Board of Trustees Recap for Aug. 22: Trustees Approve Supplemental 2014 Operating & Capital Budget Requests

August 26, 2013

Paul Cocke

Office of Communications and Marketing

Editor’s Note: After each Board of Trustees meeting, Western Today provides a recap of decisions and discussion.

 

Trustees Approve Supplemental 2014 Operating & Capital Budget Requests

On Aug. 22, the Board of Trustees approved supplemental operating and capital budget requests to the state Legislature for 2014.

The capital funding request is for Western’s top priority project, the Carver Academic Renovation, which was not funded by the Legislature in the 2013-15 Biennial Capital Budget. However, due to continued critical life safety and preservation issues, funding for this project will be requested by Western during the Legislature’s 2014 Supplemental Session.

The trustees also approved an operating budget request to the Legislature to support a proposed new Next Generation Elementary Math and Science Education program. “This is a compelling proposal given the needs of the state,” said Provost Brent Carbajal.   

And the trustees also passed a motion thanking outgoing Trustee Dennis Madsen for his passionate support for Western as a trustee and in many other areas that have strengthened the university.

“Dennis has made such an outstanding contribution to this university,” Board Chair Peggy Zoro said.

“This has been a remarkable nine years for me,” said Madsen, adding that he has been “truly blessed” to be a trustee and promised continued involvement with Western.

In other business, the trustees:

  • Welcomed Heather Flaherty to the board as the student trustee.
  • Heard a report from President Bruce Shepard on a trip he and a delegation from Western made to Asia earlier this summer.
  • Welcomed Brent Carbajal, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs; Jack Herring, dean of Fairhaven College; LeaAnn Martin, dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and Kit Spicer, interim dean of the College of Fine and Performing Arts.
  • Heard a presentation on “Retention Strategies for the At-Risk Student” by Renee Collins, associate dean of students and director of Student Outreach Services; Steven VanderStaay, vice provost for Undergraduate Education; and Sara Wilson, special assistant to the senior vice president and vice president for Enrollment and Student Services.
  • Heard an update on WWU’s comprehensive campaign from Stephanie Bowers, vice president for University Advancement.
  • The dates for the next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees are Oct. 10, 11, 2013.