the University's retirement plan is not
so excluded from state income taxation;
WHEREAS, the Washburn University of Topeka Board of Regents believes that the
income received through Kansas public employer retirement plans, on the basis of
fundamental fairness, should be treated in the same manner;
WHEREAS, legislation has been introduced in the 1996 session and assigned to the
Senate Ways and Means Committee which, if enacted would place Washburn retirees in
the same position as retirees from the Kansas Regents institutions;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Regents that it support the
introduction and passage of legislation in the 1996 Kansas Legislature to amend current
Kansas Income Tax law to exclude from an individual's Kansas adjusted gross income the
amount of income received as annuities or other retirement benefits by such individuals
from the University's retirement plan; and that this Resolution be forwarded to the
Chairperson of the Kansas Senate Ways and Means Committee and members of the
Shawnee County Legislative Delegation.
WASHBURN UNIVERSITY OF TOPEKA BOARD OF REGENTS
BY___________________________________________
James, Roth, Chairperson
This will certify that the foregoing Resolution was adopted by the Washburn
University of Topeka Board of Regents at its meeting February 14, 1996.
___________________________________________
Kenneth P. Hackler, Secretary to the Board
* Proposal to Increase Endowment Amount from $5,000 to $15,000
It was moved and seconded to establish a new minimum amount of $15,000 for the
establishment of an endowment fund at Washburn University of Topeka effective July 1,
1996. Motion passed unanimously.
* National Collegiate Athletic Association: 1996 NCAA Division II Women's Basketball
Championship
It was moved and seconded to authorize the administration to submit a bid to the
National Collegiate Athletic Association for hosting the regional championships for
Division II women's basketball on the University's campus March 7-10, 1996 as set forth
in the pass-out to the Board. Motion passed unanimously.
* Item(s) added at the meeting with the consent of the Board.
It was moved and seconded to adjourn. The meeting of the Washburn University Board of
Regents adjourned at 3:42 p.m.
_________________________________
Kenneth P. Hackler
Secretary, Board of Regents