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Home » Board of Regents » Meeting Minutes » 1998

Meeting Minutes - July 1998

Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia
Held At 270 Washington St., S.W., Atlanta, Georgia
July 7 and 8, 1998

CALL TO ORDER

The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia met on Tuesday, July 7 and Wednesday, July 8, 1998 in the Board Room, room 7007, 270 Washington St., S.W., seventh floor. The Chair of the Board, Regent Edgar L. Jenkins, called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7. Present on Tuesday, in addition to Chair Jenkins, were Vice Chair Kenneth W. Cannestra and Regents Thomas F. Allgood, Sr., David H. (Hal) Averitt, Juanita P. Baranco, S. William Clark, Jr., J. Tom Coleman, Jr., Hilton H. Howell, Jr., George M. D. (John) Hunt III, Warren Y. Jobe, Charles H. Jones, Elridge W. McMillan, Edgar L. Rhodes, and Glenn S. White.

ATTENDANCE REPORT

The attendance report was read on Tuesday, July 7 by Secretary Gail S. Weber, who announced that Regent Donald M. Leebern, Jr. had asked for and been given permission to be absent on that day and that Regent Shannon L. Amos would be arriving at the meeting shortly.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion properly made and duly seconded, the minutes of the Board of Regents meeting held on June 9 and 10, 1998 were unanimously approved as distributed.

INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUEST

Chair Jenkins called on Chancellor Portch to make an introduction of a special guest at the Board of Regents meeting.

The Chancellor introduced to the Board Mr. Donald Greene of the Coca-Cola Foundation (the "Foundation"). He stated that Mr. Greene has been a good friend to education and higher education in the State of Georgia. The Foundation has been particularly supportive of the Board's efforts. Chancellor Portch had invited Mr. Greene to this meeting to share a piece of news with the Board of Regents. He then turned the floor over to Mr. Greene.

Mr. Greene thanked the Chancellor and the Chair for this opportunity to represent The Coca-Cola Company ("Coca-Cola") and the Foundation before the Board. He explained that he graduated from the University of Georgia ("UGA") and that he had long admired and appreciated the work of the Board of Regents. He then announced that at the last meeting of the Foundation's board of trustees, a grant of $1 million for the Post-secondary Readiness Enrichment Program ("PREP") and the Study Abroad Program was approved. Over the past three years, the Foundation has had its own initiative called "Keeping Kids in School." This is a national program aimed at helping to reduce dropouts in cities across the United States and to encourage children to stay in school and to go on to college. The Keeping Kids in School initiative is currently reaching 70,000 high school students through 15 projects that are operating in 17 colleges and universities and 20 school districts across the nation. Mr. Greene explained that the three-year period in which the Foundation's initiative has been at work is the same period that the Board's PREP initiative has taken hold of the State. He said that he has served on the P-16 Council and on the board of the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education. Through both of these initiatives, he has seen first-hand the seamless system of education in the State of Georgia and the importance of the business community to the work of education. He expressed that it was a privilege for him to see the merger of the Keeping Kids in School Program and PREP initiatives through this grant to PREP. By making this grant, Coca-Cola is becoming a full partner in PREP. At the same time, Coca-Cola is adding nine colleges and universities to the Keeping Kids in School initiative.

Mr. Greene had asked Chancellor Portch where the $1 million should be put to work. In accordance with the Chancellor's recommendations, the Foundation had decided that, over the next three years, $300,000 would be put into each of three sites. The first site would be Site 3 of PREP, which is anchored by Armstrong Atlantic State University, Coastal Georgia Community College, and Savannah State University. At this PREP site, there are approximately 1,065 students from 15 middle schools in 6 counties in Southeast Georgia, and there are particular development issues that must be addressed with students, including some instances of juvenile crime. The second site would be Site 4 of PREP, which is anchored by Gainesville College and North Georgia College & State University. At this site, 700 middle schools in 16 North Georgia counties are represented, and the issues of racial diversity and language limitations must be addressed, as well as other issues. The third site would be Site 9 of PREP, anchored by Albany State University, Bainbridge College, Darton College, and Georgia Southwestern State University. At this site, there are approximately 1,100 students from 18 county areas, and very basic needs, including transportation, will need to be addressed at this site. Collectively, over 3,600 students will be touched by this grant. Mr. Greene remarked that Coca-Cola is delighted to join the Board of Regents in making it possible to see these students through high school and on to higher education. However, he stressed, selecting these three sites does not mean that Coca-Cola is turning its back on the other institutions in the System. He assured the Board that Coca-Cola is continuing to pursue its work at UGA in the School of Business, at the Georgia Institute of Technology in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, at Georgia State University in the
Andrew Young School of Policy as it starts up, at Columbus State University in the Coca-Cola Space Science Center, and soon at Georgia Southern University in its international business program. So, Coca-Cola is very engaged with the University System, not only in the PREP initiative, but also in many other ways.

The remaining $100,000 of the $1 million grant will, over the next two years, go to the Study Abroad Program. Last year, Coca-Cola gave an initial $50,000 grant. Mr. Greene stated that on January 2, 1998, he visited the Central Office to hear from some of the students who studied abroad last summer. He commented that their stories were very inspirational and that this kind of program will make a difference for Georgia in the years to come. Mr. Greene is already getting letters from students who will be studying abroad this year, and he anticipates that their reports when they return will be just as inspirational.

Mr. Greene attributed Coca-Cola's partnership with the Board of Regents to the efforts of Chancellor Portch. He explained that in March 1998, Chancellor Portch and Chair of the State Board of Education Johnny Isakson had come to a meeting of Coca-Cola-related foundations (foundations that have a considerable amount of Coca-Cola stock in their portfolios) to talk about education and to make the foundations aware of how the business community is linked with the educational systems in the betterment of Georgia. During that meeting, the Chancellor had said, "Leadership: without it, nothing happens." Mr. Greene expressed that Georgia now has leadership with the Governor, the Board of Regents, and the System presidents. He said that the Chancellor, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Jan Kettlewell, and Director of Pre-College Programs Jacqueline R. Michael have also represented solid leadership as they joined with Coca-Cola to improve the PREP and Keeping Kids in School initiatives. Also in March, the first Keeping Kids in School national conference was held in Atlanta. Mr. Greene noted that not only did the conference promote learning from similar projects that are taking place throughout the country, but also representatives from the nine schools he had mentioned were in attendance. So, there was sharing of what is working and what is not working in programs similar to PREP. At that meeting, the hall was dressed with banners, so at this meeting, Mr. Greene presented to the Board a banner from Coca-Cola's Keeping Kids in School Program to commemorate this partnership. All of the schools, both colleges and K-12, will be getting this type of banner. Chancellor Portch came forward and helped Mr. Greene hold up the banner for the Regents to see.

In conclusion, Mr. Greene showed the Board the Foundation's annual report, the front of which read, "We're in the business of refreshing hopes and dreams through education." He stressed that Coca Cola is delighted to join with the Board in this partnership to achieve educational excellence in Georgia.

Chair Jenkins commented that there is no other partnership that is of greater significance for Georgia than this one. He thanked Coca-Cola for its contributions and its promise of future efforts to continue the momentum of these programs.

CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS

After Mr. Donald Greene's presentation to the Board, Chair Jenkins made some remarks to the Board, which were as follows:

I'd like to take this opportunity to indicate some of my hopes and dreams for this next year for the Board of Regents at the University System of Georgia, but first, I need to again thank you for the confidence you showed in electing me Chairman. I've spent a lifetime in public service, and this is a pinnacle for me. Nothing could be more important than ensuring that citizens in Georgia have access to a wonderful higher education system.

On a personal note, it brings my association with Zell Miller full circle. We grew up together, we went to the University of Georgia together, and we both went into a life of politics. So it's special for me to chair the Board during the last few months of his term as Governor. He will go down in history as the greatest education governor this State, and perhaps any state, has ever had.

However, half of my term as your Chair will be under a new Governor, and that, too, attracted me to the chairmanship at this particular time. I had a reputation in Washington -- whether it was truly earned or not might be debatable -- for being able to work with people of many different political backgrounds on goals for the common good, and now in Georgia, there is no greater common good than maintaining the momentum we've created in higher education in Georgia and continuing to increase the quality.

I am confident that this Board can work with whomever is the next Governor and can continue to work with what has been a highly supportive legislature. But we should take none of that for granted. I'm going to ask my fellow Regents to be more active than they've ever been in the past at carrying that message throughout the State. Momentum. Quality. Serving the people of the State. Making a return on their investment. And helping drive the Georgia economy. I'll be talking to you in more detail at a later time on my plans in this regard. I did, though, want to be sure to mention this now because our efforts externally are going to be vitally important.

Related to this, I have begun working with the Chancellor, his staff, and an outstanding subgroup of presidents on our budget request for next year. I want to be sure our budget request reflects those same priorities. I will continue to work with them and all of you over the summer so that we present a strong budget proposal at our September meeting.

While much of our effort will be externally focused this year, there are many items that we must keep moving forward internally. Nothing builds stronger external support than internal success. I want to mention just a couple of those items today.

Our year-long focus will be on the impact of technology on the University System. I'm fascinated by this topic, and my reading suggests it is very timely. I make no claim to be particularly technology-literate. Indeed, my family and former staff are more than a little amused at my choosing this topic.

However, what I do know is that technology is changing our lives every day. I do know that it has huge potential to strengthen learning on campus and to extend learning to whole new audiences off campus. Having spent my life representing a rural district, I know it has particular potential to serve previously underserved areas. I do know that it opens whole new areas of competition and that it reduces geography as defining service boundaries. I do know we have a good infrastructure in Georgia and a significant involvement already. I do know our faculty have been terrific in experimenting with the possibilities. Yet it seems to me that the time is right to have a comprehensive plan for using technology in our System so that we remain a leader and not become a follower.

I also know when to copy a good idea. Tom Allgood's year-long process on enrollment planning and Bill Clark's on teacher preparation were exemplary. We took our time to get educated, to tease out the issues, to listen to national and local experts. Then, we set principles and finally took actions. So, I've asked the Chancellor to plan this process along the same lines. And, if after the year is out, we have established a clear plan and I've also learned to program my VCR, I will consider it a total success.

The other new topic that I'd like us to work on is to assess our readiness to respond to any unique challenge that an increasing Hispanic population in the State might bring to higher education. Certainly, I've seen, both in Gainesville and Dalton, great changes in the demographics of the K-12 schools. We must be certain that we in higher education are proactive not reactive. We must also be certain to think not only about how we serve the students, but also how we help the communities respond. Do we, for example, offer sufficient English as a second language programs? What about Spanish language training? Again, I've got many more questions than answers. So I've asked the Chancellor to appoint a task force, both from within and outside the System, to bring us a report with recommendations.

I hope you will all help me with these two areas in particular. I am also very appreciative of your willingness to do Committee work. From my years in Congress, I know how important good committees are. Also, I want to try a new Committee on Oversight. This, too, I borrow from my Congressional days. It's a committee that looks into matters of great importance that don't fit neatly into any other committee and brings reports and recommendations to the full Board. I'm very grateful that Regent Jones has agreed to chair this Committee, whose first assignment is to assess our year 2000 computer readiness.

I also know that the Regents on the Teaching Hospital Committee under Regent Allgood will be doing extra duty for a while as our members on the Commission to recommend to this Board the vision, mission, goals, and strategies for the academic side of the Medical College of Georgia. I thank them for that very important commitment.

If I don't end my remarks soon, my year will be up!

I want you to know that I've never worked with a better group of people. We enjoy our work and we enjoy each other. That's how I want it to continue. I've rearranged my professional life so that I have the time to dedicate to the Board of Regents. It will be my highest priority. And I'm just so pleased to have the opportunity to work with each of you.

DISCUSSION OF FISCAL YEAR 2000 BUDGET

After Chair Jenkins made his remarks to the Board, he invited Senior Vice Chancellor for Capital Resources Lindsay Desrochers to brief the Board on the fiscal year 2000 budget planning process.

Dr. Desrochers explained that she would be discussing some specifics about next year's budget planning process, but first she wanted Associate Vice Chancellor for Fiscal Affairs William R. Bowes to introduce the topic.

Mr. Bowes thanked Dr. Desrochers and explained that the process has several stages and is interactive. The participants in the process include the Governor, the General Assembly, the Board of Regents, the System presidents and institutions, and the Central Office staff. At this time, the Central Office staff are in the process of developing budget recommendations for next year. They anticipate concluding this process by September, when they will be bringing forward their recommendations to the Board for approval. After that, the budget is submitted to the Governor and his staff at the Office of Planning and Budget ("OPB"), and together with the Central Office staff, they begin examining and developing the defense and justification for the budget requests. Mr. Bowes commented that this budget process will be more complicated than most, because there will be a change in administration midway through the process. While the staff will be developing the requests under one set of guidelines, there may be modifications to those guidelines after the November 1998 elections. The new Governor will be presenting his or her recommendations on the budget to the General Assembly in January 1999. At that point, the staff will launch their annual budget discussion sessions with the 34 System institutions, focusing on Board strategic priorities, enrollment trends, and specific institutional needs. They begin to develop allocation recommendations, while they await legislative action on the proposed budget. The legislature will likely take action on the budget in March 1999, but there is some uncertainty due to the change in administration. Once the legislature has acted, the staff will finalize their recommendations for budget allocations as well as tuition rate increases and fee increases and bring them forward for Board approval in April 1999. The April 1999 Board meeting has been delayed a week, and Mr. Bowes expressed his gratitude, since this ensures that the staff will have sufficient time to review the impact of any last-minute changes and can incorporate those in the allocation recommendations to the Board. Following the April meeting and action on the allocations, the institutions will prepare their formal budgets, which include, in addition to the State appropriation allocations they receive, all other revenue attributed to fees, non-State revenues, and auxiliary enterprise funds. In June 1999, the staff will present to the Board the fiscal year 2000 budgets for all institutions for review and approval. Mr. Bowes reminded the Regents that this was the same process that was completed at the June 1998 meeting, when the Board approved the fiscal year 1999 budget.

In closing, Mr. Bowes reiterated that there are three points in the process where formal action by the Board takes place. In September 1998, the budget request to be sent to the Governor will come forward for Board approval. In April 1999, the allocation of State funds recommendations will be presented to the Board for approval. Finally, in June 1999, the full budget recommendations will be considered for Board approval. However, there are also very important informal elements of the process, particularly that which occurs between when the request is approved in September 1998 and when the General Assembly finally acts in March 1999. There is also the important element of working with the institutions to develop the allocations that will go to each of them. Mr. Bowes then turned the floor back to Dr. Desrochers, who would discuss the budget development process in more detail as well as the Governor's budget guidelines for next year.

Dr. Desrochers stressed that although the Board approvals in April and June seem very similar, they are actually quite different. In April, the Board approves the State funds that come to the University System through the appropriation process as well as the tuition and fee recommendations, and in June, the Board approves a comprehensive budget that includes these elements as well as all other revenue sources available to institutions and projections that they make about those funds. The process has been structured this way for some time, but Dr. Desrochers asserted that this was an important distinction to make from the start.

It is an unusual year for budget planning, explained Dr. Desrochers. This fiscal year, there will be a change in Governor and potentially changes in the General Assembly. It is uncertain where those changes will leave the University System, but the staff must nonetheless move forward with the budget process because OPB has already begun the process.

The first subject Dr. Desrochers wanted to address was the guidelines from the Governor and OPB. In the last three years, Governor Miller and OPB have issued guidelines that have involved the concept of redirection, which simply means that a portion of the base budget, or Resident "A" budget, is identified to be spent for higher priorities. The Governor's Office has always reserved the right to keep any portion of those identified funds in the redirection process, but the University System has been quite fortunate that the Governor has not taken back those funds. This year, OPB is again employing the concept of redirection; however, there is a change in the approach that OPB is using. The Board of Regents is to identify 5% of the University System's base budget, which is $66 million. Then, the Board is to add 3% back to the base budget and inform OPB of what that amount would be. The Board is then to add back to the 4% level but not at the 5% level. Dr. Desrochers explained that the obvious implication of this is that the 1% that is not added back will become available to the State as a pool of money presumably for OPB to present to the new Governor for whatever purpose he or she may decide upon. So, the add-backs cannot go as high as 5%, and therefore, the process is somewhat different than it was last year. Dr. Desrochers noted that the "B" budget is composed of specific line items, such as cooperative extension programs, agricultural experiment stations, hospital and clinics money, the Georgia Institute of Technology's Research Institute, etc. This is roughly a $200 million budget, and the Board must also identify a 5% redirection of funds from this budget and add back only up to 4%.

Dr. Desrochers stated that in addition to the redirection concept, the Governor and OPB will again, in the upcoming year as they have in the past, permit the Board to request State funds beyond the base budget at a level of 4%. That 4% represents $53 million in the "A" budget and $7.6 million in the "B" budget. This has been referred to as "special funding initiatives" by the Central Office staff or "enhancements" by the Governor's Office. Dr. Desrochers remarked that the staff anticipate formulating requests for this funding as well.

The budget process generally begins with receiving the Governor's instructions sometime in May or June. Then by July, the staff are well into the process of developing a strategy. However, the process is always undertaken with the consideration and involvement of the System presidents, noted Dr. Desrochers. The presidents have always participated via a Presidential Advisory Committee which changes each year. The Chancellor appoints different presidents representing different types of institutions. This year, the Presidential Advisory Committee is composed of the following presidents: Michael F. Adams, University of Georgia; David A. Bell, Macon State College; Carlton E. Brown, Savannah State University; James A. Burran, Dalton College; Harry S. Carter (Acting), Georgia Southern University; G. Wayne Clough, Georgia Institute of Technology; Sherman R. Day, North Georgia College & State University; Barbara P. Losty, Waycross College; and Martha T. Nesbitt, Gainesville College. Dr. Desrochers reiterated that the staff are already well into the budget process. The staff have met with the Presidential Advisory Committee a number of times and with the presidents as a whole an additional time. They will also be meeting again in August. Dr. Desrochers remarked that it was good to have Chair Jenkins sit in on a meeting with the committee, because now, he was aware that it is a complex process. However, she assured the Regents that the process has worked well over the last few years and that the presidents feel that they have a role in the process.

Dr Desrochers stressed again that this year, redirection will be a major issue. The strategy that the staff develops will result in some substantial impacts on programs. She reminded the Board that approximately 15% of the University System budget has been redirected over the last three years. This year, the main theme that has emerged in discussions with the presidents and Chair Jenkins is momentum. It is important that the System not lose the gains it has made over the last several years in terms of access, quality of programs, and making sure that Georgia is at the level of excellence that it should be. All of the budget strategies must bring the message to the new Governor and the new General Assembly that the University System cannot lose ground on making itself accessible. The comprehensive enrollment plan is almost ready to be launched, and it must go forward. The System should not lose ground on faculty salaries, because that is a key component of competitiveness for this System and this State. Moreover, the System should not lose ground in the area of technology, which will be the focus of the Strategic Planning Committee in fiscal year 1999.

In closing, Dr. Desrochers stated that the staff will continue to work with the Presidential Advisory Committee. The staff will also be consulting individually with the Regents about the budget strategies as they develop, and by September, the staff will have a budget package ready to bring forward to the Board. She then turned the floor back to Chair Jenkins.

Chair Jenkins thanked Dr. Desrochers and Mr. Bowes and remarked that the Presidential Advisory Committee meeting he attended was outstanding in that the presidents were looking at the needs of the entire System.

Before the Board of Regents recessed for Committee meetings, Chair Jenkins reminded the Regents that Regent Warren Y. Jobe would be formally sworn in at the Governor's Office at 9:00 a.m. the following morning, Wednesday, July 8, 1998.

CALL TO ORDER

The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia met again on Wednesday, July 8, 1998 in the Board Room, room 7007, 270 Washington St., S.W., seventh floor. The Chair of the Board, Regent Edgar L. Jenkins, called the meeting to order at approximately 9:30 a.m., after the swearing in of new Regent Warren Y. Jobe at the Governor's Office. Present on Wednesday, in addition to Chair Jenkins, were Vice Chair Kenneth W. Cannestra and Regents Thomas F. Allgood, Sr., Shannon L. Amos, David H. (Hal) Averitt, Juanita P. Baranco, S. William Clark, Jr., J. Tom Coleman, Jr., Hilton H. Howell, Jr., George M. D. (John) Hunt III, Warren Y. Jobe, Charles H. Jones, Elridge W. McMillan, Edgar L. Rhodes, and Glenn S. White.

INVOCATION

The invocation was given on Wednesday, July 8 by Regent Averitt.

ATTENDANCE REPORT

The attendance report was read on Wednesday, July 8 by Secretary Gail S. Weber, who announced that Regent Donald M. Leebern had asked for and been given permission to be absent on that day.

COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, RESEARCH, AND EXTENSION

The Committee on Education, Research, and Extension met on Tuesday, July 7, 1998 at approximately 1:45 p.m. in room 7014, the Education Committee Room. Committee members in attendance were Chair Edgar L. Rhodes, Vice Chair George M. D. (John) Hunt III, and Regents Thomas F. Allgood, Sr., Shannon L. Amos, Juanita P. Baranco, S. William Clark, Jr., and Elridge W. McMillan. Chair Rhodes reported to the Board on Wednesday that the Committee had reviewed 12 items, 9 of which required action. Additionally, 379 regular faculty appointments were reviewed and recommended for approval. With motion properly made, seconded, and unanimously adopted, the Board approved and authorized the following:

1. Discussion Item: Establishment of the External Associate of Arts and Associate of Science Degrees in Integrative Studies via Distance Learning, Clayton College & State University

Clayton College & State University officials discussed plans to offer the external associate of arts and associate of science degrees in integrative studies via distance learning.

In March 1997, the Board approved Clayton College & State University to offer bachelor of science and bachelor of arts degrees in integrative studies. The institution is now at a point where it can offer the first two years of the degrees, including the core curriculum, almost entirely through the Internet and telecourses. These degrees are broad-based and could theoretically be accessed by individuals anywhere in the State, nation, or world.

This discussion was intended to provide Board members with a unique opportunity to discuss their ideas and objectives for distance education in the University System and to determine the potential role of the Central Office and System institutions in utilizing distance technology.

2. Establishment of the External Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy Degree at Columbus State University, Medical College of Georgia

Approved: The Board approved the request of President Francis J. Tedesco of the Medical College of Georgia ("MCG") to offer the bachelor of science in occupational therapy degree as an external degree in collaboration with Columbus State University, effective July 8, 1998.

Justification: MCG's request to establish external degree programs in allied health fields at Columbus State University is cost-effective, exhibits collaboration between System institutions, and meets regional needs. The institutions are in a better position to offer requisite programming without incurring the cost of facilities construction, personnel searches, and new curricular design. The proposed program is also an example of inter-unit collaboration, maximizing the use of innovative technology. Offering the external degree complies with the University System of Georgia Guiding Principles for Strategic Action because it maximizes the economies of scale and provides greater access to educational opportunities in the State.

Program: The bachelor of science in occupational therapy is an advanced degree program that prepares occupational therapy professionals for greater career mobility and expanded practice options. The focus of the program will include meaningful involvement in problem-solving tasks and productive performance to promote and maintain health. Additionally, occupational therapists will be trained to evaluate behavior, diminish dysfunction and pathology, and enhance the capacity of others to function with satisfaction. This external degree program will be the same as that currently offered on the MCG campus. The degree content includes courses in practice skills for physical disabilities, practice skills for pediatrics, psychosocial dysfunction skills, and developmental tasks. Students will practice as generalists in community and institutional settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, public school systems, and rehabilitation centers.

Need: In 1995, the State Health Personnel Handbook reported a therapist-to-population ratio of 16.4 to 100,000 for the United States and a Georgia ratio of 10.1 to 100,000. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that jobs for occupational therapists would increase by 72% between 1994 and 2005. The Georgia Department of Labor projected a 53% increase between 1992 and 2005. Recently published documents by Morris and Little, A Needs Assessment Study of Health Professions in the SOWEGA-AHEC Region: 1991 - 1995 (March 1996) and A Needs Assessment Study of Health Professionals in the Three Rivers AHEC Region: 1991-1995 (February 1996) indicate a continued strong demand for occupational therapists.

Objectives: The purpose of the professional education program is to prepare graduates to anticipate and respond to the impact of internal and external environments upon an individual's ability to function. Graduates will demonstrate the ability to influence the changing systems of healthcare delivery through active involvement in the change process.

Curriculum: The proposed external degree curriculum will be the same as that offered at the Medical College of Georgia. The program is currently housed in the School of Allied Health Sciences. The present faculty in the Department of Occupational Therapy will provide concurrent interactive instruction in professional courses via distance learning classrooms and with external site groups. Laboratory and clinical experiences will be directed by two faculty to be based at Columbus State University. Some elective courses may be offered by Columbus State University faculty. External site students will be encouraged to participate in some interdisciplinary allied health courses planned as part of semester conversion.

Projected Enrollment: It is estimated that for the first three years of the program student enrollment will be 42, 43, and 44.

Funding: Funding for this initiative has been appropriated from Georgia Area Health Education Centers and departmental redirection efforts. No new State allocation is requested.

Assessment: The Office of Academic Affairs will work with MCG to measure the success and continued effectiveness of the proposed program. In 2001, this program will be evaluated by the institution and the System Office to determine the success of the program's implementation and achievement of the enrollment, quality, viability, and cost-effectiveness indicated in the proposal.

3. Establishment of the Wachovia Chair of Family Business, Kennesaw State University

Approved: The Board approved the request of President Betty L. Siegel of Kennesaw State University to establish the Wachovia Chair of Family Business, effective July 8, 1998.

The Kennesaw State University Foundation has on deposit a total of $300,000 to establish this special faculty position. The lead gift and challenge grant for the proposed chair was provided in November 1997 to the Kennesaw State University Foundation by Wachovia Foundation, Inc. The chair will be housed in the Michael J. Coles College of Business. The name of the proposed chair gives recognition to Wachovia, which has provided support and leadership in the advancement of family business initiatives at the institution and throughout Georgia.

4. Establishment of the Kellett Chair of Nursing, Medical College of Georgia

Approved: The Board approved the request of President Francis J. Tedesco of the Medical College of Georgia to establish the Kellett Chair of Nursing, effective July 8, 1998.

The Medical College of Georgia Foundation has on deposit $804,211 in an endowment for this chair. The funding for this chair came from a generous gift of $554,211 from Mr. Samuel Kellett. The additional $250,000 came from Medical College of Georgia Foundation Institutional Support Funds. These were funds donated by faculty, banks, and various other private sources.

Mr. Samuel Kellett has served on the Board of Directors of the Medical College of Georgia Foundation, Inc. since 1991 and is a member of the Investment Committee. In 1978, Mr. Kellett was co-founder and president of Convalescent Services, Inc., a company that owned and operated upscale nursing facilities throughout the country. In 1996, the company was merged into Mariner Health Group, Inc., which is a leading national provider of post-acute healthcare services with operations in over 413 markets in 29 states. Mr. Kellett serves on the board of directors of this company.

Since 1991, Mr. Kellett has served on the Board of Pulson Communications, Inc., which in 1997 was merged into Time Domain Systems, Inc. Mr. Kellett currently serves as chair of the board of WorldNet Communications, Inc., a company that facilitates hiring professionals through the Internet.

5. Establishment of an Institute on Human Development and Disability, the University of Georgia

Approved: The Board approved the request of President Michael F. Adams of the University of Georgia to establish an Institute on Human Development and Disability, effective July 8, 1998.

The Program on Human Development and Disability, a unit within the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, applied for institute status at the University of Georgia. The Program on Human Development and Disability was functioning as a universitywide, interdisciplinary unit, without the formal designation of being an institute. The unit offers disability courses and outreach services in the area. Courses are designed to examine literature on disability, history, culture and disability, disability rights, and federal and State policy. The new institute will report to the dean of the College of Family and Consumer Sciences and will be called the Institute on Human Development and Disability. With this approval of the institute, an interdisciplinary certificate in disabilities studies will be formalized.

The request for institute status was based on the following considerations:

• The Program on Human Development and Disability has a broad mission that includes research, academic instruction, and public service/outreach.
   
• The Program on Human Development and Disability is an interdisciplinary unit. Its success rests upon the active collaboration of many departments, colleges, and other units. The mission of the Program on Human Development and Disability can most effectively be accomplished through the collaboration among departments, schools, and colleges.
   
• The Program on Human Development and Disability participates in funded collaborative partnerships with faculty from other universities, including Georgia State University, Columbus State University, Valdosta State University, Clark Atlanta University, and Albany State University. Partnerships also involve numerous State agencies, advocacy groups, and other organizations. These include the Georgia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse, the Georgia Division on Aging, the Georgia Division of Public Health, the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities, and the Time for Community Coalition.
   
• The Program on Human Development and Disability is one of over 60 federally designated University Affiliated Programs ("UAPs") at universities across the nation. An analysis of the administrative structure of those programs argues for institute status as a workable administrative structure in which UAPs can best fulfill their mission.

6. Renaming of the School of Computer and Applied Sciences to the School of Computer and Information Sciences and Renaming of the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation in the School of Education to the Department of Health and Human Performance, Georgia Southwestern State University

Approved: The Board approved the request of President Michael L. Hanes to rename a school and department at Georgia Southwestern State University, effective July 8, 1998.

Georgia Southwestern State University requested approval by the Board of Regents to rename the School of Computer and Applied Sciences to the School of Computer and Information Sciences. The new name more accurately reflects the substance of the baccalaureate and master's degree programs offered in the academic unit. These programs of study focus on computer information systems, computer science, and computer technology.

The institution is also requesting that the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation located in the School of Education be renamed the Department of Health and Human Performance. The new name is consistent with changes in the professional discipline and foci of the academic program. The curriculum has been redesigned as part of an accreditation study placing greater emphasis on the subject areas of health and human performance. Both requests were initiated with the unit faculty, recommended by the faculty senate, and recommended by the faculty of the university.

7. Revised Statutes, Bainbridge College

Approved: The Board approved the request of Acting President Margaret Smith to revise the statutes of Bainbridge College, effective July 8, 1998.

The revisions were carefully reviewed by the Office of Legal Affairs and the Office of Academic Affairs and are consistent with the current organization and administrative structure at Bainbridge College. A copy of the revised statutes is on file in the Office of Academic Affairs of the Board of Regents.

8. Institutional Reorganization, Waycross College

Approved: The Board approved the request of President Barbara Losty of Waycross College to reorganize its academic administration, effective July 8, 1998.

Waycross College proposed a reorganization to strengthen the ties between developmental studies and college courses in English, reading, and mathematics. By having both developmental and general education faculty members in the same administrative division, the institution anticipates that curricular interactions between each discipline will expand.

Former Administration: The former administrative organization included a chair of arts and sciences and a chair of developmental studies, which reported to the vice president and dean of the college. There were 14 faculty members reporting to the Arts & Sciences Division Chair and 4 faculty members reporting to the Developmental Studies Division Chair. The position of Division Chair, Developmental Studies is vacant.

New Administration: Waycross College rearranged the Arts & Sciences and Developmental Studies Divisions. The resultant administrative structure involves a change from two division chairs (i.e., Arts & Sciences and Developmental Studies) to the Division Chair of Arts & Sciences with oversight for three department chairs. The three units are the Department of Natural Science and Social Science (seven faculty members), the Department of Math/Business/Physical Education (five faculty members), and the Department of Humanities/Developmental Studies (six faculty members). There will be separate budgets for the humanities and developmental studies units.

9. Institutional Reorganization, Kennesaw State University

Approved: The Board approved the request of President Betty L. Siegel of Kennesaw State University to change the organizational alignment of instructional units, effective July 8, 1998.

The university proposed to divide the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences into two distinct units: the School of the Arts and the College of Humanities & Social Science. In addition, the university proposed to reorganize its departmental structures within the Coles College of Business to form a Department of Leadership & Professional Development.

Separation of the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences to Form the School of Arts and the College of Humanities & Social Science: In the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, three departments (i.e., Music, Theater, and Visual Arts) will be redirected to form the School of Arts. These instructional departments support 500 declared majors and 33 full-time faculty and staff. The current chair of the Department of Music will retain his position while undertaking the additional responsibilities of Acting Dean for the School of the Arts during academic year 1998 - 1999. The remaining seven instructional departments will be renamed the College of Humanities & Social Science, which will support 135 faculty. The reduction of the programmatic and disciplinary diversity of the resulting college will help each organizational structure focus on its agenda. The institution believes that these changes will improve the college's effectiveness and its success in recruiting the desired candidates for deanships.

Reorganization of the Coles College of Business to Form the Department of Leadership and Professional Development: Kennesaw State University has assessed that marketing, management, and master of business administration ("M.B.A.") executive professional programs require a different departmental and instructional orientation unit apart from the current organizational structure. To increase the collective efficiency and effectiveness of core M.B.A. faculty, seven existing full-time positions are being redirected to a new Department of Leadership & Professional Development. One faculty member will assume the role of department chair following standard internal search procedures. No new funding, positions, or space allocations will be required for implementation of this redirection.

10. Administrative and Academic Appointments and Personnel Actions, Various System Institutions

The following administrative and academic appointments were reviewed by Education Committee Chair Edgar L. Rhodes and were approved by the Board. All regular appointments are on file with the Office of Academic Affairs.

CONFERRING OF EMERITUS STATUS: AT THE REQUEST OF THE PRESIDENTS OF VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS IN THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM, THE BOARD CONFERRED THE TITLE OF EMERITUS UPON THE FOLLOWING FACULTY MEMBERS, EFFECTIVE ON THE DATES INDICATED:

APPROVAL OF LEAVES OF ABSENCE: THE BOARD APPROVED THE FOLLOWING LEAVES OF ABSENCE AND THE SALARIES FOR THE PERIODS RECOMMENDED AT THE FOLLOWING INSTITUTIONS:

APPROVAL OF FACULTY FOR TENURE STATUS CHANGE: THE BOARD APPROVED TENURE STATUS CHANGE FOR THE FOLLOWING FACULTY MEMBERS, EFFECTIVE ON THE DATES INDICATED:

APPOINTMENT OF FACULTY MEMBERS PREVIOUSLY RETIRED FROM THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM: THE BOARD APPROVED THE FOLLOWING PART-TIME APPOINTMENTS OF FACULTY MEMBERS PREVIOUSLY RETIRED FROM THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM:

APPOINTMENT OF FACULTY MEMBERS PREVIOUSLY RETIRED FROM THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM: THE BOARD APPROVED THE FOLLOWING PART-TIME APPOINTMENTS OF FACULTY MEMBERS OVER THE AGE OF 70 PREVIOUSLY RETIRED FROM THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM:

APPOINTMENT OF FACULTY: THE BOARD APPROVED THE FOLLOWING NUMBERS OF APPOINTMENTS OF FACULTY MEMBERS AT THE SALARIES AND FOR THE PERIODS RECOMMENDED AT THE FOLLOWING INSTITUTIONS:

COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, RESEARCH, AND EXTENSION

11. Information Item: Applied Learning Experiences/Clinical Training

Pursuant to authority granted by the Board at its meeting on February 7 and 8, 1984, the presidents of the listed institutions have executed the indicated number of memoranda of understanding respecting affiliation of students for applied learning experiences/clinical training in the programs indicated:

12. Information Item: Service Agreements

Pursuant to authority granted by the Board at its meeting on February 7 and 8, 1984, the presidents of the listed institutions have executed service agreements with the indicated agencies for the purposes and periods designated, with the institutions to receive payment as indicated:

COMMITTEE ON ORGANIZATION AND LAW

The Committee on Organization and Law met on Tuesday, July 7, 1998 at approximately 3:00 p.m. in the Chancellor's Conference Room. Committee members in attendance were Chair Juanita P. Baranco, Vice Chair Thomas F. Allgood, Sr., and Regents Shannon L. Amos, S. William Clark, Jr., George M. D. (John) Hunt III, and Edgar L. Rhodes. Chair Baranco reported to the Board on Wednesday that the Committee had seven applications for review. With motion properly made, seconded, and unanimously adopted, the Board approved and authorized the following:

1. In the matter of Dr. Melvin E. Walker, Jr. at Fort Valley State University, concerning reduction of length of contract, that the application for review be denied.
2. In the matter of Sharonda D. Moore at Georgia State University, concerning waiver of the Georgia State University residency requirements, that the application for review be denied.
3. In the matter of Stacey V. Jackson at the University of Georgia, concerning denial of permission to take a final exam in Classical Mythology, that the application for review be denied.
4. In the matter of Gloria Purcell at Southern Polytechnic State University, concerning contributions to a 403(b) account, that the application for review be continued.
5. In the matter of Loucinda Rochelle Dampier at the Medical College of Georgia, concerning admission to the School of Medicine, that the application for review be denied.
6. In the matter of Raymond Franklin at the Medical College of Georgia, concerning termination of employment, that the application for review be denied.
7. In the matter of Gail Woods, an employee of the Medical College of Georgia, upon reconsideration, that a hearing before a Board Committee be granted.

COMMITTEE ON FINANCE AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS

The Committee on Finance and Business Operations met on Tuesday, July 7, 1998 at approximately 1:45 p.m. in the Board Room. Committee members in attendance were Chair Glenn S. White, Vice Chair Hilton H. Howell, Jr., and Regents David H. (Hal) Averitt, Kenneth W. Cannestra, J. Tom Coleman, Jr., Warren Y. Jobe, and Charles H. Jones. Chair White reported to the Board on Wednesday that the Committee had reviewed four items, two of which required action. With motion properly made, seconded, and unanimously adopted, the Board approved and authorized the following:

1. Approval of Health Benefits Rate Increase

Approved: The Board approved a 15% increase in the rates paid by employees/retirees for coverage under the University System of Georgia's self-insured health benefits plan, effective September 1, 1998. Since this is an increase only in the contributions paid by the employees, it will change the employer/ employee percentage split of the total premium from 80.5/19.5 to 78.2/21.8 respectively. This same ratio will also be applied to health maintenance organization ("hmo") premiums, effective September 1, 1998.

Background: The University System of Georgia health benefits reserve fund currently has a balance of $39.5 million, which equates to slightly over 3.4 months of claims payments. Most benefits experts recommend maintaining a reserve balance equal to 2 .5 to 3 months of claims.

While the health benefits reserve fund is still in sound condition, the pace of the loss in reserve funds needs to be slowed. During the most recent 12-month period, claims exceeded premiums by almost $8.3 million. Since there were no additional funds appropriated for health benefits for fiscal year 1999, this increase in employee contribution is necessary in order to maintain the reserve at its proper level.

The increase represents the first increase in employee premiums since the creation of the Systemwide plan in January 1994. The System also has been able to maintain its level of benefits since January 1994. For those employees who were covered under the Regents' plan prior to January 1, 1994, it is the first increase to the employee since July 1, 1990, although increases in premium payments were picked up totally by the employer effective July 1, 1991, 1992, and 1993. There was an employer decrease effective July 1, 1997 because of a decrease in State funding.

2. Acceptance of Gift to Clayton College and State University

Approved: The Board accepted, on behalf of the Clayton College & State University Foundation, a donation from World Class Accessary, Inc. of an aircraft fuselage valued by the donor at $350,000. The Committee accepted the gift with the stipulation that the Board does not certify the value of the fuselage.

Background: Board policy requires that any gift to a University System of Georgia institution with an initial value greater than $100,000 must be accepted by the Board of Regents.

The donation from World Class Accessary, Inc. consists of an Embraer (EMB-110) "bandeirante" aircraft fuselage. The gift will be used for instructional purposes by the Department of Aviation Maintenance at Clayton College & State University.

3. Information Item: Direct Lending in University System of Georgia Institutions

At the June 1998 meeting of the Committee on Finance and Business Operations, several Committee members raised questions concerning the Direct Student Loan Program in which a number of University System of Georgia institutions participate. The issue surfaced during the fiscal year 1999 operating budget presentation, which showed how direct student loans had become a large and growing share of student financial assistance within the University System. The information report to the Committee addressed the purpose, history, benefits, and drawbacks of the Direct Student Loan Program with data from System institutions currently engaged in direct lending. The panelists in the discussion were Dr. Deleon Ray Tripp, Jr., Director of Student Affairs at the University of Georgia; Dr. Terry L. Faust, Director of Student Financial Aid at Kennesaw State University; and Mr. Glenn Newsome, Executive Director of the Georgia Student Finance Commission.

4. Information Item: Institutional Investment Plans

In February 1997, the Board of Regents adopted a new policy to guide the investment practices of University System institutions. The new policy sets forth the key elements each institution is required to address in developing plans for investing and managing funds. Institutions were asked to submit written investment plans by May 1, 1998. The information report to the Committee addressed the institutional response to the new policy guidelines and was presented by Senior Vice Chancellor for Capital Resources Lindsay Desrochers.

COMMITTEE ON REAL ESTATE AND FACILITIES

The Committee on Real Estate and Facilities met on Tuesday, July 7, 1998 at approximately 2:55 p.m. in the Board Room. Committee members in attendance were Chair J. Tom Coleman, Jr., Vice Chair David H. (Hal) Averitt, and Regents Kenneth W. Cannestra, Hilton H. Howell, Jr., Warren Y. Jobe, Charles H. Jones, and Glenn S. White. Chair Coleman reported to the Board on Wednesday that the Committee had reviewed ten items, seven of which required action. With motion properly made, seconded, and unanimously adopted, the Board approved and authorized the following:

1. Demolition of Buildings Number 2563, 2564, 2565, and 3737, University of Georgia

Approved: The Board declared buildings number 2563, 2564, and 2565 located in Whitehall Forest, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, to be no longer advantageously useful to the University of Georgia or other units of the University System of Georgia and authorized the demolition and removal of these buildings.

The Board also declared building number 3737 located at B.F. Grant Memorial Forest, University of Georgia, Eatonton, Georgia, to be no longer advantageously useful to the University of Georgia or other units of the University System of Georgia and authorized the demolition and removal of this building.

The Board requested Governor Miller to issue an Executive Order authorizing the demolition and removal of these buildings from Whitehall Forest and B.F. Grant Memorial Forest.

The demolitions will be conducted by university maintenance personnel at an estimated cost of $1,300 using University of Georgia unrestricted operating funds.

Buildings number 2563, 2564, and 2565 are wood frame buildings that were built in 1987 for ozone research monitoring. The ozone study has been completed. These 5 ft. x 6 ft. buildings are little more than huts with no floors or foundations, having been built as temporary structures. The property will continue to be used by the Warnell School of Forest Resources.

Building 3737 is a wood frame building that is in uninhabitable condition and cannot be repaired economically, due to antiquated systems and termite damage. The property will continue to be used by the Warnell School of Forest Resources.

2. Lease Agreement, Georgia Institute of Technology

Approved: The Board declared approximately 0.3437 acres of land located at the southeast corner of Techwood Drive and Sixth Street on the campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology ("git") to be no longer advantageously useful to GIT or other units of the University System of Georgia, but only to the extent and for the purpose of allowing this land to be leased to Alpha Xi Delta Building Corporation for the purpose of constructing and operating sorority housing for the benefit of the students at GIT.

The Board also authorized the execution of a lease agreement with Alpha Xi Delta Building Corporation covering the above-mentioned 0.3437 acres of land located on the campus of GIT for the purpose of constructing and operating sorority housing for the benefit of the students at GIT.

The terms of the above lease agreement are subject to review and legal approval of the Office of the Attorney General.

Background: In September 1995, the Board authorized the leasing of the property located on the southeast corner of Techwood Drive and Sixth Street to Delta Chi Fraternity Housing for the purpose of constructing and operating fraternity housing for the benefit of the students at GIT. Delta Chi Fraternity was unable to secure adequate financing for the construction of a new house and therefore did not execute the land lease. Delta Chi Fraternity has indicated in writing that it does not intend to lease this property.

In December 1995, the Board authorized the lease of 0.3127 acres of land on Ferst Drive, also on the GIT campus, to Alpha Xi Delta Building Corporation for the purpose of constructing and operating sorority housing for GIT students.

Alpha Xi Delta has now requested that it be permitted to lease the property on the southeast corner of Techwood Drive and Sixth Street rather than the Ferst Street property.

The lease rate will be $1 per year, and the lease will be for a term of 40 years.

Alpha Xi Delta Building Corporation will improve the property under the terms of the lease to provide bed space for 20 GIT students.

3. Rental Agreement, Rockdale Center, Georgia Perimeter College and Clayton College & State University

Approved: The Board authorized the execution of a rental agreement between A.R. Barksdale Trust (d/b/a Rockdale Plaza Shopping Center), Landlord, and the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, Tenant, covering 26,454 sf. of classroom space located at Rockdale Plaza Shopping Center, Conyers, Georgia for the period from August 1, 1998 through June 30, 1999 at a monthly rental of $28,667 ($344,006 per year/$13 per sf. per year) with the option to renew on a year-to-year basis for seven years for the use of Georgia Perimeter College and Clayton College & State University.

The terms of this rental agreement are subject to review and legal approval of the Office of the Attorney General.

Background: The Board, on behalf of Georgia Perimeter College and Clayton College & State University, has leased space in this building since January 1993. The last option period under the rental agreement was exercised, and a renewal of the agreement was needed.

This is the renewal of a lease agreement with a modest expansion of space (6,362sf.). Given that a new lease is required to continue operations of the Rockdale Center, the Board of Regents policy on off-campus sites applies. The staff has reviewed demographics, economic diversity, academic programs, and community participation.

Georgia Perimeter College uses the center to offer credit core curriculum courses at the lower division levels. Fall 1997 credit headcount was 689; credit EFT was 422.

Clayton College & State University offers upper-division credit courses and a large number of noncredit continuing education courses. Fall 1997 credit headcount was 12, and noncredit headcount was 679; credit EFT was 4.

The Rockdale County School System has been a partner in the center since its inception by providing one-half of the salary of the administrator of the center. In addition, the school system has allowed Georgia Perimeter College and Clayton College & State University to use its facilities for credit and noncredit courses that could not be accommodated at the center (science courses, for example).

No alternative sites have been identified, and the Landlord has configured the property to meet classroom requirements.

Annual operating expenses (which are included in the rent amount) are estimated at $125,921 per year/$4.76 per square foot for interior maintenance, utilities, tax and insurance, and janitorial services.

4. Authorization of Project, "applied genetic technology resource (agtec) - phase ii,"University of Georgia

Approved: The Board authorized Project "applied genetic technology resource (agtec) - phase ii," University of Georgia ("uga"), with a total project budget of $4,290,000, using $290,000 in fiscal year 1997 Georgia Research Alliance ("gra") planning funds, $1,000,000 in UGA Research Foundation funds, and $3,000,000 in Woodruff Foundation funds.

Background: In November 1997, the Board approved Applied Genetic Technology Resource ("agtec") Phase I and planning for AGTEC Phase II. This authorization is for the completion of design and construction of Phase II.

The mission of AGTEC at the University of Georgia is to bring together diverse expertise and resources in plant and animal biotechnology and to provide facilities that will nurture and stimulate the development and application of these technologies for the benefit and expansion of the Georgia economy.

Phase II will comprise approximately 20,000 gsf. to house research and development groups from commercial companies in an applied academic environment.

The construction cost for Phase II is $3,250,000 ($162.50 per sf.).

Funding for the project is $290,000 in fiscal year 1997 GRA planning funds, which was previously approved by the Board on November 13, 1997, $1,000,000 in UGA Research Foundation capital funds, and $3,000,000 in Woodruff Foundation funds.

5. Authorization of Project, "wellness center," Medical College of Georgia

This item was postponed until the October 1998 meeting of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia so that the Central Office staff may discuss with the Medical College of Georgia the potential of this project in relation to MCG Health, Inc.

6. Appointment of Architects, University System of Georgia

Approved: The Board appointed the first-named architectural firm listed below for the identified projects and authorized the execution of an architectural contract with the identified firm at the stated cost limitation shown for the project. Should it not be possible to execute a contract with the top ranked firm, the staff would then attempt to execute a contract with the other listed firms in rank order.

Following current practice for the selection of architects, the following recommendations were made:

Project No. I-29, "parking deck"
Georgia Institute of Technology

Project Description: Multi-level parking deck for 750 to 1000 cars on the Georgia Institute of Technology main campus.

Twenty A/E firms applied for this commission.
Recommended A/E design firms in rank order:

1. Walker Parking Consultants, Kennesaw
2. O'Kon & Company, Inc., Atlanta
3. Carl Walker Inc., Atlanta

Project No. I-31, "technology and commerce center"
Columbus State University

Project Description: 90,000 sf. classroom building for School of Business, computer science programs. Also includes offices and support spaces.

Twenty-five A/E firms applied for this commission.
Recommended A/E design firms in rank order:

1. Farrington Design Group, Atlanta
2. Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart & Assoc., Atlanta
3. Hecht, Burdeshaw, Johnson, Kidd & Clark, Inc., Columbus

7. Fiscal Year 1999 Major Repair and Rehabilitation Funds Distribution and Projects

Approved: The Board approved the allocation of funds and projects for each of the institutions of the University System of Georgia, as summarized on the following page. Cash funds in the amount of $46,730,826 appropriated by the 1998 General Assembly are available to fund these projects. The full list of these distributions and projects is on file with the Office of Facilities.

BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF GEORGIA
Summary of Funding Recommendations for the
Major Renovation and Rehabilitation Program
for Fiscal Year 1999