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