UHS - Approved Minutes

MINUTES OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
BOARD OF REGENTS
May 2, 2006

Members Present:	Members Absent:
Leroy L. Hermes, Chair Michael J. Cemo, Vice Chair Dennis D. Golden, Secretary Raul A. Gonzalez Robert B.Johnson Morgan Dunn O’Connor Lynden B. Rose Calvin W. Stephens Welcome W. Wilson Jim P. Wise

The University of Houston System Board of Regents convened in the Melcher Board Room, Athletics/Alumni Center on May 2, 2006. Noting the presence of a quorum, Chair Hermes called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.

Regent O'Connor moved approval of the minutes from the following:

January 19, 2006 Special Called Board of Regents Meeting
January 19, 2006 Administration and Finance Committee Meeting
February 7, 2006 Board of Regents Committee Meeting
March 2, 2006 Special Called Board of Regents Meeting

Regent Cemo seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

The board recessed for committee meetings at 8:01 a.m.

ACADEMIC AND STUDENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Regent Gonzalez called the meeting to order at 8:01 a.m. and recognized Dr. Foss who presented the following items to the committee.

Promotion in Academic Rank - UH System Board approval is requested for faculty promotion recommendations to be effective September 1, 2006.

Faculty Emeriti Appointments - University of Houston and UH-Clear Lake. Board approval is requested for faculty emeriti appointments at the University of Houston and UH-Clear Lake.

Master of Science Degree in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship - UH Victoria. The University of Houston-Victoria proposes the creation of a Master of Science Degree in Economic Development and entrepreneurship, to be administered by its School of Business Administration. The program seeks to provide the knowledge and skills required to become a successful economic developmental professional or corporate entrepreneur.

Regent Hermes moved approval of the items as presented. Regent O'Connor seconded the motion which passed unanimously. The committee will present these items to the board for approval at the May 18, 2006 meeting.

The following items were presented for information:

Research Funding - University of Houston. Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Don Foss will update the Board on issues surrounding research funding at the University of Houston.

Honorary Degree Process - UH System. Honorary Degrees are granted pursuant to Board of Regent Policy 21.02. The procedures governing this process are provided for review and discussion.

Academic Presentation: Quality Enhancement Plan - UH Downtown. Dr. Michael Dressman, former Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, will provide the board with an overview of UH-Downtown's Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), which is one of the major components of its reaffirmation of accreditation process with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting adjourned at 9:15 a.m.

UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE

Chairman Golden called the meeting to order at 9:15 a.m. and called on Mr. Rierson who presented the following information item to the committee.

Overview of Private Support - UH System

There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting adjourned at 9:37 a.m.

ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

Chairman Cemo called the meeting to order at 9:51 a.m. and called on Dr. Rudley to present the following items to the committee:

Graduation Pledge Scholarships - University of Houston. Beginning in Fall 2006, first-time in college freshmen at the University of Houston will be asked to commit to take certain steps that will enable them to graduate in four years. The pledge has been created to improve the University of Houston's freshman graduation rate and to address the state's goal of shortening the time to degree at Texas universities.

Appointment of Endowment Investment Manager - UH System. The Administration and Finance Committee received a report from the system’s investment consultant, Cambridge Associates, which identified an investment manager for consideration as an investment manager for the endowment fund. The committee interviewed representatives from the investment management firm identified in the report. The committee therefore requests the approval of Whippoorwill Associates as an absolute return investment manager for the UH System Endowment Fund.

Additionally, the following item was presented for information only:

University of Houston Long Range Development Framework Plan 2006 - University of Houston. The Associate Vice Chancellor/Associate Vice President of Plant Operations and Cooper Robertson Architects presented the Final Draft of a Campus Long Range Development Framework Plan.

Regent O'Connor moved approval of the items presented. Regent Gonzalez seconded the motion which passed unanimously. The committee will present the approval items to the board for approval at the May 18, 2006 meeting.

There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting adjourned at 10:52 a.m.

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

Chairman Stephens called the meeting to order at 10:52 a.m. and called on Mr. Guyton to present the following items to the committee.

Institutional Compliance Status Report for the three Months Ended March 31, 2006 - UH System. The Institutional Compliance Status Report summarizes the information provided by each institution for their respective compliance functions.

UH System Excerpts of External Audit Report - Texas State Auditor’s Office - Federal Portion of the Statewide Single Audit Report for the Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2005 - UH System. The Audit Committee Charter and Checklist, item number 13, requires the Committee to review any significant findings and recommendations of the State Auditor and any employed public accounting firm.

Internal Audit Report - Briefing Booklet (Dated May 2, 2006) - UH System. The Internal Audit Briefing Booklet contains an Internal Audit Activity Outline and Internal Audit Reports.

Copies of all handouts are on file in the Board of Regents Office.

There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting adjourned at 11:20 a.m.

Regent Hermes reconvened the board meeting at 11:20 a.m. and asked for approval of the following board item:

NCAA Self-Study - University of Houston. Approval is requested of the University of Houston System NCAA Self-Study Report. The study is due to the NCAA on May 15, 2006. Board of Regent approval of this study is required for the University of Houston to remain in compliance with NCAA procedures. Regent Gonzalez moved approval of the item as presented. Regent Wilson seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Pursuant to Subchapter D of Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, which allows governing boards to meet in closed session, the Board of Regents went into Executive Session at 11:30 a.m. The Board reconvened the meeting at 1:05 p.m.

EXECUTIVE SESSION REPORT

Regent Hermes announced that the regents discussed personnel and property issues. No action was taken.

In absence of further business, the Board adjourned at 1:05 p.m.

All documentation submitted to the Board in support of the foregoing action items, including but not limited to “Passed” agenda items and supporting documentation presented to the Board, is incorporated herein and made a part of these minutes for all purposes, however, this does not constitute a waiver of any privileges contained therein.

INFORMATION ONLY:

Prior to the meeting, Judge Ken Wise administered the oath of office to new regents Jim P. Wise, Welcome W. Wilson, Sr., and Robert B. Johnson. Judge Ken Wise is the son of Regent Jim Wise.

Others Present:
G. Jay Gogue Tim Hudson John M. Rudley Dona Hamilton Oscar Gutierrez Jim Anderson Raymond Bartlett Steve Hall Elaine Charlson Jim McShan Matt Tresaugue Cindi Proler Tiffany Wise Truelove Howard Castleberry Don Guyton	Bill Staples Grover Campbell Donald J. Foss Michael Rierson Wendy Adair Ed Hugetz Janis Newman Michele Sabino Jim Hayes Don Smith Lucy Limon Pam Francis John Powell Courtney Wilson Averill Buchanan	Max Castillo Elwyn Lee Art Vailas Diane Murphy David Bradley Michelle Dotter Ed Apodaca David Bell Dave Irvin Molly Woods Russell Hoskins Nikki Wise Joanne Castleberry Jane Wise Marquette Hobbs