MU BOG Faculty Rep Blog

BOG General Meeting Notes

November 13, 2008

http://www.marshall.edu/ill/08-BOG/11-13-08.pdf

Academic Committee Report:

·     Dr. Ormiston provided a summary of the COMPACT; Brooks presented a resolution: The Academic Committee presents a resolution to approve the Marshall University Campus Compact, our submission the Higher Education Policy Commission for the 2007-2012 Master Plan process that commences with this report. (approved)

·     Dean Van Horn discussed the Marching Band facilities proposal (information item only)

Dr. Kopp’s report to the Board:

·     MU’s current financial status is good; the university still has to be frugal in case there are unforeseen financial issues; financial returns for mid-year 2009 were not as good as in the past for foundation accounts; Ron Area is on top of this issue (austere measures). He also indicated that MU continues with the hiring freeze practice that has aided us; there is no eminent crisis but we will monitor closely.

·     Recruitment: Open house on Nov 8 was the largest ever! Freshmen enrollment has been up each year.

·     The Compact report was submitted to the HEPC; one big goal is meeting the FT freshmen level of 2,000 students.

·     Dr. Kopp introduced Dr. Gayle Ormiston; was pleased he has hit the ground running; his work with retention is crucial.

·     Dr. Jan Fox is working with a corporate entity to automate the FAFSA form for prospective students; this will aid families in filing the correct paperwork to obtain aid they have been eligible to receive.

·     MCTC contract work is still underway and the parties are moving toward a separation timeline that was agreed upon.

·     The HB3215 deadline was extended to April 2009.

·     Audit update: the residence halls and recreation projects are not part of the debt assigned to the university; our audit status is good. (See attached packet for specifics in the audit letter.)

Capital projects:

·     Recreation Center: February 2009 opening planned; (using contingency fund to get it done on time).

·     The Alumni Center dedication was on October 31 and the building is going up well.

·     The MSC basement renovation is underway and should be completed in December.

·     The roof replacement for the Morrow Library is underway; the Smith Hall air handling system work is also underway.

·     OM is also being renovated; 3^rd floor of OM will be converted to another use when foundation moves out

·     Business start-up opportunity: Phoenix Biotherapeudics: amplifies non-embryonic stem cells for the treatment of developmental disorders.

·     MU has a potential partnership with St. Mary’s in Medical imaging; and we also entered into a midwifery partnership with Shenandoah University.

·     The Legislative Agenda is being finalized.

Finance Committee Report:

·     Increasing enrollment and retention are the most critical means for improving our financial situation.

·     The trick is putting the negative impact that non-retention has on the university is hard to convey in an easy-to-understand report; however, the retention committee wants to encourage the faculty, staff, and students participating in this process.

·     Capital assets went up because of the number of new buildings etc; but we still want to concentrate on improving the operating lines for the university.

·     Common Fund reports that our results are fluctuating as does the market; Sept and Oct figures are dramatically different; changes daily and weekly; MU is going through the same pangs the rest of the economy is experiencing.

Executive Session/Post-Session Results:

·     Approved appointment of Vijay Shah to the Autism Training Center Advisory Board.

·     Approved endowed professorship to be named at a later date.

·     Declared property at University Heights to be surplus property.

·     Accepted the highest bid which was from Prestera Center to purchase the property.

·     Approved salary package to be submitted to HEPC for the President (Brooks & Noble voted nay).

Next meeting:

·     The next BOG meeting will be in January in Charleston, WV; the date is TBA but this meeting usually coincides with the MU-WVU basketball game at the downtown Civic Center.

·     Meeting notes and agenda items are posted on the MU BOG Blog site: http://mu-bog-faculty.blog.com/  and I can be reached at 696-6474 or brooks@marshall.edu

Future Meetings:

·     March 12, 2009

·     April 30, 2009

·     June 18, 2009

Attached you will find the BOG Agenda for the Wednesday, November 13 meeting that will take place in the Shawkey Dining Room of the Memorial Student Center at 10:45 a.m.

http://www.marshall.edu/ill/08-BOG/11-13-08.pdf 

Items to be aware of include the various committee reports listed on the agenda, quarterly budget materials, internal audit status, and investment earnings; the results of the second audit for the Univ. Heights property; the 2008 Campus Compact; and minor changes to HR-5 re: the non-classified staff progressive counseling process.

If you have any questions or comments, please let me know. I can be reached at 696-6474 or brooks@marshall.edu. I will provide a detailed report at the next Faculty Senate meeting on November 20, and will post the BOG materials via the MU BOG blog: http://mu-bog-faculty.blog.com/ Prior BOG minutes and policies can be found on the university BOG site: http://www.marshall.edu/president/board/

Regards, Monica