UHS - Meeting Minutes

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

August 16, 2007

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

The University of Houston System Board of Regents convened in the Melcher Board Room, Athletics/Alumni Center at the University of Houston on Thursday, August 16, 2007. Noting the presence of a quorum, Chairman Hermes called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

Chairman Hermes presented the first items on the agenda, Resolutions of Appreciation for out-going regents, Michael J. Cemo, Raul A. Gonzalez and Leroy L. Hermes. Chair Hermes stated that in the past resolutions had been read at the Board meetings, but in the interest of time, they would be done at a future date.

Action:

Regent O’Connor moved approval of the Resolutions of Appreciation for Regents Leroy L. Hermes, Michael J. Cemo and Raul A. Gonzalez – UH System. Regent Wilson seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Chairman Hermes called on Mr. Don Guyton to present Item F, Board of Regents Planner – UH System. Mr. Guyton stated that the Planner had been updated to reflect the recent changes that had been made to the Board policies, as well as adding the Statutes section to the Planner.

Action:

Regent O’Connor moved approval of the Board of Regents Planner – UH System. Regent Cemo seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

The board recessed for the meetings of the standing committees at 9:10 a.m.

ACADEMIC AND STUDENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE REPORT

Chairman Gonzalez reported that the Academic and Student Affairs Committee met on August 1, 2007 and approved the following items:

Master of Technology Degree in Future Studies in Commerce – University of Houston

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Healthcare Services – UH-Clear Lake

Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences Degree in Criminal Justice – UH-Downtown

Bachelor of Social Work Degree – UH-Downtown

Personnel Action for Executive Management Employee – UH-Clear Lake

Dr. Carl Stockton

Personnel Action for Executive Management Employee – UH-Victoria

Dr. Jeffrey DiLeo

Chairman Gonzalez then turned the meeting over to Dr. Foss. Before presenting the next item, Dr. Foss asked Dr. Hudson to introduce Dr. Jeffrey DiLeo, the new Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences.

There was one Academic and Student Affairs action item on the agenda:

Action:

Faculty Emeritus Appointment – University of Houston
Dr. Foss stated that contrary to normal status, it was requested that approval be given for Professor Wilford A. Weber, College of Education, be appointed as Professor Emeritus even though he is deceased.

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

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

Annual Report on Intercollegiate Athletics – University of Houston. The report was given by Mr. Dave Maggard. Regent Hermes complimented Mr. Maggard on his accomplishments over the past year and his leadership role in Athletics. A copy of this presentation is on file in the board office.

Academic Presentation – Undergraduate Student Recruitment and Retention – University of Houston. Dr. Foss gave a powerpoint presentation and outlined for the board the enrollment figures over the last three years. Dr. Foss stated that 43% or 3,345 students were first time enrollees for Fall ’06; 21% or 1,685 were graduate professional students; and 36% or 2,850 were transfer students. Dr. Foss also gave an overview of the strategic considerations to (a) increase applicant pool; (b) increase number enrolled; (c) increase quality of students; and (d) retain diversity. Dr. Foss discussed transfer recruiting which would include: (a) joint admission agreements; (b) articulation agreements; (c) bridge programs; (d) discover UH; and transfer scholarships. A copy of this presentation is on file in the board office.

There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting adjourned at 9:59 a.m.

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

Chair Hermes then asked Regent Wise for the report of the Administration and Strategic Planning Committee.

ADMINISTRATION AND STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE REPORT

Regent Wise reported that the Administration and Strategic Planning Committee met on August 1, 2007 and approved the following items:

FY 2008 Plan and Budget – UH System

East Parking Garage Construction – University of Houston

Renovation and Expansion of W. I. Dykes Library – UH-Downtown

Ground Lease and Associated Agreements between the University of Houston and Houston Sigma Chi House Corporation – UH System

Sale of Ponderosa Forest Property – UH System

There were two new action items on the agenda for approval. Regent Wise turned the meeting over to Mr. Jim McShan who introduced the items.

Action:

Memorandum of Understanding and Future Management Agreement for Capital Repairs to the University of Houston Hilton Hotel – University of Houston.
Approval is requested for a delegation of authority to the Interim Chancellor to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding leading to a Management Agreement (10 year zero cost) with Hilton Hotels Corporation and for substantial renovation to the UH Hilton. The Memorandum of Understanding and path to the Capital Repairs/Management Agreement will be contingent upon approval of the University’s grant request by the Hilton Fund and all board approvals as required by Texas Law. The agreement will then be submitted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for its consideration and approval.

Action:

Sale of Property in Marble Falls, Texas – UH System
Approval is requested to sell three lots in Kingsland Hills in Marble Falls, Texas. The unimproved property was donated to the University of Houston Athletics Department to provide funding to Athletics through the sale of the property. The three lots are: Lot 18, Block B, Kingsland Hills, 13, 375 square feet, appraised at $18,500; Lot 21, Block B, Kingsland Hills, 15,709 square feet, appraised at $19,500; and Lot 20, Block B, Kingsland Hills, 13,228 square feet, appraised at $18,500.

The University has received an offer from Jack Cannata, Jr. to purchase the property for $56,500. The proceeds of the sale would go to the Athletics Department.

Approval was also requested for delegation of authority to the Interim Chancellor to negotiate and execute all necessary legal documents related to the proposed sale.

Regent O’Connor moved committee approval of the items as presented. Regent Stephens seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting adjourned at 10:38 a.m.

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

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

Regent Stephens reported that the Audit Committee met on July 31, 2007 and approved the following item:

UHS Internal Auditing Department Long-Range Internal Audit Plan for Fiscal Years 2008-2010 – UH System

There were no new items on the agenda for approval. The meeting adjourned at 10:39 a.m.

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

ENDOWMENT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT

Chairman Hermes stated that the Endowment Management Committee Report would be taken out of order and will be presented at a Board meeting scheduled later today at 12:15 p.m.

Chairman Hermes then turned the meeting over to Regent Golden for the University Advancement Committee Report.

UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT

Regent Golden reported that the University Advancement Committee met on August 1, 2007 and approved the following item:

Approval of University of Houston’s participation in Achieving the Dream, a national initiative to enhance the success of community college students – University of Houston.

There were no new items being presented. With no further business to come before the committee, the meeting adjourned at 10:40 a.m.

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

Chairman Hermes requested a brief recess. At 10:56 a.m. Chairman Hermes reconvened the Board of Regents meeting.

CONSENT DOCKET

Chairman Hermes asked for approval of the Consent Docket. Regent O’Connor moved approval of the items included in the Consent Docket. Regent Wise seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

CHANCELLOR’S REPORT

Interim Chancellor John Rudley gave an update powerpoint presentation on the UH System Strategic Principles and Initiatives. The complete report is on file in the Board office.

After the Chancellor’s Report, Chairman Hermes introduced Item C, Faculty Views on University Growth – UH System and turned the meeting over to Faculty Senate President, Dr. Joe Kotarba. Dr. Kotarba discussed a couple of issues: (1) the importance of growing our graduate student body; and (2) the Faculty Senate sponsoring a system-wide, scholarship and community conference titled: “Music: Culture, Identity and Performance.” A copy of Dr. Kotarba’s remarks is on file in the Board office.

ELECTION OF 2007-2008 OFFICERS

Chair Hermes called on Regent Cemo for a report of the nominating committee for election of officers. Regent Cemo announced the committee recommended the following slate of officers:

Chairman – Welcome W. Wilson, Sr.
Vice Chairman – Calvin W. Stephens
Secretary – Jim P. Wise

Regent Hermes called for nominations from the floor separately for each office. There were no nominations from the floor for chair, vice chair or secretary.

Regent O’Connor moved approval of the new slate of officers. Regent Gonzalez seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Each of the three new officers briefly addressed the board.

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 11:10 a.m. The Board reconvened the meeting at 12: 01p.m.

EXECUTIVE SESSION REPORT

Regent Hermes announced that the regents consulted with General Counsel, Dona Hamilton and discussed property and personnel issues. No action was taken in Executive Session.

INFORMATION ONLY:

The following individuals addressed the Board during Open Forum:

Ms. Karen Edwards, a graduate student at the University of Houston Central campus. Ms. Edwards discussed post baccalaureate hours.
Mr. Charles Henry, President of the University System Staff Executive Council (USSEC), University of Houston Central campus. Mr. Henry gave an update of the mission and goals of USSEC.

In absence of further business, the Board adjourned at 12:25 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:
John M. Rudley Dona Hamilton Donald J. Foss Jim McShan Elwyn C. Lee Grover Campbell Michael Rierson Max Castillo Tim Hudson William Staples Janis Newman Diane Murphy George Granger Jeffrey DiLeo Zanetta Loh Jon Schultz Ed Apodaca Carl Stockton Mick Emery Marquette Hobbs	Johanna Wolfe Josie Anderson Elaine Charlson Don Guyton Netta Ozead Chris Stanich Raymond Bartlett Malcolm Davis Susanne LaBrecque Dave Maggard John Robinson Oscar Gutierrez Marshall Shott Joanne Laborde Richard Gunasereka Mayra Cruz Charles Henry Karen Edwards Lucy Limon Gerry Mathisen	Molly Woods Michelle Dotter Dave Irvin Ed Hugetz Michelle Sabino David Bradley Spencer Yantis Craig Ness Umesh Kapur Wayne Beran David Bell John Bowen Joe Kotarba Jason Lisoviez Margie Hattenbach Joe Papick John Powell Jeff Fuller Jason Osvic