SPECIAL MEETING OF THE WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES HELD VIA TELEPHONE CONFERENCE CALL
December 8, 2010
The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University met by telephone on December 8, 2010. Chairman Warren called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
ATTENDANCE
The following members of the Board were on the conference call: Mr. Warren, Mr. Worley,
Mr. Kiser, Mrs. MacNeill, Mr. Little, Ms. Saunooke, Mr. Dorsey, Mr. Metcalf, Mr. Forsyth,
Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Wyche, and Mr. Broadwell.
The following members of the Board were absent from the conference call: Dr. Siegel.
Also present on the call: Chancellor Bardo, Mr. Wooten, Ms. Brendell, Dr. Miller, Mr. Fowler, Mr. Edwards, Ms. Lochner, Mr. Studenc, Mr. Clifton Metcalf, Ms. Lynch, and Ms. Welch, Assistant Secretary to the Board of Trustees.
TUITION AND FEE INCREASES
Mr. Warren explained that, at the previous Board meeting, the Board had decided to
postpone the vote on tuition and fee increases in order to get more information.
He complimented the staff on their due diligence in providing that additional information.
Mr. Broadwell moved that the Board approve the tuition and fee recommendations totaling 8.2% as presented. Mr. Forsyth seconded the motion. Discussion followed. Mr. Forsyth and Mr. Worley expressed their reluctance to raise tuition and fees but, as Mr. Worley explained, “We are damned if we do but horribly damned if we don’t.”
Mr. Dorsey stated that he met with the SGA on Monday night and the group looked through the proposal and the additional information again. He stated that the Senate is in support of an increase but would recommend a smaller increase than proposed. Dr. Bardo explained that the additional percentage increase over 6.5% is the catch-up that is being allowed this year by General Administration.
Mr. Worley moved to amend the current motion on the table, and Mr. Kiser seconded the amendment as follows: Following a full discussion of the various considerations on the subject of the existing tuition at WCU and the needs of the University, and considering the overriding goal of preserving the quality of the education received by its students, Mr. Worley moved that the Board approve a proposed 8.2% tuition increase and schedule of fees for the 2011-2012 academic year. Mr. Kiser seconded the motion. The majority of the Board approved the motion. Further, by majority vote the Board recommended that this 8.2% increase could be reduced to 6.5% provided and contingent upon the Board of Governors indicating a willingness to extend the four year period for the "catch up" provision as provided in the final paragraph of the 1 November 2010 Board document entitled: "The University of North Carolna. Tuition and Fee Increases - A Second Four Year Plan."
Mr. Wooten expressed that it would be a good idea next year for the Board to, as it has done in the past, discuss proposed tuition and fee increases at the Board retreat. That way, if there are concerns, the staff would have more time to address them and the Board more time to discuss them.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mr. Warren adjourned the meeting at 8:25 a.m.