Board of Trustees Meeting
December 13, 2001
A regular meeting of the University of Florida Board of Trustees was held on Thursday, December 13, 2001 at 2:00 p.m., at the Rion Ballroom of the J. Wayne Reitz Union on the campus of the University of Florida.
After a quorum was established, Mr. Criser called the meeting to order. Mr. McGriff moved for approval of the minutes of the November 17, 2001 meeting of the Board of Trustees, and the motion was adopted.
President Young delivered the President's report. President Young discussed the magnitude of the recent budget cuts to public higher education in Florida and, specifically, to the University of Florida. President Young discussed the development of the University's strategic planning process which is to be launched in early January and will be completed in large part by June 30, 2002. He discussed the progress made in improving the quality of the University's government relations program with the advice and assistance of the Board's Vice Chair, Dianna Morgan. President Young introduced former Interim President Robert Bryan who will assist the University in further organizing the governmental relations program at the University of Florida. President Young closed his remarks with reference to the continuing work on completing the statutory devolution of authorities to the boards of trustees. President Young outlined other University priorities for the legislative session, including a focus on matching gift and grant programs, and the authority to set tuition and fees.
Mr. Warrington commended President Young for his initiative in the strategic planning process. Mr. Warrington suggested that keeping the process moving at a steady pace was necessary, and offered his involvement to that end.
Mr. Criser delivered the comments of the Chair of the Board, asking Trustees Fernandez (as chair), Alfonso, Daniels, and Dasburg to serve on an ad hoc Board Planning Committee, which will complement the President's efforts in strategic planning. Mr. Criser commended President Young for his efforts in improving the governmental relations program, particularly in light of the upcoming regular legislative session. Mr. Criser also noted the Governor's anticipated participation at the University's Fall commencement. Mr. Criser made note of the participation of the University of Florida football team in the Orange Bowl and of the accomplishments of the women's soccer team this season.
Mr. Criser turned the Board's attention to the proposed changes to the Articles and Bylaws of Shands Teaching Hospitals and Clinics, Inc. Mr. McGriff noted that the proposed changes had been brought before and approved by the Committee on Finance. Mr. McGriff moved to approve the changes to the Articles of Incorporation of Shands Teaching Hospitals and Clinics, Inc. as reflected in the Board materials. The motion was adopted.
The Board discussed the proposal to create a one-time admissions deposit not to exceed $200.00. It was noted that this proposal had been approved by the Committees on Educational Policy and Finance. Mr. McGriff made a motion to approve the University moving forward to create an admissions deposit, including seeking legislative authority to establish such a deposit, and to approve adoption of a University of Florida rule establishing an admissions deposit not exceed to $200.00. The motion was adopted.
Provost David Colburn provided the Board with background comments on the new degree programs before the Board for approval. Dr. Colburn noted that the programs had been approved by the Committee on Educational Policy. Mr. McGriff moved for approval of the additions of the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Digital Arts and Sciences and Master of Arts/Master of Science in Digital Arts and Sciences; Master of Advertising; Master of Arts (thesis) and Master of Women's Studies (non-thesis). The motion was adopted.
The Board turned its attention to the special sessions of the Florida Legislature which resulted in significant budget cuts to the University of Florida. Mr. McGriff noted that the Committee on Finance had approved a budget reduction plan proposed by President Young and Provost Colburn. Mr. McGriff moved for approval of the President's proposed budget reduction plan for FY 2001-02 as approved by the Committees on Educational Policy and Finance. The motion was adopted.
Mr. Robell made brief remarks concerning the state matching gifts programs. Mr. Robell commented on the final draft report of the Council on Educational Policy Research and Improvement (CEPRI) which examined the cost of, benefit of and continued need for these programs. Mr. Robell recommended that the University of Florida agree to a proposed amendment to the current programs in order to address certain legislative concerns about the state matching gifts programs. Mr. Robell and Ms. Leslie Bram, Associate Vice President for Development and Alumni Affairs, discussed a proposed resolution of the University of Florida Board of Trustees which would endorse the recommendation contained in the CEPRI report, with two exceptions. It was suggested that the Board of Trustees not adopt the recommendation that the Florida Board of Education be given flexibility to give additional weight or priority to scholarship donations submitted for matches that have a need-based requirement. The University believes it is imperative that institutional priorities, including fund raising priorities, be set by the administration and boards of trustees. Second, it was suggested the Board of Trustees not endorse CEPRI's recommendation that the Florida Board of Education be provided authority to distribute a certain percentage of matching funds across institutions. The University of Florida believes that the current matching gifts program provides equal access to all universities on a first-come, first-served basis and that the CEPRI recommendation, if adopted, would undermine incentives to private giving.
Mr. Adler moved to approve the proposed amendments to the current matching gift programs and moved to approve the adoption of the proposed resolution to endorse the CEPRI report, with the two exceptions noted by Mr. Robell and Ms. Bram. The motion was adopted.
Mr. Robell provided brief comments on the proposal before the Board to approve the naming of the Shands Transplant Housing Complex after Dr. Gerold L. Schiebler. Mr. Alfonso moved to approve the naming of the Shands Transplant Housing Complex "The Gerold L. Schiebler/Shands Transplant Housing Complex" to honor Dr. Gerold Schiebler for his extraordinary service and commitment to health care in the State of Florida. The motion was adopted.
Mr. Criser recognized guest speaker Professor Jonathan Reiskand, whose subject was the United Faculty of Florida.
Mr. Criser recognized Professor Richard Briggs, President of the University's Faculty Senate, who made comments regarding the faculty senate and its recommendations about the role of the Faculty Senate in governance at the University of Florida.
Mr. Criser briefly discussed the need to establish strong working relationships with members of the Florida Board of Education, and several Trustees offered to follow up on this suggestion. Mr. Criser also noted that in regard to the scheduled January 11th Board of Trustees meeting, thought was being given to whether a meeting on February 22-23 or around the University's corporate weekend would be a more productive meeting time. Mr. Criser asked Assistant Secretary Bernard to follow up on rescheduling the January Board meeting to February, but with the caution to Board members that the January 11th date should be held for a possible conference call.
Mr. Alfonso briefly noted in regard to the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences that the operations of IFAS have such breadth that, taken together, IFAS is the fourth largest university in Florida it if were a university.
Mr. Criser made brief closing remarks, the meeting was adjourned at 2:30 p.m.
Charles E. Young
Secretary
Pamela J. Bernard
Assistant Secretary