BOR Minutes: January 18-19, 2001

Montana Board of Regents of Higher Education 

Minutes

Regular Meeting

January 18-19, 2001

Montana Higher Education Complex

Helena, MT

ACADEMIC/STUDENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

ADMINISTRATIVE/BUDGET COMMITTEE

THURSDAY, January 18, 2001

The Executive Session began at 7:30 and concluded at 8:00 a.m.

As part of the Work Session the Regents left at 8:15 for the Capitol and a meeting with the Joint Appropriations Subcommittee on Education.  They returned to the commissioner's office at 10:00 a.m. for the balance of the work session.

The Work Session adjourned at 11:15 a.m. for separate Committee Meetings

The Committees Convened at 11:20 a.m. and adjourned at 12:00.

ROLL CALL

The Full Board Convened at 1:45 p.m. - Roll Call indicated a Quorum Present 

Regents Present: Ed Jasmin Vice-Chairman, Lynn Morrison-Hamilton, Jessica Kobos, Richard Roehm, Mark Semmens, Margie Thompson Chairwoman, and Richard Crofts (Commissioner).

Regents Absent: Deborah Wetsit, Excused

APPROVAL OF MINUTES 

      Regent Jasmin MOVED for APPROVAL of the Minutes of the November 16-17, 2000 Regular Meeting as circulated. 

       The Minutes were APPROVED unanimously.

Commissioner Crofts announced that a presentation by the Legislative Audit Division would be made Friday morning at the beginning of the meeting.

CONSENT AGENDA

Commissioner Crofts indicated that six MUARID positions in Item 110-1000-R0101 are grant funded and he has not concluded his discussion with President Dennison on these raises.  It was agreed that these six positions would be removed from the item today and the Commissioner was authorized to continue his consultation with President Dennison and make the final decision on salary increases.  He will report to the Board of Regents what his decision is.

Staff Items:

Other:

        Regent Jasmin MOVED to APPROVE all items on the Consent Agenda as amended.

         Motion APPROVED unanimously.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

ACADEMIC/STUDENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Level 1 Memo

     Regent Roehm MOVED for APPROVAL to MOVE all items of the NOTICE OF INTENT AGENDA to the SUBMISSION AGENDA for the March, 2001 meeting.

      Motion APPROVED unanimously.

SUBMISSION AGENDA

    Regent Roehm MOVED for APPROVAL to MOVE all items on the SUBMISSION AGENDA to the ACTION AGENDA for the March, 2001 meeting.

      Motion APPROVED unanimously

ACTION AGENDA

Regent Roehm indicated that during the Committee meeting President Gilliard expressed his objections to approval of Item 109-2801-R1100.  Students also made excellent presentations in support of the item. After considering all the testimony the Committee decided unanimously to recommend approval of this item. 

President Gilliard also made a statement before the full Board wishing MSU-Northern well in this endeavor.  He indicated that enrollment is a big concern for them and the projections are that they will lose 5% of the 18 year olds in the next few years.

Regent Roehm MOVED for APPROVAL of Item a. of the ACTION AGENDA.

      Motion APPROVED unanimously

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ADMINISTRATIVE/BUDGET COMMITTEE

SUBMISSION AGENDA

     Regent Jasmin MOVED for APPROVAL to MOVE items b., c., d. and e. of the SUBMISSION AGENDA to the ACTION AGENDA for this meeting.

      Motion APPROVED unanimously.

ACTION CONSENT AGENDA

        Regent Jasmin MOVED for APPROVAL of all items on the ACTION CONSENT AGENDA 

         Motion APPROVED unanimously.

ACTION AGENDA

       Regent Jasmin MOVED for immediate APPROVAL of items b., c., d. and e. of the SUBMISSION AGENDA and items a., c., d., and e. of the ACTION AGENDA.

      Motion APPROVED unanimously.

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COMMISSIONER'S REPORT

Commissioner Crofts reported that

Vice Chancellor Dan Bradley of Montana Tech of The University of Montana is leaving to become President of Fairmont State College in West Virginia.  

He also commented on the extraordinary cooperation and interest of all those involved in the effort to take a single message from the Montana University System to the Legislature.  The University Faculty Association of The University of Montana-Missoula has an advertising campaign in various media promoting the support of Higher Education.  The Commissioner thanked them for their efforts.

The Commissioner gave the following update on the GEAR UP program which is administered by the Montana Guaranteed Student Loan Program.  They sponsored an essay contest for all Gear Up students.  Of the 1000 students in the program, 800 participated in the contest, and with the exception of one, all schools in the program participated.  Copies of the essay books were provided.

College Savings Plans and Scholarships for GEAR UP Students

September 1999-December 2000

College Savings Accounts.  The Montana Guaranteed Student Loan Program (MGSLP) initiated an essay contest last year for GEAR UP students in middle school. Classes were asked to write an essay, choosing from one of three topics.  Of some 1,000 Gear Up students, over 800 submitted essays. Only one school did not participate in the contest.

Essays were read by a panel of university people, and 36 winners were awarded $250.00 college savings accounts from the Montana Family Education Savings Plan program.  These are set up in a trust fund arrangement, and students have 15 years in which to use the funds.  The students and their parents signed releases allowing MGSLP to use students' names and pictures in news items or other publicity.  From those essays with releases, MGSLP assembled and published "Ben Clark Would Not Be Taller Than Me...."  The title came from one of the winning essays.

Gear Up Trust Fund.  Beyond college savings accounts, Gear Up has established a separate trust fund for Gear Up students in middle or junior high school.  Funded from federal and private sources, the trust will be made available when today's middle school students reach college age.  To date, $126,500 has been placed in trust, and a goal of $1 million has been set for 2004.

Gear Up Scholarship Program. The GEAR UP scholarship program draws directly from the federal grant to award scholarships of up to $3,500 to students who are high school graduates and have participated in a TRIO program (Upward Bound and Educational Talent Search).  In FY2000, we awarded 71 scholarships for a total of $145,000.  In FY2001 was have awarded 132 scholarships for a total of $350,000.  

To improve students' college success rate, Gear Up requires freshman scholarship recipients to meet with Student Support Services at least three times a semester and with individual instructors at least twice a semester.  This added requirement appears to be effective.  MGSLP is currently soliciting scholarship applications for FY2002.

Important Statistics for 1999-2000 and Fall 2000.

36 College Savings Accounts to Essay Winners       $   9,000

Trust Fund for Future Scholarship Recipients          126,463

Scholarships Awarded FY2000                                    145,000

Scholarships Awarded FY2001                                    350,000      

 END COMMISSIONER'S REPORT

CAMPUS REPORTS

President George Dennison, UM-Missoula announced 

Lois Muir, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, was elected to the Executive Committee of the NASULGC Council on Academic Affairs for a three-year term.  This council includes all the chief academic officers at state universities and land grant colleges.

During Homecoming 2000, 24 former international students from around the world returned to campus for the first international student reunion.  Another international reunion is planned for 2005.

Jack Stanford, Director of The University of Montana Flathead Lake Biological Station, has been named a Fellow by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for his distinguished contributions to freshwater ecology.  AAAS represents the world's largest federation of scientists and works to advance science for human well-being through its projects, programs, and publications.

Grizzly Football Coach Joe Glenn received the Eddie Robinson Award as the Division I-AA Coach of the Year.  This season Glenn coached the Grizzlies to a 13-2 record and an appearance in the December 16 National Championship Game in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  The Grizzlies lost to Georgia Southern University 27-25.

The UM Foundation has just received a gift from the Leigh Besancon's Trust totaling $561,784 to establish the Robert M. and Leigh M. Besancon Graduate Fellowship program.  The Fellowship is designed to provide fellowship and tuition support for highly deserving and talented graduate students entering UM-M to pursue a master's or doctoral degree in the physical sciences.

 In December 2000, five UM-M seniors, a school record number, won prestigious Dow-Jones copy-editing internships at major U.S. newspapers.  The five seniors competed with students across the nation in a test requiring mastery of editing skills and current events.

 The personal library of Robert F. Evans, a Professor of Religious Thought at the University of Pennsylvania, was donated to The University of Montana's Mansfield Library by Nicole Estelle Evans, his daughter and a UM alumnus.  The gifts consist of approximately 1,500 volumes, mostly on the subjects of theology and ethics.  Evans taught religious thought at the University of Pennsylvania from 1961 until his untimely death in 1974.

LTC Jim Clegg, Chair, Department of Military Science, was selected recently for promotion to full Colonel after a highly competitive selection process.  Fewer than one in ten eligible Lieutenant Colonels make the cut.    

President Dennison also provided copies of  "1990-2000: The Dennison Decade", the President's Report for 2000 along with a copy of an impressive CD which provides a virtual slide show of The University of Montana-Missoula campus.  It is sent to all prospective students by Admissions and New Student Services.

Stephen T. Hulbert, Chancellor, Western Montana College of The University of Montana reported

Important objectives of Western Montana College of The University of Montana (Western) are to enroll and to graduate American Indians and other minorities who are Montana residents in proportion to their representation in the state population at both the undergraduate and graduate levels (BOR Policy 1902, P-1).  To help accomplish that end, Western has established the Indian Teacher Education Program (ITEP) offered in collaboration with Salish Kootenai Tribal College on site at Pablo.  Students in this program complete their first two years at SKC and then enroll in the NCATE approved WMC-UM elementary education program.  Twenty-two Indian students were enrolled as of fall semester, 2000.  The first four Indian teachers graduated at the end of fall semester, 2000, and have met the requirements for Montana certification.

Western had 2.5 percent of its student population who declared themselves to be Native Americans and 2.8 percent of other minority groups for a total minority population of 5.3 percent.  This indicates that Western has been successful in recent years at increasing its minority student population but that it is still at less than 50 percent of the target goal.

All students admitted to ITEP remain in the program or have graduated.  This 100 percent retention rate reflects Western's willingness to offer the entire program on site at SKC, the use of both Indian and non-Indian faculty, and close involvement of Western faculty and staff with the ITEP students.

The number of Indian students currently enrolled in ITEP, as a percentage of all students enrolled in WMC-UM elementary education, is approximately in proportion to their representation in the state population.  Overall, Indian students represent approximately 3 percent of the student population at Western, less than one-third of the number necessary for proportionality.

Another campus objective is to use discretionary institutional dollars to recruit, retain and graduate American Indian and other minority students (BOR Policy 1902, G-2).  Western has funded the costs of recruiting and advising students in ITEP.  The Indian Teacher Corps grant to SKC has funded scholarships, student stipends, and some administrative costs beginning fall, 2000.  Western contributed administrative time to the writing of this grant.  Western provides Indian fee waivers to all eligible Indian students.

 W. Franklin Gilmore, Chancellor, Montana Tech of The University of Montana reported

The University of Montana has initiated a Food Service Consortium.  In July 2001, Montana Tech will become a part of the consortium.  Other campuses are also being included.  The consortium will be managed by The University of Montana-Missoula.

Dr. Robert Ziegler, Professor of Liberal Studies, has been notified that his book "Beauty Raises the Dead: Literature And Loss in the Fin de Siecle" has been accepted for publication by the University of Delaware Press. 

Drs. Grant Mitman, Don Stierle and Andrea Stierle were featured in the November issue of Discover regarding their research on the Berkley Pit.  

Dr. Curtis Link. Associate Professor of Geophysical Engineering, has been selected by Project Kaleidoscope as a member of its "Faculty for the 21^st Century."

Rick Gray, Interim Dean/CEO of Helena College of Technology reported

A new CNC Machine was purchased for the Metals Technology Program.  There is a shortage of CNC Operators in Montana and an increase in students enrolled in the Metals Program.  This is an investment in students' educational needs and economic development in Montana.

 Jim Swierc has been hired as a Science and Math Instructor in the General Education Department.  Mr. Swierc completed a Masters of Science Degree in Geology and Bachelors Degree at Dartmouth College.  He came to us from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and has more than six years of experience in environmental engineering.  He also taught at the Fort Belknap Tribal College.  At HCT, Jim will be leading the science instruction.

 The campus Diversity Report shows an increase of minority student enrollment to 6.7 percent in FY 99.  There were 51 minority students with 24 being American Indian.  HCT has consciously recruited at high schools on reservations or adjacent.  

The Legislative Auditors completed the HCT audit just before the Christmas break and verbally gave the campus a clean audit opinion.  

TRW awarded a $20,000 grant to HCT to create a comprehensive electronic data network classroom lab and test bench facility.  This will allow HCT to offer advanced Cisco courses, Nortel certification, and integration of LAN and WAN technologies with IPX and IP protocols.  

President Geoff Gamble, MSU-Bozeman announced:

Searches Launched for MSU Provost/Vice President and Dean of Engineering 

Committees have been assembled and formally charged to conduct national searches for the positions of Provost and Vice-President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College of Engineering. Heading the search for the Provost, a position now held on an interim basis by Dave Dooley, will be a team of Bruce McLeod, Dean of Graduate Studies and Lea Acord, Dean of Nursing. The 18 member committee includes faculty, administrators, professional and classified staff, and a representative of ASMSU, all of the Bozeman campus and Provost Janie Park of MSU-Billings who will represent the affiliated campuses. The goal of the committee is to have completed campus interviews by early May.

The committee to conduct the search to replace Dean of Engineering Dave Gibson, who retired on December 31, is being chaired by Vice Provost Joe Fedock. This committee includes faculty, administrators, staff and faculty from the campus and representatives of industry. It is hoped that the new dean will begin sometime during the summer.

 MSU-Bozeman Inaugurates Native American Studies Masters Degree

The sole Masters of Arts in Native American Studies in the Northwest and Northern Plains has opened at Montana State University- Bozeman. Ten students in the graduate class of 2002 began classes this fall. And, according to Wayne Stein, director of the Department of Native American Studies at MSU, the Masters in NAS program offers options that accommodate the needs of most students seeking an NAS graduate degree. 

 Wheeler Center Roundtable on Utility Deregulation

Montana's entry into the open energy market and what electrical utility deregulation means to the state's consumers and businesses will be the focus of the upcoming Wheeler Center Roundtable to be held Saturday, Jan. 20 in Helena. The roundtable is sponsored by the Burton K. Wheeler Center, a non-partisan, privately-funded public policy center based at Montana State University in Bozeman. 

Current and pending increases in utility costs are a cause for concern to all Montanans and the MUS campuses are no exception. An illustration of these increases from the Bozeman campus is as follows: In the first four months of FY 2001, the campus had used about 3% less natural gas than in the comparable period in FY 2000. For this decrease in use, our cost increased 55%. It is anticipated that our biennial cost for all utilities will exceed our appropriation by about $670,000. 

 Three Management Advisory Groups to Present Findings to President 

Three working groups that have been addressing means of increasing the productivity and effectiveness of MSU programs are nearing the completion of their work and will be presenting their findings to President Geoff Gamble during the next month. The Faculty Workload Task Force will make recommendations regarding the balance the several roles of MSU faculty members along with appropriate performance indicators for each; the Recruitment and Retention Task Force will recommend updating recruiting strategies and improved support activities to ensure the success of current students; and the Extension Service Working Group, which has included a group of external reviewers, will report on ways to better align staff and programs to meet the needs of the state.

Dr. Ronald P. Sexton, Chancellor, Montana State University-Billings reported

Genia Frank, nursing graduate, received St. Vincent Hospital's Best of the Best Award.

A new AAS Degree, Computer Systems Technology, focused on Microsoft and Cisco training.  The 2001 classes scheduled have a waiting list.

Students, Andrew Goss, Rachelle Custer, Jeff Griffian, and Denise McGinnis, were selected for internships Fall Semester, 2000, at Disney World and Epcot Center in Florida.

All Student Affairs units survived the Banner upgrade 4X.

Pilot Project for new classification system (MAP) began January 1 for Information Technology and Human Resources Departments.

The Evening College and Evening Student Services programs are successful and continue to grow.

Book Depot e-commerce site went active with orders from as far away as California.

University Personnel and the Billings Police Department collaborated well in a search for a missing student.   A successful conclusion achieved.

University adopted a new vision statement:  Montana State University-Billings Your University of Choice and Educational Partner for a Lifetime. 

Retention:  New Academic Support Center opened January 17, 2001, where all developmental courses, under the direction of the College of Technology, are taught. Academic support personnel provide academic instruction, support, and assistance in dealing with issues that challenge student retention.

Online course registrations approaching 700.

New color printer installed in the Library for student use has proven very popular.

First College of Business online course for Principles of Accounting I was taught by Professor Michael Campbell, Fall 2000

Ronald Tipton, President and Chief Executive Officer of Montana-Dakota Utilities Company was the Fall, 2001, College of Business Executive in Residence. 

Dr. Dan Lynch Chaired the Supply Chain Strategy Session and had two abstracts at the November Society of Marketing Advances Conference in Orlando, Florida.

College of Business co-hosted a community breakfast lecture for the First Secretary of the Cuban Interests Section.

Dean Nemecek, participated in annual meeting of the Board of Directors of Montana Ambassadors, as well as in the Montana Taxpayers Association and Economic Development and in the Big Sky Transportation Board of Directors meetings in December.

Dr. Lynch participated in the AACSB Associate Deans Conference, December  6-10, 2000.

Dr. Thomas Yoder, researcher and consultant in energy, economics, marketing, and technology was hired to be the new Director of the MSU-Billings Center for Applied Economic Research (CAER).

CAER partnering with the Bureau of Land Management and Montana Department of Environmental Quality to address the Environmental Impact Statement on Coal Bed Methane.

 Over 275 attendees participated in 18^th Annual Tax Practitioner Institute and Center for Business Enterprise seminars, sponsored by the College of Business. 

Approvals obtained/contract awarded for new Small Business Development Center, College of Business.

College of Business applied for a grant with the Montana Board of Research and Commercialization Technology to develop a demonstration of two fuel cell technologies in Montana.  

Alex Capdeville,Chancellor, Montana State University-Northern reported

The Cabin Fever Institute, sponsored jointly by MSU-Northern Extended University and Hill and Blaine County Extension Offices successfully completed its eighth year with a class enrollment of 781.  The latest in informational technology was utilized when a class was broadcast, via NorthNet to Plentywood, Glasgow and Fairfield.

Individuals from 47 different Montana communities in 18 counties came to Havre to enroll in one or more of the 53 offerings.  Participants came from as far south as Billings, as far east as Plentywood and as far west as Missoula.  Offerings included a wide range of topics to meet the needs of our diverse audience.  For example, Pesticide Training, AutoCad, Electric Sensors Used in Ag Equipment, How Do I Survive in Agriculture, Noxious Weeds, Beef Quality Assurance, Marketing, Master Gardening, Medicaid and Long Term Care, Meriwether Lewis on the Marias, Adult & Child CPR, Machinery Cost Analysis, Auto body Repair, Reflexology, Sheep Nutrition & Management, Welding, Woodcarving, Yoga, Walleye Tackle and Techniques, Xeriscape-Water Conservation Landscaping as well as a number of computer offerings are just a few of the classes that were offered.  College credit was available for selected classes.  Teachers attending these programs could earn renewal units to keep their teaching certificates current.

For the first time this year, classes were offered that targeted school age children during the Christmas break.  These classes included Build Your Own Web Page for Grades 5-8, Build Your Own Web Page for Grades 9-12, Self-Defense for Youth, and Network Computer Games.

The 15^th annual We Love MSU-Northern Ball sponsored by the Soroptimist International of Havre will be held on February 3rd.  This gala event has a long track record of serving excellent food and providing some of the best entertainment available. During the past 14 years the Soroptimists have raised over $84,000 in scholarships for our students.  These scholarships have made it possible for many of our students to get an education and in many cases start a new life.  This is a fun way to send a clear message to our students that we care about their future and their success.

If you would like to attend, you can call the Chancellor's Office at Northern for more information.

Our Automotive advisory board met in November to review our automotive curriculum.  This board meets twice a year and is comprised of representatives from Los Angeles, Missoula, Helena and Havre.  The board makes recommendations regarding the curriculum in this program.   The Advisory board committed itself to visiting high schools to help students understand the educational opportunities that are available through MSU-Northern

During the Christmas break, leaders from Salt Lake City, Phoenix and all over Montana came to represent companies like General Electric, Kiewit and sons, Tractor and Equipment, Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railroad and others to meet and give advice to MSU-Northern's Diesel and Automotive faculty.  This advisory board has been a critical link with industry and continues to keep our technical programs, practical and on the cutting edge.

The board reviewed the courses making up our Diesel programs and made suggestions for improvement, such as the setup and function of our existing Diesel and Automotive labs.  Many representatives expressed that the proposed Applied Technology Center building will be a vital part in our ability to continue to educate our students to meet the needs of industry.

Willard R. Weaver, Dean, Montana State University - Great Falls College of Technology reported the following:

Distributive Learning Demand Continues to Grow

In Fall Semester 1997, MSU-Great Falls College of Technology entered the world of electronically delivered instruction, offering four courses "at a distance."  To our delight, 37 students enrolled in four courses offered "at a distance".

In the past three years, our distributive learning enrollments have steadily increased.   In Fall Semester 2000, we offered 23 courses, enrolling 306 students.  As of January 10, 480 students had enrolled in 27 Internet courses available for Spring Semester 2001.  The FTE generated by our distributive learning courses has increased from 7.4 during the first semester of offerings to 85.4 this spring.

The College offers Internet courses on a range of subjects reflecting each of our academic departments.  Whether it's English Composition or Global Marketing, Excel Spreadsheets or Healthcare Information, Medical Transcription or General Psychology -- students can receive a high-quality educational experience from the College at times and places that are convenient to them. 

Who are our distributive learning students?  The majority are Great Falls-area residents enrolled in one of our degree programs.   They like the scheduling advantages of Internet courses.  Others are from Montana communities without convenient access to a college or university.  This semester, students from communities ranging from Pablo to Ekalaka and from Scobey to Silver Star are completing their college course work without leaving home or quitting their jobs.  

In order to improve access to higher education, MSU-Great Falls College of Technology is in the process of developing entire academic programs for distributive learning.  For instance, beginning this Spring Semester, students can complete the entire general education transfer core through Internet course work offered by MSU-Great Falls College of Technology.  A specialized endorsement in Health Information Coding is also making its debut.  By next year, we plan to have an AAS program preparing students for immediate employment available entirely online.

An important part of our distributive learning programming has been the quality-checks we've built into program development.  The College has established outcomes assessment procedures to ensure that the quality of educational experience our students receive online is as rich as that they receive in the traditional classroom.

College Receives Congressional Allocation for Dental Hygiene Program

Through the advocacy of Senator Conrad Burns, MSU-Great Falls College of Technology was recently identified as the recipient of a Congressionally authorized grant for $625,000 "to establish a dental hygiene education program."  Currently, Montana is the only state that does not have such a program.  The grant is designed to assist the College in the extensive efforts required to develop a curriculum, equip a facility, and pursue the accreditation necessary to offer a degree in Dental Hygiene.

Terry Hetrick, President of Dawson Community College reported 

The ninth annual Madrigal Dinner was conducted by the DCC Music and Drama Department on Saturday, December 9, and Sunday, December 10, 2000.  As usual, this holiday event played to a full crowd at both performances.  Thirty students who act or perform as stagecraft team members, participated in the madrigal this year.

The fall leadership meeting of the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) was held December 7, 2000 at Dawson Community College.  Over 180 students, grades 7-12, from 11 schools in eastern Montana participated in a variety of activities, reflecting the convention theme "Show Your True Colors."  Students had the opportunity to run for district office, participate in workshops, or compete in events that would prepare them for competition at the state level at the end of March.

 Brent Diegel, DCC Men's Baseball Coach, has been selected by World Class Sports out of Oklahoma to coach a baseball team which will compete in Europe, June 19-21, 2001.  Teams in the tournament will be from the United States, Poland, Czechoslovakia Republic, Russia, Germany, and Holland.

 The Eastern Montana Tech Prep Program and the Glendive Job Service Employers Committee brought over 300 high school students to the DCC campus for a day-long "Career Connections" activity that provides such students with the opportunity to visit with practitioners in many occupational fields.  This event was held on Tuesday, January 9, 2001. 

Dr. Jane Karas, Vice President/Dean of Instruction Flathead Valley Community College reported

Senator Baucus announced on January 11 that FVCC had been awarded $250,000 for start-up funding for the Montana Technology, Resource and Education (TREK) Center.  The TREK Center will assist in creating a technology center providing rural educator training in distance learning, community and business development and economic research. 

Approximately $27,000 was raised from the sixth annual Christmas Tree Excellence fundraiser.  The FVCC Foundation shared approximately $7,000 with six non-profit community partners.  The remainder of the funds will be used for student scholarships at FVCC.

FVCC received Campaign gifts totaling $40,000.  State Farm Companies Foundation presented FVCC with a campaign leadership gift of $10,000, and the Kalispell Regional Medical Center has gifted $30,000 over three years to the Capital Campaign.

The FVCC Foundation has attained $2,418,763 towards its Capital Campaign goal of $3 million.

At their December 2000 meeting, the FVCC Board of Trustees accepted President Beyer's resignation effective June 30, 2001.   The Board has begun the search process and will announce the search committee at their meeting on January 22, 2001.

FVCC has partnered with area employment and training agencies to provide assistance to employees impacted by recent lay-offs at local companies such as Columbia Falls Aluminum, Plum Creek, Jore, and Owens and Hurst.

 The Kalispell Chamber of Commerce has asked FVCC to be a partner in their application for funds from the National Chamber of Commerce to develop workforce academies.

On February 6, 2001 FVCC will dedicate the First Interstate Workforce Training Lab, funded with a grant of $25,000.  First Interstate also provided the college with funds to develop a Business Data Research Center.  The total gift pledged to the Capital Campaign from First Interstate Banc System Foundation and First Interstate was $175,000. 

END CAMPUS REPORTS

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OLD BUSINESS

Tom Albers of the Board of Trustees for Miles Community College reported on their activities to find a new president for Miles Community College, become fiscally responsible for their tax dollars, and to keep students as the number one priority of the campus.  They have an alliance with MSU-Billings, wherein the expertise and resources available in Billings will be shared with Miles Community College.  The Trustees identified the mission of MCC and its core values.  There is now a new list of articulated agreements between MCC and Billings.  They also advertise together with both campus logos included in the ads.  There is also a new scholarship program for transfer students from the community colleges.  It is anticipated that certain functions such as registration and fiscal matters may be contracted to Billings for more efficiency.  There is work being done on training facilities and joint programs between the two campuses.  He noted that the pressures in recruiting in the eastern part of Montana are incredible.  Montana students pay only $100 more than in-state tuition if they go to North Dakota.  Even with the extra $100, the North Dakota tuition is lower than in Montana.

President Hettrick from Dawson Community College noted that about 65% of eastern Montana students go to North Dakota.  That state is also considering using in-state tuition for students from Montana, Minnesota and South Dakota.

At 5:00 p.m. the Board Recessed to meet with Faculty representatives.

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2001

The Full Board reconvened at 8:40 a.m.

Superintendent Linda McCulloch was present for a portion of the afternoon meeting. 

PUBLIC COMMENT

There was no Public Comment

Presentation

by the Legislative Audit Office on Physical Plants.

Ms. Chris Wilkinson gave a report on the audit of four campuses of the university system (MSU-Bozeman, MSU-Northern, UM-Missoula and WMC of UM) on facility conditions and deferred maintenance.  Their conclusions were:  1)  There is a backlog of deferred maintenance in the amount of $89 million; deficiencies exist on the inventories and they are not comprehensive; there are inconsistencies in how deferred maintenance is identified and quantified.  2) There is no deferred maintenance backlog data for the budget or the Long Range Building Program; Facility management resources do not always go to the backlog of identified deferred maintenance and reduction of it; Over the last two biennia, requests have been made for deferred maintenance.  3)  The units are not consistent in accounting for facilities management; New reporting requirements make consistent reporting procedures and building condition assessments essential; Infrastructure needs are not fully included in university requests.  4)  University facilities management make a dedicated effort to present grounds and facilities in best light; organizations are innovative and flexible regarding their facility responsibilities; 5)  Numerous factors contributed to deferred maintenance liability.  

She noted that OCHE allocates the lump sum with an incremental base included.  Over 30% of facilities costs goes to utilities.  Requiring units to expend a percentage of funds on the physical plant will not necessarily reduce the liability.  Additional funding is needed if deferred liability is to be reduced.  The report indicated that 2% to 4% of the current replacement value of buildings is $10.96 to $21.92 million a year. That is an appropriate level, but it does not reduce the current liabilities.  Further, the minimum annual funding to maintain current Deferred Maintenance liabilities is $16.4 million.  The estimated amount for achieving zero maintenance liabilities is an additional $9.6 million per year.

Audit Recommendations are:  

1)  Board of  Regents establish facilities funding plan.  Comprehensive Buildings Funding Program - 1. Comprehensive FCI processes should be consistent and complete; 2. Incorporate FCI information into budget and LRBP requests; 3. Require reporting procedures allowing a system-wide measurement of DM reduction strategies.

2) The Legislatureshould examine the LRBP and establish an increased and consistent funding source to address deferred maintenance liabilities - 1. The cigarette tax is decreasing rapidly - from $9.6 million to $4.5 million in last biennium; 2. Increase funding for the cash portion; 3. Utilize the bond program for deferred maintenance projects.

It was noted by Ms. Wilkinson that the University System is about the only state agency that  keeps a list of deferred maintenance.  However the new reporting requirements will change that.

END OF PRESENTATION

STUDENT REPORTS

Brandon DeShaw -  President MAS

Mr. DeShaw reported that Senator Stapleton attended the MAS meeting Wednesday evening.  He discussed his bill on tax credits for Montana students that stay in the state following graduation.

He thanked Regent Kobos for organizing a capitol event for legislators and members of MAS.

The student lobbyists attended the meeting and shared some legislative bills that could have an impact on the university system.  

Finally, MAS discussed student involvement on committees mandated on each campus by the Board.  MAS unanimously approved a resolution to support 50% student membership on the Athletic & Equipment Fee Allocation Committees with a structure similar to the Computer Allocation Fee Committee. 

Brandon DeShaw -  President ASMT

Mr. DeShaw reported that ASMT helped the Montana Tech Judo Club advertise for their self-defense seminar.  The seminar was held on the 1^st and 2^nd of December.  The event was successful, and the proceeds were donated to the Montana Arthritis Foundation.

Montana Tech Orientation was held on January 12^th for students new to the college this semester.  The new students were given campus tours and registered for classes. 

The joint subcommittee on appropriations for education met at Montana Tech on Friday, January 12^th.  Several Montana Tech students attended and discussed issues with the legislators, staffers, and others in attendance.  He noted that the legislators are very concerned about graduates of Montana schools leaving the state.  The discussion also centered on the academic programs and research at Montana Tech. 

Paula Lundstrom: President ASMSU-Billings

Ms. Lundstrom reported that the Academic Support Center will be ready for the Spring 2001 semester.  It will include classrooms and computer labs for students enrolled in English 100, Math 101 and Math 105.

Legislative Day was held with 8 legislators and staff, faculty, students and alumni.

A Speech and Debate team is going to be started and scrimmages are being arranged.

The Governor's Inaugural Ball will be held in Billings and the student government will be helping with various arrangements.

She also announced that there will be a new game room on campus which will start small.  Kevin Decker has been hired as their new lobbyist. 

Kira Kuntz -President,ASMSU-Bozeman

Ms. Kuntz reported that they held Legislator's day December 15 which was very informative.  They gave the legislators a tour of their campus and discussed the need for the $500 per student increase in funding.

ASMSU Lively Arts and Lectures Committee brought in Judy Shepard (mother of Matthew, who was killed in Wyoming as a result of a hate crime).  This was part of diversity awareness.  It was held in the largest classroom on campus and was standing room only.

Ms. Kuntz reported they will begin budgeting on the Student Activity Fee of  $750,000.

The Student Government has also presented a Resolution in support of 50% student representation on the Athletic & Equipment Fee Allocation Committees.

Molly Moon Neitzel - President ofASUM

Ms. Neitzel reported that The University of Montana-Missoula won an award for the best transportation practices in the City and County.  They received $1000 and a plaque.  This was a direct result of the free bike loan established by ASUM, improved park and ride, and added bicycle parking racks.

She noted that the Political Science Department is awarding service credits to the student lobbyists.

Students have requested that no tests be administered during the week prior to finals.

At the Speak Out in December, the media were present and Rep. Dave Wanzenreid discussed affordability of college.  She indicated this was a successful event.

Goals:            Student Government will be working with alumni and the faculty senate to improve retention.

                  A change from a monthly pay period for student workers to a two week pay period.

                   Establish a web site for students to find car pooling matches.

                  They have already designated one parking lot on campus as a car pool only lot.

Stacy Roth - President ASMSU-Northern

Ms. Roth reported that MSU-Northern started classes last Tuesday, January 8^th.  They have also hired a new lobbyist with MSU-Billings, Kevin Decker.

The Northern Sweet Shop, which is their Starbucks coffee shop which was begun last semester has been very successful.  The hours have been extended into the afternoon.

The "Rep Desks" which have been established in each of the three main buildings on campus have been very successful.  Senate members have a chance to talk to more students and are more available to students.

Last semester they performed an internal audit.  They have ironed out the budgetary issues and have implemented new budgetary policies which concentrate on organization.  These changes should help students in the future.

The campus is planning a Bus Tour.  Faculty members and some students travel to most of the nearby schools over a period of three days in an effort to recruit students to the Northern campus.

One of the main goals this semester is to improve life on campus.  Students have many great ideas on how to do this, including improvements to the SUB, the student center, The Pin & Cue, and a much needed new dorm.

Christopher Helgeson - President AS of Great Falls College of Technology

Mr. Helgeson reported that they are sponsoring the Great Falls Community Legislative Forum.  This is an informal, topic-oriented community legislative forum which offers an opportunity for community members and area legislators to meet face to face on interactive video during the legislative session.  The METNET system will offer legislators and the community the opportunity to specifically discuss topics of interest and generally stay updated on legislative issues.  He also reported that the Appropriations Education Subcommittee visited their campus.

Kim Dolan -  PresidentASWMC

Ms. Dolan reported that Western Montana College has seen many exciting changes over the last two months.  The SUB (Student Union Building) has experienced the majority of these changes. On November 22, 2000 they received word that the FCC had finalized everything with the campus radio station and they were issuing the construction permit so the campus could start purchasing and installing the equipment needed.  The first broadcast was from the basement of the SUB on January 16, 2001 with the call letters of KOWA at 90.9 FM.  A few other changes to the SUB included Stageline Pizza moving in, and the Campus Bookstore receiving a "face lift" with new shelving and paint.  The last exciting change to campus was the hiring of Tommy Lee, former offensive coordinator from the University of Utah as Western's new head football coach.

END STUDENT REPORTS

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OLD BUSINESS Continued

a.         Update on Writing Proficiency Pilot Project - Jan Clinard 

Ms. Clinard reported on the progress of the Writing Proficiency Pilot Project.  They have been working effectively with ACT, and have developed a scoring rubric.  People from the high school campuses will be trained for consistency in scoring essays.

The Steering Committee has established a website, newsletter, articles and conference presentations.  They will be creating questions for the data page, recruiting post-secondary colleagues for training/scoring, evaluating the data analysis and making recommendations for the second-year test.

END OF OLD BUSINESS

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NEW BUSINESS 

Deputy Commissioner Scottintroduced Mary Craigle, the new Research Officer in the Office of the Commissioner who was very instrumental in pulling together these reports.

Enrollment of Native American students went from 872 in 1992 to 1122 in 1999.  This is a 28% growth in Native American students versus 12% overall.  The impact of the tribal colleges will probably bring greater improvement.  National data has proven that Native American students coming from the reservation, do better if they first attend a tribal college and then transfer to state institutions.

Graduation rates increased 22% overall from 1990, while there was a 47% increase in Native American graduates.  This improvement is directly related to better advising and proactive work with these students, as well as the impact the tribal colleges are making.

At the masters level, the Native American graduation rate went from 7 in 1990 to 27 in 1999.

The PhD picture is bleaker.  Much work will be required over time to improve this area.

The Indian Fee waiver has shown strong growth.  From 1991 to 1999 there was a 30% growth in FTE students using the Indian Fee waiver and a 170% growth in the fee waiver.  The dollars represented have increased 60%.

There have been modest changes in staffing, going from 59 to 69 FTE in this same period.

Dr. Scott indicated she hoped to follow the model of cooperation established by Chancellor Sexton with the community colleges and establish the same type of agreement with the tribal colleges.  There are some articulation agreements now, but these need to be extended and formalized.  Most campuses have transfer guides which give equivalencies. UM will be signing an agreement with Blackfeet Community College on a dual admissions policy as they already have with the community colleges.  There are some transfer scholarships offered to community college students with a GPA of 3.5 or better.

OLD BUSINESS Continued

b.         Update on Biennial Budget - Richard Crofts

Further discussion of the budget crisis concluded with the understanding that Commissioner Crofts would set up a meeting with the Governor's office, the Presidents, Chancellors, and Regent Semmens to begin educating the key people about the realities of the situation.

END OF OLD BUSINESS

With no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 11:50 a.m. 

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