At the Western Oklahoma State College Board of Regents’ regular meeting on Wednesday, Lisa Greenlee requested approval of a report regarding Western’s accelerated format courses that is due for submission on Dec. 20 to the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC) The report addresses the college’s mission, organizational profile, accreditation history, academic course rigor, marketing of courses, the courses relationship to HLC criteria and minimum expectations and detailed course data requested by the HLC. A team of HLC peer reviewers will visit Western early in the spring 2013 semester to evaluate the items presented in the report. Greenlee expressed her deep appreciation to the team of faculty and administrators who diligently prepared the report for the visit. The regents approved submission of the report to the HLC.

Items on the consent docket including: the approval of the minutes for the Oct. 9 regular meeting, the adoption of resolutions for Western retirees establishing them all as emeritus faculty to include: Doloras Carlisle, Larry Davis, Vicki Elkins, Harold Harris, Larry Huntzinger, Vicki Melton and Carmen Ward and the expenditure comparison report were approved by the board.

Tricia Latham presented a request for a new Agriculture Facility usage fee to be approved for the Fall 2013 semester. The proposed facility usage fee will be $9 per credit hour for the AGRI 2123 Livestock Feeding and AGRI 2573 Livestock Management courses. The fee will go specifically to support class projects at the new livestock feeding facility. The board approved the proposed fee which will next be submitted to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Latham also reported on the progress of the livestock feeding facility which is about 71 percent completed. She showed several pictures and a schematic of the building’s floor plan that includes a classroom, feeding room, six livestock pens and other educational space. The new facility will enhance instruction for livestock feeding projects, artificial insemination and will also serve as a site for community outreach projects. The facility should be completed by the end of January 2013.

Dr. Phil Birdine presented his report and recommendations and started by introducing Larry Duffy for news regarding a pair of Western alumni. Former Western student and Pioneer rodeo team bull rider, Trevor Kastner of Ardmore, accomplished an impressive ride Dec. 15 at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. He was the only cowboy with a qualified ride at the finals. The bulls were leading with a 97-38 buck-off score or 61 percent average. Kastner was the only bull rider to make the 8 second whistle out of 15 riders in round nine. He won $58,000 on a bull that belongs to another Western rodeo alumnus, Maury Tate. Kastner is currently ranked 7^th in the 2012 world standings and his current career earnings total $230,077.00.

Maury Tate was inducted into the WOSC Alumni Hall of Fame in 2008. He won several calf roping titles including the Dodge National Circuit Finals and the Prairie Circuit Championship. He founded the “Mo” Betta clothing company, operates the Cody Nite Rodeo in Cody Wyoming and is a Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association livestock contractor. Tate also organizes the Celebrity Quail Hunt, a fundraiser that has provided a half million dollars for a therapeutic riding program for handicapped children.

Duffy also indicated that Jason Kruska, will be honored as this year’s Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee at the Feb. 1, 2013 Alumni and Foundation Recognition Banquet.

Dr. Birdine reported that Western’s annual holiday reception and recognition ceremony was a success. Seven recently retired staff and faculty members were recognized for their service. Nick Hood, Pia Bauer and Otis Pelt were given the Commitment to Excellence Awards and cash honorariums for their exemplary service to the college. Each year all college employees vote for a member of the faculty, staff or professional staff eligible for the award.

Birdine also informed the board of the Jan. 16, 2013 Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Southwest Legislative Tour that will be held at Western.

At 8:15 p.m. the board convened for executive session.

The board resumed regular session at 8:50 p.m. The resignation of Kortni Robbins, Accountant and the employment of Emily Smith as mathematics instructor were approved by the board.

Guests in attendance included: Lisa Greenlee, Vice President for Academic and Student Support Services; Larry Duffy, Vice President for Development; Tricia Latham, Vice President for Business Affairs; Thad Crosnoe, Retired Mathematics Instructor Emeritus, Briar Jenkins, Secretary to the President and Judith Norton, Director of Public Information.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Western Board of Regents is Feb. 19, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. in the Board of Regents Room in the Higher Learning Center.