The University of West Alabama
Board of Trustees
June 5, 2000, 10:00 a.m.
Student Union Building
Approved Minutes

1. CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Terry Bunn, Chairman pro tem, called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the meeting. He asked Mr. Alex Saad to give the invocation.
2. ROLL CALL
Mr. Raiford Noland, Assistant Secretary, was requested to call the roll. Members present were:
Mr. Terry Bunn, Mrs. Lena Hardaway, Mr. Bobby Keahey, Mr. Preston Minus, Dr. Louise Nolen, Dr. Doris Oliveira, Mr. Alex Saad, Mr. John Smith, Mr. Thed Spree, Dr. Tom Umphrey, Mr. Nat Watkins
Absent: Mr. Dwight Duke and Mr. Frank McGough (arrived @ 10:20 a.m.)
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Bunn asked if there were corrections to the minutes from the last meeting.
Mr. Minus questioned the agenda and asked to change the order. Mr. Saad moved to accept the agenda, as presented. Dr. Umphrey seconded the motion and the motion passed.
Mr. Minus called for an executive session. Mr. Bunn said the meeting would go according to the agenda.
Again, Mr. Bunn asked if there were any corrections to the minutes; Mr. Saad moved to accept the minutes, as previously submitted, and Mr. Watkins seconded the motion. The motion passed.
4. WELCOME TO NEW BOARD MEMBERS
Mr. Bunn welcomed the new trustees to the meeting--Mrs. Lena Hardaway, Mr. Alex Saad, Dr. Tom Umphrey, and Mr. Nat Watkins. He also recognized the trustees who were re-appointed to the Board--Mr. John Smith and Mr. Thed Spree.
5. SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Mr. John Crawford, Director of Development, read a resolution to be presented to Mr. Glen Bridges from the Board of Trustees for his long and faithful service to the University (copy attached). Mr. Smith moved to approve the resolution, Mr. Saad seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Dee Outlaw recognized two coaches for their outstanding record: Mrs. Janet Montgomery, Head Softball Coach, and Mr. Rick Reedy, Head Men's Basketball Coach.
Mr. Bunn introduced Mr. J. D. Brazill, a representative from Alabama Power Company, who reported that he was at the meeting to present the first installment of a pledge from the Alabama Power Company Foundation. He also commended President Roach and the Board for their dedication to this campaign.
Mr. Frank McGough arrived at 10:20 a.m.
6. PRESIDENT'S REPORT
Dr. Roach said he had completed 21 months as the University's President and expressed his thanks to the Board, faculty, staff, alumni, Foundation Board, supporters from the business community, his friends from the Livingston community, and the students.
Dr. Roach said because there were several new members of the Board present, he wanted to give an overview of his time at UWA, starting with his appointment as Provost in 1994 and focusing on the 21 months he had served as President. He stated he came to UWA in 1994, subsequent to President Hines seeking his candidacy for the position of Provost for a variety of reasons, including his background in academic strategic planning.
He said President Hines asked that they work together to carry out the academic philosophy which they both held, that of openness and shared collegial governance.
Dr. Roach reported that in January 1995, the President received a letter from SACS placing UWA on "notice" because of the lack of progress in addressing weaknesses that were cited in the 1992 reaffirmation visit. The University had not made substantial progress toward implementing an acceptable planning and assessment program. He said through a campus effort and with the assistance of the President, Vice Presidents, the Deans' Council, and other senior staff, the Planning and Institutional Effectiveness Guide was written (in October 1995), along with several follow-up reports to SACS on this progress.
In January 1996, after completing the fourth follow-up report to SACS and submitting a copy of the Planning Guide, the University was removed from "notice" status and told that no additional report was requested. Dr. Roach said that the Draft Strategic Plan he had sent to each Trustee in January 2000 is complimentary to the larger assessment and planning efforts, as revealed on pages 9-10 in the new Guide being distributed today.
Dr. Roach cited again the four major challenges and goals that he addressed in his first presentation to the Board in September 1998, as follows:
¨ technology which includes campus networking, distance learning, and library automation;
¨ conversion to the semester system;
¨ preparation for the next SACS visit in 2002; and
¨ private fund-raising.
Dr. Roach said he would still like to have a retreat so that Board members and University faculty and staff can engage in more extensive dialogue about the University.
He said that in his emphasis on technology, he had referred to Governor Siegelman's inaugural address in which he promised that "Our children will have state-of-the-art computers..." and had pledged to join the Governor in this quest by providing the UWA students, faculty, and staff with these critical tools to make UWA a technologically up-to-date University for the year 2000.
Dr. Roach gave an update on the e-Campus and Technology 2000 Campaign. He referred to a recent article in the Tuscaloosa News, and added that UWA has an e-Campus Task Force comprised of 24 faculty and staff who are working steadily to make certain that all areas of the institution are prepared for the implementation of the e-Campus in the Fall 2000.
Dr. Roach also reported on the wireless connectivity in the dorms, apartments, and selected classroom buildings and said that Provost Taylor would provide the Trustees a schematic plan in his report. He reported that Cisco Systems' engineers recently visited our campus to advise us on this wireless project and they said that UWA would undoubtedly be a great example for other Alabama universities to follow in this approach.
In addition, Dr. Roach reported that as part of the e-Campus concept, a plan is being instituted to become a part of the Intercampus Interactive Telecommunications System (IITS) which will link UWA to 60 sites statewide. It will also allow UWA to engage in distance education and to participate in teleconferencing with other institutions and agencies.
On the fund-raising efforts, Dr. Roach expressed appreciation to the Alabama Power Company Foundation and the Daniel Foundation for their pledges to the University. He also thanked HealthSouth for their donation of 200 desktop computers, 50 laptops, and the accompanying accessories for the machines.
Further, Dr. Roach said that 19% ($372,804.38) of the $2 million goal for the Technology 2000 Campaign has been reached, and the total dollar amount committed by the faculty and staff so far is $44,065. He said plans are to come to the Trustees also to ask for their support in this Campaign.
He said there will be two West Alabama leadership conferences on campus in the near future -- one on community development and another on economic development -- tentatively set for October and November on the UWA campus.
Dr. Roach said that members of the UWA administration and the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics met in March with representatives from ADEM, the State Department of Public Health, and Tombigbee RC&D to discuss the establishment of the Alabama On-Site Wastewater Disposal Training Center on the UWA campus. It would be a major state and regional center to train engineers, health department officials, and wastewater treatment system installers in the latest available technology in this area. He said the meeting resulted in a planning retreat scheduled for June 7, on campus, whereas plans will be established for meeting this goal. He said he would lead this retreat.
He said he would be meeting with business developer Roland Pugh, a member of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, this week to discuss distance education and program viability in the State.
Dr. Roach reported that he and Provost Taylor had met recently with Congressman Earl Hilliard to discuss economic development in this area. He said a proposal has been developed for Mr. Hilliard that would house a member of his staff on campus to work closely with the UWA's Small Business Development Center, the College of Business faculty, and the Center for Economic Development.
Dr. Roach reported on the Fall Semester enrollment outlook, i.e. applications for freshmen are up 3%, housing applications are up by 35 students, freshmen housing applications are up 30%; however, transfer student housing and admission applications are down some. He said the total number of students who have pre-registered for the Fall is about the same as last year and, hopefully, enrollment will be about even with last year.
Dr. Roach stated there are major issues facing the University --1) stability in the University so that faculty and staff can go about their jobs of educating students and serving the region, 2) enrollment, and 3) preparation for the upcoming accreditation visits. He said that we might have some problems, but he truly believes that the faculty, staff and students are with this administration and its efforts to address UWA's problems and to create initiatives that will translate into opportunities for the years to come.
He said that the purpose for everyone being here today is to provide an education for the students and to work together for this purpose. He asked the members of the Board to join hands with the administration, faculty, staff and students to celebrate UWA's successes of the past, to work together to embrace and confront the challenges of the present, and to help create a University that the State of Alabama, the West Alabama region, and the community want and deserve.
7. REPORTS
A. Foundation Board - Mr. Hillhouse, President of the UWA Foundation Board, reported that the UWA Foundation has grown to $1.7 million, and its Board has sixteen members. He said the Foundation would like to work together with the Board of Trustees for the betterment of the University and distributed a copy of the Foundation Board's goal and mission statement to the trustees.
B. National Alumni Association - Dr. Bob Clardy, President of the UWA Alumni Association, reported that there are twelve chartered alumni chapters. He stated that the chapters have numerous fund-raising events to support various scholarship programs, and that $56,000 in scholarships were awarded last year.
C. Technology 2000 Campaign - Mr. Hal Bloom, Chairman of the Technology 2000 Campaign, said he had been a member of the Foundation Board and was honored to be asked to serve as Chair of the Technology 2000 Campaign. He challenged each trustee to go out and seek just one contribution which would assist in meeting the $2 million goal.
D. Faculty Senate - Dr. R. T. Floyd, Chairman of the UWA Faculty Senate, reported that in working with President Roach and numerous offices on campus, significant strides have been made during the past year, as follows:
¨ a Faculty Senate web page has been established to communicate its agendas, minutes, meetings, membership and other information;
¨ a faculty development technology initiative has been started to provide workshops for faculty and staff, and 13 workshops have been provided in the first year;
¨ the Senate had assisted in the development of web pages for each faculty member--91 faculty members now have some type of web page;
¨ the UWA Faculty Senate hosted the Alabama Council of University Faculty Presidents on campus;
¨ through the University Scholars Committee and the Office of the Provost the process by which these awards are presented has been greatly improved;
¨ the Senate has worked with the administration to improve various aspects of the academic advising and pre-registration process;
¨ through the Faculty Affairs Committee, a plan has been developed for a faculty/staff sick leave bank;
¨ with the assistance of the administration, direct deposit of employee's payroll checks has been obtained;
¨ by working with President Roach and the President's Council, the Senate is on the verge of initiating a flexible medical spending plan for the UWA personnel that will allow employees to reduce their taxes and increase their net pay, and save the University matching FICA taxes on these amounts;
¨ the Senate is in the process of arranging seminars on financial planning for the employees;
¨ future plans are to bring representatives from various tax deferred compensation companies to campus;
Dr. Floyd said this progress has been a team approach and would not have been possible without the support of President Roach and the administration, as well as the Staff Senate.
E. Staff Senate - Mr. Danny Buckalew, Chairman of the UWA Staff Senate, reported that all staff employees are represented by the Staff Senate. He said that progress had been made in the staff equity process, and they had worked with the Faculty Senate on the direct deposit concept.
F. Student Government Association - Ms. Erin Eckert, President, reported that she came to UWA from the state of Oklahoma and that she loved the small classes and the way in which a student really gets to know the teachers. She thanked President Roach for his assistance and his open door policy for the students when they have concerns.
G. Other - Dr. Richard Holland said he had been associated with this campus for 33 years, that he now serves on the Foundation Board, he has also served on the SACS Accreditation Review Committee and served as Chair for the last review and would serve again on the upcoming review. He stated that the University is moving forward under the current leadership and he hopes to see that continue.
Mr. Archie Hooper, former SGA President, spoke on behalf of the current administration, commending President Roach for his leadership, vision and ultimate goals for the University.
Mr. Aubrey Ellis, Alumnus and member of the Foundation Board, also spoke on behalf of the current administration. He said he, as an elected member of the Sumter County Board of Commissioners, has been working with President Roach to provide economic development for the West Alabama area. He said the University and Sumter County could go a long way if they continue to work together. Mr. Ellis said he would like to see the Board of Trustees get behind President Roach and work toward making progress for the University, as well as the region.
Mr. Jack White, Pastor of the Livingston Church of Christ, also spoke on behalf of the current administration. He said he wanted to appeal to the trustees to do what is right for this University and its future by giving President Roach the opportunity to continue the work that he is doing.
8. ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Dr. David Taylor, University Provost, reported that UWA is facing two re-accreditation reviews -- NCATE and SACS. He said that a NCATE team will be on campus in November and that the University must be prepared to show that it is meeting all of the standards for accreditation and addressing any weaknesses.
Dr. Taylor said that the Learning Resources Center had been working to improve its area of weakness. Through the leadership of Dr. Neil Snider, Dr. Taylor said that the LRC has completely gone to automation.
Dr. Taylor stated that he will work to partner with area public schools to bring about the technology assistance that is needed for those schools.
He said that the University is very grateful to have Dr. Holland volunteer to chair the SACS Review Committee again, and that technology is going to play an unprecedented role in this review. He said after the process is completed, the results would be announced at the SACS annual meeting in December 2002.
Dr. Taylor said that the campus network connectivity should be in the dorms and apartments by August 2000, and distributed a schematic plan indicating the progress in this process. He said all academic buildings have already been hard wired and that fiber optic cable is already installed in almost all of the offices for the faculty.
Dr. Taylor said that several years ago, the Board was given a series of reports from the various academic units on the activities and achievements of the units. He said they would like to do this again, beginning at the next Board meeting with a report on the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics by Dr. Richard Holland, to be followed at subsequent Board meetings by reports from the other six units.
Dr. Taylor distributed a handout that gave an overview of the structure of the UWA academic programs and identified the various degree programs and the college and department heads.
Dr. Taylor gave an update on the academic program viability status and provided an overview of the viability legislation, as well as projections on UWA status based on applications for graduation. The viability standard for associate and baccalaureate degree programs was set by ACHE at 7.5 average over a five-year period and 3.75 for master's programs.
The period for determining viability was 1991-1996, and those programs found to be non-viable were given a three-year monitoring period. Dr. Taylor said he was pleased to report that only two programs -- Chemistry and Library Media -- will remain on the non-viable list, and both are within a fraction of a point of being viable. He said that the Chemistry program has grown enormously, and as a core liberal art, may receive permanent exemption. Dr. Taylor said the second program remaining on the non-viable list is the graduate program in Library Media, and he was very confident that UWA would receive a waiver from ACHE for this program also.
Dr. Taylor said that 28 of UWA's 30 programs are viable, for an average of 93% as opposed to the earlier 71.43%, and commended the efforts of the faculty and academic administrators in changing these numbers so dramatically.
9. ATHLETIC COMMITTEE
There was no report.
10. STRATEGIC PLANNING RETREAT DATE
Mr. Bunn said that he would like to set the date for a retreat for the last Monday or Tuesday in this month, and would like to have input from the Trustees on whether these dates will be all right with their schedules.
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. Minus made a motion to go into an Executive Session. Mr. Keahey seconded the motion and it passed. Mr. Bunn said that the Board would go into an Executive Session after a short break.
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12. ADJOURNMENT
At 11:45, the Regular Session of the meeting of the Board of Trustees re-convened. A motion was made by Mr. Minus to adjourn the meeting, Mr. Keahey seconded, and the motion passed.