WWU trustees discuss budgeting for the 2011-13 biennium

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

The Western Washington University Board of Trustees on Thursday, April 14, discussed budgeting challenges facing Western in the midst of continuing state funding cuts. President Bruce Shepard made a presentation that led to a discussion among the trustees.

“These are tough, tough issues,” said Dennis Madsen, chair of the Board of Trustees, who added that the efforts of students, faculty, alumni and staff in supporting Western was “making a difference” with legislators.

The trustees noted that Gov. Gregoire as well as the state House and Senate have released operating budgets, all of which cut funding in varying degrees to Western and public higher education in this state. Although the current legislative session is scheduled to end April 24, several trustees said there likely will be a special session before a compromise budget can be reached.

In other action, the trustees:

  • On April 14, heard a presentation on Western’s international programs led by Roger Gilman, dean of Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies and interim director for the Center for International Studies. Also, students who participated in a trip last year to the Dominican Republic led by Associate Professor Larry Estrada described how the experience greatly enhanced their learning experience beyond the classroom.
  • On April 15, approved the: delegation of authority to award a construction contract for residential wireless implementation; delegation of authority to award a construction contract for the completion of the Buchanan Towers addition and the construction contract for the Ridgeway Beta Renovation.
  • The trustees delegated to the board chair the authority to select a recipient of an honorary doctoral degree for Spring Commencement. In accordance with university policy, the Faculty Senate Executive Council is responsible for reviewing nominations and recommending candidates for honorary degrees to President Shepard. President Shepard will, on receipt of nominations, forward his recommendation to the chair of the Board of Trustees.
  • Received a report from the president of the Associated Students on the organization’s first-ever strategic plan, which was adopted in March 2011.
  • Received a verbal report from the chair of the Faculty Senate on bylaw amendments to the Faculty Constitution that were recently approved by the Faculty Senate.
  • Approved Housing and Dining Rates for 2011-12.
  • Approved amendments to the internal audit policy and procedure.
  • Received an update on the ongoing feasibility study for a proposed comprehensive campaign. Also discussed possible revisions to the policy on the naming of university facilities in honor of an individual or group of individuals.
  • Received an update on the 2011-13 Capital Budget request.
  • Received an update on various pending bills, as well as the budgets, being considered by the state legislature.
  • Engaged in a conversation with graduate students from the Corporate Governance, MBA 525 class, taught by Professor Craig Dunn. The students observed the Friday morning session as a part of their class experience. Trustees took questions from the students about their roles as trustees. Former WWU Trustee Craig Cole is team-teaching MBA 525 with Dunn. Trustee Phil Sharpe joined the class Monday to do a “debrief” with the students.

The trustees also recognized:

  • Robert Mitchell, faculty member in the Department of Geology since 1996, who has been appointed the first Robert H. and Kathleen Digges Distinguished Professor of Geology. The Digges professorship was established at Western in 2010, in part through an endowment funded by the estate of the late Dr. Kathleen Digges. Dr. Digges was a 1971 graduate of the Geology Department, who went on to medical school and became distinguished in the areas of obstetrics and gynecology. The Digges professorship is awarded to support teaching and research related to engineering geology. Professor Mitchell’s research includes numerical modeling of fluid flow and solute transport in unsaturated ground-water systems, aquifer characterization and the impact of agricultural processes on ground water quality. His teaching expertise includes environmental geology, engineering technology and ground water hydrology. He publishes actively on his research and is a leader in curriculum development and innovation in Western’s Geology Department.
  • Paul Madison, longtime Sports Information Director at Western, who has been selected to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Hall of Fame as part of the 2011 class to be inducted June 28 at Marco Island, Fla. Madison has served as Western's Sports Information Director for 44 years. He initially began sports information work as a student in 1966 and has been with the Department of Athletics ever since. During his time at Western, Madison has seen his field move from one featuring mimeograph machines and game statistics done by hand to web sites and computerized statistics instantly streamed across the world. In 1993, Madison received the Ike Pearson Award, given annually by the NAIA Sports Information Directors Association for outstanding contributions to the profession. He also served as Chair of the GNAC Sports Information Directors Committee for nine years and also served as a member of the CoSIDA Board of Directors in 2000-2001.

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