UHS - Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF THE MEETING
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
BOARD OF REGENTS MEETING

February 15, 2007

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

The University of Houston System Board of Regents convened in the Garden Room 1510, Bayou Building at the University of Houston-Clear Lake on Thursday, February 15, 2007. Noting the presence of a quorum, Chairman Hermes called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m.

Action:

Regent Cemo moved approval of the minutes from the following meeting:

November 16, 2006, Board of Regents Meeting

Regent Gonzalez seconded the motion and the minutes were passed as presented.

The next item on the agenda was Item D, Resolution in Appreciation for outgoing Student Regent, Robert B. Johnson. Chairman Hermes read and presented the Resolution to Regent Johnson at the meeting.

Regent Golden moved approval of the item. Regent Wilson seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

There being no further business, the board recessed for the meetings of the standing committees at 9:26 a.m.

ACADEMIC AND STUDENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE REPORT

Chairman Hermes asked Regent Gonzalez to give the report of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee.

Chair Gonzalez reported that the Academic and Student Affairs Committee met on January 31, 2007 and approved the following items:

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Chinese Studies – University of Houston
Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Atmospheric Science – University of Houston
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fine Arts – UH-Downtown

Chair Gonzalez called on Dr. Foss to present the two action items on the agenda:

Action Items:

Mission Statement and Table of Programs – University of Houston The State requires Board of Regents’ approval of institutional missions and curricular authority. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board periodically reviews and approves each state university’s mission and curricular authority by review and approval of its Mission Statement and Table of Programs (a tabular representation of authorized curriculum fields). For the University of Houston, these documents will be reviewed by the Coordinating Board in April 2007. Board approval of these documents is necessary prior to recommendation to the Coordinating Board.
Master of Science Degree in Engineering Management – UH-Clear Lake Approval is requested to establish a Master of Science Degree in Engineering Management to be administered by its School of Science and Computer Engineering. The program would encompass the application of business and engineering principles to the planning and operational management of enterprises and organizations. The program would consist of 30 semester credit hours, and it is anticipated that 70 students would be enrolled by the fifth year. Two new faculty members would be required.

Regent Cemo moved committee approval of the items as presented. Regent Golden seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

There were two new Academic Presentations on the agenda for information:

UHCL Environmental Institute of Houston/Houston Partnership for Environmental Studies – UH-Clear Lake
Dr. George Guillen, Executive Director, and Dr. Brenda Weiser, Director of Environmental Education, provided the board with an overview of the environmental research and education programs offered by the Environmental Institute of Houston. A copy of the presentation will be kept on file in the Board office.
Writing Support Activities at UH System Universities – UH-Clear Lake, UH-Downtown, UH-Victoria
Dr. Chloe Diepenbrock, Director of UH-Clear Lake Writing Center; Dr. Molly Woods, VP for Academic Affairs and Provost at UH-Downtown; and Dr. Suzanne LaBrecque, VP for Academic Affairs and Provost at UH-Victoria, all gave presentations concerning the writing activities on their respective campuses. Copies of all material distributed is on file in the Board office.

There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting adjourned at 10:59 a.m.

Regent Cemo moved Board approval of the items as presented. Regent Gonzalez seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

ADMINISTRATION AND STRATEGIC PLANNING COMM ITTEE REPORT

In the absence of the committee chair, Regent Wise, Chairman Hermes asked vice chair, Regent Cemo for the report of the Administration and Strategic Planning Committee.

Regent Cemo reported that the Administration and Strategic Planning Committee met on January 31, 2007 and approved the following item:

Contract to Provide Shuttle Bus Services for the University of Houston –
University of Houston

Regent Golden moved committee approval of the item as presented. Regent Cemo seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

The following two approval items were pulled from the agenda. Dr. Rudley stated these items would be presented at a later date:

Purchase of Property Located at 4372 Wheeler Street – UH System
Purchase of Property Located at 3004 Leek Street – UH System

There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting adjourned at 11:12 a.m.

Regent Gonzalez moved Board approval of the item as presented. Regent Wilson seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

In the absence of the committee chair, Regent Stephens, Chairman Hermes asked Regent Golden to give the report of the Audit Committee.

Regent Golden reported that the Audit Committee met on Tuesday, January 30, 2007. There were no items brought forward from the committee for approval and there were no additional items brought forward for board approval today.

There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting adjourned at 11:13 a.m.

ENDOWMENT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT

Chairman Hermes then asked Regent Cemo for the report of the Endowment Management Committee.

Regent Cemo reported that the Endowment Management Committee met on Tuesday, January 30, 2007 and approved the following item:

Overview of the Endowment Fund – UH System
Regent Cemo stated that 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.
Regent Cemo also stated it was recommended the contract for Cambridge Associates be renewed for one year.

Regent Cemo called on Dr. Rudley to present the action item on the agenda:

Action Item:

Appointment of Endowment Investment Managers – UH System
The Endowment Management Committee interviewed representatives from the investment management firms who were identified in the report. The committee requests approval of Commonfund Capital International Partners VI, L.P., Commonfund Capital Private Equity Partners VII, L.P., and Newlin Realty Partners II, L.P., as investment managers for the University of Houston System Endowment Fund.

Regent Golden moved committee approval of the items as presented. Regent Gonzalez seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting adjourned at 11:18 a.m.

Regent Gonzalez moved Board approval of the items as presented. Regent Wilson seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE REPORT

In the absence of the committee chair, Regent O’Connor and the vice chair, Regent Rose, Chairman Hermes read the report of the External Affairs Committee.

Chairman Hermes reported that the External Affairs Committee met on Wednesday, January 31, 2007. There were no items brought forward from the committee for approval and there were no additional items brought forward for board approval today.

There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting adjourned at 11:19 a.m.

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 Wednesday, January 31, 2007. There were no items brought forward from the committee for approval and there were no additional items brought forward for board approval today.

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

After hearing all of the committee reports, Chairman Hermes reconvened to a full board meeting at 11:21 a.m.

CONSENT DOCKET

Chairman Hermes asked for approval of the Consent Docket. Regent Cemo moved approval of the items included in the Consent Docket. Regent Gonzalez seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

CHANCELLOR’S REPORT

Chancellor Gogue thanked the board for their support over the last few weeks. Chancellor Gogue stated he had attended a meeting last week in Washington, D.C. with a couple of regents which had been very productive. Chancellor Gogue also stated that he and several regents had attended other meetings held in Austin with the Senate and House.

Chancellor Gogue acknowledged that there are three individuals who are being considered for Honorary Degrees. The plan now is to contact each of these individuals to see if they will accept the honor.

Chancellor Gogue welcomed the new Faculty Senate President, Dr. Joe Kotarba, who gave a brief overview of his priorities for the next fiscal year.

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 11:22 a.m. The Board reconvened the meeting at 11:28 a.m.

EXECUTIVE SESSION REPORT

Chairman Hermes announced that Ms. Hamilton discussed the Litigation Status Report.

Chairman Hermes stated that no action was taken by the Board at Executive Session.

INFORMATION ONLY

Chairman Hermes introduced and welcomed the new Student Regent Christopher Sharpe. Dr. Castillo administered the Oath of Office to Mr. Sharpe; and Chairman Hermes and Chancellor Gogue presented the UH System Board of Regents’ Medallion and Regents’ Pin to him at the ceremony. Regent Sharpe was one of nine students appointed by Governor Perry and will serve a one year term effective February 1, 2007 through February 1, 2008.

Chairman Hermes stated that a Chair’s report would not be given as there were no items to report to the Board at this time.

The following individual addressed the Board during Open Forum:

Mr. Charles Henry, President of the University System Staff Executive Council (USSEC), University of Houston. Mr. Henry outlined the mission and goals of USSEC.

In the absence of further business, the Board adjourned at 11:28 a.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 Dona Hamilton Donald J. Foss John M. Rudley Elwyn C. Lee Michael Rierson Max Castillo Tim Hudson William Staples David Bell Ed Apodaca Michelle Dotter Steve Steiner Darlene Biggers Chloe Diepenbrock Sabika Mohmood Jody Gillit Anthony Jenkin John Rodriquez	Wendy Adair Don Guyton Elaine Charlson David Bradley John Powell Raymond Bartlett Oscar Gutierrez Charles Henry Joe Papick Ashley Anderson Joe Kotarba Shannon Rountree Joel Carter James C. Helm David Rachita Nina G. Perez Said Bettayeh Lucy Bowen Fred Welch	Molly Woods Jim McShan Dave Irvin Ed Hugetz Diane Murphy Malcolm Davis George Guillen Brenda Weiser Joe McCormack Janis Newman Suzanne LaBrecque Mindy Reynolds Morrison Liam Joyce Taylor Yvette Bendeck Wynne Chin Tom Reid Bill Eisen Gerry Mathisen