Recap of June 9 and 10 Board of Trustees meeting

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

WWU Trustees Approve Operating and Capital Budgets

The Western Washington University Board of Trustees on June 10 approved the university’s 2011-12 operating budget, tuition rates for 2011-13, and the university’s 2011-13 capital budget.

The 2012-13 operating budget will be reviewed during the course of the coming year and offered to the trustees for their approval next June.

“In response to substantial state funding cuts, the campus community has worked collaboratively to make strategic choices to preserve investment in outstanding academic quality, which is a hallmark of Western,” said board Chair Dennis Madsen.

During the next biennium, Western will be implementing operating budget priorities, based on a bottom-up budget process on campus over the past year, that will best ensure continued strong academic programs that meet the needs of the state.

“We are committed to meeting the highest priority needs on campus to protect Western’s excellence and our students’ access to it. Budget decisions made by our campus and trustees ensure that Western goes forward in the strongest possible ways,” said WWU President Bruce Shepard.

For more information see: http://news.wwu.edu/go/doc/1538/1110635/ and the University Planning & Budgeting website.

In other action, the trustees:

Approved 2011-2012 student fees and academic self-sustaining program fees

Approved a resolution that endorses the WWU Foundation’s decision to proceed with a comprehensive campaign in support of Western and endorsed the recommendation of the Foundation Board of Directors that Western launch the quiet phase of its comprehensive campaign. The trustees also heard an update on the outcomes of the comprehensive campaign feasibility study from Aggie Sweeny of the Collins Group and Stephanie Bowers, vice president for University Advancement.

Heard a presentation on a potential gift in place of design and construction of a softball field and design of a multipurpose field on South Campus.

Approved, upon the recommendation of the president, the naming of a piano studio within the CFPA in honor of Richard E. Clark and the naming of the new Steinway Grand piano in honor of Ford D. Hill.

Approved the 2011-13 Internal Audit Schedule.

Discussed a presentation on “Stable Funding for Public Higher Education in Washington: Exploring Needs, Dimensions, Options”

Heard an update on the rapidly changing nature of university bookstores by Western Associated Bookstore general manager Peg Godwin and Linda Beckman, division director of budget and administration for Student Affairs and Academic Support Services.

Heard an update on Western’s new dining contract. Aramark is the new vendor. Eileen Coughlin, vice president for Student Affairs and Academic Support Services, said that once the new contract is signed between Western and Aramark that additional details will be provided to the campus, including on new dining platforms.

The trustees also recognized:

Arlan Norman, who is retiring as founding dean of the College of Sciences and Technology. For more information about Dean Norman’s many accomplishments at Western, please see: Arlan Norman to Retire as Dean of College of Sciences and Technology at WWU.

Lynda Goodrich, director of Athletics, who noted the remarkable accomplishments of Western’s student athletes. Goodrich introduced Women’s Crew Coach John Fuchs and members of the Women’s Rowing Team, which captured a seventh straight team title at the 10th annual NCAA Division II Women's Rowing National Championships. Ranked No.1 nationally in the U.S. Rowing/Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association NCAA II Poll all season long, the Vikings received every first-place vote throughout the season. Their string of seven national team titles is unprecedented in any rowing division since the NCAA began a championship in 1997. For more information, please see: WWU captures seventh straight title at NCAA II Nationals.

Goodrich also introduced Track and Field Coach Pee Wee Halsell and national title-winning athletes. Over Memorial Day weekend, Western had an historic performance at the NCAA Division II National Outdoor Track and Field Championships with three student-athletes, all seniors, winning national titles. It began with Sarah Porter placing first in the women’s 10,000 meters by nearly half a lap with a meet record time of 33:17.39, the fourth fastest in NCAA II history. The national title was the first for Porter, regarded as the greatest distance runner in school history, who earned 12 All-America honors during her four-year career, going to nationals four times each in three sports. Her national time automatically qualified her for the USA Championships later this month at Eugene, Ore. Last year, she became the school’s first athlete ever to compete in that meet. Monika Gruszecki had a personal-best throw of 163 feet 6 inches, nearly seven feet further than her previous best, to win the women’s javelin national crown. She had already won a national title as a freshman in 2007 and placed second in 2008. Just a couple hours later, Ryan Brown cleared 17-1 3/4 to successfully defend his men’s pole vault national title, a feat he also accomplished at indoor nationals in late March. Brown’s total of four national championships is a school record. Brown, a four-time All-American, was named the NCAA II National Indoor Male Field Athlete of the Year and the West Region Indoor Male Field Athlete of the Year for the third straight year. He also was the GNAC indoor and outdoor Male Athlete of the Year. For more information please see Western’s Athletics website.

Recognized WWU being awarded Outstanding Delegation at the National Model United Nations in New York City.  This was the sixth time WWU has attended the conference and the second time receiving Outstanding Delegation, the highest recognition in the conference. Western’s MUN has previously won Distinguished Delegation in 2010, Outstanding Delegation in 2009 and Honorable Mention in 2008. WWU represented Portugal for the second time and discussed issues ranging from nuclear energy, conventional weapons, peace and security, development and human rights.

Western’s Athletics Program for winning the Great Northwest Athletic Conference All-Sports Championship.

Outgoing Faculty Senate President Scott Pearce for his leadership. Pearce will be succeeded as Faculty Senate president by faculty member Karen Stout.

Outgoing Student Trustee Ramiro Espinoza, a graduate student at Western, for his service as trustees and his leadership in many capacities – including as former AS president – to the university. His successor as student trustee on the board has not yet been named by the governor.

Outgoing AS president Colin Watrin for his leadership. Watrin introduced the trustees to incoming AS president Anna Ellermeier and other new AS officers.

Board materials are available online. Click on the subject heading to read about that topic.