Board of Trustees Meeting
September 5, 2002
A regular meeting of the University of Florida Board of Trustees was held on Thursday, September 5, 2002 at 4:45 p.m., at the J. Wayne Reitz Union Rion Grand Ballroom at the University of Florida.
Chairman Criser called the meeting to order and a quorum was established.
Mr. Criser commented positively on the new meeting facilities at the J. Wayne Reitz Union. Mr. Criser noted that the September 5, 2002 is approximately one year from the first meeting of the University of Florida Board of Trustees. He indicated that significant progress has been made during the year. Mr. Criser remembered the upcoming anniversary of September 11, 2001, including the changes that have occurred as a result of that tragedy and the need to be mindful of the many privileges citizens of our country enjoy as a democracy.
Mr. Criser next called upon President Young to deliver the President's report. President Young noted the new publication entitled "President's Update" and recognized the work of Vice President Gail Baker and her staff. President Young also commented on the Strategic Plan that he has recommended to the Board, recognizing the work of Associate Provost Joseph Glover and others who contributed to its formulation. President Young emphasized the dynamic nature of the plan and the work that still needs to be done to finalize and implement it. Next, President Young commented on his future tenure at the University of Florida and the presidential succession process. President Young stated his commitment to remain at the University as long as necessary for an orderly and smooth leadership transition. He made recommendations to the Board of Trustees regarding a presidential search process and its timing, and he recommended that the Board move forward to authorize the planning and organization of the search. President Young then turned the Board's attention to the opportunities presented by the 2002 School Code Rewrite. President Young assured the Board that steps were being taken in anticipation of the December Board meeting so that all rules and policies would be in place by January 7, 2003 when the 2002 School Code Rewrite provisions become effective. President Young stated that work of the Board of Trustees and the University administration to move forward together on strategic planning, presidential succession and continued devolution of authority will place the University of Florida in a strong position to become a truly great University.
Chairman Criser thanked President Young for his comments. Mr. Criser noted that relative to a presidential search process, the University enjoyed an excellent and stable environment to institute a search with President and Mrs. Young currently in office. Mr. Criser commented upon the unique aspects of the presidential search process in Florida and the need to accommodate these special circumstances in a timetable to be set by the Board of Trustees. Mr. Criser suggested that the Board be authorized to commence planning for the inevitable leadership transition, with the expectation that those plans will be brought to the Board at its December meeting.
Vice Chair Dianna Morgan expressed gratitude on behalf of the Board for President Young's leadership and commitment to date. Ms. Morgan moved the Board to authorize Chairman Criser to appoint a committee to institute a search process, with a plan to be brought to the Board at its December meeting. The motion was adopted. In announcing the result of the vote, Mr. Criser noted that one negative vote was cast on the motion.
Trustee Al Warrington inquired of Ms. Morgan whether her motion was intended to permit the Board to consider the points President Young made during his earlier remarks about the presidential search process. Ms. Morgan confirmed that it did and members of the Board agreed such consideration would be appropriate.
Trustee Manny Fernandez commended Dr. Young for his commitment to the University of Florida, and thanked President Young for his offer of assistance in the impending presidential search process.
Mr. Criser next delivered the comments of the Chairman of the Board. Mr. Criser noted the need for the Board of Trustees and the President to communicate with one another closely so as to keep abreast of developments as the Board's work progresses. Trustee Louise Courtelis thanked the President and the Vice Presidents for their assistance in bringing the Board of Trustees to its current level of operation. Mr. Criser then emphasized the importance of vigilance among the Board and elsewhere at the University of Florida in regard to intercollegiate athletic rules compliance. Mr. Criser recognized Jeremy Foley and others for their efforts in ensuring that the reputation of the University of Florida continues to be untarnished in this area. Trustee Mac McGriff moved to affirm the Board's strong commitment to athletic rules compliance. The motion was adopted unanimously.
In regard to the election of the Vice Chair of the Board, Mr. Fernandez moved to elect Dianna Morgan as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees. The motion was adopted unanimously.
Mr. Criser entertained a motion to approve the consent agenda, first noting a minor correction in the minutes for the June 2002 Board meeting concerning President Emeritus status for former University of Florida presidents. Trustee Al Thweatt moved for approval of the consent agenda, including the minutes of the June Board meeting as corrected. The motion was adopted. In response to a point raised by Mr. Warrington about the consent agenda item concerning the award of tenure upon hire, Mr. Criser asked the Educational Policy Committee to work with the Provost to formulate a recommendation for a process by which the Board of Trustees can have meaningful consideration of recommended tenure awards for newly-hired professors.
Mr. McGriff provided brief updates to the Board on behalf of the Committee on Finance. Mr. McGriff updated the Board on the Proton Beam Therapy Project and on the Enterprise Resource Planning System. Mr. McGriff moved the Board to adopt the recommendation of the Committee on Finance that President Young's salary to be adjusted upward to reflect his full-time status, to remove the travel supplement attendant to his previous status, and for the Board to commence a study of presidential compensation. The motion was adopted.
Trustee Cindy O'Connell provided the Board with a presentation on behalf of the Committee on Public Relations regarding the work of the committee to date. Mr. Criser thanked Trustee O'Connell and the Committee for its work.
Mr. Criser recognized Mr. Fernandez who commended President Young, Dr. Colburn and other staff members regarding the progress made in the University's strategic planning efforts. Mr. Fernandez moved the Board to approve in concept the Strategic Plan recommended by President Young, and he urged the Board to move forward with the next steps toward finalization and implementation of the plan. The motion was adopted.
Mr. Criser recognized Trustee Joelen Merkel who brought to the Board's attention the 2001-2002 Annual Report of the University of Florida Office of Inspector General that had been distributed to all trustees. Ms. Merkel also asked for a brief report from Provost Colburn on minority enrollment efforts, which Dr. Colburn provided.
Guest speaker Jean Larson, Chair of the Faculty Senate, spoke on the subject of the University of Florida Faculty Senate.
Guest speaker Professor Jonathan Reiskind, president of the local chapter of the United Faculty of Florida, spoke on the subject of the United Faculty of Florida.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
Charles E. Young
Secretary
Pamela J. Bernard
Assistant Secretary