Minutes for the Utah State Board of Regents, December 22, 1970

Minutes of meeting, Utah State Board of Regents, University Club Building, Salt Lake City, Utah, December 22, 1970

92 MINUTES OF MEETING UTAH STATE BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION University Club Building, Salt Lake City, Utah December 22, 1970 Board Members Present Peter W. Billings, Chairman Donald B. Holbrook, Vice-Chairman Richard L. Evans George C. Hatch Ira A. Huggins Richard J. Maughan Merrill J. Millett Mrs. Jean Overfelt Luke G. Pappas Charles E. Peterson Roy W „ Simmons H. Bruce Stucki Nathan C. Tanner Board Members Excused Warren H. Bulloch (111) Henry R. Hurren (Absent from State) Staff Present G. Homer Durham, Commissioner Leon R. McCarrey, Associate Commissioner S. Bertell Bunker, Associate Commissioner Harden R. Eyring, Assistant Commissioner B. Jackson Wixom, Jr., Information Officer Joyce B. Fox, Secretary Others Present Institutional Officers Present University of Utah President James C. Fletcher John A. Dixon, Executive Vice President Utah State University President Glen Lo Taggart R. Gaurth Hansen, Provost Lee B. Stenquist, Assistant Provost for Institutional Analysis and Planning Claude J. Burtenshaw, Vice President, Student Affairs Dee A. Broadbent, Vice President, Business W. Rolfe Kerr, Assistant to the President for University Relations Weber State College Robert A. Clarke, Administrative Vice President Helmut P. Hofmann, Academic Vice President James R. Foulger, Business Vice President Southern Utah State College President Royden C. Braithwaite Conrad V. Hatch, Vice President for Academic Affairs Snow College President Floyd S. Holm Lee R. Thompson, Business Manager Dixie College President Ferron C. Losee College of Eastern Utah President Dean Mo McDonald Utah Technical College/Salt Lake President Jay L. Nelson Utah Technical College/Provo President Wilson W. Sorensen Lavor K. Chaffin, Deseret News John Cummins, Salt Lake Tribune Cliff Thompson, Ogden Standard Examiner Duane V. Cardall, KCPX Lynn Packer, KSL-TV Steve Groves, KUTV 93 Chairman Peter W. Billings called the meeting to order at 1:35 p.m. The minutes of the meeting of November 24, 1970, were approved as distributed. COMMISSIONER'S REPORT Meeting With Legislative Budget and Audit Committee, December 10, 1970 Commissioner Durham reported that he and Associate Commissioner Bunker, together with Executive Vice President John A. Dixon and other institu-tional representatives of the University of Utah, had met with the Joint Budget and Audit Committee of the Legislature on December 10, 1970, to discuss further the problems of finances at Dixie College and the University of Utah Hospital. He assured the Board that resolution of the issues involved was proceeding in good order through the cooperation of the institutions involved. He reported, however, some concerns of the Committee which could also concern the Board: 1» The Committee seems to feel that the Board should require reports from and give approval of all fund transfers made at the University of Utah concerning the University Hospital. 2. The Committee seems to want to be more fully informed as to the amount and nature of the deficit at the University Hospital. (It assumes the deficit was really $3,451,809 on June 30, 1970, and not $1,120,178. The University, pursuant to the work of an auditing firm, is providing information.) 3. The Committee feels that the administrative, as well as the financial situation, of the University Hospital, warrants definitive clarification. 94 4. The Committee appears to welcome (and may possibly insist on) a report as to when, and how much, the Legislature may have to appropriate to meet Hospital deficits. 5. The Committee expressed its desire to know at all times of deficits at any institutions in the Utah System of Higher Education affecting (or which may affect) state finances. 6. The Committee appears to expect direct oversight and follow-up of financial operations at all institutions, on the part of the Commissioner's office, and, the effectuation of the uniform accounting mandate contained in the Higher Education Act of 1969. Commissioner Durham said he feels, on this point, that direct oversight and follow-up of internal financial operations is the primary responsibility of the president of each institution. Albeit, the Commissioner's office will be happy to collaborate and assist presidents of institutions in discharg-ing such primary responsibility. He proposes to meet obligations of the Com-missioner's office in the following broad ways: 1. Revise and, if possible, simplify the budget process using basic formulas, with differential applications (reflecting role and program) for (a) the two universities, (b) the two four-year colleges, (c) the three community colleges, and (d) the two technical colleges. 2. Reduce the staff time spent previously in budget analysis, and reallocate some of that time towards (a) collaboration with the institutions in developing and maintaining the uniform accounting system, (b) in field visits, and (c) in special institutional studies of system-wide interest and value, underlying the major concerns of the Board and the Commissioner's office. 95 Commissioner Durham assured the Board that with respect to the current concerns regarding finances at the University Hospital, the University Administra-tion was devoting a great deal of time,, He referred to an additional document from Vice President Ted E. Davis, dated December 16, 1970, and to a letter, dated December 21, 1970, from Governor Calvin L. Rampton requesting the State Auditor, the Commissioner, the Director of the Department of Social Services, Vice President Davis, the State Finance Director, and the Legislative Analyst to meet in his office Monday, December 28, to further review this particular matter. Proposal for Study of Two-Year Programming at the Utah Technical Colleges Commissioner Durham stated his belief that the time had arrived for his staff, especially on behalf of the Planning Committee of the Board, to make a study of full two-year programming at Utah Technical College/Salt Lake and Utah Technical College/Provo, in line with the Master Plan working document adopted by the Board September 11, 1970. Assistant Commissioner Eyring will begin the study and collect data for the Planning Committee, after which that Committee will want to have conversations, make referrals to the Curriculum and Roles Committee and Vocational and Technical Training Committee, and possibly hold joint meetings thereafter with the State Board for Vocational Education. Annual Report The first annual report is in press. Copies have been promised before the opening of the 1971 Legislature. 96 COMMITTEE REPORTS Budget and Finance Committee Artificial Heart Test and Evaluation Center - University of Utah Research Park. Chairman Roy W. Simmons reported that since the last meeting of the Board, financing has been arranged for the Artificial Heart Test and Evaluation Center. The LDS Church provided one-half of a $2,500,000 loan (or $1, 250, 000), and the Kennecott Copper Corporation Retirement Committee, through Morgan Guarantee Trust, provided one-half of the loan to the University of Utah Research Foundation. Mr. Holbrook commented that this matter was reviewed in great depth in a committee meeting of the whole Board, and that it was his feeling that the arrangements worked out by Mr. Simmons are highly beneficial to the Univer-sity of Utah and the Research Park, and he is to be highly commended for his efforts in this regard. Mr. Holbrook offered a motion to ratify and confirm the actions of the Chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee in promoting the prompt fulfillment of the obligation of obtaining funds for construction of the Artificial Heart Test and Evaluation Center. Mr. Stucki seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved. Mr. Peterson asked whether the construction contract had been signed. President Fletcher replied that it had been signed and that construction had begun. Mr. Peterson asked whether the University of Utah would have control and ownership of the building at the end of ten years „ Chairman Billings explained that the University of Utah is leasing land to the University of Utah Research Foundation, a non-profit corporation, which, in turn, has entered 97 into a contract for the construction of the building and will lease the building to the United States Government (National Heart Institute) for a period of ten years, under terms of which the rental payments will amortize the borrowing by the Research Foundation. The University of Utah Research Foundation, therefore, is the owner of the building; the University of Utah is a lessor of land. Chairman Simmons commended President Fletcher and Vice Presidents Ted E. Davis (Finance) and William S. Partridge (Research) for their sustained efforts in promoting and securing the Artificial Heart Test and Evaluation Center, which will benefit the entire community. Registration of Bonds. Chairman Simmons referred to a question raised by Utah State University relative to a request of one of its bond holders for registration of the bond. He expressed the opinion that ministerial matters of this type would best be handled by the institutional councils, and offered a motion to refer the particular question at hand to the Utah State University Institutional Council to work out details of the bond registration; and that, in the future, the problem of registration of bonds issued by the various institu-tions, after they have been approved by this Board, be matters for the parti-cular institutional councils« Mr. Millett seconded the motion; it was unani-mously approved. Curriculum and Roles Committee Meteorology Programs - University of Utah and Utah State University. Chairman Richard J. Maughan reported that the Committee recommended that action by the Board on the study of undergraduate and graduate programs in 98 Meteorology at Utah State University and the University of Utah be postponed until the January 1971 Board meeting. Anthropology Programs - Utah State University and University of Utah. Chairman Maughan offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Pappas, to approve the Committee recommendations, as follows: 1. That the Board not approve the Utah State University request for authorization to offer an undergraduate major in Anthropology. 2. That Utah State University be authorized to retain the graduate courses presently offered in Anthropology as support for graduate programs in Sociology. 3. That the University of Utah be given exclusive jurisdiction over graduate programs and course work in Anthropology. Other institutions within the Utah System of Higher Education should not develop graduate programs in this area. The above recommendations were made after consultation with Utah State University officials. The matter will be reviewed in two or three years. The motion was unanimously approved. Discontinuance of M.S. and Ph.D. Degrees in Pharmacognosy - University of Utah. On motion of Chairman Maughan, seconded by Mr. Millett, the University of Utah was authorized to discontinue the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Pharmacognosy. Proposed "Skills Centers" at Weber State College and Utah Technical College /Salt Lake. Chairman Maughan reported that the Committee recom-mends that Board action to designate Weber State College and Utah Technical 99 College/Salt Lake as Skills Centers be deferred until the January or February Board meeting. Weber State College has requested additional time (to January 15, 1971) to complete a proposal concerning the precise role they would be required to assume. Chairman Maughan moved that the Utah Technical College at Salt Lake be requested to prepare a proposal, by January 15, 1971, for consideration by the Curriculum and Roles Committee, indicating the breadth and scope of the roles which they would be required to assume if they were designated by the State Board of Higher Education as a Skills Center. The motion, seconded by Mr. Hatch, was unanimously approved. Discontinuance of the Department of Mining and Geological Engineering University of Utah. Chairman Maughan offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Huggins, to approve the discontinuance of the Department of Mining and Geological Engineering (as an administrative entity), effective July 1, 1971, at the University of Utah. The motion involves a consolidation from four to three departments, no elimination of degrees or programs. The motion was unanimously approved. Action Concerning "Programs" Listed in Institutional Catalogs and Bulletins Which Have Not Been Offered for Two Years or More. On motion of Chairman Maughan, seconded by Mr. Tanner, the Board unanimously approved the following Committee recommendations: 1. That all programs which are presently listed in institutional bulletins and/or catalogs and which have not been offered during the past 100 two years (academic years 1969-70 and 1970-71) be removed from all documents before the printing of the 1971-72 annual institutional catalog. 2o A list of those programs to be discontinued should be submitted to the Commissioner's office by January 15, 1971. 3. All programs removed from catalogs and bulletins because of the two-year "no offer clause, " would be subject to the same Board approval as any new program. Recruitment Study. The Curriculum and Roles Committee recommended that a Recruitment Study completed in the Commissioner's office remain in Committee until such time as it has been fully reviewed by each institution and the Committee has had an opportunity to discuss the report with institutional representatives and formulate a plan of action. Capital Facilities Committee Exchange of Property Between Weber State College and the Catholic Church, The Board on July 28, 1970, approved the purchase by Weber State College of the Catholic property located on Harrison Boulevard, on which the Newman Center is located. The Catholic Church is purchasing the Edvalson and Fishburn properties near the north boundary of the campus on which to locate a new Newman Center. In the newly-acquired Catholic property, a pie-shaped wedge extends into the Weber State College campus near the heating plant, which land the College needs. Adjacent to it, and to the south, is a pie-shaped wedge which is owned by the College and which has little value to the campus itself. It is recommended, as part of the overall transaction, to transfer to the Catholic Church from Weber State College a triangular piece 101 of property with legs approximately 77.8 feet and 79 feet and hypotenuse 113 feet (3, 036 square feet) and to accept transfer from the Catholic Church to Weber State College of a triangular piece with legs approximately 41 feet and 37.3 feet and hypotenuse 56 feet (1,044 square feet). Chairman Ira Ao Huggins moved that Weber State College be authorized to effect the exchange of property with the Catholic Church. The motion, seconded by Mr. Millett, was unanimously adopted. Technology Building - Utah Technical College/Salt Lake. Chairman Huggins offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Evans, to approve plans and specifications for the new Technology Building at Utah Technical College/Salt Lake, which was unanimously approved by the Board. President Nelson displayed a drawing of the proposed five-story building. The bid date is December 29, 1970, in the Governor's Board Room. President Nelson stated it is hoped to begin construction in February and to complete the building in time for utilization in September 1972. The building has been approved by the State Building Board and by the State Board for Vocational Education,, The 1970 Legislature appropriated $800,000 for the new Technology Building; the remainder of the State appropriation is included as Item No. 1 in the Board's request to the State Building Board for the 1971 Legislature. Sports Arena - Weber State College. The matter of a possible sports arena at Weber State College, which is creating some public controversy, has not come before the Board or the Office of the Commissioner. 102 Feasibility of Utah Holiday Basketball Tournament. Mr. Holbrook suggested the possibility of a holiday tournament between the major universities and colleges in Utah. He moved that the Board ask the presidents of the University of Utah, Utah State University and Weber State College to meet and discuss the feasibility of such a tournament, including the possibility of an invitation to Brigham Young University to participate in the tournament, as well as participation by some otiier institutions from time to time, including the wisdom of transferring the tournament among institutions, and an estimate of the financial soundness of such a tournament. Mr. Tanner seconded the motion; it was unanimously approved,, Invitation to University of Utah-Utah State University Basketball Game. Chairman Billings announced that on January 21, 1971, there will be a program sponsored jointly by Utah State University, the University of Utah, and the State Board of Higher Education, which will include a reception for the Governor and members of the Legislature, and attendance at a basketball game between the two universities, to be held at the University of Utah Special Events Center. Planning Committee Chairman Charles E. Peterson said the Planning Committee will work actively on the study of two-year programming at the technical colleges as discussed earlier by Commissioner Durham, The Committee is continuing a study of enrollment projections. Vocational and Technical Training Committee Policy Statement on Vocational and Technical Education. Chairman George C. Hatch called attention to the draft of a proposed policy statement 103 on vocational-technical education, which was discussed at a meeting of this Board and the State Board for Vocational Education, November 13, 1970, and to a revised draft adopted December 11, 1970, by the State Board for Vocational Education. Chairman Hatch offered a motion to adopt the statement of policy on vocational and technical education with the minor changes recommended by the State Board for Vocational Education; Mrs. Overfelt seconded; the motion was unanimously approved. The text of the policy statement is filed with official records in the office of the Commissioner. Manpower Planning Council. Chairman Hatch proposed a resolution commending the Manpower Planning Council for its action in recommending that existing educational institutions (Weber State College and Utah Technical College /Salt Lake) provide educational programs to meet the manpower training needs of the State of Utah, rather than to create a third structure that would conflict with existing institutions. This does not commit the Board to specific curricula or final determination of secondary and post-secondary school pro-grams. Mr. Stucki seconded the motion; the resolution was unanimously adopted. Need for Additional Staff to Serve Vocational Education. Chairman Hatch called attention to the fact that some $30,000,000 in federal funds is spent annually in Utah for specialized vocational and technical training. The State Board of Education has some 17 full-time specialists in this area as far as secondary schools are concerned and, to a degree, post-secondary schools. He suggested that it may require specialized manpower on the staff of the Commissioner to assist the Curriculum and Roles Committee and the Voca-tional and Technical Training Committee to determine the roles of individual 104 institutions in vocational education. Since the Manpower Planning Council has responded to the Board's desire by recommending that existing institutions meet the manpower training needs in Utah, Mr. Hatch said the Committee hopes that the Board's budget for 1971-72 could include provisions for the employment of a full-time specialist in vocational-technical education. Representative on Executive Committee of Manpower Planning Council. Chairman Hatch offered a motion to request the Manpower Planning Council to amend its bylaws to include a representative of the Commissioner of Higher Education to serve on the Executive Committee of that Council. Mr. Tanner seconded and the motion was unanimously approved. Surplus Equipment Commissioner Durham called attention to a letter, dated December 14, 1970, from Mr. Howard Lo Blood, Utah Public Relations Manager of Mountain Bell, announcing the availability of surplus Series 756 PBX switchboards, on a request basis, to universities and colleges; and advised presidents interested to communicate directly with Mr. Blood's office. Proposed Legislation Submitted to Governor Chairman Billings referred to a letter from Governor Rampton, addressed to all state department heads, stating that he had reviewed the recommended legislation proposed by the various state agencies, and, with some exceptions, had approved it for submittal to the Legislature. The Governor expressed his desire that "department heads and staff avoid lobbying the members of the Legislature during the 39th session. If requested by the Legislature to provide 105 data or information, please furnish such information promptly. If your opinion is sought by legislators regarding any matter before the Legislature, you should give such opinion frankly and openly, whether or not it conforms to my own opinion. " Mr. Billings suggested that if any institutions are asked their opinion, they should frankly and openly express it. Resolution on the Death of Clyde N. Randall Mr. Holbrook proposed the following resolution expressing condolences to Dr. Randall's family and recognizing his excellent career and important contributions to higher education in Utah. Mr. Billings seconded; the resolution was adopted unanimously. WHEREAS, Clyde No Randall exemplified the finest qualities of academic life, serving Utah higher education through four decades at the University of Utah, and WHEREAS, as an administrative officer, Professor, Chairman of Departments and Divisions of Accounting and Business Administration, and Dean of the College of Business, he contributed greatly to the University of Utah and to the business and professional leadership of the nation, and WHEREAS, his example of integrity and devotion to duty was unexcelled, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Utah State Board of Higher Education, at its regular meeting this Twenty-second day of December, Nineteen Hundred and Seventy, does record its appreciation for his life of service, observe with sorrow and regret his untimely passing, and extend to Mrs. Randall, his family, and associates, this resolution of sympathy and respect. INSTITUTIONAL REPORTS University of Utah University Hospital Finances. President Fletcher reported for the record that the State Auditor has made a request to Kenneth J, Hansen, Chief Accountant, Utah State Finance Department, "to recover funds transferred 106 to the University of Utah by State Warrant No. 256921, in the amount of $650,000, and dated July 31, 1970" (ref. U.C.A. 67-3-3). The University of Utah has not received the request. If it is necessary to return the advance prematurely, the University Hospital will face a financial crisis. Southern Utah State College Air Force ROTC Unit. President Braithwaite reported that for 16 years from August 1949 to June 1965, Southern Utah State College had an active unit of the Air Force ROTC. At its termination, a letter was left with the Air Force stating that if ever they would like to reactivate the unit, to contact the College. The Air Force has selected 20 institutions in the United States, including Southern Utah State College, at which it wishes to reactivate ROTC units. The Air Force worked rapidly; a contract was received yesterday. President Braithwaite and staff will work closely with the Curriculum and Roles Committee and the Office of the Commissioner to give full consideration to ratification of the contract. The Air Force proposes to begin operation of the reactivated unit in September 1971. College of Eastern Utah Vocational-Technical Training for High School Seniors. President McDonald reported that some years ago the College of Eastern Utah made a commitment to the Carbon County School District to train some high school students, in their senior year, on the College of Eastern Utah campus in vocational areas--cosmetology, auto mechanics, welding and machine shop. The School District now anticipates an expansion of that program from the present enrollment of 68 to 150 from Carbon County, with an additional 50 107 students from Emery County, for a total of 200 participants in the program. Due to population restraints, as well as financial limitations and lack of facilities, it is impractical for the College and the high schools to have facilities covering the same types of courses. Consistent with the commit-ment to the community, President McDonald said he feels that this is an area in which the College of Eastern Utah very definitely should be active. Present facilities at the College are inadequate for an expanded program. Carbon County School District has pledged $100, 000 to help build a new facility on campus should further cooperation and needs warrant such expansion. Utah Technical College/Salt Lake President Nelson, on behalf of Utah Technical College/Salt Lake and Utah State University, presented a gavel to the Chairman, inscribed with the name of the Utah State Board of Higher Education. The meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m.