Meeting Minutes, October 13, 2000
BackCreator: Offices of Board of Trustees and President
Subjects: Administration, Board of Trustees, BOT Minute Books
Date: October 13, 2000
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Original Format: Computer file
Resource Identifier: OCTOBER 13 2000.pdf
Collection Number: UA 1
Language: English
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Contributor: Offices of Board of Trustees and President
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Transcript: MINUTES OF THE MEETING
OF THE
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
October 13, 2000
The Trustee Finance Committee and Trustee Policy Committee meetings were held in the Board Room of the Administration Building beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, October 13, 2000. Minutes of the meetings are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Board of Trustees.
President McPherson called the meeting of the Board of Trustees to order at 9:39 a.m. in the Board Room.
Trustees present: Dolores M. Cook, Joel I. Ferguson, Dorothy V. Gonzales, Colleen M. McNamara, Donald W. Nugent, David L. Porteous, Scott Romney, and Robert E. Weiss.
University officers present: President McPherson, Provost Simon, Vice President Poston, Secretary Pogel, Vice President and General Counsel Noto, Vice Presidents Denbow, Greenleaf, Huggett, June, Webb, and Senior Advisor and Director Granberry Russell. Faculty Liaisons present: Robert Bonner, Ann Slocum, and Ted Tims. Student Liaisons present: Vikram Ghorpade, Charles McHugh, and Kendall Sykes.
All actions taken were by unanimous vote of the Trustees present, unless otherwise noted.
1. On a motion by Mr. Romney, supported by Ms. McNamara, THE BOARD VOTED to approve the proposed agenda.
2. On a motion by Ms. McNamara, supported by Mr. Romney, THE BOARD VOTED to approve the minutes of September 22, 2000.
3. President's Report
A. President McPherson reported that the live broadcast of MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews from the MSU Auditorium went very well. He congratulated students in the audience, as well as those who participated in the program. Mr. McPherson said that this was excellent visibility for Michigan State University. He thanked Ginny Haas, Director of Community Relations in the Office of the Vice President for Governmental Affairs, for her work in helping to facilitate a successful event.
B. President McPherson reminded everyone of the upcoming dedication of the Agriculture Hall Annex. He noted that the Board approved this excellent project.
C. President McPherson talked about the Lansing “Ready to Succeed” Committee appointed by Mayor Hollister. As chair of that Committee, President McPherson said he believed that the report on pre-school children will have a real impact on the community.
D. President McPherson commented on the McPherson Professorship Lecture Series. He noted that the turnout at the first two lectures was excellent. Mr. McPherson explained that these lectures are stimulating discussions on where science fits into the undergraduate curriculum.
E. President McPherson welcomed new Faculty Liaisons Ted Tims, Robert Bonner, and Ann Slocum to the Board table.
4. Guiding Principles Report
Vice President Greenleaf reported on the new Educational Policy Center that recently opened at MSU. He said that this is a prime example of the Guiding Principle dealing with Problem Solving to address society’s needs. It is also an example, he said, of the MSU Promise’s idea of the University being an Engaged University. Mr. Greenleaf noted that the Center is a research-based, nonpartisan organization where K-12 education research and outreach can take place. At the grand opening of the Center, Professor David Plank, the new director, pointed out that this is probably the only such center of its kind in the State. Vice President Greenleaf said that the Center is working on topics such as accountability and assessment, school vouchers, and school choice. Vice President Greenleaf said that it is important to note that rather than being a think tank, the Educational Policy Center will have an impact on practical policy issues and solutions.
Trustee Weiss asked how the Center will maintain balance so that it does not take sides with specific political positions and parties. Mr. Greenleaf responded that all faculty involved in the Center are making every effort to remain nonpartisan. Mr. Weiss asked whether there is an oversight board for the Center. Provost Simon responded that there will be an advisory board that will include bipartisan representation. President McPherson said that he does not believe there will be a problem with the appearance of control by one philosophical group or another.
Trustee Romney said that when one considers the fact that MSU has one of the top education schools in the country and produces more K-12 teachers than any other school in the State, there is a fundamental responsibility to discuss all aspects of teaching, including issues that are political hotbeds. He agreed, however, that the University needs to be certain that the Center does not promote a political bias. This Center elevates the College of Education, Mr. Romney said.
5. Public Participation on Items Germane to the Agenda
There were no requests to address the Board of Trustees on issues germane to the agenda.
6. Personnel Action
A. Provost Simon presented the following personnel action:
Bowersox, Donald, AY-John H. McConnell Professor in Business Administration, Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management, to add title Interim Dean, Eli Broad College of Business, and for a change from an academic year appointment basis to an annual appointment basis at a salary rate of $247,000, effective November 1, 2000.
On a motion by Ms. McNamara, supported by Mr. Nugent, THE BOARD VOTED to approve the recommendation.
B. Information Reports
Information Reports of Academic Personnel Actions of September 7, 2000 were distributed with the Board agenda. The reports are included with the agenda materials in the Office of the Secretary of the Board of Trustees.
7. Gift, Grant and Contract Report
Vice President Huggett presented the Gift, Grant and Contract Report for the period of August 31, 2000 through September 20, 2000. The report is a compilation of 209 Gifts, Grants and Contracts, 17 Consignment/Non-Cash Gifts, and no Consignment/Non-Cash Loans with a total value of $20,798,506.92. The Gift, Grant and Contract Report is included with the agenda materials in the Office of the Secretary of the Board of Trustees.
On a motion by Mr. Nugent, supported by Ms. Cook, THE BOARD VOTED to approve the Gift, Grant and Contract Report.
8. The Trustee Finance Committee report and recommendations were presented by Committee Chairperson Nugent.
A. Bids and Contract Awards
1) It was recommended to award a contract in the amount of $136,953 to Sandborn Construction Company, Inc., of Portland, Michigan, for the project entitled: Alfred Berkowitz Basketball Complex at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center - Site Preparation.
.
2) It was recommended to award a contract in the amount of $276,629 to C. Davis Roofing, Inc. of Sterling Heights, Michigan, and that a budget in the amount of $335,000 be established for the project entitled: Spartan Village - Roof Repair Phase 2.
3) It was recommended to award a contract in the amount of $974,224 (Base Bid in the amount of $827,865 plus Alternate No. 1 in the amount of $69,531 and Alternate No. 2 in the amount of $76,828) to General Electric Energy & Environment Research Corporation of Orrville, Ohio, and that a budget in the amount of $1,450,000 be established for the project entitled: T.B. Simon Power Plant Unit 3 Low NOx Burner – Installation.
4) It was recommended to award a contract in the amount of $441,070 to Kares Construction Co., Inc. of Lansing, Michigan, and that a budget in the amount of $550,000 be established for the project entitled: University Services Building – Storage Addition.
On a motion by Mr. Nugent, supported by Ms. McNamara, THE BOARD VOTED to approve the Bids and Contract Awards.
B. Fund Functioning as an Endowment
It was recommended to establish the School of Music Scholarship as a fund functioning as an endowment.
On a motion by Mr. Nugent, supported by Ms. Gonzales, THE BOARD VOTED to approve the fund functioning as an endowment.
C. 2000-2001 Appropriation Request
It was recommended to adopt the Appropriation Request, including needs for the University General Fund, the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Michigan State University Extension.
On a motion by Mr. Nugent, supported by Ms. Gonzales, THE BOARD VOTED to approve the recommendation.
9. The Trustee Policy Committee report and recommendations were presented by Committee Chairperson McNamara.
A. It was recommended that the Board of Trustees, at its next meeting, delegate to the President the authority to enter into an agreement with Applied Computational Design Associates, Inc.
B. It was recommended that the Board of Trustees, at its next meeting, delegate to the President the authority to enter into an agreement with GeoG2: Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Geophysics LLC.
C. It was recommended that the Board of Trustees approve the proposed amendments to Paragraphs 1 and 2, Article 4 of the MSU Bylaws. The amended paragraphs of Article 4 appear below.
Article 4 – Officers and Organization of the Board
Chairperson. Commencing on the first day of January immediately following each biennial fall election, the office of chairperson of the Board for the two following calendar years shall be filled, sequentially, by the two members of the Board who were elected six years earlier or appointed to fill an unexpired term of a member elected six years earlier. Each such member shall serve as chairperson for one of the two following calendar years, with the order of service determined alphabetically by last name. In the event of a vacancy in the office of chairperson, the vice chairperson shall succeed to the office of chairperson for the rest of that calendar year, while remaining eligible to serve as chairperson in the following calendar year. The chairperson shall perform such duties as may be prescribed by law or by the regulations of the Board.
Vice Chairperson. The office of vice chairperson of the Board shall be filled each calendar year, for a one-year term, by the member of the Board who, in accordance with these Bylaws, is due to fill the office of chairperson of the Board in the following calendar year. In the event of a vacancy in the office of vice chairperson, the member of the Board who, in accordance with these Bylaws, is due to fill the office of vice chairperson in the following calendar year shall succeed to the office of vice chairperson for the rest of that calendar year, while remaining eligible to serve as vice chairperson in the following calendar year. The vice chairperson shall perform such duties as may be prescribed by the Board and shall assume the duties of the chairperson during the latter's absence.
On a motion by Ms. McNamara, supported by Mr. Romney, THE BOARD VOTED to approve the amendments to the Bylaws.
10. Chairperson's Report and Trustees' Comments
A. Chairperson's Report
1) Trustee McNamara commented that she would enjoy the upcoming Homecoming weekend by attending MSU’s homecoming parade and football game. Ms. McNamara noted that the campus and campus life are particularly lively at this time of year.
B. Trustees' Comments
1) Trustee Nugent invited everyone to the MSU Dairy Store to enjoy the famous jumbo sundae. He also reported that the MSU Foundation had recently had their annual retreat at MSU’s Brook Lodge. He complimented and thanked those who donate time and efforts to the MSU Foundation.
2) Trustee Gonzales thanked Trustee Cook for her work in helping to renovate the Board Room. Ms. Gonzales echoed Trustee McNamara’s comments on homecoming and the excitement of the parade.
3) Trustee Weiss talked about an agreement that MSU-DCL entered into with Grand Valley State University. The program links MSU-DCL with Grand Valley’s master’s degree in business, whereby students from GVSU can take up to one year of courses at MSU-DCL and receive credit jointly. Mr. Weiss said that this gives MSU and the Detroit College of Law a good presence on the west side of the State. It is important, he noted, that MSU forms affiliations with other high-quality, liberal arts schools around the State.
Mr. Weiss said that MSU-DCL continues to grow and become stronger with the help of Provost Simon and the new Dean, Terrance Blackburn.
Regarding MSU’s budget, Mr. Weiss emphasized that the gaps among tier-one schools in Michigan need to close. He said that it is unfair—a bias that has no basis for existing. Because MSU educates more Michigan students than any other school in tier one, he said, MSU should be treated more fairly. Both Governor Engler and former Governor James Blanchard, Mr. Weiss noted, have been extremely supportive of increased funding for MSU. The public needs to know how unfairly MSU has been treated.
4) Trustee Cook commented on the annual Alumni Awards program that took place the previous evening. She said that the ceremony was extraordinarily touching. Ms. Cook noted that President McPherson was honored at the Alumni Awards program, and she congratulated him for having received the award. She also talked about the touching remarks given by Pauline Adams, wife of former President Walter Adams. Trustee Cook said that events like these make her proud to be a Spartan. It means a great deal to the honorees to be recognized by their Alma Mater, she emphasized.
5) Trustee Porteous said that the past month was an exciting and dynamic month on campus. He noted specifically the Hardball program and the extraordinary coverage it provided on national television for Michigan State. Clearly, he said, this left a wonderful impression of MSU’s students, their enthusiasm, and their commitment to the political system. Trustee Porteous said that he met with Chris Matthews following the program. Mr. Matthews said that he and his program came to MSU because President McPherson asked him to come. Mr. Porteous said this was a public example of Mr. McPherson’s leadership and how it helps the University.
Mr. Porteous also noted that he is happy that MSU continues to work on partnerships with East Lansing on various issues, including public safety. He said that these partnerships promote cooperation and enhance both East Lansing and the greater community.
Trustee Porteous commented on the recent violence in the Middle East and the notion that perhaps MSU should curtail its international programs in the region. He said that his opinion is the opposite and that MSU needs to support and enhance international initiatives. Bringing international students to our campus, as well as sending our students abroad, Mr. Porteous noted, will promote an environment where we can more effectively deal with international problems.
6) Trustee Ferguson suggested that the name of the Ralph Young Fund be changed to something more generic that alumni and MSU supporters can recognize. Names of products, Mr. Ferguson said, have a lot to do with their success. He feels that MSU could better market its product with a name to which more people can relate. Trustee Ferguson encouraged President McPherson to get the ball rolling on a name change for the Ralph Young Fund.
7) Trustee Romney said that he has always been proud to be an MSU alum, but he is now even prouder because of the great spirit he sees on campus. Mr. Romney also said that he is pleased with the Board and its approach to issues on a nonpartisan basis. He noted that this is critical to the success of the University. Trustee Romney emphasized that there is a great opportunity for MSU to make a giant leap forward in the very near future.
Trustee Romney echoed Trustee Cook’s comments regarding the Alumni Awards program. He thanked the honorees for their contributions to the University.
Mr. Romney also talked about the State appropriation and said that it is the most critical issue that the University faces. He said that MSU needs both to maintain the Tuition Guarantee, and to do something about faculty compensation. Trustee Romney urged the administration to emphasize the differences in faculty compensation among the State’s schools when making the appropriation request.
Finally, Mr. Romney hoped that MSU would beat Wisconsin in the following day’s homecoming football game.
11. Public Participation on Issues Not Germane to the Agenda
Leah Kropf, President of the MSU Student Food Bank and a senior in Kinesiology, provided the Board with an overview of the Food Bank and what it does for the MSU community. The MSU Student Food Bank is the only known food bank in the nation that is for students and run by students, she said. The Food Bank, Ms. Kropf explained, serves approximately 150 families every two weeks. Seventy-five percent of those who use the Food Bank are graduate students, and 25% are undergraduates. The budget is about $50,000 per year, as well as gifts from ASMSU, COGS, and the offices of the Provost and the Vice President for Student Affairs. Coaches Tom Izzo and Ron Mason have helped to raise money as well. Olin Health Center, the American Red Cross, the Greater Lansing Food Bank, and the American Dietetics Association are also supporters.
Trustee Cook congratulated and thanked Ms. Kropf for the extraordinary contribution that she and the MSU Student Food Bank are making to the MSU community.
12. An Executive Session was not requested.
13. On a motion by Mr. Ferguson, supported by Ms. Gonzales, the Board voted to adjourn at 10:45 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy H. Pogel, Ph.D.
Secretary of the Board of Trustees
Request a ReproductionOF THE
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
October 13, 2000
The Trustee Finance Committee and Trustee Policy Committee meetings were held in the Board Room of the Administration Building beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, October 13, 2000. Minutes of the meetings are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Board of Trustees.
President McPherson called the meeting of the Board of Trustees to order at 9:39 a.m. in the Board Room.
Trustees present: Dolores M. Cook, Joel I. Ferguson, Dorothy V. Gonzales, Colleen M. McNamara, Donald W. Nugent, David L. Porteous, Scott Romney, and Robert E. Weiss.
University officers present: President McPherson, Provost Simon, Vice President Poston, Secretary Pogel, Vice President and General Counsel Noto, Vice Presidents Denbow, Greenleaf, Huggett, June, Webb, and Senior Advisor and Director Granberry Russell. Faculty Liaisons present: Robert Bonner, Ann Slocum, and Ted Tims. Student Liaisons present: Vikram Ghorpade, Charles McHugh, and Kendall Sykes.
All actions taken were by unanimous vote of the Trustees present, unless otherwise noted.
1. On a motion by Mr. Romney, supported by Ms. McNamara, THE BOARD VOTED to approve the proposed agenda.
2. On a motion by Ms. McNamara, supported by Mr. Romney, THE BOARD VOTED to approve the minutes of September 22, 2000.
3. President's Report
A. President McPherson reported that the live broadcast of MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews from the MSU Auditorium went very well. He congratulated students in the audience, as well as those who participated in the program. Mr. McPherson said that this was excellent visibility for Michigan State University. He thanked Ginny Haas, Director of Community Relations in the Office of the Vice President for Governmental Affairs, for her work in helping to facilitate a successful event.
B. President McPherson reminded everyone of the upcoming dedication of the Agriculture Hall Annex. He noted that the Board approved this excellent project.
C. President McPherson talked about the Lansing “Ready to Succeed” Committee appointed by Mayor Hollister. As chair of that Committee, President McPherson said he believed that the report on pre-school children will have a real impact on the community.
D. President McPherson commented on the McPherson Professorship Lecture Series. He noted that the turnout at the first two lectures was excellent. Mr. McPherson explained that these lectures are stimulating discussions on where science fits into the undergraduate curriculum.
E. President McPherson welcomed new Faculty Liaisons Ted Tims, Robert Bonner, and Ann Slocum to the Board table.
4. Guiding Principles Report
Vice President Greenleaf reported on the new Educational Policy Center that recently opened at MSU. He said that this is a prime example of the Guiding Principle dealing with Problem Solving to address society’s needs. It is also an example, he said, of the MSU Promise’s idea of the University being an Engaged University. Mr. Greenleaf noted that the Center is a research-based, nonpartisan organization where K-12 education research and outreach can take place. At the grand opening of the Center, Professor David Plank, the new director, pointed out that this is probably the only such center of its kind in the State. Vice President Greenleaf said that the Center is working on topics such as accountability and assessment, school vouchers, and school choice. Vice President Greenleaf said that it is important to note that rather than being a think tank, the Educational Policy Center will have an impact on practical policy issues and solutions.
Trustee Weiss asked how the Center will maintain balance so that it does not take sides with specific political positions and parties. Mr. Greenleaf responded that all faculty involved in the Center are making every effort to remain nonpartisan. Mr. Weiss asked whether there is an oversight board for the Center. Provost Simon responded that there will be an advisory board that will include bipartisan representation. President McPherson said that he does not believe there will be a problem with the appearance of control by one philosophical group or another.
Trustee Romney said that when one considers the fact that MSU has one of the top education schools in the country and produces more K-12 teachers than any other school in the State, there is a fundamental responsibility to discuss all aspects of teaching, including issues that are political hotbeds. He agreed, however, that the University needs to be certain that the Center does not promote a political bias. This Center elevates the College of Education, Mr. Romney said.
5. Public Participation on Items Germane to the Agenda
There were no requests to address the Board of Trustees on issues germane to the agenda.
6. Personnel Action
A. Provost Simon presented the following personnel action:
Bowersox, Donald, AY-John H. McConnell Professor in Business Administration, Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management, to add title Interim Dean, Eli Broad College of Business, and for a change from an academic year appointment basis to an annual appointment basis at a salary rate of $247,000, effective November 1, 2000.
On a motion by Ms. McNamara, supported by Mr. Nugent, THE BOARD VOTED to approve the recommendation.
B. Information Reports
Information Reports of Academic Personnel Actions of September 7, 2000 were distributed with the Board agenda. The reports are included with the agenda materials in the Office of the Secretary of the Board of Trustees.
7. Gift, Grant and Contract Report
Vice President Huggett presented the Gift, Grant and Contract Report for the period of August 31, 2000 through September 20, 2000. The report is a compilation of 209 Gifts, Grants and Contracts, 17 Consignment/Non-Cash Gifts, and no Consignment/Non-Cash Loans with a total value of $20,798,506.92. The Gift, Grant and Contract Report is included with the agenda materials in the Office of the Secretary of the Board of Trustees.
On a motion by Mr. Nugent, supported by Ms. Cook, THE BOARD VOTED to approve the Gift, Grant and Contract Report.
8. The Trustee Finance Committee report and recommendations were presented by Committee Chairperson Nugent.
A. Bids and Contract Awards
1) It was recommended to award a contract in the amount of $136,953 to Sandborn Construction Company, Inc., of Portland, Michigan, for the project entitled: Alfred Berkowitz Basketball Complex at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center - Site Preparation.
.
2) It was recommended to award a contract in the amount of $276,629 to C. Davis Roofing, Inc. of Sterling Heights, Michigan, and that a budget in the amount of $335,000 be established for the project entitled: Spartan Village - Roof Repair Phase 2.
3) It was recommended to award a contract in the amount of $974,224 (Base Bid in the amount of $827,865 plus Alternate No. 1 in the amount of $69,531 and Alternate No. 2 in the amount of $76,828) to General Electric Energy & Environment Research Corporation of Orrville, Ohio, and that a budget in the amount of $1,450,000 be established for the project entitled: T.B. Simon Power Plant Unit 3 Low NOx Burner – Installation.
4) It was recommended to award a contract in the amount of $441,070 to Kares Construction Co., Inc. of Lansing, Michigan, and that a budget in the amount of $550,000 be established for the project entitled: University Services Building – Storage Addition.
On a motion by Mr. Nugent, supported by Ms. McNamara, THE BOARD VOTED to approve the Bids and Contract Awards.
B. Fund Functioning as an Endowment
It was recommended to establish the School of Music Scholarship as a fund functioning as an endowment.
On a motion by Mr. Nugent, supported by Ms. Gonzales, THE BOARD VOTED to approve the fund functioning as an endowment.
C. 2000-2001 Appropriation Request
It was recommended to adopt the Appropriation Request, including needs for the University General Fund, the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Michigan State University Extension.
On a motion by Mr. Nugent, supported by Ms. Gonzales, THE BOARD VOTED to approve the recommendation.
9. The Trustee Policy Committee report and recommendations were presented by Committee Chairperson McNamara.
A. It was recommended that the Board of Trustees, at its next meeting, delegate to the President the authority to enter into an agreement with Applied Computational Design Associates, Inc.
B. It was recommended that the Board of Trustees, at its next meeting, delegate to the President the authority to enter into an agreement with GeoG2: Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Geophysics LLC.
C. It was recommended that the Board of Trustees approve the proposed amendments to Paragraphs 1 and 2, Article 4 of the MSU Bylaws. The amended paragraphs of Article 4 appear below.
Article 4 – Officers and Organization of the Board
Chairperson. Commencing on the first day of January immediately following each biennial fall election, the office of chairperson of the Board for the two following calendar years shall be filled, sequentially, by the two members of the Board who were elected six years earlier or appointed to fill an unexpired term of a member elected six years earlier. Each such member shall serve as chairperson for one of the two following calendar years, with the order of service determined alphabetically by last name. In the event of a vacancy in the office of chairperson, the vice chairperson shall succeed to the office of chairperson for the rest of that calendar year, while remaining eligible to serve as chairperson in the following calendar year. The chairperson shall perform such duties as may be prescribed by law or by the regulations of the Board.
Vice Chairperson. The office of vice chairperson of the Board shall be filled each calendar year, for a one-year term, by the member of the Board who, in accordance with these Bylaws, is due to fill the office of chairperson of the Board in the following calendar year. In the event of a vacancy in the office of vice chairperson, the member of the Board who, in accordance with these Bylaws, is due to fill the office of vice chairperson in the following calendar year shall succeed to the office of vice chairperson for the rest of that calendar year, while remaining eligible to serve as vice chairperson in the following calendar year. The vice chairperson shall perform such duties as may be prescribed by the Board and shall assume the duties of the chairperson during the latter's absence.
On a motion by Ms. McNamara, supported by Mr. Romney, THE BOARD VOTED to approve the amendments to the Bylaws.
10. Chairperson's Report and Trustees' Comments
A. Chairperson's Report
1) Trustee McNamara commented that she would enjoy the upcoming Homecoming weekend by attending MSU’s homecoming parade and football game. Ms. McNamara noted that the campus and campus life are particularly lively at this time of year.
B. Trustees' Comments
1) Trustee Nugent invited everyone to the MSU Dairy Store to enjoy the famous jumbo sundae. He also reported that the MSU Foundation had recently had their annual retreat at MSU’s Brook Lodge. He complimented and thanked those who donate time and efforts to the MSU Foundation.
2) Trustee Gonzales thanked Trustee Cook for her work in helping to renovate the Board Room. Ms. Gonzales echoed Trustee McNamara’s comments on homecoming and the excitement of the parade.
3) Trustee Weiss talked about an agreement that MSU-DCL entered into with Grand Valley State University. The program links MSU-DCL with Grand Valley’s master’s degree in business, whereby students from GVSU can take up to one year of courses at MSU-DCL and receive credit jointly. Mr. Weiss said that this gives MSU and the Detroit College of Law a good presence on the west side of the State. It is important, he noted, that MSU forms affiliations with other high-quality, liberal arts schools around the State.
Mr. Weiss said that MSU-DCL continues to grow and become stronger with the help of Provost Simon and the new Dean, Terrance Blackburn.
Regarding MSU’s budget, Mr. Weiss emphasized that the gaps among tier-one schools in Michigan need to close. He said that it is unfair—a bias that has no basis for existing. Because MSU educates more Michigan students than any other school in tier one, he said, MSU should be treated more fairly. Both Governor Engler and former Governor James Blanchard, Mr. Weiss noted, have been extremely supportive of increased funding for MSU. The public needs to know how unfairly MSU has been treated.
4) Trustee Cook commented on the annual Alumni Awards program that took place the previous evening. She said that the ceremony was extraordinarily touching. Ms. Cook noted that President McPherson was honored at the Alumni Awards program, and she congratulated him for having received the award. She also talked about the touching remarks given by Pauline Adams, wife of former President Walter Adams. Trustee Cook said that events like these make her proud to be a Spartan. It means a great deal to the honorees to be recognized by their Alma Mater, she emphasized.
5) Trustee Porteous said that the past month was an exciting and dynamic month on campus. He noted specifically the Hardball program and the extraordinary coverage it provided on national television for Michigan State. Clearly, he said, this left a wonderful impression of MSU’s students, their enthusiasm, and their commitment to the political system. Trustee Porteous said that he met with Chris Matthews following the program. Mr. Matthews said that he and his program came to MSU because President McPherson asked him to come. Mr. Porteous said this was a public example of Mr. McPherson’s leadership and how it helps the University.
Mr. Porteous also noted that he is happy that MSU continues to work on partnerships with East Lansing on various issues, including public safety. He said that these partnerships promote cooperation and enhance both East Lansing and the greater community.
Trustee Porteous commented on the recent violence in the Middle East and the notion that perhaps MSU should curtail its international programs in the region. He said that his opinion is the opposite and that MSU needs to support and enhance international initiatives. Bringing international students to our campus, as well as sending our students abroad, Mr. Porteous noted, will promote an environment where we can more effectively deal with international problems.
6) Trustee Ferguson suggested that the name of the Ralph Young Fund be changed to something more generic that alumni and MSU supporters can recognize. Names of products, Mr. Ferguson said, have a lot to do with their success. He feels that MSU could better market its product with a name to which more people can relate. Trustee Ferguson encouraged President McPherson to get the ball rolling on a name change for the Ralph Young Fund.
7) Trustee Romney said that he has always been proud to be an MSU alum, but he is now even prouder because of the great spirit he sees on campus. Mr. Romney also said that he is pleased with the Board and its approach to issues on a nonpartisan basis. He noted that this is critical to the success of the University. Trustee Romney emphasized that there is a great opportunity for MSU to make a giant leap forward in the very near future.
Trustee Romney echoed Trustee Cook’s comments regarding the Alumni Awards program. He thanked the honorees for their contributions to the University.
Mr. Romney also talked about the State appropriation and said that it is the most critical issue that the University faces. He said that MSU needs both to maintain the Tuition Guarantee, and to do something about faculty compensation. Trustee Romney urged the administration to emphasize the differences in faculty compensation among the State’s schools when making the appropriation request.
Finally, Mr. Romney hoped that MSU would beat Wisconsin in the following day’s homecoming football game.
11. Public Participation on Issues Not Germane to the Agenda
Leah Kropf, President of the MSU Student Food Bank and a senior in Kinesiology, provided the Board with an overview of the Food Bank and what it does for the MSU community. The MSU Student Food Bank is the only known food bank in the nation that is for students and run by students, she said. The Food Bank, Ms. Kropf explained, serves approximately 150 families every two weeks. Seventy-five percent of those who use the Food Bank are graduate students, and 25% are undergraduates. The budget is about $50,000 per year, as well as gifts from ASMSU, COGS, and the offices of the Provost and the Vice President for Student Affairs. Coaches Tom Izzo and Ron Mason have helped to raise money as well. Olin Health Center, the American Red Cross, the Greater Lansing Food Bank, and the American Dietetics Association are also supporters.
Trustee Cook congratulated and thanked Ms. Kropf for the extraordinary contribution that she and the MSU Student Food Bank are making to the MSU community.
12. An Executive Session was not requested.
13. On a motion by Mr. Ferguson, supported by Ms. Gonzales, the Board voted to adjourn at 10:45 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy H. Pogel, Ph.D.
Secretary of the Board of Trustees
