WASHBURN UNIVERSITY OF TOPEKA
BOARD OF REGENTS
MINUTES
November 14, 1997
_______________________________________________________________________
I. Chairperson Parks called the meeting of the Board of Regents to order at 1:05 p.m. in the
Cottonwood Room of the Memorial Union.
II. Present were: Mr. Craig, Mr. Engel, Mr. Ferrell, Mrs. Parks, Mr. Roth and Dr. Ybarra.
III. It was moved and seconded to approve the minutes of the October 8, 1997 meeting as
mailed. Motion passed unanimously.
IV. President's Report
President Farley noted that members of the Board that might have seen in the newspaper
that the University recently received a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer as a
gift from the American Chemical Society. He said this $165,000 piece of equipment
enables students to see the structure of a compound.
He announced that two members of the University's faculty, Nancie Palmer and Patricia
Renn-Scanlon, had a featured article in the recent edition of the Student Success
newsletter on enhancing competencies and that the Executive in Residence for the
University this year, November 17, 1997, is the publisher of the New York Times, Arthur
Salzburg. He said that the Secretary of State, Ron Thornburgh, recently appeared at
Wake up with Washburn and talked about what we should expect of government and
talked about ways that it can improve providing services.
President Farley said that the University had been highlighted recently in local media,
noting first that Betty Lou Pardue of WIBW spent several mornings during the week of
homecoming doing live broadcasts from the institution. He said that the University's
distance learning project and Chuck Tumlinson and the Coleman Hawkins events were
featured on KTKA-TV Channel 49 and that KSNT-TV Channel 27 highlighted the dance
marathon recently put on by students. He also said that he was interviewed on a
telephone call-in show with Jim Cates of WIBW last week.
He announced that Dr. Sarah Tucker in the University's History Department recently won
the "Horizon" award from the Kansas Humanitarian Council.
Mayor Wagnon arrived at 1:15 p.m.
Dr. Farley announced that on the first weekend in December there will be 115 teams
participating in the University's High Q. He said that, according to Vice President Sheley,
this is the largest high school quiz bowl in North America.
Dr. Farley extended an invitation to attend the Vespers event on Sunday, December 14,
at 4:00 p.m. in White Concert Hall.
V. New Business
A. Action Items
1.Supplemental Request for State Funding
It was moved and seconded to ratify President Farley's request for supplemental
state funding. In discussion, Dr. Farley noted that there is a need to change and
improve the library to help students learn better and easier. He noted that we
presently have only 70% of the space recommended for institutions of our size.
He also noted that to this point the University's library has served primarily as a
repository and needs to evolve to be more in order to provide "access" to
material electronically as that is the trend in library services. He said there is a
need to have the structure and technology in place for that change as we become
more technology oriented in the future. The proposal advanced is for funding of
approximately $14.8 million for construction of an 80,000 sq. ft. structure linking
Mabee Library and Henderson Learning Resources Center. He said that an
affirmative vote on the request is not a vote for a $14 million project or commit
the University to such a $14 million project. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Dick arrived at 1:30 p.m.
2.1996-97 Audit Reports - Berberich, Trahan & Co., P.A.
One of the principles of the firm, John Berberich, made a presentation outlining
the audit report prepared and submitted to the Board of Regents. In his
presentation, Mr. Berberich commended the work of Mr. Mosiman and his staff
in the preparation of the materials within the very short time period in which they
have to work. President Farley commented on the excellent job done by the
University's Vice President for Administration and Treasurer and his staff, noting
that it's his view that the institution is in remarkable condition. It was moved
and seconded to accept the 1996-97 Audit Reports. Motion passed
unanimously. It was moved and seconded to appoint Berberich, Trahan & Co.,
P.A. to perform the 1997-98 audits. Motion passed unanimously.
3.Auxiliary Enterprise Funding Plan
It was moved and seconded to fund employee benefits for the Memorial Union
and Housing employees from the Employee Benefit Contribution Fund this year
without increasing the mill levy. Motion passed unanimously.
4.Athletics Fundraiser Initiative
It was moved and seconded to approve the Athletics Fundraiser Initiative outlined
in agenda item V.A.4. Dr. Farley noted in his presentation that Athletics is an
integral part of the institution and that athletics and academics can't be
separated; rather, they just represent different aspects of the institution. He said
that athletics can provide substantial dollars for its own operation noting that
they have done a great job of raising money for athletics to date and that the
Athletics Director and coaches have given a good bit of their time in assisting in
the fundraising efforts. He said that if the University gives a bit more structure
to the fundraising aspects, it could even do better than they have been doing.
He said his proposal is to hire a fundraiser for Athletics, coordinating between the
Athletics Department and the Washburn Endowment Association.
Dr. Farley said he would expect the fundraiser hired to bring in funds three, four
or even five times greater than his or her salary and that he will be "intimately
involved" in the process and expects to report periodically to the Board. He said
the University will do a search to find the best person possible for the position
possessing skills as a fundraiser. He said the University will provide the start-up
cost of the fundraiser position in amounts not to exceed $62,000 divided equally
between fiscal year 1998 and fiscal year 1999. Monies expended on this project
are to be repaid by the end of five years.
It was moved and seconded to approve the Consent Agenda outlined in agenda items V.B.1.a.
through f. and B.2.a. through d. Motion passed unanimously.
By action, the Board approved:
B.1.a. Cleaning, Tuckpointing & Waterproofing
Award of a contract to Restoration & Waterproofing Contractors, Inc. in the amount
of $31,899 to clean, tuckpoint and waterproof the exterior stonework on Morgan
Hall.
b.Purchase of 10 LCD Projectors
The purchase of 10 EIKI LC-XGA970 LCD Projectors from Cytek in the amount
of $69,300.
c.Computer Rental for LightWave 3D Hands-on Training Workshops
The rental of up to 34 computer terminals and monitors and keyboards from
Houlihan Office Systems not to exceed $54,740.
d. Liquidated Claims Approval, e. Public Fund Investments, and f. Depository
Security Transactions
The Liquidated Claims Approval, Public Fund Investments and Depository
Security Transactions shown in the agenda items.
B.2.a. Personnel Salary Increase - Asst. Controller
Increase in salary for the Assistant Controller from an annual basic salary of
$26,652 to $28,020 effective January 1, 1998.
b.Proposed 1998-99 Classified Compensation Schedule
Approval of the proposed 1998-99 Classified Compensation Schedule as shown
in the agenda item.
c.Personnel Appointment - Brown, and d. Personnel Appointment - Hewitt
The appointment of Donald H. Brown in the KTWU promotion/marketing position
at an annual basis salary of $27,960; and, the appointment of Joseph Hewitt as
UNIX Systems Coordinator at the Law Library at an annual basic salary of
$33,000.
It was moved and seconded to recess to Executive Session for a period not to exceed 15
minutes for the purpose of discussing employer-employee negotiations and to reconvene in
open session at the conclusion thereof in the Cottonwood Room of the Memorial Union at
2:25 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. At 2:25 p.m. the Board of Regents reconvened in
open session in the Cottonwood Room of the Memorial Union.
It was moved and seconded to approve the proposed Memorandum of Agreement with United
Steelworkers of America Local 851 provided, however, the provisions providing for calculation
and determination of overtime pay be revised to reflect language in the current agreement
approved by the Board last year. Motion passed unanimously.
It was moved and seconded to adjourn to the Board of Regents Retreat at the International
House as earlier announced and notice provided for. Motion passed unanimously. The
meeting adjourned at 2:25 p.m
__________________________
Kenneth P. Hackler
Secretary, Board of Regents