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ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS
MINUTES OF A MEETING
June 19, 2003
TABLE OF CONTENTS
*Appointment of Vice President for University-School Partnerships (ASU)
*Approval of Amendment to Multiple-Year Employment Contract for Head Softball Coach (UA)
*Approval of Multiple-Year Employment Contract for Men’s Golf Team Head Coach (UA)
*Approval of Multiple-Year Employment Contract for Head Coach for Women’s Tennis Team (UA)
*Approval of Multiple-Year Employment Contract for Gymnastics Team Head Coach (UA)
*Proposed Amendment to Board Policy 6-902, “Qualified Tuition Reduction Program (Second Reading)
Medical Research Building: Project Implementation Approval (UA)
Institute for Biomedical Science and Biotechnology Building: Project Approval (UA)
Packard Stadium Clubhouse & Playing Field Renovation: Revised Project Approval (ASU)
Brickyard Tenant Improvement Project: Revised Project Approval and Budget Increase (ASU)
Technology Transfer Management Agreement with Arizona Science and Technology Enterprises LLC (ASU)
Appointment of Vice President for University Undergraduate Initiatives (ASU)
INQUIRIES, REQUESTS, REPORTS, AND COMMENTS FROM REGENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF PRESIDENTS
MINUTES OF A MEETING
ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS
June 19, 2003
A meeting of the Arizona Board of Regents was held June 19, 2003, by means of video conference. People were present at the following locations: NAU Center for Excellence in Education 212 in the Eastburn Education Building; UA Harvill 211; ASU W. P. Carey School of Business BAC 328; Placitas, New Mexico (telephone); and Phoenix, Arizona (telephone). President Jewett called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Regent Fred Boice (UA)
Regent Robert Bulla (NAU)
Regent Chris Herstam (ASU)
Regent Jack Jewett (UA)
Regent Matthew Meaker (ASU)
Regent Kay McKay (NAU)
Regent Danelle Kelling (ASU)
Regent Christina Palacios (UA)
Regent Gary Stuart (By Telephone)
Regent Don Ulrich (NAU)
Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne (By Telephone)ABSENT: Governor Janet Napolitano
Also present were: President Peter Likins, Dr. George Davis, Dr. Elizabeth Ervin, Mr. Joel Valdez, Dr. Patti Ota, Dr. Randy Groth, and Mr. Dick Roberts, University of Arizona; Executive Director Blessing, Board Counsel Joel Sideman, Secretary to the Board Judy Garza, and Dr. Tom Wickenden, Central Office; and Dr. Wanda Howell, Arizona Faculties Council; at the University of Arizona; President Michael Crow, Dr. Mernoy Harrison, Dr. Gale Hackett, and Dr. Christine Wilkinson, Arizona State University; and Ms. Cathy McGonigle and Ms. Norma Salas, Central Office; at Arizona State University; President John Haeger, Dr. M. J. McMahon, and Dr. Elizabeth Grobsmith, Northern Arizona University; and Dr. Art Ashton, Central Office, at Northern Arizona University.
All lists, reports, summaries, background materials, and other documents referred to in these minutes can be found in the June 19, 2003, Documents File.
President Jewett thanked the technical people for their help in setting up the meeting. He then led the Pledge of Allegiance. He announced the death of Mr. Blake Anderson, a government affairs representative from ASU, and asked for a moment of silence in his memory.
Ken McKay, businessman from Sierra Vista and incoming president of the UA South Foundation, spoke on behalf of the request for a Bachelor of Applied Science at UA South and the proposed plan for increased curricular autonomy at UA South, both of which were on the agenda for action later in the meeting.
Items on the Consent Agenda, which are marked in these minutes with an *, were considered as consent matters and were adopted upon motion of Regent Boice, seconded by Regent McKay. There was no individual discussion of these items. President Jewett announced that Item 11 was withdrawn from the Agenda at the request of President Crow.
The Board approved the March 6 and 7, 2003, Executive Session, and the April 24 and 25, 2003, Regular Meeting, and the May 21, 2003, Special Meeting Minutes.
*Final Report on General Education Forums at the Universities
The Board received the final written report on the general education forums at the universities. Promoting learner-centered education among the three universities has been a priority for the Board of Regents for the past three years. As part of insuring that undergraduate general education programs are learner-centered, the Regents asked the universities to solicit feedback from civic and business leaders regarding the role of general education in preparing students for citizenship and the workforce.
In February 2003, ASU, UA, and NAU each held forums on their campuses focusing on general education with representatives from the universities, community colleges, K-12, businesses and civic organizations. All of the forums addressed expectations of graduates. In spite of the varying structure, the dialogues covered similar and overlapping issues and from them several common themes/issues emerged.
The predominant themes that emerged focused on practical or useable skills and behaviors employers need in the work place. These five somewhat overlapping key themes were common across the forums: 1) Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, 2) Communication Skills, 3) Social Adaptability and Team Work, 4) Ethics And Civic Responsibility, and 5) Diversity, Multicultural and International Understanding.
The summary report will be provided to each university so the benefits of each forum will be available systemwide. Each university describes next steps for utilizing the recommendations in the following reports. The full report is available on the ABOR web site at www.abor.asu.edu.
The Local Government Investment Pool (LGIP) is a statutorily authorized investment fund, consisting of monies deposited by the State and more than 100 counties, cities, political subdivisions, and other public entities, managed by the State Treasurer.
Between March 2001 and June 2002, the State Treasurer invested a portion of the LGIP funds in NCFE bonds. In October 2002, a nationwide scandal broke out concerning financial mismanagement and possible fraud by NCFE’s principals and in November 2002, NCFE filed for bankruptcy. ASU lost nearly $4M and NAU lost approximately $600,000. The UA did not, at that time, have any funds invested in the LGIP. The Arizona Attorney General’s office filed a bankruptcy claim on behalf of the State Treasurer and all of the Arizona real parties in interest.
Earlier this year several of the individual public entity investors, including ASU, began a series of meetings to examine options available to the investors to recover their losses, including filing a lawsuit against NCFE principals, bond trustees, and other third parties. The group proposed retaining separate counsel for the investors using an intergovern-mental agreement or similar agreement and eventually selected Gibbs & Bruns, a Houston law firm that is already representing investors accounting for about $1.3B in NCFE losses. Cohen Kennedy Dowd & Quigley is local counsel.
On May 16, 2003, the public entity investors were asked to notify the Gibbs and Bruns law firm of their intent to participate in the litigation. The law firm advised of the need for a timely filing in order to avoid potential statute of limitations issues. As authorized by ABOR Policy 1-109 (B), Board Counsel authorized initiation of litigation by ASU and NAU following consultation with Board President Jewett. Under that policy, Board Counsel’s decision to authorize the initiation of litigation is subject to ratification by the Board at its next meeting.
The Board ratified the decision to initiate litigation to pursue the recovery of investment losses incurred by ASU and NAU through an investment of public funds by the Local Government Investment Pool in bonds issued by National Century Financial Enterprises and authorized ASU and NAU to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with other Arizona governmental entities to pursue recovery of these losses, including authority to compromise and/or settle claims and to provide for the distribution of recovered funds.
*Appointment of Vice President for University-School Partnerships (ASU)
The Board approved the appointment of Eugene Garcia to the position of ASU Vice President for University-School Partnerships. This is a new position. The responsibilities will include leading initiatives to focus university resources on strengthening K-12 education through four primary goals 1) developing high quality teachers, 2) developing strong school leaders, 3) creating early interventions by drawing on faculty and data from multiple disciplines, and 4) building on linkages with schools and the private sector for the distribution of fiscal and human resources. Dr. Garcia will serve as a member of the President’s Working Group. He will also continue to serve as Dean of the College of Education and his salary will be increased to $170,000 from $155,000.
*Approval of Amendment to Multiple-Year Employment Contract for Head Softball Coach (UA)
The Board approved an amendment to the multiple-Year employment contract of UA Head Softball Coach John M. Candrea, as of June 1, 2003, to provide for a part-time temporary alternative duty assignment.
Coach Candrea is serving under a multiple-year employment contract that will expire on June 30, 2004, at a salary of $85,000 per annum. The contract was amended to allow Coach Candrea to serve as Head Coach of the 2004 Olympic Softball team. His appointment as the Head Coach of the 2004 Olympic Softball Team is a prestigious external service award. However, such award does not support Candrea’s normal full salary during the period of the appointment. During this appointment, Coach Candrea will continue softball recruiting and various other duties as assigned by the Athletics Director.
Coach Candrea’s appointment as a Head Olympic Team Coach will solidify his national reputation as the top collegiate softball coach in the country. This will benefit the university’s name recognition and recruiting efforts–both nationally and internationally.
The term of the temporary alternative duty will be from June 1, 2003, through August 31, 2004. Coach Candrea will return to full-time duty at the university for the 2004-2005 softball season and possibly beyond. During his part-time absence, the university’s current assistant softball coaches will assume his duties.
Coach Candrea’s salary for duties related to coaching softball and attending his temporary leave assignment will be $42,545 per annum. In addition to salary, Coach Candrea will receive specified amounts for certain athletic and academic achievements.
The Board approved a three-year multiple-year employment contract for Fredrick L. Harvey as UA Head Coach of the Men’s and Women’s Track and Field and Cross-Country Teams for the period July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2006, at an annual salary of $75,000.
Coach Harvey is currently under a one-year appointment that will expire on June 30, 2003, at the base salary of $75,000. His proposed contract salary will be paid entirely from revenue generated by the Athletics Department.
Coach Harvey will receive additional specified compensation for certain athletic and academic achievements. He will receive normal employee-related benefits and may receive additional fringe benefits. The contract contains termination clauses.
*Approval of Multiple-Year Employment Contract for Women’s Golf Team Head Coach (UA)
The Board approved a three-year multiple-year employment contract for Gregory W. Allen as UA Head Coach of the Women’s Golf Team for the period July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2006, at an annual salary of $73,000. Coach Allen is currently under a one-year appointment that will expire on June 30, 2003, at the base salary of $72,850. His proposed contract salary will be paid entirely from revenue generated by the Athletics Department.
Coach Allen will receive additional specified compensation for certain athletic and academic achievements. He will receive normal employee-related benefits and may receive additional fringe benefits. The contract contains termination clauses.
*Approval of Multiple-Year Employment Contract for Men’s Golf Team Head Coach (UA)
The Board approved a three-year multiple-year employment contract for Charles R. LaRose as UA Head Coach of the Men’s Golf Team for the period July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2006, at an annual salary of $75,000. Coach LaRose is currently under a one-year appointment that will expire on June 30, 2003, at the base salary of $74,847. His proposed contract salary will be paid entirely from revenue generated by the Athletics Department.
Coach LaRose will receive additional specified compensation for certain athletic and academic achievements. He will receive normal employee-related benefits and may receive additional fringe benefits. The contract contains termination clauses.
*Approval of Multiple-Year Employment Contract for Head Coach for Women’s Tennis Team (UA)
The Board approved a three-year multiple-year employment contract for Vicky F. Y. Maes as UA Head Coach of the Women’s Tennis Team for the period July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2006, at an annual salary of $53,000. Coach Maes is currently under a one-year appointment that will expire on June 30, 2003, at the base salary of $49,450. Her proposed contract salary will be paid entirely from revenue generated by the Athletics Department.
Coach Maes will receive additional specified compensation for certain athletic and academic achievements. She will receive normal employee-related benefits and may receive additional fringe benefits. The contract contains termination clauses.
*Approval of Multiple-Year Employment Contract for Gymnastics Team Head Coach (UA)
The Board approved a three-year multiple-year employment contract for William R. Ryden as UA Head Coach of the Gymnastics Team for the period July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2006, at an annual salary of $68,000. Coach Ryden is currently under a one-year appointment that will expire on June 30, 2003, at the base salary of $63,450. His proposed contract salary will be paid entirely from revenue generated by the Athletics Department.
Ryden will receive additional specified compensation for certain athletic and academic achievements. He will receive normal employee-related benefits and may receive additional fringe benefits. The contract contains termination clauses.
The Board approved the proposed revisions to Board Policy 4-308, “Tuition Waivers for Children and Spouses of Slain Arizona Peace Officers, Arizona Fire Fighters, or Arizona Emergency Paramedics,” that expand the availability of tuition waivers to the children and spouses of Arizona Military Service Personnel killed in the line of duty in response to a Presidential Executive Order, as well as to severely disabled combat survivors. The change will go into effect for the Fall 2003 Semester.
*Proposed Amendment to Board Policy 6-902, “Qualified Tuition Reduction Program (Second Reading)
The Board approved the proposed revision to Policy 6-902, “Qualified Tuition Reduction Program,” that increases the number of credit hours within a regular semester and a summer session that full-time eligible employees and their spouses may register for at the cost of $25, plus any laboratory or course fees. It also expands the class of eligible individuals for the qualified tuition reduction program to include those classified staff employees who are laid-off due to budget constraints, funding reductions, and/or program reorganization.
The Board approved the revised budgets for the Arizona Area Health Education Centers (Arizona AHEC) for FY 2003 and FY 2004 as requested. Proposition 204, an initiative measure passed by Arizona voters in November 2000 requires use of Arizona tobacco Litigation Settlement funds first to expand eligibility for the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment system to 100% of the federal poverty level guidelines, and then to fund six public health programs specified in A.R.S. §5-522 (E), including $4M annually to the Arizona Board of Regents for the Arizona AHEC Program. As a sponsored project of the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Arizona AHEC is administered through the Arizona Healthcare Initiative under the direction of Carlos C. Campbell, M.D., M.P.H., who holds a faculty appointment in the UA College of Medicine.
During fiscal year 2003, the Arizona AHEC Program has developed an evidence-based statewide program format and a nationally acclaimed program evaluation system. In fiscal year 2004, Arizona AHEC will build upon the core AHEC activities and continue to bring together key community stakeholders to develop innovative programs that enhance the quantity and quality of patient care providers, with a particular emphasis on the nursing workforce serving in Arizona’s rural and/or medically underserved communities.
The revised FY 2003 and FY 2004 budgets reflect substantial savings from downsizing of the Program Office and delaying some scheduled capital expenditures. Further, these budgets have been developed to assure that critical statewide, community-based programs, such as the patient care provider and nursing initiative, have core funding through FY 2005. The revised FY 2003 and FY 2004 budgets requested approval for expenditure of $1,996,859 and $2,000,000, respectively, of the Arizona Tobacco Litigation Settlement Funds. In federal fiscal year 2003, the Arizona AHEC Program received approximately $780,000 in federal funds from the Bureau of Health Professions, Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Continued eligibility for these funds is contingent upon the ability to document a non-federal source of matching funds.
The Board approved appointments of new Arizona Area Health Education centers Program (Arizona AHEC) advisory commission members and the Maricopa AHEC (MAHEC), Northern Arizona AHEC (NAHEC), Southeastern Arizona AHEC (SEAHEC) and Western Arizona AHEC (WAHEC) governing board members as requested.
A.R.S. §15-1643 requires the Arizona Board of Regents to establish the Arizona Area Health Education Center (Arizona AHEC) system in the University of Arizona College of Medicine. The system consists of five area health education centers, each representing a geographic area with specified populations that the system determines currently lack services by the health care professions.
The Central Arizona AHEC governing board voted to dissolve the corporation in June 2002. Efforts are underway to reestablish a community-based agency, now called Eastern Arizona AHEC, to provide AHEC services in this region. It is anticipated that a new governing board will be presented to the Arizona Board of Regents for approval no later than October 2003.
Arizona Area Health Education Centers Program Advisory Commission Members are: Jack Beveridge, FY 04, 05, 06; Joel Brill, FY 04, 05; Gary Cloud, FY 04, 05; Linda Don, FY 04; Barbara Ganz, FY 04, 05; Herschella Horton, FY 04; Ben Kuhn, FY 04, 05; Linda Martin, FY 04, 05 , 06; Thomas E. McWilliams, FY 04, 05, 06; Sally Reel, FY 04; Fran Roberts, FY 04, 05, 06; Dennis R. Shelby, FY 04, 05; Ex Officio (without vote) TBD (one regional area center board president), during term of office as Board President only; Linda J. Blessing, (during term as ABOR Executive Director); Carlos C. “Kent” Campbell (during term as Director Arizona AHEC Program).
Maricopa AHEC Governing Board Members are: Karla Birkhotz, July 1, 2002-June 30, 2005; Judith Black Feather, July 1, 2002-June 30, 2005*; Mary F. Briden, July 1, 2002-June 30, 2005*; Jacqueline Chadwick, July 1, 2002-June 30, 2005; Steven M. Goldstein, July 1, 2001-June 30, 2004*; Doris Marshall, July 1, 2002-June 30, 2005; Raul Montreal, Jr., July 1, 2003-June 30, 2006; and Susan Sisley, July 1, 2002-June 30, 2004*. (*As officer, may choose to serve an additional year).
Northern Arizona AHEC Governing Board Members are: Abel Estrella, July 1, 2003-June 30-2004; Phillip Garrod, July 1, 2003-June 30, 2005; Sarah Kraner Allen, July 1, 2003-June 30, 2005; Daryl A. Melvin, July 1, 2003-June 30, 2005; Brenda Manthei, July 1, 2003-June 30, 2005; Dwayne Morse, July 1, 2003-June 30-2004; John Tveten, July 1, 2003-June 30, 2006; and Jacqueline Waggoner, July 1, 2003-June 30, 2006.
Southeastern Arizona AHEC Governing Board Members are: Dorothy Kervahn, July 1, 2003-June 30, 2006; Kristobal Fimbres, July 1, 2001-June 30, 2004; Estella De La Ossa, July 1, 2001-June 30, 2004; Sue MacDonald, July 1, 2001-June 30, 2004; Susan B. Peru, July 1, 2003-June 30, 2006; Sam Ramirez, July 1, 2001-June 30, 2004; Eddie Simental, July 1, 2001-June 30, 2004; Bettie Thayer, July 1, 2003-June 30, 2006; Lora Zeinum, July 1, 2003-June 30, 2006; and Charles Zweig, July 1, 2001-June 30 2004.
Western Area AHEC Governing Board Members are: Jose L. Muňoz, July 1, 2003-June 30, 2006; Alejandrina Orpineda, July 1, 2003-June 30, 2006; Margaret Smith, July 1, 2003-June 30, 2006; Barbara M. Castaňeda, July 1, 2003-June 30, 2006; Ruth Grothe, July 1, 2003-June 30, 2006; David Hogate, July 1, 2003-June 30, 2006; Patrick Olague, July 1, 2003-June 30, 2006; Charis Victoria, July 1, 2003-June 30, 2006; Christine Harrington, July 1, 2003-June 30, 2006; and Jackie Switzer, July 1, 2003-June 30, 2006.
Progress Report on “Focused Excellence” (UA)
President Jewett said one of the goals behind the Changing Directions initiative has been to encourage each of the universities to differentiate and clarify their unique missions. The Regents have also provided a more flexible policy environment within which each university can implement its mission through changes in academic programs and organizational units. President Likins announced early on that the University of Arizona would be moving in the direction of Focused Excellence, and he has kept the academic community and the Board informed through his financial bulletins of the nature and scope of that initiative.
President Likins said the University of Arizona’s chosen path is to focus on fewer academic programs, to prioritize based on excellence, including diversity, and to have managed growth. The UA “Focused Excellence” initiative is unfolding in the spirit of shared governance. This means the administration has an obligation to consult before deciding and to explain decisions made. The university must become leaner, more agile, and financially independent as a transition is made from a state-supported to a state-related university.
Dr. Likins said the bottom line would not show huge financial savings in the beginning, but there will be gains over time. The goal is to focus resources purposefully. The UA anticipates increased ability to compete among top research universities. Over time, a stronger financial base will be built so the university will be less dependent on the state.
President Likins said the UA Strategic Planning and Budget Advisory Committee (SPBAC) is a group of faculty members and administrators who work together under a faculty chair. SPBAC created an index of six criteria to use in the focused excellence process. Programs for possible emphasis, change, or elimination were examined with the use of these criteria.
President Likins explained the process and the consultation with deans and faculty that led from the call for proposals for elimination, merger, and reorganization and listed the programs under consideration for elimination, merger, and reorganization. He called the Board’s attention to the list of proposals not requiring ABOR approval as this list was generated from the same process. Four proposals were on the current Agenda for approval and one for discussion later in the meeting. Proposals that will be brought to the Board over the coming year were listed. It is anticipated this process will be used for many years to continue to review programs.
Dr. Likins said the overwhelming evidence from the responses to the original ideas was so compelling a few proposals were either modified or withdrawn from the list. The School of Information Resources and Library Science and the School of Landscape Architecture were saved by significant modifications that made them financially viable. The Ph.D. in French, Masters in Russian, and Arid Lands Studies were withdrawn from the elimination and reconsideration lists by evidence the eliminations would not have been in the university’s best interest. The Department of Atmospheric Sciences and the UG degree in Environmental Hydrology and Water Resources recommendations are being suspended pending the findings of upcoming reviews in broader areas.
President Likins said the hoped for gains were not just financial, but he gave a picture of how the financial picture might evolve as a result driven by “Focused Excellence.” The primary financial goal is to focus available resources in the pursuit of excellence in areas of strategic priority. Any money saved will be reinvested strategically. When programs are eliminated, some positions will be eliminated and some positions will be reassigned or reallocated to areas of greater need or higher priority. He presented charts that estimated the personnel impact and the Estimated Personnel Impact FY04 and Cumulative Personnel Impact FY06. This format will be used as “Focused Excellence” progresses.
Dr. Likins said the next steps involved studies of potential thematic alliances to gain more information and a richer understanding before decisions are made as to how to focus in these areas. Study teams are being formed to gather ideas for developing long-term plans for realignments, collaborations, and partnerships in Life Sciences, Earth Sciences and Environmental Programs, Cognitive Sciences and the Neurosciences, Cultural, Ethnic, Gender, and Area Studies, and Journalism, Communication, and the Media.
President Likins said the legacy of “Focused Excellence” will be an ongoing process of continual examination and change. This is a different way of doing business in a large institution of higher education. Regent Herstam asked about “electronic learning; institutional direction” listed on the proposals not requiring ABOR approval and discussed in one of President Likins’s bulletins. He said part of the write up was complimentary of ARU, but it also said the there would be a change in how the UA participates in ARU and the UA would limit the money it put into distance learning courses. He asked if Dr. Likins and the UA still had a commitment to ARU.
President Likins said UA is very much committed to ARU. It is recognized this is a complex domain with everyone learning as they go along. One of the lessons is the three universities need to sort out their different roles in making ARU succeed as a total enterprise. The UA is less engaged in the large quantity production of on-line courses than NAU. That is an appropriate differentiation in mission.
The UA has invested in information technology-based, web-based improvements in the curricular substance of the courses offered at UA. It is an attempt to get deeper rather than to increase the volume of course offerings. The UA is seriously improving, through information technology, access to learning opportunities for students on campus. They don’t see ARU merely as a device for home-bound students; but able to improve learning on campus. The commitment is to accelerate the expansion of on-campus use. President Likins said the UA would have interaction with the other two institutions and would keep the Regents on the ARU/IT committee informed before there would be any movement away from the established trajectory.
Regent Ulrich said he hoped there was a continuing effort to eliminate general education courses that are not thematic and don’t have at least two learning outcomes. President Likins said there is a recognition on campus the appropriate faculty should review the entire general education program. It will take some time.
Regent Ulrich said the Regents should be kept in the loop as the UA begins to focus the university. He was concerned that access and diversity not be impeded or destroyed in the process of changing everything. President Likins said the UA is committed to increasing the diversity of the student body as well as the faculty and staff. It is a fundamental principle of “Focused Excellence.”
Regent Bulla stated that he looked forward to further discussion on ARU. He asked what type of information the Board would receive as programs are brought forward for elimination or change. He would like to see a pro forma or a matrix based on the SPBAC Criteria Used to Identify Programs for Focus for each specific program. President Likins said he would be happy to furnish whatever information the Regents would need as decisions on controversial programs come forward.
Regent Boice said the Regents had been deluged with mail concerning the School of Planning and he asked what was happening there. President Likins said the faculty from the School of Planning has been asked to transfer to a direct reporting relationship to the Vice President for Research, Graduate Studies, and Economic Development as opposed to the alternative of remaining in the college where they currently reside and reporting to the Dean of the College of Planning and Landscape Architecture. He believes the faculty are comfortable with that temporary status. During the next year, the School of Planning will go through the process that has been described to determine whether this School should be dissolved.
Provost Davis described the process that had already been used and what the steps would be in the future to determine the future of this School. The School of Planning has developed an alternative proposal wherein the School of Planning would be transferred to the College of Public Health. This was examined and it was determined the university did not support that proposal. The School was notified the position of recommending closure of the School is still in place and individual faculty members need to consider what alternative departments they may wish to be affiliated with. According to Faculty Senate rules, if there are faculty which resist this conclusion for implementation, the process will begin in the Fall in which there will be an advisory committee composed of individuals representative of those units impacted as well as receiving departments or units. Then an evaluation will go through the Faculty Senate and the SPBAC with recommendations coming to the President for the final decision.
Regent Ulrich asked how many faculty were involved and was told there are six faculty. President Likins said this is a good program; none of the programs are being considered for change because they are of poor quality. President Jewett expressed his appreciation to President Likins, Provost Davis, and the rest of the UA for their comprehensive efforts on these program determinations.
Regent Palacios chaired this portion of the meeting.
Proposed Plan for Increased Curricular Autonomy at UA South
Provost Davis and Dr. Randy Groth joined the meeting for this discussion. Regent Palacios said this is the proposed plan for increased curricular autonomy at UA South. It is a discussion item that will be brought back for Board approval at the August meeting.
The proposal is part of the Focused Excellence initiative the Board just discussed. It also provides a context for new degrees such as the Bachelor of Science Degree proposal that will be presented for approval in the next agenda item.
Provost Davis said there was a comprehensive look at the entire university with respect to research, teaching, and service/outreach. This and past experience led to the belief UA South needs more autonomy than it presently enjoys. Constraints were appropriate when UA South was in its embryonic stages. Provost Davis explained the steps that will be used to establish new programs under the proposed process. He said he believed it was the correct time to implement the new autonomy as UA South has grown both in faculty and in number of students; and this will help the UA accomplish its mission and goals.
Regent Boice said he was relatively new and would appreciate an education on UA South. He asked that when the item returns for approval, it contain a history of UA South, its evolution, its number of students and the projection for the future growth pattern, what it costs to run the institution, and how it fits into the finances of UA totally.
Regent Palacios asked for the item to contain information on mission, how changes in organization get made, and budgetary items. She asked if there were any parallels between the relationship between UA South and the UA and ASU and the East and West campuses. Regent McKay asked for NAU Yuma to be included in any discussion about this type of issue at the Retreat in August.
Academic Program and Organizational Unit Change Requests
Provost George Davis, Dean Randy Groth, Provost Elizabeth Grobsmith, and Vice Provost Gale Hackett joined the meeting for this discussion. Provost Davis explained that Bachelor of Applied Science programs are common place around the nation. The fundamental program is one of significant articulation between universities and community colleges. The four specific tracks UA South is prepared to offer are the ones most needed by the students coming from Cochise Community College.
Dr. Davis said the UA is also asking for approval for the Arizona Geriatric Education Center. This proposal stems from the fact the UA has received from the Health Resources Services Administration, through a competitive process, a $2M renewable grant. This award allows the UA to be one of 45 geriatric education centers in the United States funded in this way. The need for training for the health care work force in this area in Arizona is critically important.
Dr. Davis said the UA is asking for approval for the M.S. Degree in Genetic Counseling. The degree was being awarded through the M. S. program in genetics, a graduate interdisciplinary degree program. The degree is seldom offered because it is basically a Ph.D. program, but occasionally a student wishes to stop at a Masters. It was discovered the department began offering this degree in the early 90's, even though it had never been approved by the Board. So the UA was asking the Board to ratify the degree to rectify the problem.
Provost Davis said a grant was received from Take Charge America, which can build to $10M over time, for the proposed Take Charge America Institute for Consumer Financial Education and Research. The fundamental emphasis of the program is to create strong educational training and outreach with respect to retail and consumer sciences.
Dr. Davis said the UA had examined the graduate interdisciplinary programs that reside in the office of the Vice President for Research and Graduate Education and Economic Development. It was decided the Epidemiology graduate interdisciplinary program was not broadly interdisciplinary; most of the faculty and courses are from Public Health. Therefore, the UA is proposing to transfer the graduate programs in Epidemiology to the College of Public Health.
Upon motion of Regent Palacios, seconded by Regent Ulrich, the Board authorized the University of Arizona to implement the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) at UA South, implement the M.S. in Genetic Counseling using the one-step exception process, transfer the graduate programs in Epidemiology from Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs to the College of Public Health, transfer the School of Planning from the College of Architecture to the Graduate College, establish the Take Charge America Institute for Consumer Financial Education and Research, establish the Arizona Geriatric Education Center, and to extend planning authorization for the master’s degree in Social Science to June 2004.
Provost Hackett said the proposed Doctor of Audiology (Au.D) Degree is a new professional degree needed as a result of changes in the profession and in professional certification. It is a shift from a masters to a doctoral level of preparation for entry-level audiologists.
Dr. Hackett said the two proposed organizational changes are shifts in existing organizations. The Department of Information Systems is currently in the School of Accounting and Information Management, but this is becoming a vital, independent business function. The reorganization to a free-standing department will allow the unit to be more effective in collaborating with other units in the W. B. Carey School of Business and in the university as well as externally.
Vice Provost Hackett said the request for the Center for Russian and East European Studies is also a request to change the existing East European Studies Consortium to Center status. This will enhance the ability of the unit to conduct research and secure external funding, including training grants.
Upon motion of Regent Palacios, seconded by Regent Boice, the Board authorized Arizona State University to implement the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D) Degree, establish the Department of Information Systems, and establish the Russian and East European Studies Center.
Provost Grobsmith said NAU’s request to disestablish the College of Ecosystems Science and Management follows a year of discussion of what would be the appropriate structure for the units that comprise this college. The units are the School of Forestry, the Department of Geography and Public Planning, and the Department of Applied and Indigenous Studies. She described where the units will be moved. Upon motion of Regent Palacios, seconded by Regent McKay, the Board authorized Northern Arizona University to disestablish the College of Ecosystems Science and Management.
Amendment to Board Policy 6-201, “Conditions of Faculty Service” (First Reading)
Regent Palacios said this is a first reading of a proposed revision to ABOR Policy 6-201, “Conditions of Faculty Service.” The proposed change would add several new classifications of non-tenured faculty appointments and change the limitation on the number of non-tenure track faculty that can be hired by each university.
President Crow said this item was intended to expand the universities’ ability to secure talented faculty-level individuals in the community who have professional backgrounds who can contribute to the teaching enterprise. This is common
in medical schools and artistic areas of creativity. A number of new titles have been proposed, but this is not the case where the university expects to replace tenure-track faculty with large numbers of people with these special titles. This is to augment the intellectual enterprise of the university by being able to attract talent as needed. It might be a great architect or a public policy specialist or an outstanding artist.
Dr. Howell said the Arizona Faculty Council (AFC) has considered the agenda item at some length and requests clarification on a few issues at some future time. The AFC believes the Board needs to consider the issue of the number of people involved. This will allow an increase of non-tenured faculty numbers to go up from 4% to 15%. The AFC would also like clarification on the limit on year-to-year faculty appointments. The 15% limitation is specifically applied to the multiple-year appointments, and does not include a limitation on the number of year-to-year “temporary” faculty appointments. At some point, the AFC would like the Board to address the issue of increasing non-tenure track faculty beyond the comfort level of the AFC. This change also has the potential to impact the UCAR measures.
President Haeger said this is a complex issue in terms of what the faculty of the future will look like. It should have a positive impact for the many faculty who are hired on single-year contracts but serve for extended periods of time. This change begins to stabilize the faculty and allows the university to begin to recruit such faculty on longer-term contracts and to offer more benefits to that faculty. This will create a more stabilized faculty.
President Likins expressed support for the proposed changes. He said the current policy places limits on lecturers and senior lecturers, but no limits on adjuncts or one-year appointments. Dr. Likins said the UA had not consulted with the Faculty Senate as a body, but had consulted with representatives of its faculty senate.
Regent Palacios said there should be consideration given to adjusting the UCAR goals with respect to student contact with faculty, in particular lower division students with tenure-track faculty. President Crow said this is not a strategy to find mechanisms to replace core faculty, but a way to reach into the community to find ways to build intellectual linkages across a range of fields of expertise.
Regent Boice chaired this portion of the meeting. Regent Boice said Item 11 had been withdrawn at the request of ASU.
Medical Research Building: Project Implementation Approval (UA)
Mr. Dave Harris and Mr. Joel Valdez joined the meeting for this discussion. Regent Boice said the University of Arizona was requesting Project Implementation Approval for the 135,000 square foot Medical Research Building. The estimated cost of the facility is $54.35M, with proposed financing through the sale of Certificates of Participation, with debt service being provided with gifts and indirect cost recovery funds through FY 2007, and annual state general fund appropriations beginning in FY 2008.
Upon motion of Regent Boice, seconded by Regent Palacios, the Board granted Project Implementation Approval to the University of Arizona for the Medical Research Building (MRB-Phase 1) project.
Institute for Biomedical Science and Biotechnology Building: Project Approval (UA)
Mr. Dave Harris and Mr. Joel Valdez joined the meeting for this discussion. Regent Boice said the University of Arizona was requesting Project Approval for the 170,000 square foot Institute for Biomedical Science and Biotechnology Building. The estimated cost of the facility is $65.7M, with proposed financing through the sale of Certificates of Participation, with debt service being provided from gifts and indirect Cost Recovery funds through FY 2007, and annual state general fund appropriations beginning in FY 2008.
Regent Ulrich asked how the building would be funded if the bill for funding research buildings did not pass and was told the university would have to develop a different funding strategy. Regent Palacios asked if the state funding would also provide support for operations and maintenance and was told no. However, these are research buildings and indirect cost recovery can be used for operations and maintenance.
Upon motion of Regent Boice, seconded by Regent Palacios, the Board granted Project Approval to the University of Arizona for the Institute of Biomedical Science and Biotechnology project.
Infrastructure Phase VI: Project Approval (UA)
Mr. Dave Harris and Mr. Joel Valdez joined the meeting for this discussion. Regent Boice said the University of Arizona was requesting Project Approval of research facilities on its north campus. The project has an estimated cost of $30.8M, with proposed financing through the sale of System Revenue Bonds, with debt service support from tuition.
Upon motion of Regent Boice, seconded by Regent McKay, the Board granted Project Approval to the University of Arizona for the Infrastructure Phase VI project.
Packard Stadium Clubhouse and Playing Field Renovations: Revised Project Approval (ASU)
Mr. Dave Harris and Dr. Mernoy Harrison joined the meeting for this discussion. Regent Boice said Arizona State University was requesting Revised Project Approval with a budget and scope increase of $850,000 for the renovation of Packard Stadium. The total cost of the project is estimated at $2.85M. Dr. Harrison said the initial project was limited to available funds of $2M. Those funds have been raised and the increase is to be funded by Certificates of Participation and repaid by the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics Capital Fund Raising Campaign.
Upon motion of Regent Boice seconded by Regent Palacios, the Board granted Revised Project Approval, with a budget and scope increase, to Arizona State University for the Packard Stadium Clubhouse and Playing field Renovations.
Regent Boice said Arizona State University was requesting approval to purchase approximately 1.3 acres of property and to modify the South Campus Housing Project by canceling Phase I and reducing the project from 534 beds to 265 beds.
Dr. Harrison said the university had been working on a comprehensive plan to redevelop the South Campus and to add roughly 3,000 new beds to the overall campus student housing project. At the Board meeting last November, ASU was looking to provide public/private partnership housing to support fraternities, some of which are located on the South Campus and some of which are located on the North Campus Alpha Drive area. After meetings with alumni representatives of the fraternities on the North Campus, an agreement was reached that the fraternities on the North Campus would remain. ASU is currently in the process of establishing a home-owners association with the fraternities requiring them to upgrade their facilities visually to meet campus appearance standards. All of the fraternities that have requested to stay have agreed to do this and have committed to having the renovations accomplished by the end of this calendar year.
Dr. Harrison said this reduced the fraternity housing requirement for the South Campus. ASU has now decided to reserve the parcel originally scheduled for fraternity use until the South Campus Plan is completed. In the meantime, ASU needs to build new facilities for the fraternities on the South Campus as their houses are in a state of disrepair. This Phase II project will accommodate six fraternities; however, ASU does not own some of the property on the South Campus. This item asks for authority to purchase approximately 1.3 acres for approximately $1.5M which will be incorporated into the pro forma for this project. The acquisition will be funded with proceeds from the project itself and from the Adelphi Commons project.
President Crow said the South Campus project is a very complicated project that has not yet been presented in total to the Regents. This particular solution was to solve the North Campus fraternity problem amicably.
Regent Boice said he believes the changes in direction are a result of the lack of an overall campus plan and he wondered when one would be available as he would like to be able to compare the individual projects with the overall plan. Dr. Harrison said several planning projects were underway and expected they would all be completed by the end of the calendar year. As portions of the plans are completed, the Regents will receive updates. He believes the first part of the South Campus Plan can be reviewed in September.
Upon motion of Regent Boice, seconded by Regent Bulla, the Board approved (1) the purchase of the land needed for the Phase II South Campus Student Housing Project pursuant to a lease purchase arrangement; (2) the sublease of the project site to the LLC pursuant to a sublease for a term not exceeding 40 years; and (3) the issuance of bonds not exceeding $13,500,000 (instead of the $25M previously approved) in principal amount for the purpose of financing the design, land acquisition, construction, furnishing, and equipping of a south campus small group housing project (with approximately 265 beds) on the ASU Main campus; and the Board reaffirms its approvals (1) to permit ASU to provide contingent operating assistance to the project in light of the changed economics of the project and (2) for the formation of the South Campus Group Housing LLC; and
That the President, the Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance, the Associate Vice President for Administration, or the Associate Vice President for Finance and Treasurer of Arizona State University, are each hereby authorized to negotiate, sign, and deliver all necessary lease purchase documents and a sublease agreement on substantially the terms described in the November 21-22, 2002, ABOR agenda item, as modified by the changes to the project described herein and as may be modified by the economics of the project and any other necessary or appropriate documents in connection with the transaction and related financing, and take all necessary and appropriate actions in this connection.
Brickyard Tenant Improvement Project: Revised Project Approval and Budget Increase (ASU)
Mr. Dave Harris and Dr. Mernoy Harrison joined the meeting for this discussion. Regent Boice said Arizona State University was requesting Revised Project Approval with a $1.9M budget increase for the Brickyard Tenant Improvement Project. ASU received Project Approval at the April 2003 Board meeting.
Dr. Harrison said this is the entire tenant equipment and improvement program for the Brickyard. When the lease was approved, ASU brought their best estimate of the cost for the tenant improvements and equipment which was $7M. After fuller discussions with the faculty, it was determined more classrooms and laboratories would be needed and the cost is higher than it would have been for office space. Also, there is a greater need for technology and mediation than was anticipated, and ASU is paying a premium for the work to try to have the classrooms done by fall. He explained ASU plans to use $1.9M from the debt service reserve account to cover this unanticipated cost increase.
Regent Boice asked if work was in progress at the Brickyard and was told the contractor had pulled out the carpet and started to demolish the walls in the office space this week. He asked if classrooms had been assigned for this fall semester and was told not as of today because the class schedule had been set before the agreement to acquire the Brickyard was made. ASU does not want to change the schedule until it is certain the classrooms will be completed. Regent Boice asked why ASU intended to spend $500,000 to fast track the project if the class schedule for fall would not be impacted and was told the project was needed to meet the increased research needs for the computer science department as soon as possible. Regent Boice said he did not like to authorize projects and have them change so dramatically within sixty days.
Upon motion of Regent Boice, seconded by Regent Bulla, the Board granted Revised Project Approval with a budget increase to Arizona State University for the Brickyard Tenant Improvement Project.
Technology Transfer Management Agreement with Arizona Science and Technology Enterprises LLC (ASU)
Regent Boice said Arizona State University was requesting authorization to enter into a technology transfer management agreement with Arizona Science and Technology Enterprises, LLC, (AZTE) to provide technology transfer services for ASU. The approximate annual cost of this service agreement is $3.3M. President Crow said this is the organized entity that will advance ASU’s technology transfer agenda, service NAU, and seek partnerships with UA and others.
Upon motion of Regent Boice, seconded by Regent Palacios, the Board authorized Arizona State University to enter into a technology transfer management agreement with Arizona Science and Technology Enterprises LLC (AZTE) pursuant to ABOR policy 6-909.10.C and according to the terms summarized below.
AZTE will provide technology transfer management services for ASU. ASU will license ASU technology to AZTE. AZTE will license the ASU technology to third parties. AZTE will pay ASU a royalty or other compensation on ASU technology that AZTE licenses to third parties. This royalty will be the revenue received by AZTE from licensing ASU technology, less a percentage deducted and retained by AZTE.
ASU will pay AZTE an annual fee for the services. The annual fee will cover almost all of AZTE’s annual operating expenses. The AZTE preliminary draft budget for fiscal year 2004 is approximately $3.3M. The agreement will require AZTE to comply with ABOR and ASU patent and copyright policies when AZTE licenses ASU technology to third parties. The agreement will require AZTE to comply with the ASU affiliated entity policy. The agreement will conform to all requirements in ABOR policy 909.10.C, including, among others, approval by ASU counsel, ABOR counsel, and the ASU President before becoming effective.
Dr. Tom Wickenden joined the meeting for this discussion. Regent Boice said the Board was being asked to review and approve a revised FY 2003 TRIF Regents Innovation Fund budget to provide $107,000 for followup work by the Battelle Institute to expand on their “Positioning Arizona and its Research Universities” report presented at the April Board meeting. Regent Ulrich asked if Dr. Wickenden was satisfied with the work Battelle has
done so far and was told yes. The work was guided by a steering committee of representatives from the universities and the Board’s staff.
Upon motion of Regent Ulrich, seconded by Regent McKay, the Board approved the revised FY 2003 Regents Innovation Fund budget to provide $107,000 to support the Battelle Institute roadmap and prospectus as described.
Appointment of Vice President for Student Affairs (ASU)
Regent Boice said Arizona State University was requesting approval of the appointment of Dr. Juan Gonzales to the position of Vice President for Student Affairs. The fiscal year salary for this position is $175,000.
Upon motion of Regent Boice, seconded by Regent Palacios, the Board approved the appointment of Juan Gonzales as Arizona State University Vice President for Student Affairs, effective August 1, 2003.
Appointment of Vice President for University Undergraduate Initiatives (ASU)
Regent Boice said Arizona State University was requesting approval of the appointment of Dr. James Rund to the position of Vice President for University Undergraduate Initiatives.
The fiscal year salary for this position is $165,000.
Upon motion of Regent Boice, seconded by Regent Bulla, the Board approved the appointment of James Rund as Arizona State University Vice President for University Undergraduate Initiatives, effective August 1, 2003.
Regent Bulla chaired this portion of the meeting.
Proposed FY 2004 Capital Development Plan (UA)
Mr. Dave Harris, Mr. David Duffy, and Mr. Joel Valdez joined the meeting for this discussion. Regent Bulla said the University of Arizona was requesting Board approval of its FY 2004 Capital Development Plan. This Plan includes the addition of two new projects, the Southwest Ceramic Preservation project at an estimated cost of $2.5M, and a new facility for the Poetry Center at an estimated cost of $5.8M.
Mr. Duffy explained the Southwest Ceramic project would be funded by several grants which will renovate a first floor section of the Arizona State Museum Building to provide environmentally controlled storage for the Museum’s 20,000 vessel southwest pottery collection and a fully equipped conservation laboratory. The Poetry Center is a nationally prominent University literary arts center that houses an important research collection and functions as a resource for students, teachers, writers, and scholars. A new facility is required to house the unique combination of academic support programs, outreach activities, and the Center’s entire special collection of literary books, journals, and multi-media materials. It will be funded by Certificates of Participation and other funds.
Regent Ulrich asked if it would be cheaper to build a new building then to renovate the old Museum for the Southwest Ceramic Project since it will be hard to regulate the humidity in the old one. He was told that will be a consideration when the major renovation project is planned. Regent Palacios asked what portion of the total renovation this project will be and was told this is a very small portion of the overall project. The total renovation project will be about $36M. In addition, the State Museum is considering locating a portion of the facility or a new facility in the Rio Nuevo Project downtown. Mr. Valdez said the UA has asked for state funding for renovation for many years as this is a state museum but has not received funding.
Upon motion of Regent Bulla, seconded by Regent McKay, the Board granted approval for the FY 2004 Capital Development Plan, and authorization to proceed with 1) Southwest Ceramic Preservation, and 2) Poetry Center.
Consideration of Proposed Long-Range Master Plan for Campus Development (Second Reading) (UA)
Mr. Dave Harris, Mr. Joel Valdez, and Mr. David Duffy joined the meeting for this discussion. Regent Bulla said the University of Arizona was requesting that the Board adopt the UA Comprehensive Campus Plan. The plan provides a framework, guidelines, and proposals for the long-range, orderly, and efficient development of the University’s main campus. This plan was presented in detail at the April 2003 Board meeting. At that time, several people presented testimony regarding the plan. Regent Bulla asked for comments on the university’s response to that testimony.
Mr. Duffy said the university had responded in writing to the individuals and the neighborhood associations who had testified and written letters. A written response to each item is included with the Executive Summary in the Board book. They offered to meet with these people to continue a dialogue through the Campus Community Relations
Committee. As the plan is implemented, discussions will continue with an attempt to solve problems as they arise on a case-by-case basis.
Regent Ulrich asked if the UA had taken into consideration the statewide extension of the Medical Center in the Plan and was told it is believed the Plan has enough flexibility to react to those kinds of evolving changes. Regent Ulrich asked if construction in Phoenix at the Van Buren site was being considered and was told those are the current plans. The magnitude of the construction is yet not known; the university is in the programming and site development phase.
President Likins said he meets annually with the Campus Community Relations Committee which had a meeting since the last ABOR meeting. He said there is a lot of positive sentiment about this planning process throughout the community as it involved a lot of outreach to the community. He said he would like to connect this planning process with the “Focused Excellence” strategy. He said the UA is not proposing to expand its enrollments indefinitely and crowd the neighborhoods. They are committed to working within fixed boundaries, gradually improving the aesthetic appearance of those boundaries.
Regent Bulla thanked everyone for their three years of excellent work on this Plan and their response to comments from the last meeting. Upon motion of Regent Bulla, seconded by Regent Boice, the Board approved the University of Arizona’s Comprehensive Campus Plan (2003).
Development of Network Master Plan for FY 2004 (UA)
Dr. Art Ashton, Dr. Sally Jackson and Ms. Michele Norin joined the meeting for this discussion. Regent Bulla said the Board was being asked to approve an information technology Network Master Plan project for the University of Arizona. It involves obtaining a consultant to help develop the plan that will guide the future of the UA telecommunications infrastructure. Funding is from local funds in the amount of $1,993,446. The Board’s IT Committee briefly discussed this item at its meeting in April. In addition, Regent Bulla had discussed the project with UA personnel.
Regent Bulla complimented all the university information technology people for their cooperation, coordination, and collaboration among the three universities. Dr. Jackson said the project began as an intent to implement a technology management system that involves software, business processes, and some new models for interactions with the campus. As they began working toward implementation of this technology management system, they realized they also needed to undertake a significant update of their network plan to include designing the physical plant and planning for incorporating new technologies and increase capacity, but also to cope with new financial needs. The current funding basis in not considered stable and they wish to include a new strategic business plan in the master plan to allow the university to keep pace with its escalating technology needs.
Regent Ulrich asked if the hardware would be included in the study and was told yes. He said he wanted to make sure good equipment was purchased, not necessarily the cheapest. He asked them to consider the quality as well as the price.
Regent Palacios asked who would administer the study and how the consultant would be chosen. Ms. Norin said the university did have a consultant in mind. Part of the process proposed by the consultants involved a very detailed and methodical approach to the planning effort so the university is very clear in the deliverables that will be gained. The university intends to take a holistic approach to the organizational involvement in the process. The main IT unit will be the main coordinators of the effort, but it will involve other major stakeholders across campus as well as the user community.
Regent Bulla asked if NAU and ASU were thinking about a comprehensive plan as well and was told there have been a number of conversations with the other CIO’s in this area. The three schools are in very different stages of development and ASU and NAU have done extensive planning in this area over the years and can address many of the issues being considered in the UA plan; however, they do not have a plan like this one.
Regent Ulrich asked if anyone outside was going to look at the Plan and was told UA is using one of the top consulting firms in the country. President Haeger said NAU has extensively used consultants in the past, particularly during the People Soft Project. Now, as they are considering different pieces of the project, consultants are used. President Crow said ASU does use outside advisors and consultants also. Regent Ulrich asked to see the consultant report along with the Plan.
Regent Bulla said it is important for the universities’ technologies to be able to interface. Upon motion of Regent Bulla, seconded by Regent Ulrich, the Board approved the University of Arizona’s Network Master Planning initiative.
Regent Herstam chaired this portion of the meeting.
Update on ABOR Legislative Agenda and Legislation Affecting Arizona’s University System
Ms. Cathy McGonigle and Ms. Gale Tebeau joined the meeting for this discussion. Ms. McGonigle reported that the University Research Infrastructure Financing bill passed out of the Senate last night . It is now back to the House as the Senate increased the amount of the payback to the General Fund from the revenues that will be generated from technology transfer. It is expected the bill will pass today. Regent Herstam commended the presidents and the lobbying teams from the three universities that had worked to get this bill passed.
Ms. McGonigle also reported there were no further cuts from the university budgets, so appropriations will remain at current levels. However, there were no additional funds provided for expected increases in employee health insurance and retirement costs. She said the estimated costs to the universities for these two increases will be approximately $18M. These costs might be offset in part by the usage of funds derived from increased collections of various fines and fees from city and county courts. However, it is not certain how much will be offset as there are several issues yet to be decided.
Regent Herstam congratulated Ms. McGonigle on her appointment as the Assistant Executive Director for Public Affairs at the Central Office. Regent Bulla commented that once again the legislature allocated no funds for building renewal. He believes it is a disaster that needs to be communicated to the citizens of the state.
Dr. Tom Wickenden and Dr. Ray Woosley joined the meeting for this discussion. Dr. Wickenden said the legislature approved a bill last year that required the Board of Regents to work with the community college districts, private nursing education programs, and the Hospital and Health Care Association to develop a five-year plan to double the number of students who graduate from nursing programs in this state. In addition to being a mandate from the legislature, the plan is crucial to the future success of the health care industry in Arizona as Arizona has the highest patient-to-nurse ratio in the nation.
Dr. Wickenden reported that a work group established by the Regents’ Health Sciences Input Group, including representatives from the universities, the community colleges, and the Arizona Hospital and Health Care Association, is making progress on the development of a statewide plan to address this issue.
The universities, under the direction of Dr. Woosley, and with the assistance of the Changing Directions workgroup, have each drafted an institutional plan to double the number of graduates from their undergraduate nursing programs. Next month the plans will be combined into a systemwide plan and in September they will be merged with the community college documents into a statewide plan. After consideration by the Regents’ Health Sciences Input Group, the plan will be brought to the Board for review and approval and then will be submitted to the Governor and the legislature.
Dr. Wickenden said the major stumbling block to developing a statewide plan to address the nursing shortage has been the lack of adequate funding. The Federal Workforce Investment Act has set aside funds to be used at the discretion of the Governor to address crucial work force issues. The Health Sciences Input Work Group has submitted a grant proposal to the Department of Commerce to be used over the next two years to “jump start” the expansion of undergraduate nursing programs at both the community colleges and the universities. Regent Ulrich and Executive Director Blessing have both spoken to representatives of the Governor’s Council on Workforce Policy and the Governor’s office to urge support for the proposal.
Also, the universities have begun expanding their nursing programs. The University of Arizona is working with funds from the Carondelet Health Network and the University Medical Center to develop accelerated nursing programs which will enroll a total of 48 students with earned college degrees in non-nursing fields. NAU has used Proposition 301 money to add an accelerated route to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Arizona State University has developed an RN to BSN program for registered nurses with an associate degree from a community college using Federal funds. Arizona Regents University has committed $900,000 of its Proposition 301 money over the next two years to convert to an online format existing campus based RN to BSN programs at ASU and NAU and to expand an online Ph.D. nursing program at UA.
Dr. Woosley said one of the big problems facing the universities and the community colleges is the salaries for nursing faculty. He announced the UA had identified $600,000 to augment the salaries at the UA to make them more competitive. This will allow the current faculty to be paid at the 50th percentile level for peer institutions. He said the three university presidents had identified a plan for how the Arizona Biomedical Collaborative could begin the process of addressing the nursing shortage and other issues. They have identified staff who, on a voluntary basis, will address these issues.
President Likins said the $600,000 for the nursing program had been gained through refinancing debt. This is money that is only available once; but the UA has made the commitment to salary increases and they expect to go with the other two universities to the legislature with a decision package to see if nursing faculty salaries throughout the system can be rescued.
Adoption of ABOR Meeting Calendar for FY 2004-2005
Upon motion of Regent Jewett, seconded by Regent Boice, the Board adopted the 2004-2005 Meeting Schedule as follows:
August 19 and 20, 2004 NAU
September 30 and October 1, 2004 ASU
November 18 and 19, 2004 UA
January 27 and 28, 2005 ASU
March 10 and 11, 2005 UA
April 28 and 29, 2005 ASU
June 16 and 17, 2005 NAU
Election of ABOR Officers for 2003-2004
President Jewett said it was traditional for the immediate past President and the Student Regent to serve as the nominating committee for election of Board Officers. Regents McKay and Meaker were asked to perform this task. Regent Meaker recommended the slate of officers that would meet the requirements of the Board By-Laws.
Upon motion of Regent Meaker, seconded by Regent McKay, the Board elected the following officers for FY 2003-2004: President Chris Herstam, President Elect Gary Stuart, Treasurer Christina Palacios, Secretary Robert Bulla, Assistant Secretary Fred Boice, Assistant Treasurer Danelle Kelling.
INQUIRIES, REQUESTS, REPORTS, AND COMMENTS FROM REGENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF PRESIDENTS
Regent Jewett thanked Dr. Wanda Howell for her service as the Arizona Faculties Council Representative for the past year. Regent Palacios, on behalf of the Regents, presented
President Jewett with a gift certificate to a golf shop and thanked him for his illustrative leadership during the past year. Executive Director Blessing presented President Jewett with a caricature illustrating his commitment to Changing Directions from the Central Office staff.
President Likins presented a display of the mirror glass crystal and a scrapbook to Regent Meaker and expressed his appreciation for Regent Meaker’s service on the Board. President Haeger presented Regent Meaker with a gift recognizing his contributions as Student Regent. Regent Herstam presented Regent Meaker with a glass sculpture from the Regents for his service as the first Student Regent to serve a two-year term. President Crow presented Regent Meaker with a gift and thanked him for his direct engagement as Student Regent.
The Regents and presidents all thanked President Jewett for his leadership throughout the past year. Regent Meaker thanked everyone for their help during his time as a Student Regent. President Crow expressed his appreciation for the work of Mr. Blake Anderson.
Dr. Howell thanked everyone for their support during her year as AFC representative and said she would still be a member of the Arizona Faculties Council; so she would still be present at Board meetings.
President Likins thanked the government relations people for their hard work this year. President Jewett thanked the Regents for their solidarity in addressing the issues the past year. He thanked the presidents for their flexibility and the Central Office for its support. He stated he believed the current governance system is the right system for Arizona.
The meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m.
SUBMITTED BY:
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Judy E. Garza
Secretary to the Board
APPROVED BY:
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Jack B. Jewett
President
ATTEST:
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Christina A. Palacios
Secretary