Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
 
USM Forum -- Message Board -> AAUP-USM MESSAGE BOARD -> IHL March meeting minutes
Post Info TOPIC: IHL March meeting minutes
info

Date:
IHL March meeting minutes
Permalink Closed

Minutes from the March meeting:

http://www.ihl.state.ms.us/admin/downloads/BdMarch05.pdf


Highlights, in 3 parts:

1. "Mr. Roy Klumb was absent." (p. 1)
2. Approved new policy about reporting SACS matters to Board. (p. 2) [AKA "Shelby's Law"]
3. "Ms. Robinson reported that the Academic Affairs Committee received a presentation in regard to accreditation issues by Dr. Margaret Sullivan, Director of the Consulting Network, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), Commission on Colleges. An update concerning USM is included in the bound March 17, 2005 Board Working File. " (p. 3)
4. A single USM item on Building/facilities agenda: "USM - Approved the purchase of property located at North 35th Avenue in Hattiesburg which is currently a vacant lot owned by Chhotalal B. & Lilvati C. Patel. Two appraisals were received. The purchase price is $77,500. Funds are available from University sources." (p. 5)
5. "Other Business
a. Dr. Crofts announced that he will be working with the IHL staff and the IEOs to develop additional guidelines that will allow the Board to be more proactive in searching for or even recruiting diversity vendors. He stated his appreciation for the offers of help that he received.
b. Dr. Crofts reported that certain IHL staff members who have been involved in the privatized housing issue in the past received a very instructive visit a couple of weeks ago from a member of an investment firm who reported to have been involved professionally in about half of the privatized housing deals that have been done in higher education in the country. Dr. Crofts has invited this person to give a presentation at the April or May Board meeting." (p. 6)
6. "Payment of legal fees for professional services rendered by Maxey Wann, PLLC (Statement dated 2/1/05) from the funds of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. (This statement represents services and expenses in connection with IHL v. State.) TOTAL DUE......................................................$4,094.61" (p. 10)
"Payment of legal fees for professional services rendered by Maxey Wann, PLLC (Statement dated 1/3/05) from the funds of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. (This statement represents services and expenses in connection with IHL v. State.) TOTAL DUE......................................................$3,722.75" (p. 11)
[IHL v State on USM gaming courses?]
7, "Payment of legal fees for professional services rendered by Gore, Kilpatrick, Purdie, Metz and Adcock (Statement dated 1/26/05) from the funds of The University of Southern Mississippi. (This statement represents services and expenses in connection with Williams v. USM.) TOTAL DUE......................................................$3,188.18" (p. 12)
[USM's appeal on Davida Williams case?]
8. "COMMISSIONER SEARCH COMMITTEE Presented by Ms. Virginia Shanteau Newton, Chair Ms. Newton reported that the committee is moving forward with the search for a new commissioner. The committee’s vision is for the Board to concentrate on policy and leadership, while allowing the higher education professionals to manage and operate the institutions. To that end, the committee proposed a Governance Model. (See Exhibit 4.) Once the model is adopted, the committee will begin its search for a permanent commissioner who will fit into the new role outlined in the Governance Model.
On motion by Ms. Newton, seconded by Mr. Blakeslee, with Mr. Klumb absent and not voting, the Board approved the Governance Model.
Ms. Newton communicated that the Governance Model is a principle/concept that will give rise to significant changes to the Board Policies and Bylaws. Other details will need to be worked out and discussed. The IHL staff will take care of assessing the changes to the Board Policies and Bylaws and will bring forward any questions that need to be addressed.
Ms. Newton commented that this is a significant reform for higher education in Mississippi. The Board’s goal is to be more effective. In recognizing that the Board members are lay people, the Board will depend more on the higher education professionals. The Board will move towards working more effectively with the IHL staff and Institutional Executive Officers. Implementation will take time and will involve a transition period. There will be many more discussions on the details of implementing the Governance Model. Ms. Newton thanked the Board, the IHL staff, and the Institutional Executive Officers for their work." (pp. 21-22)
9. Monthly closed door meeting on "personnel matter at The University of Southern Mississippi." (pp. 22-23)

__________________
info

Date:
Permalink Closed

10. "PRESIDENTS’ COUNCIL REPORT Presented by Dr. Charles Lee, President Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Call to Order: • Dr. Charles Lee called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 2, 2005. • There were no minutes to be approved.
Multi-Year Tuition Proposal: • Dr. Linda McFall, IHL Assistant Commissioner of Finance and Administration, presented the MultiYear Tuition Proposal and explained the rationale behind it. • A comment was made that it is a great burden on the students to have to wait until the last minute to know the cost of attendance. Students need to be notified as soon as possible so that they can make financial plans. This plan would allow for that. • It was agreed that, when state appropriations are being decided, the idea of “quality” has been left out of the public discussion of higher education. • Action: The proposal will be recommended to the Board when Dr. Richard Crofts feels it is appropriate.
Chief Academic Officers’ (CAOs’) Recommendation for IHL Academic Programs Policies: • Dr. John Hilpert reported that the CAOs had worked through the issues raised by the Presidents’ Council. The CAOs felt that the checks and balances for the undergraduate and master’s level programs are adequate and appropriate. They felt that policies on doctoral programs addressed four issues brought to them but that two of them should have an external review. • The presidents felt that the universities need to be able to consider new programs to meet contemporary needs but that, currently, some feel discouraged from attempting new programs. It was felt that, if starting a program involves little or no cost, the institutions should decide whether it is worthwhile to launch it. • Dr. Crofts said that a report is being written on programs that have been deleted. It will be sent to the presidents. • It was decided that the document needs to be a recommendation rather than a report as in its current format and that something about accreditation (both general and specialized) should be added. • Action: Dr. Crofts will work with others to rewrite the report to go forward not as an action item.
Commissioner/IEO Performance Management Process: • Dr. Crofts will schedule a conference call to the group involved after all background documents are gathered.
Implementation of Funding Formula: • Dr. Crofts expressed the concern that it has been five years since any allocations were made to the universities that incorporated enrollment trends and addressed the “hold harmless” feature of the current allocation process. He felt that any changes would have to occur in phases over several years since the impact could be significant on some institutions. • Dr. McFall provided background on how numbers could be generated, including establishing faculty load, student credit hours, cost of classes, lower/upper division courses, discipline costs, etc. • A question was raised on the cost of maintaining historic buildings versus the cost of maintaining newer buildings. • Dr. Crofts will raise this issue with the Board.
Admission Standards: • The Board has discussed the core curriculum in high schools and has read the ACT document. • Dr. Crofts has worked with the State Superintendent of Education and the Board of Education on changes in core and graduation requirements to call for four units each in English, Math, and Social Studies. Currently, the core and graduation requirements only call for four units in English.
Budget Advocacy: • There was a discussion of the need for both short-range and long-range approaches to State budget appropriations, it being uniformly felt that the IHL system is being damaged by budget cuts.• Dr. Crofts will present testimony to the Legislative Budget Committee (LBC) next week, discussing the possible magnitude of tuition increases and the number of layoffs that will likely occur if the LBC recommendations should prevail. • Action: Planning for a long-range approach for the coming year needs to begin in the next few weeks.
Executive Session: • The presidents are looking forward to further discussions about the hiring of a new commissioner and other possible changes. (pp. 23-25)
11. "Academic Program at USM On motion by Ms. Robinson, seconded by Mr. Blakeslee, and unanimously passed by those present, the committee recommended that the Board approve the recommendation to continue the Master of Science in Physics program at USM as referenced by committee agenda item #2 in the Board Book." (p. 25)
12. Rare record of dissent: "MSU Contract A motion was made by Mr. Ross, seconded by Ms. Robinson, for the committee to recommend that the Board approve the joint venture between MSU’s Institute for Neurocognitive Science and Technology and Premier Radiology, P. A. as referenced by committee agenda item #2 in the Board Book. The motion passed on a 4 to 1 vote. Committee members voting for the motion were: Mr. Scott Ross (Chair), Dr. Stacy Davidson, Dr. D. E. Magee, and Ms. Robin Robinson. Mr. Bob Owens voted against the motion. " (p. 28)
13. "Talking Points Dr. Crofts presented the Talking Points for Board Members which provides facts on the IHL system and the budget cuts. Ms. Whitten thanked Dr. Crofts for providing this helpful document. Dr. Crofts gave credit to the IHL Public Information department in helping to produce the Talking Points. " (p. 30)

__________________
info

Date:
Permalink Closed

14. "UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
Approve the request of the university for authority to be given for the Bureau of Buildings to amend their contract with Larry Albert & Associates, the design professionals for Union Building Restoration & Additions, GS #108-184, to amend their contract to include the review, coordination and verification of food service equipment compatibility with space and utility’s availability in the project. The additional work would require the design team to review items of proposed food service equipment and actual utility service locations to insure proper installation of all equipment.
Approve Change Order #4, Union Building Renovation and Addition (Student Life), GS #108-184 in the amount of $12,780 and request approval by the Bureau of Buildings. This is to extend the second floor cable tray, adjust the bookstore’s finish material layout and quantities and increase the number of paint colors for walls of the bookstore. Funds are available in the project budget.
Approve the initiation of a new project for correction of ADA deficiencies at Bennett Auditorium. We need at least $240,000 to begin this work. Any remaining monies in the ADA funds from the Bureau of Buildings should be reserved to supplement renovation budgets as needed. " (p. 34)
15. Approved new board policy on foundation activities. (pp. 36-38)
16. Approved governance model document:
"Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning
Governance Model
During the past several months, the Board of Trustees has been discussing system governance and how to make our management more effective through the role of the Commissioner. Our vision is to move the Board's work up to the policy level while allowing our higher education professionals to manage and operate the institutions. Although we've explored how to be a better, more effective board in the past, we've never discussed the structural modifications necessary to provide the framework for true behavioral change. Our assessment of other governance models has led us to the conclusion that we should move toward a more effective structure.
The Board of Trustees will adopt operating principles which include the following:
• Focus on policies, goals, and strategic direction, resisting all steps to micromanage and direct involvement at the operational level of the universities.
• Let higher education professionals (the Institutional Executive Officers and the Commissioner) perform their leadership responsibilities and hold them accountable for attaining agreed upon goals.
• Approach all decisions from the perspective of what is best for the State of Mississippi and the students of our universities.
• Ensure that all Board members set aside institutional loyalties and allegiance.
• Maintain trust, respect and open dialog among Board members.
• Make changes in the Board’s structure and agenda so that Board meetings are less chaotic and more effective.
• Bring clarity in roles, responsibilities, and relationships among Board members, the Institutional Executive Officers, and the Commissioner.
Therefore, the Board of Trustees proposes the following reporting relationships and operating procedures:
1. The Institutional Executive Officers will report directly to the Commissioner of Higher Education, who reports to the Board of Trustees.
2. The Board of Trustees will elect a President and Vice President for one-year terms. Officers may succeed themselves for no more than one additional year. The Board President will appoint a nominating committee (using former Board Presidents where possible) to bring forward nominees for President and Vice President. The President will continue (along with the Commissioner) to serve as spokesperson for the Board of Trustees. Board members will defer to the President as the person in charge of Board meetings, without sacrificing the ability to challenge the rulings of the President or to speak on matters of policy or principle. The President of the Board will take a leadership role in ensuring that the Board’s Code of Conduct is followed. The President will appoint all committee chairs and committees. The Vice President will stand in for the President when the President is unavailable and will assist the President as called upon. The Vice President may be elected President in subsequent years. Note: This election process will begin no sooner than the election of a Vice-President to serve during Dr. Magee’s term as President.
3. The Board of Trustees will review its committee structure in an effort to reduce the number of committees and streamline the process. Regular Board committees will meet sequentially, not concurrently. Board committees make no final decisions, but make recommendations for action to the total Board. The chairs of committees serve as the leader of the committee and have no authority of their own outside of the committee. Requests for work or reports from the Commissioner’s staff that require significant amount of time will be processed through the Commissioner so that matters of workload and priorities can be controlled. Requests for normal or routine information can be addressed directly to the Commissioner’s staff with information to the Commissioner.
4. The Board staff shall assume a greater leadership role and support the work of the Board in establishing policies, goals, and strategic direction.
5. The Board of Trustees will continue discussion regarding the number and type of meetings to be held each year. A minimum of two meetings each year will be held on institutional campuses. The Board will experiment with holding one meeting annually for an “educational” session, in which the entire meeting (with the exception of emergency business) will be devoted to educating the Board about one or more major issues facing higher education or the State of Mississippi. The Board will continue to hold annual retreats for the purpose of improving the Board’s knowledge and effective working relationships. The agenda of Board meetings will be established by requests from the institutions, recommendations of the Commissioner and staff, and actions by the Board or its committees. The Commissioner is encouraged to streamline Board agendas in order to dispense with routine items quickly and preserve time and energy for more important matters. The Board anticipates regular presentations from its staff, and expects staff recommendations for every issue before the Board.
6. The Board of Trustees will study executive search processes and develop policies and procedures for Institutional Executive Officer searches, including the use and role of local search and advisory committees.
7. The Board of Trustees will ensure that the Institutions of Higher Learning approach the Legislature with one voice, a single set of priorities, and a realization that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
8. The Board of Trustees will strengthen its emphasis on audits, which will be the direct responsibility of the Institutional Executive Officers and the Commissioner and considered in performance evaluations.
9. The Board of Trustees places the highest priority on the quality of programs and services and will finalize a list of quantitative and qualitative indicators to be used in measuring institutional and organizational quality and executive performance. " (pp. 40-42)

__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
USM Forum -- Message Board -> AAUP-USM MESSAGE BOARD -> IHL March meeting minutes
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard