The University of West Alabama
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
December 13, 1999, 10:00 a.m.
Student Union Building

Approved Minutes

1.  CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order by Mr. Terry Bunn, Chairman pro tem, and he asked Dr. Drayton Pruitt to give the invocation.

2.  ROLL CALL

Mr. Bunn requested Mr. Raiford Noland, Assistant Secretary, to call the roll. Members present were:

Mr. Pierce Boyd, Mr. Terry Bunn, Mr. Dwight Duke, Mr. Herbie Malone, Mr. Preston Minus, Jr., Dr. Doris Oliveira, Dr. Drayton Pruitt, Mr. Thed Spree

Absent: Mr. Robert Keahey, Mr. Frank McGough, Dr. Louise Nolen, Rev. Samuel Pettagrue, and Mr. John Smith

3.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM LAST MEETING

Mr. Bunn asked if there were any changes to the minutes which were previously distributed from the last meeting. Mr. Boyd asked Mr. Noland to re-state the University's position on investments. Noland presented Mr. Bunn a statement which he read outlining the procedures that are currently being used (see attached).

Dr. Pruitt moved to approve the minutes, as submitted, and Mr. Minus seconded the motion. The motion passed.

4.  ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

McIlwain Bell Awards - Dr. David Taylor reported that the Bell-Cunningham family endowed a fund several years ago to bestow excellence awards to deserving faculty and staff. He indicated these awards are given in three categories--faculty excellence, professional staff excellence, and support staff excellence. He stated that this year's selection committee, which was composed of members of faculty, staff and the Board of Trustees, recommended the following recipients:

Dr. Walter Earl Pittman, Trustee Professorship
Mr. Richard Hester, Professional Staff
Mr. Julian Ptomey, Support Staff

Dr. Pruitt made a motion to approve these nominations, with Mr. Spree seconding the motion. Motion passed.

Dr. Ervin Wood presented the staff excellence awards. The Professional Staff Excellence Award was presented to Mr. Richard Hester, Director of Admissions, and the Support Staff Excellence Award was presented to Mr. Julian Ptomey, Media Technician. Dr. Underwood presented the Trustee Professorship Award to Dr. Walter Earl Pittman, a faculty member in the Division of History and Social Sciences.

Mr. Bunn thanked these recipients for their dedication to the University.

5.  BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

Mr. Malone distributed a year-end report on the financial condition of the University. He stated that at the last meeting the overall picture was not too good; however, after the fiscal year ended, there was a fund balance of some $731,000. Mr. Malone also distributed a budget status summary report for the month of October 1999, and indicated the report revealed that no appropriation from the State of Alabama was received during October.

6.  ATHLETIC COMMITTEE

Mr. Spree distributed a report on the athletic programs, and urged the trustees to go by and see the new pressbox at the baseball field. He also said the rodeo team continues to excel in their competitions. Mr. Boyd reported that he had heard nothing but compliments on Coach Bobby Johns and his program, and asked that the University pursue the possibility of UWA moving from the NCAA Division II to Division III. Mr. Minus concurred with this recommendation. President Roach stated that this option was seriously looked at by the Strategic Planning Athletic Committee, and that this information would be presented to the Board at its retreat in January 2000.

7.  LAND USE AND FACILITIES COMMITTEE

A.  Delta Chi House - Dr. Pruitt reported that the Committee met at 9:30, and that the Jackson house (formerly the Delta Chi Fraternity House) had been purchased. He said the house was in very poor condition and needed to either be torn down or removed from its location, and he made a motion to publicly advertise it for removal or for it to be sold or given to anyone who would remove it for the lumber. If this is not feasible, then the University would ask the local Fire Department to burn it. Mr. Minus seconded the motion and it passed.

B/C.  Bell Conference Center and McConnell House - Dr. Pruitt said this project is still being discussed, i.e. the size and location of the facility and that it would be a part of the overall strategic plan for the University. Since there will be approximately $1.5 to $2 million available for capital improvements and the Committee wants to look at the needs on campus, it was the Land Use Committee's recommendation to defer any action on the Bell Conference Center and the McConnell House until the Board retreat is held.

8.  PRESIDENT'S REPORT

A.  Capital Campaign - Technology 2000 - Dr. Roach said he was very excited about the fund-raising project which would enable the University to offer computers to the students in the Fall 2000. He stated that the University has been working with the Jerry Smith Group who will provide the following: (1) outline strategies for the fund-raising; (2) assist in solicitations; (3) assist in developing standards for giving; (4) advise on the establishment of the gift office; (5) assist in developing the guidelines for volunteers; (6) assist in production of publicity; and (7) assist in developing a campaign timeline. He said the University must be willing to commit to the campaign by providing a staff, an office for the staff, commit time and resources, find a chairperson for the campaign who is willing to solicit for gifts, and an operating account.

Dr. Roach said the goal for gifts to be raised is $2 million. He outlined the infrastructure cost as follows:

$37,500 for server and software costs
$34,400 for network technicians
$10,000 for student technical support
$81,940 total
plus 43,200 cost for Jerry Smith Group
$125,140

Dr. Roach asked for the Board's approval to move forward with the Capital Campaign project, and offered to answer any questions. After discussion, Dr. Pruitt moved to approve the Technology 2000 Campaign to be paid from the Fund Balance of the General Fund if sufficient monies are not raised to cover the cost. Mr. Malone seconded the motion. Motion passed. Mr. Noland stated that expenditures would be made from Mr. Spruiell's budget and this budget would be reimbursed as funds are collected.

Dr. Wood stated that a new brochure for recruiting purposes has already been designed indicating that the computers will be offered and it was very important that his staff be able to proceed as soon as possible using this in their recruiting efforts. He also stated that if UWA did not get on this, another school would.

Dr. Taylor mentioned that students would be given the opportunity to purchase a computer through a lease-purchase plan from a partnership with a vendor that the University would have.

Mr. Malone asked that updates be provided to the Board as this endeavor progresses.

9.  LEGISLATION/DISCUSSION-SEDGEFIELDS (See attached remarks by Mr. Bunn)

Mr. Bunn said that he wanted to provide the Board with some background on the Sedgefields project. He said for some time the UWA Board of Trustees Executive Committee had been working with representatives of Paul Broadhead, Sr. regarding the Sedgefields Plantation in Bullock County, Alabama. Mr. Broadhead had set up a 334 foundation which was designed to be a support organization for UWA and other non-profit organizations or charities.

Mr. Bunn said UWA would establish a program of cooperative studies to oversee student internships and other activities at the Plantation, and that funding for this program would be derived from the 334 Foundation. He further said that many details would need to be worked out before arriving at the contract stage with the Broadheads.

Mr. Bunn said that one particular item arising from negotiations between Broadhead and UWA was the recently passed legislation that brought about certain changes in the legislative charter of UWA. He said the legislation was simply to enable, but not to obligate the University to do anything, but rather empowers the Board of Trustees to conclude this arrangement if the Board so chooses.

Mr. Bunn stated the Governor had signed the legislation; however, any contract would have to be reviewed and negotiated between Mr. Broadhead and The University of West Alabama. He also stated that at this time, no written proposal had been received from Mr. Broadhead and, therefore, the only thing that could be done today relative to this project is discuss it. Mr. Bunn said he was aware there would be a video, as well as comments from several people regarding the project, but he wanted to stress again that there would be no vote taken on this matter today.

Mr. Bunn said he felt the project had many good possibilities for the University, but the procedure would be if and when a proposal is received from Mr. Broadhead, it will be submitted to all members of the Board, the Administration, and to the University's attorney for a full, thoughtful, and thorough review. He said after an adequate time for review, he would ask the Board to formally consider the proposal for approval or disapproval, which could happen at the regularly scheduled Board meeting in March 2000 or at an earlier specially called meeting. He reiterated that this would only be done after sufficient review, discussion, and when the entire Board votes on it.

Mr. Bunn said that prior to any vote, he would ask President Roach to report on his assessment of the Broadhead proposal from the perspective of the Administration, specifically as to the benefits and risks, if any, that he perceives and the extent to which the project contributes to the furtherance of UWA's mission.

Mr. Bunn said he would submit a proposal to the University's Counsel, Mr. Mike Kendrick, and ask that he review it from a legal perspective and advise on what he perceives, from a legal standpoint, to be in the best interests of the University. Mr. Bunn said no contract would be completed until the Board is fully satisfied that all fiduciary responsibilities have been met.

Mr. Malone said that he had been asked by Dr. Pruitt to chair the Executive Committee in matters relating to the Sedgefields project. Mr. Malone, at this time, referred to Dr. Pruitt to present a video on the Sedgefields Plantation.

Dr. Pruitt stated that Mr. Paul Broadhead was originally from Needham, Alabama, and three years ago he had a heart transplant. He stated that he had recently purchased the Sedgefields Plantation in Bullock County, which consists of 14,000 acres. He said that Mr. Broadhead was very interested in an internship program.

Dr. Taylor said that many academic programs on campus require an internship or practicum before a student graduates. He said that UWA, in conjunction with Sedgefields, has had several students who have worked there as interns. They were able to continue their course work and even be paid for their time. The students have provided assistance to Sedgefields in several areas--webpage design, research writing for grant proposals, designing of a waste-water installation, etc. Dr. Taylor said that one of the former interns, Mr. Matt Olive, had been hired by Sedgefields upon his graduation.

Former interns, Christy Doggett and Matt Olive, spoke of their rewarding experiences while serving their internships with the Sedgefields group.

Dr. Pruitt stated that the 334 foundation that Mr. Broadhead has formed will have Dr. David Taylor, Mr. Raiford Noland, and himself on its board, as well as representatives from the Broadhead company. He said there is some consideration being given to a bond issue for the purpose of financing the development of this project, but the final decision has not been made.

Dr. Pruitt further stated that there would be no intended risk to The University of West Alabama or the State of Alabama, and that any default would be absorbed by Mr. Broadhead. He said that a proposed contract would be sent to all attorneys.

Mr. Boyd asked if the EEOC policies would be dealt with in this endeavor. Mr. Kendrick, UWA's attorney, replied that all of the concerns would be addressed at the time a proposed contract is presented to him, i.e. the liabilities, risks, laws, etc.

Mr. Boyd made a motion that the University do everything to comply with EEOC guidelines in dealing with the Sedgefields project; and Dr. Oliveira seconded the motion. Dr. Pruitt said that he was very confident that all aspects of the laws, as well as any other concerns, would be closely looked at prior to any deal being made. Mr. Duke made a motion to table the motion previously made by Mr. Boyd since the University is required to comply with Federal and State laws, and Mr. Malone seconded. The motion passed, with Dr. Pruitt abstaining and Mr. Boyd opposing.

Mr. Malone said the Executive Committee presented a resolution announcing its support for the concept. He also said that recently he and several representatives from the University had traveled to the Sedgefields Plantation to meet with Mr. Paul Broadhead, Jr. to discuss the proposed legislation which was needed to start this project.

10.  MINUTES OF PRIOR MEETINGS - BOYD

Mr. Boyd said that he had previously requested copies of the minutes of the Board meetings for several years past, and he had discovered several discrepancies. He said that most of the errors in the minutes were from motions being made, seconded, and stating they were passed unanimously. When, in fact, he said the majority of the time he did not even vote. The dates of the meetings in question by Mr. Boyd were as follows:

June 7, 1993, "Bunn" seconded the motion to hire Bob Drake, not "Boyd"
July 30, 1993, delete "unanimously"
March 7, 1994, delete "unanimously"
December 5, 1994, delete "unanimously"
March 6, 1995, delete "unanimously"
December 4, 1995, delete "unanimously"
December 4, 1995, delete "without opposition" and no attachment included
March 4, 1996, delete "unanimously"
December 2, 1996, delete "unanimously"
March 3, 1997, delete "unanimously"
October 16, 1997
April 6, 1996, no indication as to outcome of motion
June 1, 1998, delete "unanimously"

Mr. Boyd said he would like to make a motion that these minutes, as listed above, be corrected and Dr. Oliveira seconded the motion.

Mr. Malone pointed out to Mr. Boyd that some of the current Trustees were not even on the Board during some of the dates Mr. Boyd had mentioned. After several other comments, Dr. Pruitt moved that Mr. Boyd's motion be tabled, with Mr. Duke seconding, and the motion passed. Mr. Boyd opposed the motion.

Mr. Boyd moved to present to all of the faculty and security employees a $1,000 bonus from the $800,000 budget surplus and Dr. Oliveira seconded the motion. Mr. Malone moved to table Mr. Boyd's motion and Mr. Duke seconded the motion. The motion passed. Mr. Boyd and Dr. Oliveira voted against the motion.

11.  OTHER

Dr. Wood invited the Board members to go by and look at the new Delta Chi Fraternity House. He said it was a nice facility and he felt it would improve the Greek life on campus.

There was no other business, and the meeting was adjourned at 12:40 p.m.

Terry Bunn Remarks on the UWA/Sedgefields Project
13 Dec 1999 Board of Trustees Meeting