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MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING

ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS

November 12, 2001

A Special Meeting of the Arizona Board of Regents was held November 12, 2001, in the Board's Central Office at 2020 North Central, Suite 230, Phoenix, Arizona. Several Board members participated telephonically. President McKay called the meeting to order at 1:35 p.m.

PRESENT:

Regent Judy Gignac (By telephone)
Regent Chris Herstam
Regent Jack Jewett
Regent Kay McKay
Regent Matthew Meaker (By telephone)
Regent Christina Palacios (By telephone)
Regent Myrina Robinson
Regent Gary Stuart
Regent Donald Ulrich
Governor Jane Dee Hull (By telephone)
Superintendent of Public Instruction Jaime Molera
ABSENT: Regent George H. Amos, III

Also present were: Executive Director Linda Blessing, Secretary to the Board Judy Garza, Board Counsel Joel Sideman, and Mr. Dean Pickett, NAU Counsel.

The meeting recessed for the Board to convene in Executive Session. The meeting reconvened at 5:16 p.m. with members of the press also present.

RESIGNATION OF OWEN F. CARGOL AS PRESIDENT OF NAU

President McKay provided a brief description of the sequence of events that brought the Board to this meeting.

Allegations of personal misconduct involving Dr. Cargol were brought to the attention of NAU's Office of Affirmative Action on October 30th. Following a preliminary review of the allegations by the Affirmative Action office, the allegations were shared with NAU Legal Counsel on November 8; and the allegations were shared with Dr. Cargol, Board Legal Counsel, the Board President, and the Board's Executive Director on Friday, November 9.

On Saturday morning, November 10, Board President Kay McKay, Board Counsel , and NAU Legal Counsel met with Dr. Cargol in Flagstaff to review the allegations. Following discussion of the allegations, Dr. Cargol offered his resignation.

Having received Dr. Cargol's resignation, President McKay named Provost John Haeger as Acting President of NAU, subject to Board ratification. As the public knows, Dr. Haeger was a finalist for the NAU presidency when the Regents conducted a national search process the past spring. He is an accomplished and seasoned academic administrator, and he has earned the respect of the NAU faculty and staff during his tenure as Provost. President McKay said she had been in contact with Dr. Haeger since Saturday about the possibility of his accepting the NAU presidency, and he has agreed to do so.

President McKay said the Board was briefed by legal counsel in the executive session on the allegations that were lodged against Dr. Cargol. The Regents met with Dr. Haeger to discuss his interest in the NAU presidency and to review his plans as president.

Upon motion of Regent Jewett, seconded by Governor Hull, the Board accepted Dr. Cargol's resignation as President of NAU, effective November 10.

APPOINTMENT OF JOHN HAEGER AS ACTING PRESIDENT OF NAU

Upon motion of Regent Stuart, seconded by Governor Hull, the Board appointed Dr. John D. Haeger as Acting President of NAU, effective immediately. President McKay stated the Board's intention to consider a multiple-year employment contract with Dr. Haeger at the November 29 Board meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 5:22 p.m.

SUBMITTED BY:

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Judy E. Garza, Secretary to the Board

APPROVED BY:

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Kay J. McKay, President

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Gary Stuart, Secretary