Board of Trustees Meeting
June 14, 2002
A regular meeting of the University of Florida Board of Trustees was held on Friday, June 14, 2002 at 11:30 a.m., at the J. Wayne Reitz Union Rion Ballroom at the University of Florida.
Chairman Criser called the meeting to order and a quorum was established.
Mr. Criser and President Charles Young first recognized the University of Florida employees who contributed to the country after September 11, 2001. Mr. Criser presented them with resolutions of recognition from the Board of Trustees and the President.
Mr. Criser then welcomed Nicole Fried, new trustee and president of the University of Florida student body, and appointed Ms. Fried to the Committee on Facilities, the Committee on Educational Policy and the Committee on Governmental Relations.
Mr. Criser expressed appreciation on behalf of the Board for the tour on June 13th of the new Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Shands Hospital and encouraged staff to continue to familiarize the Board with the University's facilities and operations.
Mr. Criser next called on President Young to deliver the President's report. President Young noted that since the April Board meeting, considerable time and effort have been spent on the legislative session. President Young indicated that the Presidential Task Force on the Future of the University of Florida has delivered its report to the President, and the Provost's recommendations have been made as well. President Young stated that he would formulate a proposed strategic plan to be presented to the Board in September for approval. He also indicated that materials would be provided prior to the September meeting to the Board of Trustees in anticipation of the September action of the Board. President Young stated that the strategic plan will be followed by facilities and financial plans to support the academic strategic plan.
Mr. Criser entertained a motion to approve the consent agenda. Mr. Warrington moved for approval of the consent agenda. The motion was adopted.
In regard to the recommendation to award President Emeritus status to John Lombardi, Mr. Criser noted that past presidents of the University of Florida, starting with President J. Hillis Miller, have received President Emeritus status. Mr. Criser asked for President Young to present to the Board his recommendation. President Young presented his recommendation to the Board of Trustees, noting John Lombardi's significant contributions to the University of Florida during Dr. Lombardi's term as president. Mr. McGriff moved for approval to award President Emeritus status to John V. Lombardi. The motion was adopted unanimously.
Mr. McGriff moved for approval of the tuition increases, the proposed tuition rule, and the tuition waiver policy. The motion was adopted. After the motion was adopted, Ms. Fried expressed her appreciation to the University of Florida administration for agreeing to work with students on issues related to expenditure of the revenues attendant to the tuition increases. She expressed a need for student involvement in these issues. Provost Colburn suggested that a committee be appointed to deal with these issues in the future, which Mr. Criser endorsed.
Mr. McGriff moved to conditionally approve the $2 billion "preliminary operating budget" as contained in the Board materials, to be followed by a detailed expenditure plan to be presented in a subsequent meeting of the Board reflecting the University's strategic plan. The motion was adopted.
Mr. Alfonso moved to approve the conditional transfer of $4,425,968 from institutional funds to the Courtelis matching program and to approve the facilities spending plan. Mr. Alfonso noted that the University's funding for the Courtelis matching program was approximately $10 million less than requested for the 2002-03 fiscal year. He indicated that one project not totally funded was the law school expansion, and indicated that the University must proceed with the design and construction of these facilities in order to comply with the accreditation renewal plan as presented to the American Bar Association. Mr. Alfonso stated that the faithful donors and supporters of the law school have pledged their gifts to these facilities and the University must proceed with matching these gifts. He indicated that waiting for the legislature to appropriate these funds to the Courtelis matching program was no longer an option for the University given the accreditation issues. The motion was adopted.
Mr. Criser briefly outlined for the Board background information concerning the award of honorary degrees. He recommended that the President continue to award honorary degrees, with information regarding proposed honorees to be presented to the Board prior to the award. The Board recognized those individuals President Young has authorized to receive honorary degrees.
As items of new business, Mr. Criser recognized Mrs. O’Connell and requested that she update the Board on the work of the Committee on Public Relations. Mrs. O’Connell provided a brief status report of the Committee’s work, particularly in regard to communication strategies and the University’s 150th anniversary celebration planning. Mr. Fernandez also briefly updated the Board on behalf of the Committee on Educational Policy and referenced several issues raised during the discussions of the committee earlier in the day. Mr. Fernandez noted the preliminary success of the University’s recruiting efforts in regard to minority student enrollment and commended Dr. Colburn and Dr. Scott for their work in this regard.
As a second item of new business, President Young discussed the legislative budget request which is due by July 19th. President Young expressed his belief that the Board of Trustees should be involved substantially in developing and approving the request. President Young recommended that the Board delegate to the Committee on Finance and Committee on Educational Policy the authority to approve the legislative budget request, with a subsequent report to the full Board. The Board adopted the recommendation of the President.
Ms. Morgan briefly reported the discussion of the Committee on Governmental Relations that took place earlier in the day, noting that the Committee reviewed the legislative session, federal relations and the governmental relations strategic plan. Mr. Criser expressed appreciation to Dr. Robert Bryan for his leadership over the past year in regard to state legislative issues.
Ms. Merkel provided a summary of the meeting of the Committee on Audit and Operations Review. Mr. Alfonso provided a summary of the meeting of the Committee on Facilities.
Upon Mr. Criser’s request, President Young noted the 2003 Board meeting dates, and indicated that a January/February Board meeting or telephone conference call also would be scheduled in advance of the 2003 legislative session.
Guest speaker Professor Jonathan Reiskind spoke on the subject of the United Faculty of Florida.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m.
Charles E. Young
Secretary
Pamela J. Bernard
Assistant Secretary