November 16, 2006
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
BOARD OF REGENTS
| Members Present: | Members Absent: |
|
Leroy L. Hermes, Chair
Michael J. Cemo, Vice Chair Dennis D. Golden Robert B. Johnson Lynden B. Rose Welcome W. Wilson, Sr. Jim P. Wise |
Calvin W. Stephens, Secretary Morgan Dunn O'Connor Raul A. Gonzalez |
The University of Houston System Board of Regents convened in the Willow Street Pump Station, 811 N. San Jacinto, UH-Downtown on Thursday, November 16, 2006. Noting the presence of a quorum, Chairman Hermes called the meeting to order at 8:42 a.m.
The first item discussed on the agenda was Item D, Appointment of Endowment Investment Managers – UH System. This item was included as an information item on the Endowment Management Committee agenda posted for November 1, 2006 and required action by the board. Since a quorum of the committee was not present at the November 16, 2006 meeting, this item was presented as a board item. Chairman Hermes called on Regent Cemo to present this item.
Action:
Appointment of Endowment Investment Managers – UH System
The Endowment Management Committee received a report from the system's investment consultant, Cambridge Associates, which identified various firms for consideration as investment managers for the endowment fund. The committee had interviewed representatives from the firms identified and requested approval for these firms to serve as investment managers:
- Absolute Plus Management;
- BPG, Fund VIII;
- Wellington Asset Management; and
- Smith Asset Management.
Regent Wise moved approval of the Appointment of Endowment Investment Managers – UH System. Regent Rose seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
The board recessed for the meetings of the standing committees at 8:46 a.m.
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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
In the absence of the chair, Regent Stephens, Chairman Hermes called on Regent Golden to present the Audit Committee Report.
Regent Golden reported that the committee had met on November 1, 2006 and approved the Audit Report and Financial Statements, University of Houston Charter School, FY 2005 – University of Houston. This item was forwarded to the board for approval at the November 2, 2006 board meeting and passed unanimously.
There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting adjourned at 8:47 a.m.
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ENDOWMENT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Chairman Hermes had stated that a quorum of the Endowment Management Committee was not present. Chairman Hermes announced that the following action items were included on the agenda for the Endowment Management Committee Meeting posted for November 1, 2006. Due to a quorum of the board present at that meeting, a board meeting was called to order and approved the following items, which passed unanimously:
- Transfer of the Jibril Aminu Petroleum Engineering Endowment to the UH Foundation – UH System; and
- Revision of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Houston Arts Combined Endowment Foundation – UH System.
There being no further business to come before the board, the meeting adjourned at
8:49 a.m.
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ADMINISTRATION AND STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE REPORT
Chairman Hermes called on Regent Wise to give the Administration and Strategic Planning Committee Report.
Regent Wise reported that the Administration and Strategic Planning Committee met on November 2, 2006 and approved the following items:
- UH System @ Sugar Land/Wharton County Junior College Academic Building – UH System
- Contract to Provide Electrical Service for the University of Houston System –
UH System
- Contract to Supply Natural Gas for the Central Plant Boiler Operations –
University of Houston
- Authority to Reduce Designated Tuition and Fees – University of Houston
- Purchase Order with EBSCO Subscription Service, Inc. – University of Houston
- Purchase Order for Public Broadcasting Service – University of Houston
- One Time Waiver of Art Acquisition Policy – University of Houston
Regent Wise called on Dr. Rudley to present the three new items on the agenda for approval. Dr. Rudley requested these items be presented out of order from the agenda and are listed as follows:
Action:
1. Budget Increase for the New UH-Downtown Classroom Building/Parking Garage at Shea Street – UH Downtown
Approval was requested for an increase in the budget from $35,140,000 to $36,630,000 for the new Classroom Building/Parking Garage at UH-Downtown. The revised budget is the result of several factors, including unforeseen site conditions; an increase in the scope for HVAC systems to increase energy efficiency, save future energy costs, and provide for future expansion; and, increases related to the IT infrastructure.
2. Long Range Development Framework Plan, University of Houston – University of Houston
The University of Houston Long Range Development Framework Plan was presented by Mr. Dave Irvin, Associate Vice President of Plant Operations and Mr. Randy Morton, Cooper Robertson Architects. Work on the framework plan began in early 2006 and a draft was presented to the Board of Regents in May 2006. This plan will help guide the University through physical planning issues including developing facilities to support the University Strategic Plan, identifying building sites, managing density, controlling vehicular circulation, anticipating utility infrastructure needs, and enhancing open spaces and pedestrian circulation.
A copy of the framework plan presented by Mr. Irvin and Mr. Morton was filed in the Board office.
3. Graduate and Professional Student Housing on Calhoun Road – University of Houston
Approval was requested for the design and construction of a graduate and professional student housing project, adjacent to and west of Calhoun Road between the C.T. Bauer College of Business and the UH Law Center. This 900 to 1,000 bed project complies with the Campus Framework Plan presented at the May 2006 Board of Regents meeting, and features contemporary living spaces as well as learning, recreational and retail spaces.
The above had been approved at the November 2, 2006 Board meeting but was resubmitted to request approval to enter into a preliminary design contract with John Kirksey Architects, Inc. The initial design contract will not exceed $2,000,000 and is part of the total funding of $99,000,000.
Regent Wise moved committee approval of the items as presented. Regent Rose seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
There was one new Administration and Strategic Planning agenda item for information.
- Presentation on Parking, University of Houston – University of Houston
Dave Irvin gave a brief presentation on parking. A copy of this item was filed in the Board office.
There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting adjourned at 10:16 a.m.
Regent Golden moved Board approval of the items as presented. Regent Wilson seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
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EXTERNAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE REPORT
In the absence of the chair, Regent O’Connor, Chairman Hermes asked Regent Rose for the report of the External Affairs Committee.
Regent Rose reported that the External Affairs Committee met on November 2, 2006 and received two information items that required no action by the board.
There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting adjourned at 10:17 a.m.
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ACADEMIC AND STUDENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE REPORT
In the absence of the chair, Regent Gonzalez, Chairman Hermes asked Regent Rose for the report of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee.
Regent Rose reported that the Academic and Student Affairs Committee met on
November 2, 2006 and approved the following item:
- UH Charter School Policies and Procedures – University of Houston
There were two new Academic and Student Affairs information items on the agenda for presentation:
Regent Rose turned the meeting over to Dr. Castillo to present the first item, Presentation of Recruitment Video for Prospective Students – UH-Downtown. Dr. Castillo called on Dr. Molly Woods, Provost, UH-Downtown, who presented the video.
After the presentation of the video, Regent Rose turned the meeting over to Chancellor Gogue to present the next item on the agenda, Honorary Degrees – UH System. Chancellor Gogue stated that there were six nominees being considered. The recipient(s) will be honored at the University of Houston May 2007 commencement. Any regent who has an interest in reviewing the material on the candidates may go to the Board of Regents office, where a copy of the information is on file.
There being no further business to bring before the committee, the meeting adjourned at 10:40 a.m.
Regent Wise moved approval of the committee item as presented. Regent Cemo seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
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UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Chairman Hermes asked Regent Golden for the report of the University Advancement Committee.
Regent Golden reported that the University Advancement Committee met on
November 2, 2006 and received two information items that required no action by the board.
There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting adjourned at 10:42 a.m.
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After hearing all of the committee reports, Chairman Hermes reconvened to a full board meeting at 10:42 a.m.
CONSENT DOCKET
Chairman Hermes asked for approval of the Consent Docket. Regent Cemo moved approval of the items in the Consent Docket. Regent Rose seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
CHANCELLOR’S REPORT
Chancellor Gogue asked Dr. Steven Craig to address the board. Dr. Craig stated that this was his last meeting as President of the UH Faculty Senate. He stated much progress had been made at the university in the last year.
Chancellor Gogue mentioned the publication of the Spellings Report and the impact that this report will have on higher education moving forward.
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 11:07 a.m. The Board reconvened the meeting at 12:35 p.m.
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EXECUTIVE SESSION REPORT
Chairman Hermes announced that the regents received a Litigation Status Report from General Counsel, Dona Hamilton. Other issues discussed by Chancellor Gogue and Ms. Hamilton were personnel items, proposed contracts and project acquisition issues.
Chairman Hermes stated that no action was taken by the board at Executive Session.
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INFORMATION ONLY
Dr. Castillo welcomed the regents to the UH-Downtown campus and gave some brief remarks.
Chairman Hermes mentioned no one had signed up for Open Forum to address the board at the meeting. Chairman Hermes also stated that a Chair’s Report would not be given as there was nothing to report to the board as this time.
In absence of further business, the Board adjourned at 12:35 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 herein.
Others Present:
Jay Gogue Wendy Adair Molly Woods
Dona Hamilton Jim Anderson Jim McShan
Donald J. Foss Elaine Charlson Dave Irvin
John M. Rudley Don Guyton Ed Hugetz
Elwyn C. Lee Michelle Sabino David Bradley
Grover Campbell Suzanne LaBrecque Diane Murphy
Michael Rierson Raymond Bartlett Roger Byars
Donald Birx Steven Craig Albert Holden
Max Castillo Don Bates Gail Kellersberger
Tim Hudson David Bell Gary Selman
William Staples Janis Newman Ed Apodaca
Jeanne LaMontagne Mike Emery Michelle Moosally
Timika Simmons Hossein Shahrakhi Kenya Hicks
Andy Blank Javier Hildago Joe Kotarba Lucy Limon Randy Morton (Coopers Robertson Architects)
Gerry Mathisen
