The Executive Committee of the Board of Visitors met on Monday, July 16, 1990, at 3:00 PM, in the Board Room of the New Administration Building. The following members of the Committee were in attendance:
George Dragas, Jr., RectorJames K. Hall
Ann H. Kilgore
Robert E. Washington
Brenda T. Williams
Also present from the Board of Visitors were:Richard F. Barry III
Gene R. Carter, Sr.
Beverley R. Lawler
Jackson K. Parker
J. Michael Pitchford
Sybil M. Walker
William C. Wiley
Also present were:James V. Koch, President
Dana D. Burnett
Paul J. Champagne
Elizabeth M. Clarke-Heltz
Stephen P. Daniel
Myron S. Henry
E. Wayne Higgins
Ruth C. Jones
Patrick B. Kelly
Kay A. Kemper
Donna W. Meeks
Tara J. Overton
David T. Shufflebarger
Richard A. Staneski
Edward A. Staylor, Jr.
Phil Walzer
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING OF MARCH 12, 1990
Rector Dragas called the meeting to order and asked for approval of the minutes of the Executive Committee meeting of March 12, 1990. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the minutes were approved as distributed.
RECTOR'S REPORT
Rector Dragas reported that since the Governor's Office has not yet announced the board appointments and reappointments, board members have not been assigned to committees. He then introduced President Koch who assumed office on July 1.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
The Rector called on President Koch for his report. President Koch reported that state general fund revenue collections for 1989-90 fell short by approximately $151 million, forcing the State to decrease revenue estimates for 1990-92. As a result, in mid-June, the Department of Planning and Budget requested that state agencies develop plans for budget cuts of one, three or five percent. Such reductions at Old Dominion University would result in cuts totaling $531,023, $1,593,070 or $2,655,117, respectively. He further commented that these possible budget cuts would be in addition to the 5 percent reversion which was reflected in the University's 1990-91 operating budget approved by the Board at their meeting in June. Governor Wilder plans to announce the reduction amount on August 17.
The President reported that the University's plans for dealing with each reduction amount have been mailed to the Governor and other state officials, and to the university community. He then reviewed these plans, which are guided by the following principles: the cuts must be regarded as permanent; academic programs must be protected wherever possible; administrative efficiency must be increased; essential services will be maintained; the current level of student financial aid will be maintained; and ODU must be prepared for 1991-92 and beyond.
The following are options which are available to Old Dominion University: eliminate positions and people through vacancies and terminations; increase tuition; implement a leave without pay program; eliminate or delay the December salary increments; and use of lottery receipts. The President commented that the last four options will be considered with more direction from the Governor's office, but it will be impossible to further reduce budgets without cutting positions, especially since salaries account for 84 percent of the University's total budget.
In considering layoffs, the President commented that the University will be as humane as possible while still following the Board's policies and procedures. Policy requires that there be 90 day's notice for classified employees, 180 day's notice for faculty administrators, and a year's notice for faculty.
President Koch commented that the University has moral and legal obligations that must be met, such as continuing the affirmative action program, paying its lease on the Virginia Beach Graduate Center, and using funds specifically reserved for the Common-wealth Center in Coastal and Physical Oceanography and the academic assessment program. The University is bound to carry out these arrangements. Funds will also be made available to pay the University's share of endowed scholarships.
Until positions are abolished, the University must operate in a fiscally conservative mode. Therefore, a hiring freeze will be put into place (with the exception of faculty positions), equipment allocations will be frozen, and across-the-board reductions will be made in operating budgets. Frozen positions will be subject to an appeals process.
Although a mid-year tuition increase is possible, President Koch commented that this in and of itself is not the solution to the problem. A one percent increase in January, for example, would generate only $150,000. Furthermore, if a tuition increase is considered, it should only be considered in light of the fact that Old Dominion University, almost singly among state institutions, recommended a very modest tuition increase for 1990-91.
President Koch summarized the outcome of each of the reductions as follows, noting that a strong attempt has been made to insulate faculty positions from the cuts. At one percent, 16.3 positions would be abolished, including 4 faculty; 2 administra-tive positions in academic support; 4.5 classified positions in institutional support; 1 classified position and .8 graduate assistant position in student services; and 4 classified positions in maintenance. At three percent, the University would lose 38 positions, including 12 faculty; 2 administrative positions in academic support; 1 administrative and 11.5 classified positions in institutional support; 1 administrative, 2 classified and 1.5 graduate assistant positions in student services; and 7 classi-fied positions in maintenance. At five percent, 66 positions would be abolished, including 12 faculty; 20 classified and 2 administrative positions in academic support; 1 administrative and 18.5 classified positions in institutional support; 2 administrative, 2 classified and 1.5 graduate assistant positions in student services; and 7 classified positions in maintenance.
At the conclusion of his remarks, President Koch called on Dr. Paul Champagne, Faculty Senate Chairman, and Ms. Tara Overton, Student Body President, for their remarks. Dr. Champagne commented that this seems to be a very reasonable response to a bad situation. As long as the University places emphasis on protecting programs and students, the faculty would be behind this approach. It is important, however, that the lines of communication remain open during the entire process. Ms. Overton commented that although it may be premature to say what would be the best course of action, she was pleased to see that there would be no cuts in student financial aid. She would also prefer to see no cuts in faculty or programs, or increased class sizes. In order to protect academics as much as possible, a two, three or four percent tuition increase would not be out of line.
President Koch concluded that these are only tentative plans which depend upon guidance from the Governor. Once guidance is received, it may be necessary to discuss some other possibilities, such as tuition increases and furloughs. "At this stage," he emphasized, "we are trying to be prudent in our planning."
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Rector Barry recognized Dr. Williams, who made the following motion: "Mr. Rector, I move that this meeting be recessed and that we reconvene in Executive Session for the purpose of discussing personnel matters, specifically, personnel whose positions with the University may be abolished due to budget reductions, as permitted by Subsection (A), Paragraph (1), of Section 2.1-344 of the Code of Virginia.
The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
At the conclusion of Executive Session, the meeting reconvened in open session and the Rector asked if there were any members who, in their judgment, felt that they could not certify that (1) only public business matters lawfully exempted from the open meeting requirements under the Freedom of Information Act, were discussed and (2) that only such public business matters as were identified in the motion by which the executive session was convened were heard, discussed or considered? If so, he asked such board member(s) to state specifically what he/she felt the departure was. Hearing no dissent, the Rector asked for certification by a vote of Aye. Board members in favor 12; Board members opposed 0. The vote on certification passed.
CALL FOR NEW BUSINESS
The Rector asked Ms. Kay Kemper to report on plans for President Koch's inauguration. Ms. Kemper briefly reviewed the activities planned for the inauguration, emphasizing that the majority of the activities planned would have taken place otherwise, and have been moved to coincide with the timing of the inaugural ceremony. The Board Reunion and Board Recognition dinners will be combined and held the evening before the inauguration on September 13. The inaugural ceremony will be held on September 14 and will be followed by a luncheon for the platform party, delegates, board members and special guests. The Rector will participate in the inaugural ceremony and will sit on the platform; board members will be invited to march in the proces-sional in academic regalia. Invitations to the various events will be sent to the board members in August. In addition to events planned around the inauguration, the President will also be meeting individually and in small groups with the various university constituencies during the months of July and August to introduce himself and to share his thoughts about the future of Old Dominion University.
With no further business to be discussed, the meeting adjourned.
| Contact Info: | Donna Meeks - dmeeks@odu.edu | Copyright Info: | Copyright(c) 1998
Old Dominion University |
| Last edited by: | | Last edited on: | 10/14/99 05:04:11 PM |
1430 Visitors to this page since 10/14/99