UNF Board of Trustees
University of North Florida
Board of Trustees
Thursday, January 15, 2004
Trustees in Attendance: Dr. Abdullah, Mr. Coggin,
Mr. Douglas, Mr. Gonzalez,
Mr. Halverson, Ms. Hicks, Ms. Kendrick, Dr. Solano, Dr. Taylor, Ms.
Thompson,
Mr. Twomey, Mr. Watterson
Trustee Absent: Ms. Crawford
Call to Order: Chair Thompson called the meeting to
order stating that 2003 had been a successful year and she was looking
forward to 2004 being equally as successful.
Unveiling the Portrait of Dr. Anne Hopkins: Chair
Thompson began the meeting by unveiling the portrait of Dr. Anne Hopkins,
current past President of the University of North Florida. Chair Thompson
paid tribute to Dr. Hopkins by stating that she was the fourth permanent
president of the University of North Florida, appointed in November
1998, assumed office in January 1999 and served the University until
the summer of 2002. She stated that Dr. Hopkins is still serving the
University as part of its faculty. Chair Thompson prefaced the unveiling
of the portrait by informing the Board that portraits of past presidents
are commissioned so future generations could remember who helped make
the University what it is today. Chair Thompson then asked Dr. Hopkins
and President Delaney to join her at the podium. Chair Thompson stated
that the portrait would be permanently placed in the President’s
Conference Room next to Dr. Adam Herbert, Dr. Curtis McCray and Dr.
Thomas Carpenter. Chair Thompson stated that the artist, Robert Kuester
could not attend the unveiling. She expressed her personal appreciation
on behalf of the Board to Dr. Hopkins for her years of service to the
University. Chair Thompson then turned the floor over to President Delaney.
President Delaney commented on the excellent condition Dr. Hopkins and
Dr. Kline had left the University prior to his assuming the Presidency.
He also commented on Dr. Hopkins’ role as an advisor to him. Dr.
Hopkins then approached the podium. She offered appreciation to the
Board for their support to her as President and currently as a faculty
member. She then listed the following as her achievements during her
Presidency:
· University administration had a strong relationship
with Student Government and students in general
· Improved the quality of student life and student learning
· Developed a very good relationship with University faculty
· Increased faculty size
· Increased faculty salaries
· Gave merit raises
· Increased the size of the student body
· Increased scholarship funds
· Strengthened the quality and size of the student body
· Strengthened the physical environment
· Brought fruition to the Science and Engineering Building
· Settled funding through the Florida Legislature for the new
University Library
· Added the Crossings Residence Hall
· Opened the University Center
· Opened a new parking garage
· Opened the Fine Arts Center
Dr. Hopkins then listed three issues she would like to see continue
with the new administration:
· A continued focus on collaboration and shared governance
among students, faculty, staff, University Board of Trustees and the
President
· A continued focus on quality and integrity in everything the
University does
· A continued focus on helping students become successful
Chair’s Report: Chair Thompson stated that she
was grateful for the efforts from the Board for 2003 and was looking
forward to a productive 2004. The floor was then turned over to President
Delaney for the President’s Report.
President’s Report: President Delaney stated
that Faculty Research Day was February 20, 2004. He continued by stating
that the University had retained a consulting firm, Mountain Top Institute
to explore ways for faculty and staff to support a joint venture that
would provide experience and training for students, the UNF faculty
and staff and the community at large. This venture would have a wide
array of possibilities and could be established as a Center.
President Delaney commented on the Osprey Journal of Ideas and Inquiries
and its commitment to undergraduate and faculty-mentored research.
President Delaney announced the reorganization of some University departments.
Athletics formerly reported to the President’s Office and now
reports to the Vice President of Student Affairs. Institutional Research
formerly reported to Administration and Finance and now reports to Academic
Affairs. University Budgets formerly reported to the President’s
Office and now reports to Administration and Finance.
President Delaney addressed the First Coast Technology Park. He stated
that the current approach is for the Florida Legislature to buy the
First Coast Technology Park from the current owner, a Duval County agency.
The University would continue to own the land and the revenue would
be delegated to the UNF Foundation. This approach to the First Coast
Technology Park would be used to develop the UNF Master Plan, which
is to be revised every five years.
President Delaney lastly discussed the UNF faculty contract stating
that it was an ongoing discussion. He stated that the faculty and administration
were working on compression and conversion issues.
Educational Policy Committee Report: Trustee Hicks
opened the discussion by stating that the devolution of authority has
given UNF the responsibility to approve new programs, both undergraduate
and masters. She then presented the two new degree programs to the Board
for their approval and turned the floor over to Dr. Kline.
Master of Arts in Practical Philosophy and Applied Ethics: Dr.
Kline asked Dr. Workman to present this program to the Board. Dr. Workman
began by stating that because it was the mission of the University to
serve the community, it was well documented that the businesses and
agencies across the city were engaging with ethical issues on a daily
basis. He continued by stating that degree program being proposed to
the Board for approval was beginning to emerge in other universities
across the country and if the program was initiated at UNF, it would
be unique to the State of Florida and possibly to the region. He stated
that UNF would have an opportunity to distinguish themselves by adopting
this new degree program. He continued by stating that this new degree
program would offer the possibility for collaboration with the Center
for Ethics and that there would be the availability of a certificate
within the masters program. Dr. Workman then yielded the floor to Vice
Chair Halverson
Vice Chair Halverson asked the Board if there were any questions or
comments. There were none so he then yielded the floor to Chair Thompson.
Chair Thompson asked if there was any representation for Public Comment,
informing the guests that there was a three-minute limit for public
comments. Mr. Phil Diaz, representing Gateway Community Services engaged
in his public comments.
Public Comment: Mr. Diaz informed the Board that he previously
served the George Bush, Sr. Presidential Administration in the capacity
of Assistant Deputy Director on the Substance Abuse Task Force. He stated
that he previously had a negative experience with the UNF Philosophy
Department and was here to withdraw any letters of support from Gateway
Community Services and the Health Department in St. Johns County for
the new degree program, Master of Arts in Practical Philosophy and Applied
Ethics. Mr. Diaz stated his reasons as follows:
· He felt the University was part of the community
and the ethical problems were not psychological but decision-making.
· He referred to a meeting with Dr. Kline in which he offered
to secure a $17 million contract to do training for child welfare workers.
He stated that this offered was not accepted and that he is now working
with Flagler College and Bethune Cookman College on the same proposal.
· He stated that with the past Jacksonville mayor and current
University of North Florida President being the same person, he thought
we were all a part of the same city. He felt it was unusual for a Philosophy
Department to address the same issues already being addressed by existing
county agencies.
· He concluded by stating that under the current parameters of
the UNF Philosophy Department, he would not provide internships to UNF
students at Gateway Community Services.
Chair Thompson asks for confirmation that Mr. Diaz was withdrawing
Gateway Community Services letter of support to the University of North
Florida. He stated, “yes” and included that St. Johns County
was as well. Chair Thompson stated that the Board respected Mr. Diaz’s
opinion and thanked him for being at the Board meeting. Mr. Diaz stated
that there was a pending meeting between himself and President Delaney
to further discuss this matter. Chair Thompson asked President Delaney
to acknowledge the pending meeting and he did so.
Chair Thompson then yielded the floor to Dr. Kline. Dr. Kline asked
Dean Chally and Professor Patterson to present the new degree program,
Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling.
Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling: Dean Chally
stated that currently UNF offered a track focused on Rehabilitation
Counseling in the Master of Science in Health program. She stated that
a new degree program in Rehabilitation Counseling would enhance the
visibility of the program, aid in recruiting students, address some
issues graduates have raised and be more consistent with other Rehabilitation
Counseling programs across the country. Dean Chally stated that the
request before the Board was for approval for a program in Rehabilitation
Counseling that would be a separate degree. Karen Stone asked if this
was primarily a name change to a track that already existed. Dr. Kline
stated that previously the Board of Regents in Tallahassee approved
new degree programs but a new track could be added to the curriculum
without Board of Regents approval. He stated that the devolution process
allowed each university the authority to approve new degree programs
and that in the future, to achieve the proper recognition, some of these
existing tracts would be coming to the Board of Trustees for approval
as free-standing degree programs. Chair Thompson asked if there were
any questions and received none. Chair Thompson then asked for a motion
to approve the Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling as a separate
degree program. It was so motioned and approved by the full Board.
Finance and Audit Committee Report: Committee Chair
Twomey addressed the Parking and Child Care Fees. He stated that the
Parking Fees would be deferred until the next committee meeting being
held February 24, 2004.
Committee Chair Twomey stated that the Finance and Audit Committee
engaged in lengthy discussions regarding the Child Care Fee Schedule,
as well as capacity issues for the Child Development and Research Center.
He then turned the floor over to the Vice President of Student Affairs,
Dr. Gonzalez. Dr. Gonzalez stated that the there had been a lengthy
discussion regarding maintaining the capacity to support students.
Chair Thompson asked if there were any questions or discussions and
there were none. The Child Care Fee was so motioned and approved by
the full Board.
Committee Chair Twomey then addressed the Athletic and Service Fees.
He stated that assuming there was no tuition increase the fee would
stay the same at $25.76 per semester, however there would be a reallocation
of the Athletic Fee. Currently this fee is $10.00 but would be increased
to $10.25, reflecting the opening of the new stadium. There would also
be a meaningful increase in the Student Union fees and modest decreases
to support these increases across the board. President Delaney stated
that he endorsed any additional fees permitted with an increase in tuition
to be allocated to the Student Union. Dr. Gonzalez stated that this
was a reallocation of the existing Activity and Service Fee. President
Delaney asked if the reallocation affected any programs or services
that were already funded by the current Activity and Service Fee. He
continued by asking for clarification regarding the implications that
would be realized by a reduction in the Activity and Service Fee. Committee
Chair Twomey stated that students would not loose any programs now being
supported by the Activity and Service Fee. Trustee Watterson stated
that the students supported a cut in the Athletic and Service Fee in
order to fund the new Student Union.
Chair Thompson asked if there were any questions or discussions and
there were none. The Activity and Service Fee was so motioned and approved
by the full Board.
Devolution Transition Plan: Committee Chair Twomey asked Vice
President Shari Shuman to address the Devolution Transition Plan. Ms.
Shuman defined the Transition Plan by stating that the purpose of the
Plan was to devise a timeline for UNF to devolve from the State System
currently being used by UNF.
Ms. Shuman stated that the current Devolution Transition Plan was being
presented to the UNF Board of Trustees without going through the committee
structure because of a conflicting schedule between the Florida Department
of Education’s (FDOE) deadline and the next scheduled Board meeting.
Ms. Shuman stated that the Department of Financial Services reviewed
UNF’s Plan November 2003. This review requested substantial changes
and these were incorporated and delivered to the FDOE January 2004.
The FDOE returned the Plan asking for clarification on six items. This
clarification was provided and the FDOE stated that there could be some
further changes within two weeks.
Ms. Shuman stated that UNF plans be completely devolved from the State
Financial System by July 1, 2004, the State Payroll System by January
1, 2005 and the Student Operational System by August 2005.
Trustee Watterson asked if the new system would use student social
security numbers. Ms. Shuman stated that the ultimate goal was to eliminate
the use of student social security numbers as a main link into the system,
with the exception of tracking payroll, Internal Revenue Services, etc.
There was a brief discussion comparing SCT Banner and People Soft.
Ms. Shuman stated that Florida Gulf Coast and Florida Atlantic University
have both implemented SCT Banner. The University of North Florida and
the University of West Florida are the remaining SCT Banner clients
currently under implementation. She stated that the remaining State
Universities were using People Soft.
Trustee Abdullah asked if the Student Operational System would require
the development of another transition plan. Ms. Shuman stated that there
would be an internal plan developed but that the Florida Department
of Education did not need to approve this plan.
Chair Thompson asked if there were any questions or discussions and
there were none. She recommended that the Devolution Transition Plan
be turned over to the Finance and Audit Committee for review at their
February 24, 2004 meeting. It was so motioned and approved.
Board Operational Issues: Chair Thompson opened this
agenda item up for discussion by stating that the current Board structure
would be up for discussion in the February 13, 2004 planning meeting.
She stated that previous Board planning meetings have addressed areas
of priority, specifically in regard to the University Mission. The floor
was then turned over to Trustee Gonzalez.
Trustee Gonzalez inquired about the possibility of adding a Facilities
Committee. Chair Thompson stated that she would like to defer this topic
to the next planning meeting, scheduled for February 13, 2004. However,
she opened this topic up for discussion at the current meeting. Trustee
Gonzalez expressed his concerns regarding the delay in discussing this
topic. He also expressed his concerns regarding the Board’s knowledge
of campus activities and physical campus changes, adding that the purpose
of the new committee would be to keep the Board apprised of campus events.
He stated that the Facilities Committee would not address academic and
finance issues. Trustee Gonzalez stated that the camaraderie of the
current Board allowed for much collusion, therefore eliminating the
need for adding numerous other committees. President Delaney then stated
that his personal preference would be to review this issue in the context
of a planning session. He asked Chair Thompson if she would have this
issue added to the agenda for the February 13, 2004 planning meeting.
She agreed and deferred to Trustee Gonzalez for his affirmation. He
agreed.
Chair Thompson asked if there were any further questions or discussions
and there were none. She recommended that the Board structure be added
to the agenda of the February 13, 2004 planning meeting. It was so motioned
and approved.
University Marketing and Branding: Chair Thompson
opened the floor to Vice President Pierre Allaire for an introduction
and discussion of this agenda item. Dr. Allaire stated that the Director
for News and Publications, Mr. Dan Dundon would head up the University
Marketing and Branding initiative. He stated that Ms. Sharon Ashton
had recently been hired to fill the position of University Media Relations.
Dr. Allaire stated that now was the right time to address the University’s
Marketing and Branding because of the success of the capital campaign
and the hiring of a new President. He then turned the discussion over
to Mr. Dundon, stating that he was chairing a committee of about 18
people from across campus that would be addressing the University’s
Marketing and Branding initiative.
Mr. Dundon opened his discussion by stating that a consulting team called
MGT America was hired by the University to study the News and Publications
Department. One issue they addressed was UNF’s Marketing. Mr.
Dundon stated that Branding had previously been a negative concept with
most universities but that this was a changing philosophy. He addressed
the question, “Why does UNF need integrated marketing?”
His answer was that UNF needed to compete for the best students and
faculty. He stated that the committee comprised representatives from
every part of the University. Mr. Dundon introduced the four basic P’s
in marketing--price, product, place and promotion. He stated that 75%
of marketing is below the water line and that strategic planning falls
to the Board and the President. He stated that the responsibility of
the Marketing and Branding Committee was to take the University Mission
Statement and create a marketing strategy that would be supportive.
Mr. Dundon then defined the term “Branding.” He stated
that Branding was much more than a logo, it was a promise of who the
University was and what it hoped to accomplish. He stated that the University
Brand must be tied to the UNF’s Mission Statement to be credible,
today as well as five years from now. Mr. Dundon then returned the floor
to Chair Thompson.
Chair Thompson offered the Board’s appreciation to Mr. Dundon
for his efforts and initiative regarding this agenda item. She then
offered the floor to the Director of Governmental Affairs, Ms. Janet
Owen for the Legislative Update.
Legislative Update: Ms. Owen began by stating that
there would be more money available from the Legislature than was previously
predicted. She stated that during the November 7, 2003 Legislative Conference,
the funds appropriated for spending was $161 million recurring and $1.8
billion nonrecurring. Ms. Owen stated that the next Legislative Conference
dedicated to revenue estimating would most likely be held in March and
this Conference would determine which allocations would be made to the
various budget subcommittees. She then listed the additional spending
requirements for the 2004-2005 fiscal year, which were Medicaid, class
size, Article V Funding, student enrollment, prisons and an increase
in the retirement contributions.
Ms. Owen next presented the new enrollment funding for the community
colleges. She stated that on January 15, 2004, Governor Bush announced
a $104 million increase for the community colleges. This would be the
largest increase in 14 years.
Ms. Owen then outlined the Governor’s 2004-2005 Fiscal Year budget
recommendations:
· $22.3 million would fund the current backlog in
academic matching grants of private donations for funding scholarships,
loans, need-based grants and scientific and technical equipment.
· $8.5 million would fund the backlog in facility matching grants
of private donations for funding high priority instructional and community-related
facilities.
· $6.4 million would fund five community colleges and allow them
to offer targeted baccalaureate degrees including education, nursing
and business administration.
· $20 million would fund new “Centers of Excellence”
in the university systems.
Ms. Owen listed several Legislative hot topics. These were class size,
UPK (education for every 4-year old in Florida), water supply for the
State, BRAC (base military package) and high-speed rail. She stated
that the Florida Chamber of Commerce had listed reform at the top of
their Advocacy Agendas for 2004. She then listed proposed Constitutional
Amendments for the November 2004 ballot. These included health care,
truth and justice in the Courts, lowering the voting age to 16, legalizing
marijuana, requiring Legislators to teach in their school districts
four days per year, class size and high-speed rail.
Ms. Owen concluded her presentation by stating that the next Florida
Board of Governors meeting would be January 22, 2004. She provided the
Board with an Agenda for that meeting.
Follow-up President’s Inauguration: Chair Thompson
addressed this agenda item by stating that this was the first Presidential
Inauguration for the Board. She then turned the floor to Dr. Allaire.
He stated that the Inauguration would be funded by private support.
He then turned the floor over to Ms. Ashton. She pointed the Board to
a packet of information she had provided them, outlining the events
surrounding the Inauguration. President Delaney stated that the celebration
would be a great opportunity to expose the University. He stated that
all four past UNF presidents would be at the Inauguration.
Adjournment: Chair Thompson asked if there was any
further discussion. She stated that the next meeting would be a planning
meeting and this meeting was scheduled for February 13, 2004. The meeting
was adjourned.
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