BOARD OF TRUSTEES MINUTES
MEETING OF
JUNE 9, 2008
THOSE PRESENT
H. Roger Boyer Vice Chair
Randy L. Dryer Chair
C. Hope Eccles (on phone)
Clark D. Ivory
J. Spencer Kinard
Michele Mattsson
Scott S. Parker
Patrick Reimherr
James M. Wall
ABSENT
Timothy B. Anderson
Lorena Riffo-Jenson
UNIVERSITY REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT
Coralie Alder Director, Marketing and Communications
Robert K. Avery Professor of Communication and Chair, Student Broadcast
Council
James R. Bardsley Associate Vice President, Health Sciences - Finance and
Planning
Keith Bartholomew Assistant Professor, City and Metropolitan Planning
A. Lorris Betz Senior Vice President, Health Sciences
Paul T. Brinkman Associate Vice President, Budget and Planning
Jack Brittain Vice President, Technology Venture Development
Norman Chambers Assistant Vice President, Auxiliary Services
Ann L. Darling Chair, Department of Communication
Jill C. Dawsey Curator, Utah Museum of Fine Arts
David L. Dee Director, Utah Museum of Fine Arts
Fred C. Esplin Vice President, Advancement
Glen M. Feighery Assistant Professor, Department of Communication and
Vice Chair, Publications Council
Stephen H. Hess Chief Information Officer
Chris Hill Special Assistant to the President and Director of Athletics
Dan Lauritzen Chair, Publications Council
Paul A. Mogren President, Academic Senate
John K. Morris Vice President and General Counsel
Thomas N. Parks Interim Vice President, Research
Robert W. Payne Associate General Counsel
Michael Perez Associate Vice President, Administrative Services - Facilities
David W. Pershing Senior Vice President, Academic Affairs
Rebecca M. Riley Executive Assistant, Board of Trustees
Jonathan Shear Associate Vice President, Investment Management
Laura Snow Secretary to the University
Barbara H. Snyder Vice President, Student Affairs
Jacob K. Sorensen Business Manager, Publications Council
Jeffrey J. West Associate Vice President, Financial & Business Services
Kim Wirthlin Vice President, Government Relations
Michael K. Young President
OTHERS
Steve Alder Sunnyside East Neighborhood Association
Dustin S. Gardiner Editor in Chief, Daily Utah Chronicle
Brian Maffly Reporter, Salt Lake Tribune
Pete van der Have Consultant, Disaster Resistant University
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting of the University of Utah Board of Trustees was held on Monday, June 9, 2008, at Kingsbury Hall. Chair Randy Dryer conducted the business of the meeting.
Executive Session
At 8:00 a.m., on motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY voted to go into Executive Session.
Adjourned
At 8:10 a.m. the Executive Session was adjourned.
Open Meeting
At 8:15 a.m. the Open Meeting of the Board of Trustees was convened. Chair Dryer welcomed new Trustee, Alumni Association President Michele Mattsson.
* * * * *
CHAIR'S REPORT
Item 101 . . . Resolution of Appreciation for J. Spencer Kinard
Chair Randy Dryer presented a Resolution of Appreciation to outgoing Trustee, J. Spencer Kinard. Dryer expressed his heartfelt thanks to Spence for his dedication, service, example and involvement. He noted that Spence was the first Alumni Association President to serve on the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees. Trustee Kinard responded briefly to the resolution and expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to serve on the board. He then introduced his replacement, Michele Mattsson with a brief biographical sketch and his vote of confidence in her ability to represent the alumni constituency in this capacity.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY voted to approve the Resolution of Appreciation for J. Spencer Kinard.
A copy of the resolution is included as Appendix I with the official minutes of this meeting and is on file in the office of the Secretary.
Item 102 . . . Current Issues
Chair Dryer reported on the Trustees= recent field trip to the University's Telescope Array near Delta, Utah. While there, the group had a chance to meet with research scientists from Japan who are collaborating with faculty from the U's College of Science on the cosmic ray research project. Dryer stated that the trip was highly informative and encouraged others to visit the site in the future.
Chair Dryer highlighted Trustee Jim Wall=s recent recognitions. Jim was honored as "Father of the Year," by the Father's Day Council in conjunction with the American Diabetes Association. He also received the "Heart of Utah," award from the Utah Chapter of the American Heart Association and an honorary degree from Salt Lake Community College. Dryer noted that President Young received the "Utah International Leader of the Year" award from the World Trade Association of Utah.
Chair Dryer announced the appointment of two new members to the Utah State Board of Regents, Reverend France Davis and Basim Motiwala. Davis is a community leader and pastor at the Calvary Baptist Church who has served on the board of trustees at Salt Lake Community College. Motiwala, the student regent, was formerly the Vice President of the Associated Student of the University of Utah.
Robert Payne, associate general counsel, informed the Trustees that the Recording Industry Association of America has served the University with notice that possibly twelve staff and/or students are in violation of recording industry copyright laws. Payne noted that eight of the twelve have been identified and have had letters passed along from the association requesting a settlement. Payne stipulated that the University will not represent these individuals but will assist them in seeking other counsel if needed. He noted that we have not received a subpoena but that we plan to reply if any are received.
Chair Dryer highlighted the President Young's Resource and Review Team information prepared for the Utah State Board of Regents that was included in the Trustees' agenda materials.
A copy of the report is included as Appendix II with the official minutes of this meeting and is on file in the office of the Secretary.
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PRESIDENT'S REPORT
Item 201 . . . Honors and awards to members of the University community
President Michael Young reviewed the report on honors and awards to members of the University community. He highlighted the achievement of Dr. Brian McPherson, a recent Utah Science Technology and Research (USTAR) hire. He also called attention to the awards received by Walter Arabasz and Bhupendra Patel.
Chair Randy Dryer drew attention to the recent awards received by the Daily Utah Chronicle staffers from the Society of Professional Journalists. He noted that Aaron Zundel's first place award is the first such award received by a Chronicle staff member.
A copy of the report is included as Appendix III with the official minutes of this meeting and is on file in the office of the Secretary.
Item 202 . . . Distinguished visitors to campus, research, publications and other
items of interest
President Young called attention to the report of the distinguished visitors to campus, research, publications and other items of interest.
A copy of the report is included as Appendix IV with the official minutes of this meeting and is on file in the office of the Secretary.
Item 203 . . . Current Issues
President Michael Young announced that he recently signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, obligating the University to achieve climate neutrality by reducing net carbon emissions at the U to zero. He stated that efforts to reduce emissions are already underway with the University's sustainability program, recycling program and co-generation plant.
President Young expressed his condolences to our Confucius Institute=s consortium partner, China's Sichuan University, for the recent catastrophic earthquake in which more than 10,000 lives were lost. Luckily, loss of life and damage to Sichuan University was not severe even though the epicenter of the 7.9 quake was located in the Sichuan province northwest of Chengdu, the capital city. He noted that our students hosted a fund raising event to aid the earthquake victims.President Young reported on the recent Mountain West Conference Board of Directors meeting. He announced that an agreement has been reached with DirecTV to broadcast the Mountain channel and telecasts of the conference's athletic events.
Trustee Patrick Reimherr announced the construction of a new student gathering plaza west of the Olpin Union Building. He stated that a previous senior class gift, funding from the Associated Students of the University of Utah (ASUU), and donations from various members of the President=s Cabinet have created the capital needed to remodel the old fountain area located between the Student Services Building and the Union Building. Once the construction is completed, the area will be used as a gathering place and venue for outdoor concerts and ASUU events.
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ACADEMIC SENATE REPORT
Item 301 . . . Academic Senate Report
President Paul Mogren explained that while the Academic Senate is out of session for the summer, the Executive Committee is sanctioned to take action if needed. Last week the Executive Committee met and approved the faculty and staff matters, and a minor in Political Science, which have been forwarded to the Trustees for their action today.
President Mogren noted that President Young will give the State of the U address at the Academic Senate Meeting scheduled for September 9. This is a departure from past tradition of giving the address at a faculty breakfast.
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TRUSTEES / COMMITTEE REPORT
Item 401 . . . Update on the Alumni Association Board of Directors
Trustee Michele Mattsson reviewed the current members of the Board of Directors. She announced the new members, Greg Anderson, Barry Angstman, Jodie Bennion, Linda Dunn, John Firmage, Heidi Makowski, Kevin Rowe, and Liz Whitney. Trustee Mattsson noted that Rex Thornton is the new Vice President of the Board. Other leadership includes: Amy Oliver, President, Beehive Honor Society; Earl Wunderli, President, Emeritus Alumni Board; Jeremy Barlow, President, Young Alumni Board; Brent Schmitt, President, Student Alumni Board.
Trustee Mattsson stated that her goals for the Alumni Board include increasing the number of alumni within the association, increasing scholarships, and increasing attendance at women=s athletic events. She added that the board has also begun discussions regarding the renovation of the Alumni House.
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GENERAL CONSENT CALENDAR
Item 501 . . . Minutes - of the Board of Trustees Meeting held on May 12, 2008
Item 502 . . . Faculty and Staff Matters - Resignations, Retirement,
Administrative Appointment, Faculty Appointments, Early Retirements, Emeritus Appointments
(Appendix V)
Item 503 . . . Proposal for a Minor in Political Science
(Appendix VI)
Item 504 . . . Research Report - for the month of April 2008
(Appendix VII)
Item 505 . . . Report of Investment Transactions and Portfolio - for the month
of April 2008
(Appendix VIII)
Item 506 . . . Capital Facilities -
(Appendix IX)
A. Remodel Level 4 in the University Hospital
B. Remodel space in the University Neuropsychiatric Institute
Item 507 . . . Gifts Report - for the month of April 2008
(Appendix X)
Chair Dryer and Trustee Scott Parker abstained from voting on Item #502 noting their pending appointments as adjunct faculty members.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY voted to approve the Consent Calendar with abstentions from Chair Dryer and Trustee Parker on Item #502.
Background materials are included in the Appendix as noted above.
* * * * *
ACTION AGENDA
Item 601 . . . Revisions to Publications Council Policies and Procedures
Chair Dryer reviewed the history of the revisions noting that the office of General Counsel had assisted and advised the process. Professor Glen Feighery, vice chair of the Publications Council, stated that the policy and procedures had been changed to include the new media sales force, clarification of expectations and authority of the editor of the Daily Utah Chronicle. He stated that Jacob Sorensen, Dan Lauritzen and Trustee Spencer Kinard had also assisted with the revisions. Kinard added that the changes greatly improve the accountability of the Council while still preserving freedom and autonomy for the various publications.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY voted to approve the revisions to Publications Council Policies and Procedures as proposed.
A copy of the revisions to Publications Council Policies and Procedures, along with an Executive Summary, is included as Appendix XI with the official minutes of this meeting and is on file in the office of the Secretary.
Item 602 . . . Publications Council Budget, 2008-2009
Jacob Sorensen reviewed the budget noting the Council=s recommendation for a separate budget for the new sales force, following the precedent set by the Daily Utah Chronicle=s budget. He stated that budget recommendations include using 1% of the revenues to put into a reserve account to be used for equipment repair and replacement. In response to a question, Sorensen explained the criteria for funding publications, including the amount of student involvement and overall benefit to the students.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY voted to approve the Publications Council Budget for 2008-2009 as proposed.
A copy of the Publications Council Budget for 2008-2009 is included as Appendix XII with the official minutes of this meeting and is on file in the office of the Secretary.
Item 603 . . . Student Broadcast Council Budget, 2008-2009
Professor Robert Avery, chair of the Student Broadcast Council reviewed the budget request for 2008-2009. He stated that this budget is consistent with past requests except that they will be able to operate off of the new Associated Students of the University of Utah (ASUU) appropriations rather than the reserves used the last few years. He thanked ASUU for restoring their funding. Avery added that the expected income from the media sales force will assist with their bottom line.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY voted to approve the Student Broadcast Council Budget for 2008-2009 as proposed.
A copy of the Student Broadcast Council Budget for 2008-2009 is included as Appendix XIII with the official minutes of this meeting and is on file in the office of the Secretary.
Item 604(A) . . . Naming of new building for the Utah Museum of Natural History
Vice President Fred Esplin reviewed the request to name the new building housing the Utah Museum of Natural History, the Rio Tinto Center. This request is in recognition of a $15,000,000 contribution from the Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation toward the design and construction of the new building. The contribution is the largest single corporate donation in the University=s history. Esplin added that the groundbreaking is slated for July 29, 2008.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY voted to approve the naming of the Rio Tinto Center as proposed.
A copy of the naming proposal is included as Appendix XIV with the official minutes of this meeting and is on file in the office of the Secretary.
Item 604(B) . . . Naming of facilities in the College of Science
Vice President Esplin reviewed the request to name a new observatory the Willard L. Eccles Observatory. The building is being constructed by the department of physics on Frisco Peak in Millard County, Utah. This request is in recognition of a $700,000 commitment to be used for the design and purchase of the telescope and the construction of the observatory. An additional $450,000 has been pledged to be used toward membership in a consortium for astronomical research.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY voted to approve the naming of the Willard L. Eccles Observatory as proposed.
A copy of the naming proposal is included as Appendix XIV with the official minutes of this meeting and is on file in the office of the Secretary.
Item 605 . . . Parking Permit Fee Increase Effective July 1, 2008
Assistant Vice President Norman Chambers explained that the requested increase in parking permit fees comes in response to a fuel surcharge being imposed by the Utah Transit Authority (UTA). The surcharge will affect the cost of the UTA Education Pass which provides a bus/trax pass to University students, staff and faculty. He noted that because the FY2009 Student Transportation Fee has already been approved by the State Board of Regents and the University's budget for FY2009 has already been set, the best option for covering the additional cost of the pass is through an increase to parking permit fees. This would be an additional 10% charge for student parking passes and a 15.2% charge for faculty and staff passes. Chambers stated that the Education Pass program, which began in 1991, has been very successful and that approximately 33% of the campus population currently commutes to campus via mass transit.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY voted to approve the Parking Permit Fee Increase as proposed.
A copy of the proposed Parking Permit Fee Increase is included as Appendix XVI with the official minutes of this meeting and is on file in the office of the Secretary.
Item 606 . . . The 2009-2010 Capital Facilities Budget Request and the projected
"5-Year Plan" for Capital Projects
Associate Vice President Michael Perez reviewed the Capital Facilities Budget Request. He explained that infrastructure projects have been recategorized to draw attention to the needed upgrades. Several new projects have been added since last year=s request. Vice President Jack Brittain noted that if the requested state funding is secured for the David Eccles School of Business replacement and expansion, more classroom space can be added at the same time for minimal cost. If the classrooms are built separately the cost would be $69,000,000 to the State. Perez asked the Trustees for approval to forward the Capital Facilities Budget Request to the State Building Board.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY voted to approve the 2009-2010 Capital Facilities Budget Request and the projected A5-Year Plan@ for Capital Projects as proposed.
A copy of the proposed 2009-2010 Capital Facilities Budget Request and the projected
A5-Year Plan@ for Capital Projects is included as Appendix XVII with the official minutes of this meeting and is on file in the office of the Secretary.
Item 607 . . . The District Health Center Proposal: Development and Lease
Chair Dryer indicated that action on this item has been postponed to a future meeting.
Item 608 . . . Campus Master Plan
Vice President Perez thanked those involved on the Campus Master Planning Steering Committee for their work and insights. He explained that the intent of committee was to create a sustainable, pedestrian friendly, compact, and interdisciplinary promoting campus. Perez discussed the sustainability efforts for water collection. He noted that efforts are being made to transition away from culinary water use for watering the landscape and to reduce water usage by 50% . He explained that under the new master plan, most buildings would be within a ten minute walking distance; the Stadium Trax Station would be surrounded by a mixed use development; Health Sciences would grow to the west and south creating pedestrian corridors; and that an interdisciplinary quad would house the Utah Science Technology and Research (USTAR) buildings. Also included in the plan is the Student Life Center, new athletic playing fields, removal of the Annex buildings, addition of a Science Yard and Engineering Mall. Redevelopment of the East and West Student Housing Villages is also a possibility.
Consultant Pete van der Have discussed plans for a disaster resistant University. His group has been working closely with the master plan group to identify and manage potential risks. Their research has been funded by a pre-disaster mitigation strategy grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Mr. van der Have stated that their goal is to control the consequences of the impact of an event and reduce downtime. Target activities include implementing a non-structural bracing program, defining vital document and record protection goals, supporting individual preparedness, and establishing an ongoing re-assessment of efforts.
Trustee Clark Ivory reiterated the need for traffic control and ample parking and urged management not to lose sight of these issues.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY voted to approve the Campus Master Plan as proposed.
* * * * *
INFORMATION AGENDA
Item 701 . . . Media Training Task Force Report
Professor Ann Darling thanked the task force for their two-year effort on this assessment. She indicated that the Task Force interviewed students and faculty, and had also researched media structures on other campuses before determining their recommendations. The main recommendation is to combine the Publications Council and Student Broadcast Council into one unit to enhance educational experiences for the students. The task force will identify people to lead the combined council and they will, in turn, devise a business plan. The Executive Summary, which is included in the appendices, contains a detailed list of the key recommendations. President Young remarked that once the structural change has taken place, he believes we can create a stronger curriculum.
A copy of the report, along with the Executive Summary, is included as Appendix XVIII with the official minutes of this meeting and is on file in the office of the Secretary.
Item 702 . . . Introduction to the AMonet to Picasso@ Exhibit, Utah Museum of Fine Arts
Museum Director David Dee introduced Jill Dawsey, curator of the exhibit. Ms. Dawsey gave a short preview of the exhibit highlighting the works of leading European artists dating from 1864 to 1964. More than 70 paintings, drawings and sculptures will be available for viewing at the museum. The collection, from the Cleveland Museum of Art, is on an international touring exhibition and the University of Utah is only one of four North American venues selected to host this event. Ms. Dawsey noted that the exhibition will be on display from June 23 to September 21 and encouraged the Trustees to see it.
* * * * *
Announcements
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held on August 11, 2008 in the Crimson View Bistro, Union Building, 4th floor.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m. The unveiling of President Young=s portrait followed at 11:30 in the Park Building.
Date approved: August 11, 2008