Dr. Phil Birdine introduced guests in attendance which included: Larry Duffy, Vice President for Development; Haley Thompson, Director of Development and Alumni Relations; Heather Hood, Accountant; Lisa Greenlee, Vice President for Academic and Student Support Services; Tricia Latham, Vice President for Business Affairs; Briar Jenkins, Secretary to the President and Judith Norton, Director of Public Information.
Western Regent, Dean Graumann was recognized by Chairperson, John Hester for his reappointment to the Western board of regents. Graumann and Dr. Randall Sheets were both confirmed as regents at the state capitol earlier in May.
Regent Chairperson, John Hester read a letter from Seminole State College President, James Utterback which commended Dr. Phil Birdine for his response to a ruling regarding the Northern Oklahoma College Maverick baseball team and their participation in the NJCAA Region II playoffs.
Dr. Birdine submitted a request for action regarding Western’s current status as a tobacco free campus. The current tobacco free policy established in August of 2010, emphasized voluntary compliance by faculty staff and students . The new policy establishes: a new “no tolerance” status of on-campus use of tobacco by Western personnel, students and visitors to the campus; procedures for handling noncompliance and cessation support for Western personnel who wish to stop using tobacco products. The change in Western policy complies with Governor Mary Fallin’s executive order 2012-01 enacted in February of 2012, prohibiting the use of tobacco in all public spaces, indoor workplaces and vehicles owned by the state of Oklahoma. “ The new policy will cement our resolve as a tobacco-free environment,” said Birdine. The board approved the amended policy.
Birdine next presented a proposal to add a two-day personal leave policy for any faculty member with an appointment of less than 12 months. The new policy would allow faculty to officially request time off for a variety of personal events and functions that are not covered under Western’s policy. The proposal was adopted by the board.
Dr. Birdine then submitted Western’s capital master plan to the board for approval. Annually, all state agencies submit a five-year capital improvement plan to the state budget system. Included are any capital projects costing $25,000 or more with a useful life of at least five years. The plan is an attempt to anticipate future needs and repairs for the college. The board approved the master plan.
Dr. Birdine subsequently presented a tuition and mandatory fee request to be submitted to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. If approved the increase would include a $4. 75 per credit hour tuition increase for residents and a $10.25 per credit hour increase for non-residents . The request represents a potential 5% increase per credit hour. The board approved the submission of the request to the state board of regents.
The open session ended at 8:04 p.m. when the board moved into closed session for the discussion of personnel matters.
The board returned to open session at 8:37 p.m. and approved the retirement of Carmen Ward, Scholar Coordinator and the hiring of Haley Thompson as the Director of Development and Alumni Relations.
The request for the approval for the fiscal year 2013 budget was presented by Tricia Latham, Vice President for Business Affairs. Ms. Latham stated that the planning process started February 2012 with the entire college participating in strategic planning and budgeting for their respective departments. Latham presented six budgets including: the E & G budget, the E & G II budget, the 700 Fund Budget, the Student Activities budget, the Equipment Budget and the Auxiliary Budget.
The fiscal year 2013 proposed budget included: a 5% raise for all full-time employees; a 5% increase in tuition; a 10% increase in medical and dental insurance; a 5% to 8% increase in various insurances; an additional nursing faculty member; an increase in adjunct and summer payroll; a new full-time position in student assessment and an out- of- state tuition waiver increase.
The board approved the fiscal year 2013 budget for submission to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
The election of Board of Regents officers for fiscal year 2012-2013 was approved next. Board officers are: Steve H. Miller, Chairperson; Gilmer J. Capps, Vice Chairperson; Mark Dodson, Secretary; Dr. Randy Sheets, member; A. Dean Graumann, member; Reneé Walker Gunkel, member and John Hester, member.
The meeting adjourned at 9:22 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Western Board of Regents is scheduled for August 21, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
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