Board of Trustees Meeting
March 5, 2004
A regular meeting of the University of Florida Board of Trustees was held on Friday, March 5, 2004 at 10:00 a.m., in the Grand Ballroom of the J. Wayne Reitz Union, University of Florida. A quorum was present.
Chairman Manny Fernandez introduced the incoming Faculty Trustee Pierre Ramond and then introduced and welcomed new Trustee David Brown to the Board.
Mr. Fernandez called upon President Machen to deliver the President's report. Dr. Machen highlighted his 100 day roll-out of meetings with key constituents and editorial boards. Dr. Machen mentioned the legislative session beginning this week and described the positive opportunities for the University of Florida and higher education. Dr. Machen invited Trustees to participate in Gator Day in Tallahassee on April 15th.
Regarding on-campus issues, Dr. Machen spoke of his continuing the important work in shared faculty governance. He will ask the faculty at its next Faculty Senate meeting to expedite the creation of faculty councils because there are many issues which need addressing and which need faculty input. Dr. Machen noted that the faculty is preparing for a vote on collective bargaining, indicating that the Public Employees Relations Commission hearing officer has made his recommendations. Dr. Machen stated that these are issues we would all like to put behind us but that we must work within the state laws and rules on collective bargaining procedures.
Dr. Machen noted a $2.5 million gift from the McGuire Foundation to complete the renovation of the new theatre and dance pavilion, including the renovation of the Constans Theatre. He expressed the University's gratitude for their generosity. Dr. Machen also recognized the $1 million gift from J. Michael Cook, which included the corporate matching from the Deloitte Foundation, to support teaching, research and programs in the Fisher School of Accounting.
Dr. Machen then called attention to Adam Bennett, one of 11 students in the United States selected to study at Cambridge University. Dr. Machen mentioned that the University of Florida is one of 13 universities in the U.S. to receive the Beckman School Award to help undergraduate research programs. He reminded the Trustees of the graduating class of 2004 and the April 30th convocation during which Senator John McCain will be the keynote speaker. Dr. Machen also noted that Jimmie Hinze, a professor with the M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Building Construction at the University of Florida's College of Design, Construction and Planning, was presented with the Peurifoy Award at the annual meeting of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Hinze's accomplishments also were highlighted recently by the Construction Industry Institute, which honored him as Outstanding Researcher of the Year, making him the only individual to ever receive both of these highly prestigious awards.
Dr. Machen concluded his remarks by noting that he continues to analyze the leadership in the administration and indicated that he will speak to the Faculty Senate about further contemplated changes.
Mr. Fernandez asked the Board to turn its attention to the consent agenda and noted certain rules had been removed based upon Dr. Machen's request that they be removed until sufficient faculty input can be obtained. A motion to approve the consent agenda with the exception of rules 6C1-1.011, 6C1-1.01, 6C1-7.004, 6C1-7.019, and 6C1-7.025 was made by Mr. Alfonso. The motion was adopted.
Mr. Fernandez next requested that the chairs of the committees present their reports. The reports were presented as follows:
Committee on Audit and Operations Review - Joelen Merkel
Committee on Educational Policy and Strategy - Dianna Morgan
Committee on Facilities - Roland Daniels
Committee on Finance - Mac McGriff
Committee on Governance - Earl Powell
Committee on Government Relations - Carlos Alfonso
Committee on Public Relations - Cynthia O'Connell
Mr. Fernandez characterized the next part of the Board meeting as sad given the close relationship the Board has developed with the outgoing student and faculty trustees. Mr. Fernandez then read a resolution honoring Kyle Jones, Student Trustee. A motion to award the resolution was made by Trustee Al Warrington and the motion was adopted unanimously. Mr. Jones expressed his gratitude for the knowledge and experience he had gained while serving as a Trustee.
Next, Mr. Fernandez read and presented a resolution in honor of Faculty Trustee Tony Brennan. Al Thweatt made a motion to adopt the resolution and the motion was adopted unanimously.
Mr. Fernandez welcomed guest speaker Franke Goedekke who spoke on the subject of the Graduate Assistants United.
Mr. Fernandez made final comments before closing the meeting. He referred to the celebration the evening before of former Chairman Marshall Criser who has been so instrumental in making the Board successful. He recognized Vice Chair Dianna Morgan for her efforts in organizing the event. The resolution to Mr. Criser was noted and the Board publicly thanked him for his many contributions.
Mr. Fernandez thanked all of the members of the Board for their flexibility with the changes that been made in the last few months. He underscored changes to the Board committees, including adding a Governance Committee which will serve an important role in continuing to improve Board governance. Mr. Fernandez also noted the addition of committee reports to the Board agenda which allows current information to complement the written materials. He thanked University of Florida Web Administrator Mark Trammel for bringing data and other information to the Board, indicating the changes to the Trustees' and UF websites were excellent.
Mr. Fernandez announced August 30 and 31st as the tentative dates for a Board of Trustees retreat.
Mr. Fernandez mentioned two other important additions to the Board meeting format: a luncheon with faculty and a luncheon with students. Mr. Fernandez suggested that through these luncheons, Trustees will learn about areas which can be improved and bring those ideas back to the Board. Mr. Fernandez then positively commented on Athletic Director Jeremy Foley's appointment to the NCAA Committee regarding recruiting issues.
Mr. Fernandez turned his final remarks to strategic issues. He suggested that Dr. Machen and the administration have identified to the Board matters that will have to be advanced quickly - a faculty excellence program, a program to enhance faculty with better salary and benefits, and a means to attract more faculty to the University. Mr. Fernandez commented on the need to advance the University's external public relations image and the dedication of efforts to move this goal forward. Referring to the upcoming kick-off of the capital campaign, Mr. Fernandez emphasized to the Board the important role Trustees play in the campaign. Finally, Mr. Fernandez offered his thoughts about the unquestionable need for full devolution and an informed Legislature. He also made reference to the important job of the Board of Governors, the need for the Board of Governors to take positions and for this Board to be supportive of them.
Trustee Joelen Merkel asked to acknowledge the two UF students featured in USA Today as a testament to the quality of UF students. She asked that Trustees be advised if they could help in recruiting students. Provost David Colburn noted that such receptions are being planned and that Trustees will be contacted and involved as they have in the past. Trustee Thweatt congratulated Mr. Fernandez and welcomed him to his new role, expressing his support for Mr. Fernandez's initiatives. Carlos Alfonso took the opportunity to highlight Dr. Machen's immediate success in the governmental relations area.
Mr. Warrington moved to adjourn and the meeting was adjourned.
J. Bernard Machen
Secretary
Pamela J. Bernard
Assistant Secretary