WASHBURN UNIVERSITY OF TOPEKA
BOARD OF REGENTS
MINUTES
December 18, 1996
_______________________________________________________________________________
I. Chairperson Roth called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. in the Kansas Room of the
Memorial Union.
II. Present were: Mr. Engel, Mr. Ferrell, Mr. Felker, Mr. Maag, Dr. Robinson and Mr.
Roth.
III. It was moved and seconded to approve the Minutes of the November 13, 1996
meeting as circulated.
IV. Old Business
A. Proposed Facilities Use Policy/Rental Rate Changes for the Bradbury Thompson
Center (BTC)
Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Sheley, and Facilities Coordinator,
Roxanne Morgan, presented revised proposed guidelines and rental rates for the
use of the Bradbury Thompson Center. In her presentation of the proposed
revisions, Ms. Morgan noted that there isn't a way to compare on a direct basis
the Bradbury Thompson Center with a facility such as the Topeka Performing Arts
Center, noting that TPAC has separate fees for security and an event coordinator
on site, whereas in the case of the Thompson Center that is included in the
building use fee.
At 7:05 p.m. Mrs. Parks arrived.
It was moved and seconded to approve the revised guidelines for the Bradbury
Thompson Center. Motion passed unanimously.
V. New Business
A. Washburn's Facilities/Land Master Plan
Chairperson Roth opened the floor to persons in attendance to comment upon the
Facilities/Land Master Plan noting that the Board of Regents had received two
letters on the subject. Ms. Jan Nuzman, one of the signatories on a letter, said
that the greater concern that she had was that the proposed move of the existing
"soccer field" to an area farther west of its present location would move it into a
drainage area and one which is uneven more than it already is. She noted that
not only is the area used as a "soccer field" but also as an outdoor classroom
area for such things as a golf practice area and so forth. She also said that she is
concerned about the proposal with respect to Phase III in the location of housing
just to the south of the existing tennis courts west of Petro, noting that the
construction there would take away future growth in the tennis courts. She also
noted that the University recently removed four tennis courts which had
previously existed just west of Whiting Field House. Helen Hocker, who with Jan
Nuzman sent a letter to the Board of Regents, said it was her view that the Board
of Regents needs to look at future growth of the institution - where to place more
parking, more buildings - and inquired whether the University was considering
placement of housing on the periphery of the campus noting especially the west
side of MacVicar. The Board Chair recognized also faculty representative to the
Board of Regents, Dr. Tom Wolf, who indicated that he had previously circulated
to members of the Board of Regents some comments he had received from
faculty on two issues, one of which is the housing proposal.
Mr. Leonard Eudaley, staff architect, said that the information from Allen and
O'Hara showed the inclination to use multi-story construction, versus the single-
story construction seen earlier, which uses less area than previously thought but
they didn't have details to know how much less, how much space would in fact
be used. Chairperson Roth indicated that the proposed housing sites were those
areas previously designated by the Board and that if persons would want that to
be reconsidered by the Board that they should contact a member of the Board to
change that. He said he did want to keep all informed and did want to receive
comments from all. He reiterated, however, that were there to be a change in the
proposed housing sites, that it would require a Board member to put it on the
agenda for a vote. He concluded that the item at the meeting was on the agenda
for information only.
B. Campus Housing
Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Sheley, noted that the institution had
received one response in response to its request for proposals. He said he would
like to have the Board create a committee to negotiate with Allen and O'Hara,
including one Board member. Mr. Roth asked whether he had any concern about
having only one proposal. Mr. Eudaley indicated that he was of the impression
that most developers felt that the project was too small to warrant their interest.
He said Allen and O'Hara is mostly interested in management and not in
construction and noted that that company has housing at the University of
Kansas (Naismith Hall).
Mr. Engel inquired what it would be that the committee would negotiate, saying
that as he looked at the materials included with the agenda he sees only a joint
venture with International University Endowment Association and Allen and
O'Hara, and a proposal to use revenue bonds which we could also use. He
questioned about the policy and the renovation of 40 year old units. He said that
he understood he was a new member of the Board and was not involved in
previous discussions on the issue, but did feel these were areas to be looked at.
Mr. Eudaley responded that he, too, felt there was not enough detail for him to
get a handle on the proposal, and Mr. Roth indicated that he was surprised about
the timing shown in the response to the RFP with respect to a marketing study
being done after construction.
Mr. Maag noted that there was another item in that response which had not
previously been discussed and that was the total management of the other
University facilities for student housing.
Mr. Engel indicated he didn't think that the Board or its administration had enough
information to begin negotiation, mentioning, among other things, whether it
would be a 30 or 40 year lease, what is going to built, how it's going to be
financed, and what the management fee would be. He said he wished the
proposal were more specific. He also noted that he had contacted some folks
who are presently residing in the Allen and O'Hara project in Lawrence, Naismith
Hall, and noted that the monthly rent is $450 for a nine-month period.
Following some additional discussion, it was moved and seconded to have the
Board Secretary write to Allen and O'Hara seeking additional information with
respect to its response to be evaluated so as to be able to determine whether the
Board should enter into negotiations with the firm. Motion passed unanimously.
Members of the Board can send their list of concerns to Mr. Hackler to compile
with the letter to Allen and O'Hara within the next two weeks.
C. 1996 NACUBO Endowment Study - Preliminary Report
This item was on the agenda for information only.
D. Washburn University Commissioned Armed Police Officers
Board Chair recognized Dr. Wolf who reiterated he had previously circulated to
members of the Board some comments he received from faculty expressing
severe reservations about having armed personnel on the University's campus and
noted his own concerns, e.g.: the proposal is not supported by any good
rationale; no student with whom he has visited supports having armed security
forces; there doesn't appear to be any evidence supporting the claim that armed
personnel on the campus serves as a deterrent; and, it's his view, absent
additional information, that the cost in terms of dollars intellectually outweigh the
benefits which might be derived.
Vice President Mosiman responded by noting that the issue of security on the
campus has been one studied previously and that a security consultant, in the
form of faculty member Dr. David MacElreath, Chair of the Criminal Justice
Department, had reviewed the University's security and indicated to President
Thompson that we needed to bring security to a new and higher level, including
the addition of officers and moving toward having a police force. He also noted
that the University is in the process now of installing a "blue telephone system"
across the campus for use by persons and a video surveillance system. He also
noted that the NCAA requires at each athletic contest two armed officers and
that, in point of fact, the University has for a number of years now utilized armed
off-duty police officers to assist in providing security on the campus. It was
moved and seconded to authorize the administration to proceed with the
implementation of the proposal outlined in agenda item V.D. Motion passed
unanimously.
E. Proposed 1997-98 Classified Compensation Schedule for Classified Employees
It was moved and seconded to approve the proposed Classified Compensation
Schedule. Motion passed unanimously.
F. Insurance Policy Renewals/Cancellations Effective January 1, 1997
It was moved and seconded to approve the renewal of the insurance policy
outlined in the agenda item and with the inclusion of the School Board legal
liability policy information circulated at the meeting. Motion passed unanimously.
G. Investment Annual Reporting Requirements
It was moved and seconded to receive the report. Motion passed unanimously.
H. Expenditures over $25,000
1. Replacement of Air Conditioning Chiller - Morgan
It was moved and seconded to approve the purchase of a 270 ton capacity
replacement chiller machine for Morgan Hall from Trane Company at a cost of
$102,717. Motion passed unanimously.
2. Purchase of Xerox Copier for Service Area
It was moved and seconded to approve the purchase of a Model 5100A
copier from Xerox in the amount of $29,200. Motion passed unanimously.
I. Policies
1. Proposed Gift Policy and Procedures Manual
It was moved and seconded to approve the WEA drafted "Gift Policy and
Procedures Manual" including the delegation of authority to the Washburn
Endowment Association to receive gifts made to Washburn University and to
sell marketable securities received as gifts on behalf of the University. Motion
passed unanimously.
J. Personnel
1. Administrative Personnel
It was moved and seconded to approve the increase in full time equivalency
for the administrative position of Administrative Assistant in the International
Studies/institute for International Program from .80 to 1.00 at an annual basic
salary of $25,622. Motion passed unanimously.
K. Financial Reports
1. KTWU's Annual Financial Report & Audit for the Period Ended June 30, 1996
It was moved and seconded to receive the report and audit for KTWU's annual
financial report audit. Motion passed unanimously.
2. Liquidated Claims Approval - October and November, 1996; and 3. Depository
Security Transactions
It was moved and seconded to approve the Liquidated Claims and Depository
Security Transactions set forth in agenda item V.K.2 and 3. Motion passed
unanimously.
Miscellaneous:
Chairperson Roth noted there will be a need to change the January 15, 1997 Board of
Regents meeting previously scheduled to another date due to conflict with events involving
the Board of Regents in the search and interview process with presidential candidates. He
asked Mr. Hackler to outline the schedule for the interview process. Mr. Hackler indicated
that each of the candidates to be brought onto the campus would be for a two and a half
day period beginning on January 15, 1997 and ending on January 28; that the candidates
would be involved in a "endurance contest" meeting and visiting with a wide variety of
campus constituencies from 7:30 each morning until 9:00 p.m.; and that each of the
constituencies would provide input to the Board of Regents through the Presidential Search
Committee. He indicated that the Presidential Search Committee has scheduled a meeting
for January 31, 1997 to review the input from the various campus constituencies for
forwarding to the Board of Regents. Mr. Roth said that he would visit with Mr. Dick
concerning rescheduling of the January meeting, inasmuch as he and Mr. Roth have the
greatest distance to drive. He said he would also speak with Ben Blair about meeting for
the purpose of selecting the new president.
It was then moved and seconded to recess to Executive Session for a period of 20
minutes to discuss a personnel matter and to reconvene in open session at the conclusion
thereof in the Kansas Room of the Memorial Union. Motion passed unanimously. At 9:15
p.m. the Board recessed to Executive Session in the Kansas Room of the Memorial Union.
At 9:35 p.m. the Board reconvened in open session. It was announced that the Board had
been in Executive Session for the purpose of discussing personnel matters and that no
action was taken or is to be taken.
It was moved and seconded to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
__________________________
Kenneth P. Hackler
Secretary, Board of Regents