UHS - Meeting Minutes

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

June 10 , 2008

Members Present:

Welcome W. Wilson, Sr., Chair

Calvin W. Stephens, Vice Chair

Jim P. Wise, Secretary

Nelda L. Blair

Dennis D. Golden

Tamara K. Goodwin

Jacob M. Monty

Mica Mosbacher

Carroll Robertson Ray

Lynden B. Rose

*****

The University of Houston System Board of Regents convened in the Melcher Board Room 100B, Athletics/Alumni Center, 3100 Cullen Boulevard, University of Houston on Tuesday,

June 10, 2008. Noting the presence of a quorum, Chairman Wilson called the meeting to order at 12:52 p.m.

It should be noted that before Chairman Wilson called the Board meeting to order, he introduced and welcomed the new Student Regent, Ms. Tamara K. Goodwin, who was appointed by Governor Rick Perry. Her term was effective on June 1, 2008. Chairman Wilson asked Ms. Goodwin to join him at the podium for a brief swearing-in ceremony in which Chancellor Khator also took part.

Chairman Wilson stated Ms. Goodwin, who is from the University of Houston, was working on her Master’s of Science degree in Accountancy, and simultaneously working on her J.D. degree, both of which she expects to complete in 2009.

Ms. Goodwin was one of nine students who will serve as a Texas regent for a one-year term on the Board of Regents of their respective higher education systems. Chairman Wilson pointed out that these regents have the same powers and duties as other board members, with the exception of voting and being counted towards determining a quorum.

Ms. Goodwin replaced Christopher Sharpe, a UH-Downtown senior, who completed his term on May 31, 2008.

Chairman Wilson administered the Oath of Office to Ms. Goodwin and congratulated her on her appointment. UH System Chancellor Khator assisted Chairman Wilson in presenting Ms. Goodwin with the UH System Board of Regents’ Medallion and Regents’ Pin.

Chancellor Khator welcomed Ms. Goodwin and said how proud she was of her accomplishments and looked forward to working with her in the coming year.

Ms. Goodwin thanked the regents and said she was excited for the opportunity of working with the board, the administration, faculty, students, and the community.

After Ms. Goodwin’s remarks, Chairman Wilson asked her to please take her place at the regents’ table.

*****

At 12:52 p.m., Chairman Wilson introduced the first item on the agenda, Item B, Resolution in Appreciation for Christopher Sharpe. Chairman Wilson called Mr. Sharpe, the student regent whose term had expired on May 31, 2008, to join him at the podium. Chairman Wilson thanked Mr. Sharpe for his professionalism and service to Board of Regents over this past year and asked him for a few brief remarks.

Mr. Sharpe affirmed that he was very grateful for the opportunity of serving the board and stated, “He hoped to one day work his way back to the UH System as a full board member.”

The next item on the agenda was Item C, Revised Board of Regents’ Calendar for Remainder of FY2008 and List of UH System Board of Regents/Committee Meeting Dates for FY2009 - UH System. Chairman Wilson introduced this item. He pointed out that after further review, a new calendar had been developed with a one-week time period between committee and board meetings instead of the normal two-week timeframe. This calendar was distributed to the board at the meeting for their reference. Chairman Wilson also commented that the board meetings would now be held on Tuesdays instead of Thursdays, and the Endowment Management Committee meetings would be held on Wednesdays.

Regent Blair made a motion to approve the item as presented. Regent Ray seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Next on the board agenda was Item D, Board Development on Policy Proposals - UH System. Chairman Wilson introduced Mr. Jeff Sandefer, a Member of the Higher Education Task Force appointed by Governor Rick Perry, who presented this item.

Mr. Sandefer gave a brief summary of his background. He has been a teacher for twenty years and had monitored the conference Governor Rick Perry held on May 21, 2008 in Austin. The presentation on the proposed seven “breakthrough solutions” on higher education reform was his own personal opinion but wanted to bring forth some ideas to the board so they could be discussed and thought through for possible solutions in the future.

Mr. Sandefer emphasized there was growing concerns as we face inflation, rising costs, and deregulation. Costs have been growing at a much higher rate than the norm, and it was important for individual regents to take the lead; pick a breakthrough solution; and embrace it.

Listed below are the proposals that were discussed:

Breakthrough Solution #1:

Measure Teaching Efficiency and Effectiveness and Publicly Recognize Extraordinary Teachers.

The goal of this reform was designed to improve the quality of teaching by providing the Board of Regents with a simple tool to measure faculty teaching performance and to publicly recognize excellent teachers.
1. It is important to compile information on each teacher, e.g., salary and benefits costs; number of students taught in the last twelve months; average student satisfaction rating; and average percentage of A’s and B’s awarded.
2. It is important to measure and recognize the teachers that are doing well.

Breakthrough Solution #2:

Recognize and Reward Extraordinary Teachers.

The goal of this reform offers voluntary cash bonuses to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of teaching on Texas college and university campuses and attracts the best teachers from all across the nation to Texas.
Bonuses will be widespread, significant and based on how well a course delivers on its learning objectives.
There is currently a piloted program at the University of Oklahoma. Faculty members are paid regardless of their rank. Teachers who are rated in the top 3% of all classes receive up to $10,000, depending on the number of students taught. Teachers of classes from the top 10% to the top 3% would receive up to $5,000 per class and teachers rated between the top 25% and the top 10% would receive up to $2,500 per class. Teachers in the lower award categories would have an incentive to do an even better job teaching the next semester, to earn even larger bonuses.

Breakthrough Solution #3:

Split Research and Teaching Budgets to Encourage Excellence.

This solution establishes separate budgeting and reward systems for teaching and research, making it possible to reward exceptional individuals in each area.
This will not only attract the best and the brightest students, teachers and researchers to Texas, but would also encourage more transparency and accountability by eliminating inefficiencies and hidden cross-subsidies.
No one would be hurt by this program. If a tenured professor opted out, they would receive their current salary for life.

Breakthrough Solution #4:

Require Evidence of Teaching Skill for Tenure.

This reform ensures that teaching will be considered as an important qualification for tenure by requiring evidence that a majority of those nominated for tenure have demonstrated the ability to teach well.
The majority of new tenure appointments (75%) would be granted to professors who have proven that they can teach well by having taught on average three classes per semester and thirty students per class for the seven or more years that a teacher is on the tenure track.
Customer (student) satisfaction ratings would be used to determine teaching effectiveness.

Breakthrough Solution #5:

Use “Results-Based” Contracts with Students to Measure Quality.

Research has shown that students are excellent judges of the learning that takes place in the classroom.
This reform would require Texas colleges and universities to develop contracts between deans, department heads, and teachers so that the promises of each degree program are clearly stated to each and every student.
Another benefit to this reform would be that it provides an effective, institution-based accountability tool rather than a top-down, one-size-fits-all test or other system imposed by federal or state governments.

Breakthrough Solution #6

Put State Funding Directly in the Hands of Students.

This reform creates student-directed scholarships for undergraduate and graduate education, funded by current Texas state government’s direct appropriations to colleges and universities.
There are two major benefits: it would increase college access, particularly among low-income and disadvantaged students and by fundamentally changing the allocation of higher education funding, and directing money to students – not to institutions – students would become the real customers of higher education institutions. It would empower students to go where they wanted to go and be rewarded for their efforts.

Breakthrough Solution #7:

Create Results-Based Accrediting Alternatives.

This solution promotes alternatives to the current, largely input-based and institution-dominated accrediting process. The first alternative would be to allow competition among accrediting agencies in the State of Texas. This has already been passed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). The second alternative would be for Texas colleges and universities to support the creation of a new results-based national accrediting agency.
The THECB had recently approved new rules that allow all accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education not just the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), to be allowed to accredit colleges in Texas.
These rules also established an alternative path to receive state certification to operate a college or university in Texas.
These reforms open the door for new entrants into the higher education marketplace, which will both expand access and opportunities for Texas students as well as provide more competition among higher-education institutions.

After Mr. Sandefer’s presentation, Chancellor Khator introduced Mr. Wayne Roberts, Senior Advisor for Higher Education, Office of the Governor. Mr. Roberts reemphasized to the board that Governor Perry was not asking the board to implement these reforms, but to exam them. He stated it was the board’s responsibility to drill down to see if these reforms could be implemented.

This presentation was for information only and required no action by the board. A copy of Mr. Sandefer’s presentation was filed in the Board office.

Chairman Wilson thanked Mr. Roberts for his comments; and Mr. Sandefer for his informative presentation to the Board. Chairman Wilson reiterated that at this time the Board was not adopting these solutions, but would continue to review and discuss these issues going forward.

The next item on the agenda, Item E, Hurricane Preparedness - University of Houston was presented by Dr. Carl Carlucci, Executive Vice Chancellor/Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance.

Dr. Carlucci gave a brief summary on Emergency Preparedness for the UH System. The following information was presented:

All UH System campuses have similar policies and emergency plans;
The PIER (Public Information Emergency Response) System will be used to provide information to the campus community, general public and media via: email, cell, home phone and text messages; UH.edu website (home page) will keep everyone up-to-date; emails will be sent to uh.edu accounts; siren alerts will sound on the UH Central campus; UH phone operators will provide Live (or recorded) information; and the media will be contacted directly (via phone/email to report campus status;
Police play a key role and coordinate with outside agencies; they monitor external weather and related external communities; set-up Emergency Operations Command Center and communications; they secure the campus and assist-ride-out/recovery teams;
Many valuable lessons were learned from our previous experience with Tropical Storm Allison;

Classes would resume in seven (7) days;
Expanded Emergency Preparedness and Business Continuity Plans were developed;
Comprehensive Evaluation of Risks were developed;
An expansion of communication, building systems and readiness provisions were devised; and
Priority life safety of students and animals.

Tests of Emergency Preparedness/Management Plans should be done as soon as possible;
Tests should be done on the Business Continuity Planning requirements;
Information Technology
1. Secondary Data Center (SDC) is in Dallas, Texas; and
2. SDC will provide emergency services such as: emergency email; emergency web presence; emergency listserv, and fail-over instance of WebCT (would be operational by August 2008).
Plant Operations
1. Would coordinate UHS Facilities Groups;
2. A detailed plan based on hurricane alert, watch and warning and landfall countdown will take place;
3. Emergency Infrastructure Maintenance will be done (generators, pumps, fuel storage, system redundancies); and
4. Job Order Contracts, Continuing Service Agreements, Emergency, Recovery and Business Continuity contracts will be reviewed.
Ride-Out Teams

These are coordinated by UH Plant Operations;
Expanded Team Support including Food Services, Equipment and Medical Care;
Enhance Ride-out Team training and scenario planning;
Evaluates Internal and External Communication issues; and
Adding Ride-out building locations and building capabilities.

Student Affairs/Residential Life & Housing

Residents (students or summer conference participants) must complete an “Evacuation Form” informing RLH as to whether they have a means and a place to go in case of an emergency;
Each resident should be given the instructions of the “Emergency Evacuation Protocol” and have it ready throughout the year with an emergency backpack with suggested contents, including water bottles, cell phone, laptop computer, medicines, clothes, cash and valuables, etc.;
A “shelter in place” should also be established;
Need to work with ARAMARK on shelter, water and food supplies;
Provide services to accommodate “shelter in place” residents;
Contract in place with Transportation Department and expand UH Shuttle Bus contract; and
Arrangements for Remote Evacuation Sites (ex. Texas A&M, Texas Tech).

Research/Animal Care

Joint agreements with UT & TMC;
Alternative Sites, animal relocation and animal accommodations;
Enhance emergency power; and
Comprehensive Ride-out & Research Continuity Plans.

Dr. Carlucci introduced the security team: Mr. Malcolm Davis, UH Chief of Police; Dave Irvin, Associate Vice Chancellor/Associate Vice President for Plant Operations; Mr. Dennis Fouty, Associate Vice President and Chief Information Officer; Ms. Karen Clarke, Associate Vice President for University Relations; Eric Gerber, Director of University Communications; Dr. William Staples, President, UH-Clear Lake; Dr. Max Castillo, President, UH-Downtown; and Dr. Tim Hudson, President, UH-Victoria.

This item was for information only and required no action by the board. A copy of Dr. Carlucci’s presentation was filed in the Board office.

Chairman Wilson stated the next item on the agenda for discussion was Item F, Formula Funding Recommendations by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board - UH System. Regent Wilson turned the meeting over to Mr. Grover Campbell, Vice Chancellor/Vice President for Governmental Relations.

Mr. Campbell gave a brief review of the formula funding recommendations addressed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). Mr. Campbell stated that on April 24, 2008, the THECB had adopted its Formula Funding Recommendations for the 2010-2011 Biennium.

Mr. Campbell mentioned that THECB recommended an increase in base funding by $267 million and phasing in a new formula component on completed semester credit hours vs. attempted semester credit hours (25% first year, 50% second year, 75% third year, and 100% fourth year). The THECB also recommended $178 million for performance funding. Awards would be based on the number of degrees awarded at all levels and is meant to work in conjunction with proposed incentive funding.

Chancellor Khator stated a letter had been sent to the Coordinating Board urging them to consider the ramifications of their proposal due to the significant redistribution of state funding and suggested they adopt the December 2007 recommendations of the Formula Advisory Committee. Chancellor Khator mentioned that the four UH System universities would stand to lose $9.8 million if this recommendation were put in place.

This item was for information only and required no action by the board.

Next on the board agenda was Item G, Chancellor’s Report. Chairman Wilson turned the meeting over to Chancellor Khator for her remarks.

Chancellor Khator thanked Dr. Don Foss for his dedication and service to the UH System and the University of Houston. She stated Dr. Foss had resigned his position as Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost to pursue a teaching and research position as a Professor of Psychology in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences here at the University of Houston.

Chairman Wilson called upon Dr. Foss and presented him with a “Resolution of Appreciation” from the Board of Regents for his outstanding service, professionalism, and dedication to the university. Dr. Foss thanked the board for this honor and stated he was grateful for the opportunity to serve the UH System and the University of Houston as Senior Vice President and Provost over the last several years, but was excited to returnto his love of teaching and research. His new position will become effective on June 17, 2008.

Listed below is a summary of Chancellor Khator’s remarks:

A draft of the system’s principles and goals were discussed at the Board of Regents Retreat that was held in early May 2008 at the Moody Gardens in Galveston, Texas.

Nine proposed UH System principles were mentioned as follows:

The whole of the UH System should be greater than the sum of its parts.
The UH System should provide access to the people of Houston throughout the Houston metropolitan region, making that access as convenient as is academically and financially possible.
The UH System’s institutions should be the primary providers of educational access in the Houston metropolitan region. However, they should seek partnerships with other institutions when it benefits students and when it is naturally advantageous.
The UH System should establish some distinctive mission differentiation among its institutions, while still enabling them to serve the needs of their region.
The UH System management structure should be as simple as is possible and should ensure clarity of responsibility and accountability.
The UH System should be strategic about its enrollment growth and intentional about its tuition and other financial strategies.
The UH System should ensure a standard of excellence throughout its institutions, while recognizing differences in student populations and missions.
The UH System should have a clear nomenclature that will enhance international, national, state, and regional marketing and branding.
The UH System should maximize opportunities for both its faculty and students to benefit from being within a system.

There were six University of Houston goals identified. A UH Progress Card has been developed to show how these goals would be accomplished along with their timeline. After a goal has been achieved, new goals will be identified to take its place and/or a new goal(s) could replace those currently identified.

There were three UH System goals named:

National Competitiveness - The City of Houston and the Greater Houston Region will be known for having one of the best metropolitan systems of higher education in the nation. Each university within the UH System will benchmark itself nationally for excellence within the context of its unique mission.
Student Success - The UH System will commit to providing access to the people of the Greater Houston Region and the State. Each university within the system will make student success its top priority and will hold itself publicly accountable for achieving this goal.
Community Advancement - UH System will be the engine of social and economic advancement for the metropolitan region and the state. Each university within the UH System will engage with its community and will hold itself publicly accountable for contributing toward community advancement.

A Leadership Retreat was held on June 6, 2008. All Vice Chancellors, Deans, Faculty Senate representatives, student leaders, and senior administrators were in attendance. The topics they covered were the system principles and system goals which were discussed at the Board of Regents Retreat; the proposed UH goals; and the UH Progress Card which will be used to measure progress toward specific goals.

The six goals that were identified are:
1. Nationally Competitiveness - The goal is for UH to become a nationally competitive public research university as measured by the Top American Research University (TARU) and/or Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
2. Student Success - UH will have a student profile consistent with a nationally competitive public research university by creating an environment in which student success can be ensured.
3. Community Advancement - UH will commit to fulfilling regional and state workforce needs while becoming the primary engine of social, economic, and intellectual development.
4. Athletic Competitiveness - UH will provide a comprehensive educational experience to its students and within this context, it will seek to build the strongest athletic program possible.
5. National and Local Recognition - UH will be known for its accomplishments locally and nationally.
6. Resource Competitiveness - UH will build a resource base that enables it to accomplish its mission and realize its vision.

The next steps in this process are outlined below:

Refinement of measures in the Progress Card.
Development of Progress Card measures by all system universities.
Principles, goals, and the Progress Card will be placed on the Academic Affairs and Student Success Committee in August.
Board approval will be sought either in August or November.
University planning will continue to develop management goals and specific strategies.

The regents’ responses to the UH Progress Card were extremely positive. Chairman Wilson stated that the score cards were exactly what were needed.

*****

At 2:35 p.m., Chairman Wilson called for a five minute break before moving on to the next agenda item.

At 2:40 p.m., Chairman Wilson reconvened the Board meeting and stated that he would like to take the next item out of order and move to Item I, Executive Session.

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 2:40 p.m. The Board reconvened the meeting at 3:00 p.m.

*****

EXECUTIVE SESSION REPORT

Chairman Wilson announced that property issues had been discussed by General Counsel, Dona Cornell.

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

*****

At 3:00 p.m., Chairman Wilson moved to the next item and introduced Item H. Report of Nominating Committee and Election of Officers. He then turned the meeting over to Regent Jim P. Wise, who had been appointed as the chair of this committee.

Regent Wise reported that the Board had approved the change of election of officers at the May 15, 2008 meeting and that the election of officers would be held each year at the June Board meeting.

Regent Wise stated that a committee comprised of Regent Stephens and Regent Blair had contacted each board member for input. The following slate of officers was nominated:

Welcome W. Wilson, Sr. - Chairman

Lynden B. Rose - Vice Chairman

Jim P. Wise - Secretary

Subsequent to discussion relative to the slate development process, Chairman Wilson called for nominations from the floor for the position of Chairman. By acclamation, Regent Welcome W. Wilson, Sr. was appointed to a second term as Chairman.

Chairman Wilson called for nominations from the floor for the position of Vice Chairman. Regent Stephens nominated Regent Golden. Ballots were distributed, collected, and tallied by General Counsel, Ms. Cornell. By a vote of six to three, Regent Wise announced that Regent Rose had been elected for the position of Vice Chairman.

Chairman Wilson then asked if there were any nominations from the floor for Secretary. By acclamation, Regent Jim P. Wise was appointed to his second term as secretary.

The FY 2008-2009 slate of officers will become effective September 1, 2008. They are as follows:

Welcome W. Wilson, Sr. - Chairman

Lynden B. Rose - Vice Chairman

Jim P. Wise - Secretary

Chairman Wilson congratulated his counterparts and moved on to the last item on the agenda, the chair’s report. Chairman Wilson stated that a chair’s report would not be given at the meeting.

In absence of further business, the Board adjourned at 3:23 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:

Renu Khator

Donald Foss

Carl Carlucci

Dona Cornell

Don Birx

Grover Campbell

Elwyn Lee

Michael Rierson

Dan Gardner

Max Castillo

William Staples

David Bradley

Gerry Mathisen

Raymond Bartlett

Ed Apodaca

Wynne Chin

Suzanne LaBrecque

Malcolm Davis

Elaine Charlson

Christopher Sharpe

Ed Hugetz

Oscar Gutierrez

Molly Woods

Karen Clarke

Diane Murphy

Dave Maggard

Jeannie Kever (Hou Chronicle)

Wayne Roberts (Office of the

Governor)

Jeff Sandefer (Member,

Higher Ed Task Force)

John Powell

Eric Gerger

Don Guyton

Dennis Fouty

Michelle Dotter

Tom Ehardt

Ashley Anderson

Robert Wimpelberg

Jim Anderson

Jon Aldrich

David Bell

Dave Irvin

Marquette Hobbs