WASHBURN UNIVERSITY OF TOPEKA
BOARD OF REGENTS
MINUTES
February 18, 1998
__________________________________________________________
I. Chairperson Parks called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. in the Kansas Room
of the Memorial Union.
II. Present were: Mr. Craig, Mr. Dick, Mr. Engel, Mr. Ferrell, Mrs. Parks, Mrs.
Porter, Mr. Roth, Mrs. Wagnon and Mr. Ybarra.
III. It was moved and seconded to approve the minutes of the January 20, 1998
meeting as circulated. Motion passed unanimously.
IV. President's Report
President Farley announced that the last regular season home game for both
mens and womens basketball teams was tonight. He said he hoped that the
arena would be full because the University's Athletics Department had made
special efforts to get out the students and alumni for the game. He said the
Athletics Department provided tickets to area businesses to allow alumni to be
able to attend. He announced that if the mens team won tonight and Saturday
night the University would receive the opportunity to host one of the district
playoff games.
He announced that on February 14, 1998 the University honored Patty Dick for
her 400th career victory as a coach. He said she has been here 21 years and her
400 victories have all come at Washburn. He announced that Coach Chipman
has 438 career victories. He said it surely is unique for a university to have both
its mens and womens basketball coaches with over 400 victories each and all at
the same institution.
He announced that one of the University's faculty members, Barbara Denton, has
been awarded a grant by the National Art Education Foundation. He said she will
be looking at changing the art education curriculum. He announced that Danielle
King, a senior student who also participated last year in the presidential search
process, has been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship. He said she will be spending
her year in France in the 1998-99 academic year. He highlighted a reprint of a
recent article appearing in the Junior League magazine all about the University
Regents board chair, Blanche Parks, noting that she has a long history of being a
volunteer and serving the community.
He announced that another one of the University's faculty members, Dr. Frank
Chorba, in the Department of Mass Media in the College of Arts and Sciences,
has had the journal he began adopted by the Broadcast Education Association as
its official publication. The journal is the Journal of Radio Studies.
He reported that the University's debate team last month was tenth in the
nation, celebrating a long string of achievements. He said the debate program
would be hosting a regional debate next month on the University's campus and
there will be teams coming from all over the country.
He announced that a criminal justice faculty member, Dr. Bertus Ferreira, has
been active in international consulting. Among the nations he has been asked to
assist have been the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic and Australia. He said
Dr. Ferreira also has been featured in radio and television interviews concerning
his studies on violence in schools. He announced that another one of the
University's faculty members, Darrell Miller, has had articles recently published in
national publications. One is Advertising and Psychology; the other is
Psychology and Marketing.
He announced that the University held its induction ceremonies into the Athletic
Hall of Fame last Saturday at a luncheon in the Bradbury Thompson Center. He
said the University recognized Mike Atkins, who is a football athlete, second in
all time passing; Laura Klamm-Ferguson, who was a pitcher for the University's
softball team and also participated in tennis; and, Dr. John Davis, who has been
an international track and field coach and also an olympic coach. He said Dr.
Davis also is a signature collector and has provided the University with some
pieces to be used by the University in its fundraising efforts. He announced that
the University also inducted last weekend its 1986-87 basketball squad which
was the national champion in the NIAA basketball tournament. He said the
athletes were also recognized at the basketball game last Saturday night.
Chairperson Parks also commended the coaches, faculty and Ms. King for their
accomplishments.
V. New Business
A. Information Items
1. The Washburn Student of the 21st Century
President Farley reported that he has conducted several town hall meetings on
the University's campus and met with members of the University's faculty and
staff concerning the question of recruiting more traditional or non-traditional
students for the University. He first defined traditional students as the direct
high school matriculant aged 17-22 years of age and the non-traditional student
as the adult with career, perhaps family, who also may be place-bound or the
adult returning to school to acquire new skills. He reported that the University
presently has a headcount of approximately 6,400 students, that the University
only houses less than 200 in University provided housing and approximately
another 200 students in the fraternities and sororities. He said the University's
classroom facilities have the capability for a student body of approximately
7,000 students; much beyond that would require major expenditures by the
University to expand its classroom facilities. He said the University has a
reputation of providing a smaller and intimate learning environment with a good
faculty-to-student ratio. He said he didn't really want to "grow" the student
body beyond these parameters, seeking a student population of 7,000-7,400.
He said the University has a history of providing an education to place-bound
students; that the non-traditional student body has been relatively stable. He
reported the University could expand its service area to a greater radius than just
the city of Topeka, possibly 40-50 miles out. He reported that the population of
potential non-traditional students is not a growing population; it's relatively
stable. He said the demand from baby boomers for additional education is
declining, although courses for technology in training adults are on the increase.
He reported that many of the older graduates of the University tend to view
Washburn University as it was in the late '40s or early '50s as a traditional
residential campus. He reported that some believe we ought to move more to an
urban focus, while others say we should return to the traditional residential role.
Dr. Farley said he believed the University can focus on both without adversely
impacting the other. He reported that the number of direct high school
matriculants will be increasing and that if we retain our current "market share,"
our student population will be expanding. If we proceed more aggressively, the
direct high school matriculant, of course, the population would expand beyond
that. He said we think we can attract 7,000 students by increasing the number
of direct high school matriculants, but that we need more living opportunities on
the campus to create a vibrant, exciting educational environment with more
activities on the campus. He said this will occur only if there are more residential
living opportunities on the University.
He reported that the administration plans to bring back a plan to the Board of
Regents in the near future to outline the housing plans. He said it needs to be on
the campus, near the campus, or through a third party contractor. He said the
University will be evaluating and bring back a report within the next couple of
months. He said he hopes to have the residential units ready for occupancy in
the fall of 2000. He said that the University's efforts with respect to providing
more residential opportunities for students on our campus will not diminish the
Greek housing. He said there is a task force headed up by Dean Kidd to
invigorate the Greek life on campus. He said we could do both, the
traditional/non-traditional recruitment, very well. He said the University will be
bringing back the recruitment plan next month.
In response to questions, President Farley indicated that the financing for the
new housing units would be a combination of private giving and self-liquidating
debt, and that current planning target for the number of new beds on the campus
would be approximately 400, bringing the total University housing count to
approximately 480 beds, added to the 200 beds provided by the Greek
fraternities and sororities. He said the rules of thumb across the country for
university housing is approximately 10%-15% of full-time enrollment. He said
the group studying the housing issue is Dr. Sheley, Mr. Moore and Dean Kidd.
In response to questions from Regent Roth, President Farley reported that the
recruitment plan will include approximate dollars required for doing the
recruitment out of state and in state. He noted that the advertisement recently
placed in Kansas subscription issues of Sports Illustrated, Time, Newsweek, and
U. S. News & World Report, is an effort to increase the University's visibility. He
said the University's administration will be examining the use of print media in its
recruitment efforts.
2. Budget Status Report for the Six Months Ended December 31, 1998
President Farley reported that the Budget Status Report for the six month period
is very positive and that the University is going to be in great shape for the rest
of the year. President Farley highlighted the positive net operating revenue of
$221,000 expected for the end of the year.
3. Summary of First Five Years of Program Review
President Farley introduced Dr. Shel Cohen, the Executive Director for
Institutional Planning, who presented a report on the first five years of the
program review process. Dr. Cohen reported that the first year of the second
cycle for the program review process is underway. Dr. Farley indicated that the
program review at Washburn University is a very good process, well written, and
noted that he understands the Kansas Board of Regents recently has adopted a
similar process for reviewing its programs.
4. Bylaw Amendment - 1st Reading
a. Revision to the University TIAA-CREF Retirement Program, and
b. Library Faculty Representation on University Council
The Board heard on first reading by proposed Bylaw amendments to change
the waiting period for entering into the University's retirement program to an
actual calendar year following one's entry into employment; for permitting
new employees to participate in a salary reduction agreement to TIAA-CREF;
and, to change the membership on the University Council as outlined in
agenda items V.A.4.a. and b.
5. Faculty Salary Survey
President Farley said we have not yet received the report; we have only a draft
report. He said he would want to touch on a few things from the executive
summary. According to the executive summary, he said "we're not doing too
badly," and there are no patterns of race, age or gender discrimination, although
we need to examine individual salaries to look for inequities. He also reported
that the tenure decisions appear to be consistent. He reported that Washburn
will need to do a good deal of work to identify its "true peers" and to identify
what its salary goals are. Among the criteria to be examined with respect to
identification of peers includes the number of full-time/part-time faculty, the
faculty-student ratio, the percentage of students over age 25, tuition and fees,
total enrollment, E&G expenditures, course of studies, scope of athletics, and,
housing available and occupied. He said these criteria would be weighted
variously, that probably one of these to be weighted very heavily would likely be
the courses of study offered. Information presented to the Board from the report
and previous information shared with the Board disclosed that Washburn
University's overall salaries by rank are above the regional institutions (Ft. Hays
State University, Pittsburg State University and Emporia State University),
slightly below the other urban institution in the state (Wichita State University),
and behind the two major research institutions in the state (the University of
Kansas and Kansas State University). The preliminary data from the consultant's
report discloses that the University's faculty salaries are approximately 10%
below the median for similarly ranked faculty at the 13-14 peer institutions
identified preliminarily. In response to a question from the Regents, President
Farley reported that it is using five of the six peer institutions identified by the
Board of Regents several years ago. The one dropped is Colorado University at
Colorado Springs. The rationale for excluding that institution from the peer group
is that it has 22% of its faculty teaching engineering and the institution has a
Ph.D. program in engineering. Dr. Farley said that we don't want just
aspirational peers; rather, we need some institutions which look like us and do
what we do.
B. Consent Agenda
1. Public Fund Investments
It was moved and seconded to approve the Public Fund Investments. Motion
passed unanimously.
2. a. Faculty Personnel
It was moved and seconded to approve the faculty personnel item. Motion
passed unanimously.
As approved by the Board of Regents, Kelly M. Brady was appointed Lecturer in
Biology to teach for the spring, 1998 semester at a salary of $10,000; and Dr.
Mariusz Dobek hired as lecturer to teach a class in the Political Science
Department for the spring, 1998 semester at a salary of $3,502.
C. Action Items
1. FY 1999 Revised Budget Guidelines
President Farley reported that the proposed budget under Proposed Guidelines c)
Funding of Prior Commitments included $200,000 that he'd like to be able to use
to target a yet unknown department or area for a specific program to make a
substantial difference and improvement in the program. He said that the money
for the project would come from unrestricted endowment income. He noted
that, with respect to the proposed 3.5% salary/wage increase that the
Governor's recommendation for the Regents' institutions were for a 4%
salary/wage pool, but that given the needs for the operating budget and
projected funds available for the institution, that there was a need to have only a
3.5% salary/wage increase to allow for a 2.5% increase in the E&G budget. He
noted that the guidelines include the amount recommended for the University by
Governor Graves and that he is expecting that that will be reported out of the
appropriate legislative committee this week. It also includes a 3% increase in
tuition for the University. In conjunction with the tuition increase, President
Farley noted that in a comparison with the tuition and fees charged at Kansas
State University and the University of Kansas, Washburn is fairly comparative.
He noted that while the University of Kansas and Kansas State University have
lower tuition rates, that when student fees are added, they are approximately the
same. He noted that by way of example that combined tuition and fees at the
University of Kansas, depending on courses taken by the student, range from
$83-$97, and at K-State range from $88-$96 compared with Washburn
University's $101. He said also that the percentage increase in tuition at
Washburn was below the national average increase and, as compared to the
Kansas Regents' institutions, was below that of all but Wichita State University
and Emporia State University.
Dr. Farley said the FY 1999 budget is predicated on 6,400 students enrolling in
139,000 student credit hours in the fall, 1998. This assumes a 4% increase in
first-time freshmen and a slight increase in graduate credit hours attributable to
the Masters in Criminal Justice.
He noted also that the 3.5% increase in the salary range pool will be disbursed
on a merit basis, recognizing those who have performed exceptionally with a
higher increase than those who have performed adequately and discriminating
against those who have performed unsatisfactorily. He said the
departments/deans would be awarded a pool for distribution within their
respective units and that each will be asked to evaluate each employee and
display the proposed increases on a frequency distribution.
In response to another question concerning student fees at Washburn, Dr. Farley
reported that he doesn't plan to make any changes this year with respect to the
tuition/fee structure at the University, but may look at that in the future. And, in
connection with the proposed increase in tuition, Dr. Farley noted that the tuition
charged Washburn students represents approximately 41% of the educational
cost versus a substantially lower rate at the universities in the Kansas Regents
system.
It was moved and seconded to approve the FY 1999 Revised Budget Guidelines.
Motion passed unanimously.
2. Establish a Department of Art and a Department of Theatre from the Current
Combined Department of Art and Theatre Arts
It was moved and seconded to approve the establishment of separate
departments of art and of theatre from the current combined Department of Art
and Theatre Arts. Motion passed unanimously.
3. Voluntary Phased Retirement Program
It was moved and seconded to approve the proposed Phased Retirement Program
as articulated in V.C.3. Motion passed unanimously.
As approved by the Board of Regents:
" Washburn University
Voluntary Phased Retirement Program
Subject: Voluntary Phased Retirement Program
For: All Employees
Generally
The Voluntary Phased Retirement Program permits eligible employees
to reduce their workload in preparation for full retirement from Washburn
University. When approved for the program, pursuant to written agreement, the
employee's appointment with the University is reduced and her/his salary is also
proportionately reduced from her/his full-time salary. The employee receives
employer-paid benefits based on her/his full-time salary.
Who is Eligible for Phased Retirement?
Any employee in a benefits-eligible position who has completed at
least ten (10) years of full-time service shall be eligible to participate in the
Phased Retirement Program upon reaching 55 years of age.
How is Participation in the Program Requested and Approved?
The employee shall submit a letter to her/his supervisor. If entry into
the agreement is in the best interest of Washburn University, the supervisor shall
forward the proposed agreement through normal channels to the President, and
then to the Washburn Board of Regents for consideration.
How Long can an Employee Participate in the Program?
The maximum length of a phased retirement agreement shall be five (5) years.
By entering into the agreement, the participating employee agrees to retire from
Washburn University at the expiration of the agreement.
What is in the Phased Retirement Agreement?
Each phased retirement agreement shall specify:
1) the fractional time appointment (from 25% to 75% of their full time teaching
or administrative load) to be served as mutually agreed upon by the University,
through the Board of Regents, and the employee. Duties may be divided
throughout each fiscal year as agreed to by these parties;
2) that the agreement concerning the fractional time appointment or assignment
of duties may be modified by mutual agreement;
3) the initial salary to be paid for the fractional time appointment;
4) the full-time benefits to be enjoyed by the employee;
5) the duration of the agreement, which shall not exceed five (5) years, and the
date of full retirement.
Benefits under the Program
While participating in the program, the employee continues to receive the
following benefits:
1) the same health care benefits as "full-time" employees;
2) life insurance and disability benefit based on actual salary;
3) sick leave and personal leave (if eligible) based on fractional time appointment
4) employer's contributions to the Retirement Plan based on full-time salary;
5) the employee may contribute to the Retirement Plan and to Supplemental
Retirement Annuity Program to the extent permitted by federal regulations;
6) for tenured members, retention of tenure;
7) continued full use of university facilities;
8) continued eligibility for annual salary increases; and,
9) holiday pay (if eligible) based on the fractional time appointment.
The employee is also eligible to participate in other voluntary benefit programs
available to unclassified employees including, but not limited to, the educational
assistance program and the cafeteria plan.
Miscellaneous
1) Participants in the Phased Retirement Program may partially annuitize their
Retirement Plan.
2) Funding for the program will come from the existing salary base.
3) Regulations of the Board of Regents shall be used and followed relative to
operation and implementation of the program.
4) An appointment under a phased retirement agreement must be at least 25%
but no more than 75% of the employee's full time load.
5) Entry into a phased retirement agreement shall be voluntary on the part of
Washburn University. Washburn University shall refuse to enter into the
agreement when it is not in the best interests of the institution. Considerations
that would affect the University's best interests include:
(a) the ability of a department, school, or area to accommodate the partial
retirement without loss of program integrity and without placing an undue burden
on other employees
(b) the extent of the financial impact that the partial retirement would have on
the University
c) the impact that the partial retirement would have on the University's ability to
complete its mission and to fulfill its obligations to its students and communities.
6) The agreement may be rescinded within seven (7) days of the signature at
the option of the employee. After that time, the agreement shall be irrevocable,
except that it may be rescinded by mutual agreement of the University and the
employee.
7) The agreement may, by mutual consent, be modified by changing the
participant's fractional time appointment prior to the specified date of retirement
or permitting the employee to take full retirement at an earlier date.
8) Employees who have retired at the end of their agreement shall not be
precluded from re-employment on a post-retirement basis as a result of accepting
a phased retirement agreement.
9) The phased retirement agreement entered into shall have a non-competition
clause prohibiting employment of a phased retiree at a post-secondary education
entity providing services in the state of Kansas.
10) This program shall undergo review for re-authorization, the initial period of
which shall be in effect for three years beginning July 1, 1998 and ending June
30, 2001. Specific Board approval will be required to renew this program."
4. Nomination of Trustee to Finnup Foundation Trust
It was moved and seconded to nominate Richard James Vogel to serve as
trustee to the Finnup Foundation Trust. Motion passed unanimously.
It was moved and seconded to recess to Executive Session in the Kansas Room of
the Memorial Union for the purposes of discussing a personnel matter and to
reconvene in open session in the Kansas Room at 8:05 p.m. Motion passed
unanimously. At 7:50 p.m. the Board of Regents recessed to Executive Session in
the Kansas Room of the Memorial Union.
At 8:05 p.m. the Board reconvened in open session. It was moved and seconded
to recess to Executive Session in the Kansas Room of the Memorial Union for the
purposes of discussing a personnel matter and to reconvene in open session at
8:20 p.m. in the Kansas Room of the Memorial Union. Motion passed unanimously.
At 8:05 p.m. the Board recessed to Executive Session in the Kansas Room of the
Memorial Union. At 8:20 p.m. the Board reconvened in open session.
It was moved and seconded to adjourn. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting
of the Board of Regents adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
________________________
Kenneth P. Hackler
Secretary, Board of Regents