University System of Maryland Board of Regents

February 10, 2006

 

Prior to the meeting being called to order, the Regents and Presidents were joined by Gino J. Gemignani, Jr. Chair of the Governor's Workforce Investment Board (GWIB) as part of the ongoing PRESIDENTIAL FORUM SERIES. The topic for February 10 is workforce development for the state of Maryland. Mr. Gemignani gave an overview of GWIB, its organization and mission. GWIB looks at workforce issues in a coordinated way. He stated that the three segments - business, higher education and government -- working together creates opportunities for the state. He said that recently GWIB sponsored summits on health care and the aerospace industry; future summits will focus on biotechnology and the hospitality industry. President Ramsay discussed the importance of careers in health care. People are living longer with higher expectations of health care needs. There are national shortages in pharmacy and nursing. Shortage of faculty is one of the biggest problems. President Caret discussed the shortages of qualified teachers. There were 6600 new hires in the state last year with only 1400 coming from USM programs. We need to create more pipeline programs to enhance those areas with greatest needs, e.g., math and science. Mr. Gemignani agreed and said that we needed to encourage students earlier to approach math and science as career tracks. Other presidents and Regents joined in the discussion - raising such issues as salaries, professional development schools and multi-dimensional needs of the labor force (such as housing.)

 

Minutes of the Public Session

  1. Chairman Nevins called the meeting of the University System of Maryland Board of Regents to order at 9.20 a.m. on Friday February 10, 2006, Towson University. Those in attendance were: Chairman Nevins, Regents Finan, Florestano, Gill, Hoffmann, Hug, Johnson, Kendall, Mandel, Mitchell, Pettit, Pevenstein, Rosapepe, and Willcher; Chancellor Kirwan, Vice Chancellors Goldstein, Vivona and Raley; Assistant Attorneys' General Goedert and Short; Presidents Aldridge, Boesch, Caret, Gira, Dudley-Eshbach, Hrabowski, Hunter Cevera, Lowe, Ramsay and Thompson; Vice President Ramsey (BSU), Wiewel (UB), Porcari (UMCP) Ms. Ryan, USM Staff, members of the press and others.
  2. Welcome from Towson University
  3. Dr. Caret welcomed the Regents and presented a brief overview of the many changes at TU and future institutional plans.

  4. Committee of the Whole
    1. Minutes from December 9, 2005 meeting and the special meeting of January 6, 2006 were unanimously approved. Regent Florestano moved for approval and Regent Rosapepe seconded.
    2. Chancellor Kirwan Report - Chancellor Kirwan thanked President Caret for hosting the meeting. He praised the energy and enthusiasm clearly visible at TU. He noted other USM institutional highlights:
    • He welcomed Susan Aldridge as the new president of UMUC. He also praised Nicholas Allen for his service as interim president.
    • UMCP: Recent Kiplinger's ranking. Major gift from Robert Fischell. President Mote named Washingtonian of the Year.
    • Coppin State sponsors of a national political analysis television show.
    • UMBC winning chess team.
    • Two presidential searches underway: Frostburg State University and Bowie State University.
    • The Frederick Douglass Award to be presented to Judge Robert Bell on February 21

The Chancellor noted the positive reception USM has received in its budget testimony in the House and Senate. Regent Nevins joined the Chancellor in testifying in the House; Regent Willcher joined him in the Senate. The analyst's recommendation to freeze tuition would result in an 18 percent cut, which would greatly impact enrollment growth, the HBCU initiatives, the flagship initiative, and workforce development. He also noted the generous capital budget for the USM. He stated that it is clear that higher education is an important issue to government officials and to the public.

(The Chancellor's full report is on file with the minutes).

 

D. Report of the Councils

    1. Council of University System Presidents (CUSP) - President Gira reported for President Bogomolny. She said that at the last CUSP meeting, the presidents discussed the presidential forum topic just held. She said that the presidents agree on the importance of this issue and believe that a future forum should address workforce development science and technology. She said that the presidents are very pleased with the support that the students have shown for the budget strategy. There is no greater voice than the students acknowledging that the modest tuition increase is acceptable to maintain quality.
    1. Dr. Siegel presented the report of the Council of University System Faculty. CUSF is grateful for this year's budget; however the faculty wants a planning horizon for predictability. She stated that faculty salaries have not met the goals and has requested that faculty salaries be included in the new Dashboard Indicators. She also reminded the Regents that the optional retirement plan (ORP) increase is once again being considered by the Legislature. Dr. Siegel reported that Student Research Days in Annapolis are scheduled for February 15 and 16 and she invited all to attend. (A written report was included with the board materials and is on file in the Chancellor's Office.)
    2. Mr. Hill presented the report of the Council of University System Staff (CUSS).
    • CUSS continues to express concerns about affordable healthcare and prescriptions for faculty and staff and has testified in Annapolis on the bill to raise the employer contribution from 7.25% to 9.25%. A similar bill was considered in 2001 but did not pass (A written report was submitted with the board materials distributed in advance of the meeting and is on file in the Chancellors' Office).
    1. Mr. Aragon presented the University System Student Council report:
    • Annapolis 101 was very successful. He thanked all who attended.
    • Two bills on textbooks were heard this week (HB 25, SB 214). USMC supported the portion of the bill which would mandate publication of the ISBN number of assigned texts.
    • Mr. Aragon also reported that he testified before the Senate supporting the modest tuition increase proposed by the USM Board of Regents.
    • The USMSC supported the Clean Air Act.
    • The USMSC met with the Chancellor on February 5, and except for a few questions on clarification of terms, expressed support of the revised student misconduct policy.

5. Chairman Nevins presented the amendment to Policy VII-10.0, Policy on Highly Compensated Individuals. It was moved and seconded with no discussion and unanimously approved.

6. Chairman Nevins presented the revised Policy V-8.0 Policy on Events-Related Student Misconduct (formerly called Resolution on Student Riots). Ms. Goedert gave an overview on why the former resolution/policy was virtually unenforceable since it relied on a court process or outcome of a charge, and most such cases resulted in probation before judgment. In addition the six offenses included in the resolution were not ones usually committed or charged. The new policy includes the following: each campus will adopt its own policy (consistent with Policy V-8.0); presumptive dismissal is not automatic; there is an opportunity at the judicial hearing to bring up extenuating circumstances; violations can include off-campus events if related to an institution- sponsored event. There is an April 15 deadline for institutions to have (at least) interim policies in place. Mr. Aragon stated that the USMSC reviewed and discussed this policy at length and he met with the USM presidents; Mr. Andrew Rose (UCMP SGA) stated that this issue is reviewed at new student orientation. He thinks the importance of the policy is the flexibility of the policy, recognizing that each campus in the System is different. Regent Florestano moved; Regent Mitchell seconded, unanimously approved.

 

 

  1. Education Policy Regent Florestano
    1. Minutes of January 25, 2005 (information)
    2. New program proposals:
    3. a. TU: M.S. in Forensic Science (moved by Regent Florestano, seconded by Regent Johnson, unanimously approved)

      b. UMB: Doctor of Nursing Practice (moved by Regent Florestano, seconded by Regent Hug, unanimously approved)

      c. UMBC: B.A. in Aging Services (moved by Regent Florestano, seconded by Regent Rosapepe, unanimously approved

    4. Regent Florestano presented Policy III-7.05, a new policy guiding the establishment of new schools and colleges within the USM institutions (moved by Regent Florestano, seconded by Regents Johnson, unanimously approved)
    1. (Information item): The Committee received the academic advising report from University of Baltimore presented by Robert Hradsky, vice provost for enrollment management and student affairs), the last of a series of such reports. The Committee will receive a summary of "best practices" systemwide at its May meeting.
    2. (Information item): The committee received a report from the Library Information Management System (LIMS) Report from Charles Lowry (UMCP) and Barbara Gontrum (UMB). LIMS is the oldest and most successful of the systemwide projects.
    3. (Information): The Committee received a list of the periodic review of academic programs, which has been delegated to the Chancellor. Academic programs are reviewed every seven years for quality, enrollments, degrees awarded, e.g.,
    4. (Information): The Committee reviewed the Financial Aid Report (which is also reviewed by the Committee on Finance.) There will be a follow-up review in the spring on financial aid for community college transfers and graduate students.

F. Finance Committee Regent Pevenstein

    1. Minutes of January 26, 2006 (information)
    2. Regent Pevenstein moved approval of a proposed amendment to the Exempt Staff Employees Salary Structure. The amendment moves some salary ranges to the median level. Seconded by Regent Rosapepe, unanimously approved.
    3. Two UMCP items (#3 and 4) were presented together: Natural Gas Procurement item and USM Aggregated Electrical Procurement. Both items are viewed as results of the E & E focus by the USM. The Finance Committee has recommended that the institution be allowed to purchase up to 40 percent of estimated gas requirements in a long-term fixed price contract. The electrical contract item would authorize UMCP on behalf of all USM institutions to participate in the DGS Reserve Auction and/or solicit proposals from vendors for a term of up to three years. Both actions should result in an overall cost savings. Seconded by Regent Hug, unanimously approved (Regent Nevins recused himself from the discussion and the vote).
    4. See above
    5. UMCP: Travel and Travel Card Services Contract, moved by Regent Pevenstein, seconded by Regent Florestano, unanimously approved.
    6. UMCP: VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) Equipment and Services Agreement, moved by Regent Pevenstein, seconded by Regent Mitchell, unanimously approved.
    7. UMCP: Increase of $524,000 to complete Phase II renovations for the Institute for Physical Sciences and Technology Building; moved by Regent Pevenstein, seconded by Regent Willcher, unanimously approved.
    8. UMB: Regent Pevenstein moved approval of the request for contract renewal with U.M. FDSP Associates, P.A. for the day to day operation of the dental student clinic at UMB. Seconded by Regent Johnson, unanimously approved.
    9. UMB: Regent Pevenstein moved approval of the contract award to VWR International and Fisher Scientific for the sytemwide scientific supplies (the first of five one-year renewal option); seconded by Regent Hug; unanimously approved.
    10. (Information item): Financial Aid report (see # 7 Committee on Educational Policy)
  1. Audit Committee Regent Gill
  2. Based on recommendations of the USM's outside auditors, a small team of Regents and USM staff will meet to make recommendations based on the management letter of the audit firm. Regent Kendall will chair a subgroup to review the charter of the audit committee. The audit committee has asked for a review of repeat items from the DLS audit reviews.

  3. Innovation and Commercialization workgroup Regent Gill

Regent Gill reported that he anticipates a white paper on how USM can be more effective in commercialization activities. He, the Chancellor and Brian Darmody, special assistant vice chancellor for workplace technology and development, recently visited Georgia Tech to review their commercialization programs and the ways it integrates activities of the university, the private sector and the state.

Meeting adjourned at 10:50 a.m.

Audiotapes of the meeting are on file in the Office of the Board of Regents