Board of Trustees Meeting
September 6, 2003
A regular meeting of the University of Florida Board of Trustees was held on Saturday, September 6, 2003 at 10:45 a.m., in the Bowman Room at the Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables, Florida.
After verifying a quorum, Chairman Marshall Criser called the meeting to order, welcoming all trustees and others. Mr. Criser introduced and welcomed Lt. Governor Toni Jennings who was in attendance at the meeting. Lt. Governor Jennings briefly thanked the University of Florida for meeting the many challenges in Florida's various education programs. She also thanked the Trustees for their dedication on behalf of the University.
Mr. Criser next introduced and welcomed Mr. Alan Levine, Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Jeb Bush. Mr. Levine commented positively on the University of Florida's contributions to the Governor's objectives in K-20 education. Next, Mr. Criser introduced and welcomed Kathleen Shanahan, Chief of Staff for Governor Bush. Mr. Criser thanked Ms. Shanahan for her many contributions. Ms. Shanahan expressed her appreciation to the University of Florida for being the anchor of the public higher education system in Florida. Ms. Shanahan noted that the transformation of governance in public education throughout Florida is at the precipice of development and Governor Bush appreciates the University of Florida's role in and contributions to the K-20 education system.
Mr. Criser introduced John Dasburg, Chairman of the Board of Governor's Strategic Planning Committee. Mr. Criser expressed his pleasure with the working relationship between the University of Florida Board of Trustees and the Board of Governors as the latter assumes its responsibilities. Mr. Criser recognized Mr. Dasburg's various connections to the University of Florida and his outstanding business career after graduation. Mr. Criser also recognized Mr. Dasburg's service as an inaugural member of the University of Florida Board of Trustees and his expected contributions as a member of the Board of Governors. In response, Mr. Dasburg stated that the Board of Governors is working hard to discharge its responsibilities. He stated that all eleven universities will have missions reflecting their unique place among the State University System, that the Board of Governors will seek to avoid waste and duplication among institutions of public higher education in the state, and that the Board of Governors understands that developing a strategic plan for the State University System will result in allocating scarce resources. Mr. Dasburg indicated his confidence that a coherent structure of individual university missions and rational methods to approve allocations of scarce resources will result from the Board of Governors' work. He encouraged the Board of Trustees to have a standing strategy committee so as to ensure the integration of the University's goals with those of the state.
Mr. Criser called the Board's attention to the death of attorney and UF alumnus Chesterfield Smith in July. Mr. Criser made remarks about Mr. Smith's remarkable life and his contributions to the Florida and American Bar Associations. Mr. Criser ranked Chesterfield Smith among the top one or two individuals who had a unique ability to move an organization forward by his own presence, will, and inspiration of others. Mr. Criser requested that an appropriate note be sent to Mr. Smith's wife, Jackie, and that a copy of the minutes reflecting these remarks be attached to such a letter.
Mr. Criser reminded the Board that during its June 2003 meeting he suggested that the Board conduct an election of the Chairman and Vice Chair as rules, bylaws and statutes require. Opening the issue for discussion, Mr. Criser recognized Trustee Cindy O'Connell. Trustee O'Connell stated her appreciation for Mr. Criser's request to hold an election of the Chair and Vice Chair, but stated her belief that the University's best interests would be served by the Board of Trustees re-electing Marshall Criser as its Chair and Dianna Morgan as its Vice Chair. Mrs. O'Connell stated that Mr. Criser's leadership of the Board of Trustees from its inception has been extraordinary and that as the Board faces a new transition that will result from the presidential search, Mr. Criser's and President Young's leadership will ensure another successful transition and chapter in the institution's history. Mrs. O'Connell moved the election of Marshall Criser as Chairman of the University of Florida Board of Trustees, and Dianna Morgan as Vice Chair. The motion was adopted unanimously. Mr. Criser thanked his fellow Trustees and indicated the University of Florida Board of Trustees is the best educational board on which he has ever served, noting that the talent and expertise of individual trustees advance the Board's work substantially.
Mr. Criser recognized and welcomed the Board's newest Trustee, Mr. Earl Powell, appointing him to the Finance and Facilities Committees. Mr. Powell thanked the Board of Trustees for its warm welcome and indicated that the underpinnings of his education were at the University of Florida, so he is proud and pleased to be a trustee. Mr. Criser also announced the appointment of Trustee Tony Brennan to the Facilities Committee.
Mr. Criser reflected that the last two days of meetings had been productive. He commended Dr. Doug Barrett, Mr. Tim Goldfarb and Mr. Bill Robinson for their important and informative presentations to the Board, indicating that now the Board better understands the Health Science Center colleges and Shands Hospital. Mr. Criser also thanked President Charles Young for overseeing the Health Center's transition in Jacksonville, without which the Board would not have received the positive financial presentation it did. Mr. Criser commended Dr. Craig Tisher for his excellence as College of Medicine Dean. He noted the statewide role of the UF Health Science Center enterprise as demonstrated by the reports of Dean Dolan and Dr. Barrett. Mr. Criser also noted the important role played by the Institute of Food and Agricultural Science as demonstrated by Vice President Mike Martin's remarks. He mentioned the unique negative effect that budget cuts have on IFAS which cannot benefit from proposed tuition increases.
Mr. Criser referenced David Lawrence's presentation on the UF Children's Initiative this morning at the Trustee's breakfast. Mr. Criser also recognized Dean McGlothlin for his presentation concerning the New World School of the Arts. Mr. Criser stated that the presence of Marco Rubio and Dan Gelber at the Committee on Governmental Relations meeting was informative, and he commented on the bright futures of both of these legislative leaders. Indicating the key role lobbyists play in providing information to legislators, Mr. Criser suggested that the University of Florida can be more of a "think tank" to provide objective information to the legislators as needed. Mr. Criser reinforced the comments made during the Governmental Relations Committee meeting about the importance of the Board of Trustees holding its meetings at various locations around the state in order to help discharge the University's state-wide mission. Mr. Criser pointed out to the Board the $428 million in sponsored research funding, commending Vice President Phillips for his work and the importance of the University's faculty to that effort. In regard to the faculty, Mr. Criser referenced the Board materials on tenure upon employment. He stated that the materials reveal the excellence of our new faculty notwithstanding challenges in faculty salaries and other financial areas. He noted that the Board does not see a list of faculty hired away from the University, but the University is working hard to attract and retain excellent faculty. Mr. Criser closed his remarks by expressing gratitude to the Presidential Search Committee and the efforts it has made toward a positive result.
Mr. Criser next called upon President Charles Young to give the President's report. President Young outlined the focus of his presidency for the next few months. First, President Young stated the need to look constructively at the state budget allocations to the University of Florida and find a way to make those allocations work to benefit faculty, staff and students. Dr. Young commended Provost David Colburn for his efforts in using resources to meet the needs of the University in furtherance of the University's Strategic Plan. President Young noted that the investment the state makes in the University of Florida yields great returns, as many studies have indicated. He stated that one area of his current examination is how to make better use of certain other funds at the University's disposal to ensure those funds are used as strategically as possible in order to contribute more directly to the growth and diversity of the University of Florida. President Young also reported on his efforts to align the responsibilities of the administration and faculty more clearly so as to increase the role of faculty governance in appropriate areas. He also noted that the University was preparing for the election regarding faculty collective bargaining and that much time has been spent and will continue to be spent on that issue. Finally, President Young called attention to the President's Update which had been distributed to the Board, commending Alfonso Architects for being named the Florida Architectural Association's AIA Best Architectural Firm in Florida and for Vice President Gail Baker's selection as a Fellow in the Public Relations Society.
Mr. Criser asked any committee chair or trustee to point out any items on the consent agenda needing discussion or amendment. Trustee Warrington commented briefly upon the quality of the faculty reflected in the tenure upon appointment materials, and pointed out that the HUB renovations will include provision for faculty senate offices to occupy part of that space. Mr. Criser suggested that items 5.1 through 5.7 and items 5.9 through 5.13 be approved, for which Trustee Fernandez offered a motion. The motion was adopted. Trustee Mac McGriff moved to amend item 5.8 so as to approve only paragraphs 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the proposed board action as found in the board materials. The motion was adopted.
Provost David Colburn then presented information concerning the University of Florida's Alliance School Programs. Provost Colburn gave a brief history of the Alliance School Programs which grew out of the Governor's One Florida Initiative. Provost Colburn indicated that the One Florida Initiative was a challenge for the University of Florida, but it also was an opportunity to provide positive public educational experiences and opportunities for the youth of the state. Dr. Colburn stated that the Alliance Program was a significant part of implementing the Governor's initiative that started with the initial adoption of a small number of challenged high schools, and then grew to increase to the six high schools now participating in the program.
Provost Colburn asked former College of Education Dean Ben Nelms to present more information about the Alliance Programs. Dr. Nelms gave a detailed presentation about the students and programs offered through the Alliance School Programs. Dr. Nelms also introduced Victor Lopez, Principal and graduate of Miami Senior High School and former State Teacher of the Year. Mr. Lopez described the collaboration of Miami Senior High School with the University of Florida, noting a 300% increase in the number of students who now apply to the University of Florida. Mr. Lopez also provided information on certain programs that had proved particularly effective for its students, including the "Reading Rocks" program. Upon completion of Mr. Lopez' remarks, Dr. Colburn and Dr. Nelms entertained questions from Trustees.
In regard to new business, Ms. Merkel brought to the Board's attention the proposed guidelines to revisions of the University of Florida's Strategic Plan, and a brief discussion among Trustees ensued.
Mr. Criser welcomed guest speak Don Pybas, Director of IFAS' Homestead Extension Office, who welcomed the Board of Trustees to the South Florida area and provided information concerning IFAS' programs in South Florida. Mr. Criser adjourned the meeting at 12:15 p.m.
Charles E. Young
Secretary
Pamela J. Bernard
Assistant Secretary