The University of West Alabama
Board of Trustees
Bell Conference Center
March 5, 2007, 10:30 a.m.

I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by President pro tem Alex Saad. At this time, Mr. Saad gave the invocation.
II. ROLL CALL
Mr. Saad asked Ms. Earlene Lindsey to call the roll. The following Trustees were present: Mr. Thomas Ballow, Jr., Mr. Terry Bunn, Mrs. Margaret Lovett, Dr. Doris Oliveira, Mr. Alex Saad, Mr. Thed Spree, and Dr. Tom Umphrey. Absent were: Mrs. Lena Hardaway, Mr. Robert D. Keahey, Mr. Preston C. Minus, Dr. Louise Nolen, Mr. John Northcutt, and Mr. John Smith. Ms. Lindsey reported that a quorum was present.
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion was made by Dr. Oliveira and seconded by Mrs. Lovett to approve the Agenda. The motion was approved.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR DECEMBER 4, 2006
Mr. Saad asked if there were any corrections or changes to the minutes of the meeting of December 4, 2006, and indicated a copy was in each Trustee’s binder. There were no changes to the minutes, and Dr. Oliveira made a motion to approve the minutes. Mr. Ballow seconded the motion, and the motion was approved
V. REPORT OF THE BOARD PRESIDENT
A. Nominations for Trustee Emeritus
Mr. Saad distributed a list of former trustees who were recommended for Emeritus status, as follows:
Winton Wise - served for 24 years; also served as Chair
Hugh Edmonds - served for 16 years
Joe C. McCorquodale - served for 20 years; also served as Chair
Rev. Billy F. Hall - served for 14 years; also served as Chair
Leigh Pegues - served for 12 years
A motion was made by Mr. Bunn and seconded by Dr. Umphrey to approve the recommendation, as submitted. The motion passed. Mr. Saad said the former Trustees would be invited to the next Board meeting in June 2007 to receive their award.
B. Amendment to Change Composition of the Executive Committee
Mr. Saad said the proposed amendment could not be considered without a majority of the full Board being present. He said it would be brought back to the next meeting for consideration.
C. Appointment of Nominating Committee
According to Article II, Section 2 g, Mr. Saad proceeded to appoint a Nominating Committee, as follows: Dr. Louise Nolen, Mr. Terry Bunn, and Dr. Tom Umphrey. He asked that this Committee bring a proposed slate of officers to the next Board meeting in June 2007.
VI. REPORT OF THE AD-HOC COMMITTEE ON STUDENT HOUSING
Mr. Saad said last year he appointed the ad hoc Committee on Student Housing, and it recently came up with a recommendation. He said a survey was performed by Mr. Buckalew, Mr. Gremmels, and Mrs. Pratt, and a copy could be found in the Trustees’ binder.
VII. REPORT OF THE FACILITIES COMMITTEE
Mr. Saad reported that the Facilities Committee approved the recommendation made by the ad hoc Committee on Student Housing at its meeting this morning. The recommendation is as follows:
1. Currently, the University has the capacity to house approximately 833 students on campus. The Board of Trustees should set a ten- year goal to house, in apartments, at least 1500 students on campus.
2. The Facilities Committee should request proposals from several companies to build a facility on campus to accommodate 350-450 students. Each proposal should contain the following:
a. the cost to build and manage the facility
b. the cost to build the facilities with the University managing the property.
3. These proposals should be submitted no later than May 1, 2007, to the ad hoc committee so that a recommendation can be made to the University Facilities Committee as well as the full Board at its regular meeting on June 4, 2007.
4. Have the University’s architect present preliminary plans to the ad hoc committee no later than May 1, 2007, on the renovation of Spieth, Selden, and Sisk Halls, and the cost of building an addition to Hoover Apartments. The Committee further recommended, wherever possible, that the units in Spieth and Selden have double capacity units.
Mr. Saad also reported that the Facilities Committee discussed the proposed project of covering the rodeo arena. Additionally, he said the University received a request from the City of Livingston to build a fire station on the campus; however, he said the Committee agreed to send a letter to the City denying the request.
Mr. Saad said Mr. Spruiell gave a report on the status of the State bond issue.
Mrs. Lovett provided a second to the report, and it was approved.
VIII. REPORT OF THE STUDENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Dr. Umphrey, acting as Chair of the Student Affairs Committee in the absence of Mrs. Hardaway, reported that Mr. Buckalew provided a report on this area and on enrollment. He said a copy of this report could be found in the binders.
Mr. Ballow seconded the report, and it was approved.
IX. PROVOST’S REPORT
A. Status Report on Strategic Diversity Plan
Dr. Taylor reported that UWA was the first state institution to reach a settlement in the Knight vs. State of Alabama case, and the order was filed on December 12, 2006. He said Judge Murphy ordered the entire case settled. Dr. Taylor said a synopsis of the UWA settlement could be found in the Trustees’ binders. One condition of the settlement, according to Dr. Taylor, was to develop and implement, no later than one year following the settlement, a Strategic Diversity Plan (SDP).
Dr. Taylor reported that the attorney for the Knight Case, Mr. James Blacksher, visited the UWA campus on February 22, 2007, and met with the Black faculty and administrators and with other deans and vice presidents to discuss the terms of the settlement. He added that last week President Holland appointed a committee to develop the strategic plan,and asked Dr. Ken Tucker and Mr. Ken Walker to serve as co-facilitators. Dr. Taylor said it is the University’s desire to present the Strategic Plan to the Board at the meeting on June 4 or, if not at that time, then the December meeting.
B. International Studies Program
Dr. Taylor announced that, in January and February, the University hosted three Fulbright scholars, who gave talks to students in their respective academic areas, as well as a general presentation to the public. He said these scholars came from Brazil, China, and the Ivory Coast and represented the disciplines of economics, education, and pharmacy.
Dr. Taylor said two UWA students recently represented the University at a conference in Abu Dhabi entitled “E-ducation Without Borders: Innovative Solutions to Global Challenges.” He said the students, UWA’s Muskie scholar in residence Denys Lupshenyuk, and a local student, Clayton Tartt, were among students from 23 countries who presented papers. Dr. Taylor said only three universities in the United States were invited to present--Harvard, Wake Forest, and UWA. He said that Ms. Mary Pagliero, Associate Professor of Romance Languages and Director of the UWA International Program, accompanied the students. Dr. Taylor reported that Denys received a conference scholarship that covered his travel expenses and the SGA helped to fund Clayton’s travel expenses. He added that Denys reported he had the opportunity to speak briefly with Prince Charles at the Conference.
C. ACHE Policy Issues
Dr. Taylor reported that UWA petitioned ACHE to add Clarke County to the University’s service area for the purpose of offering off-campus instruction (shared with USA), and ACHE approved this request.
Dr. Taylor said ACHE has drafted a policy on distance education, which would include UWA’s online programs. He noted there are two items in the draft of concern to many of the state universities. They are:
1. The provision that enrollment for distance learning courses would be reported separately from residential enrollment and only Alabama residents enrolled in distance learning courses would be counted for purposes of funding.
2. ACHE would approve the launching of any new distance education programs.
Dr. Taylor said the Alabama Council of University Chief Academic Officers, which he chairs, has formed an ad hoc committee to study the draft policy and make recommendations on revisions. He added that ACHE Executive Director Greg Fitch has welcomed input from this group.
Dr. Taylor reported that, because of loopholes in licensing requirements, a handful of states, including Alabama and Mississippi, have become havens for diploma mills. He said that many are fly-by-night entities that take a student’s money and award meaningless degrees or certifications. Dr. Taylor said that approval of such institutions is split between Alabama Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Postsecondary, and if these two entities join together to reject such an application for licensure, the applicant only has to pay $1500 to be licensed as a corporation in the state and can then proceed with granting degrees with Alabama’s stamp. He said ACHE and Postsecondary are working together to craft legislation to close the loopholes and that Mississippi has also taken steps to do the same.
X. UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT’S REPORT
A. Honorary Doctorate Nomination
Dr. Holland reported that Mr. Andrew Grady Linn has been recommended by the Faculty Honorary Degree Committee for an honorary doctorate at the Spring Commencement. Dr. Doris Oliveira made a motion to approve the recommendation, Mr. Terry Bunn seconded the motion, and the motion passed.
B. Other
Dr. Holland indicated that a copy of a partnership proposal for UWA and the International Chinese Businessmen’s Association was included under Section 4 of the binders. He said permission is needed to proceed with this program. Dr. Umphrey made a motion to allow the administration to move forward with this proposed partnership, Ms. Lovett seconded the motion, and the motion passed.
Dr. Holland introduced Dr. Ken Tucker, who is serving as the Interim Director of the Regional Center for Community and Economic Development, after the recent death of Mr. James Mock. He asked Dr. Tucker to make a few comments.
Dr. Tucker said he was very glad to be back at UWA. He gave a brief overview of the RCCED projects and activities for the region.
Dr. Holland asked Mr. E. J. Brophy, Athletic Director, to come forward and introduce the new Head Men’s Basketball Coach. Mr. Eddie McCarter and his wife were introduced. Mr. Brophy announced that a press conference would be held in the Bell Conference Center at 2:00 p.m. today announcing the hiring of Coach McCarter.
X. ADJOURN
Mr. Saad said this concluded the Agenda for today’s meeting. Dr. Umphrey moved to adjourn the meeting, and Mr. Ballow seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 11:20 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,

Lena Hardaway
Secretary

Earlene Lindsey
Assistant Secretary