Meeting Minutes - June 2002
Minutes of the Meeting of the
Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia
Held At 270 Washington St., S.W., Atlanta, Georgia
June 11 and 12, 2002
CALL TO ORDER
The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia met on Tuesday, June 11 and Wednesday, June 12, 2001 in the Board Room, room 7007, 270 Washington St., S.W., seventh floor. The Executive and Compensation Committee met on Tuesday, June 11 at approximately 9:10 a.m. Then, the Committee on Real Estate and Facilities met as a Committee of the Whole at approximately 10:00 a.m. At 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 12, the Board held its regular Committee meetings. After the Committee meetings on Wednesday, the Chair of the Board, Regent Hilton H. Howell, Jr., called the meeting to order at 9:40 a.m. Present at this meeting of the full Board, in addition to Chair Howell, were Vice Chair Joe Frank Harris and Regents Hugh A. Carter, Jr., Connie Cater, William H. Cleveland, Michael J. Coles, Donald M. Leebern, Jr., Allene H. Magill, Elridge W. McMillan, Wanda Yancey Rodwell, J. Timothy Shelnut, Glenn S. White, Joel O. Wooten, Jr., and James D. Yancey.
INVOCATION
The invocation was given on Wednesday, June 12 by Regent Magill.
Chair Howell called upon the Chancellor to introduce a special guest at this meeting.
Chancellor Meredith introduced Dr. William L. Jenkins, President of the Louisiana State University System and former Chancellor of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College. Dr. Jenkins is highly respected across the country as one of the nation's top higher education leaders, and he would be representing other system heads at the Chancellor's inauguration.
ATTENDANCE REPORT
The attendance report was read on Wednesday, June 12 by Secretary Gail S. Weber, who announced that Regents George M. D. (John) Hunt III and Martin W. NeSmith had asked for and been given permission to be absent on both Board meeting days. Regent Connie Cater had asked for and been given permission to be absent on Tuesday, June 11.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion properly made and duly seconded, the minutes of the Board of Regents meeting held on May 7 and 8, 2002, were unanimously approved as distributed.
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EXECUTIVE AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
The Executive and Compensation Committee met on Tuesday, June 11, 2002, at approximately 9:10 a.m. in room 7019, the Chancellor's Conference Room. Committee members in attendance were Chair Hilton H. Howell, Jr., Vice Chair Joe Frank Harris, and Regents Donald M. Leebern, Jr., Elridge W. McMillan, Glenn S. White, and James D. Yancey. Chancellor Thomas C. Meredith and the Secretary to the Board, Gail S. Weber, were also in attendance. Chair Howell reported to the Board on Wednesday that the Committee had reviewed one item, which did not require action. That item was as follows:
1. Executive Session
At approximately 9:10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 11, 2002, Chair Howell called for an Executive Session for the purpose of discussing personnel and compensation issues. With motion properly made and variously seconded, the Regents who were present voted unanimously to go into Executive Session. Those Regents were as follows: Chair Howell, Vice Chair Joe Frank Harris, and Regents Donald M. Leebern, Jr., Elridge W. McMillan, Glenn S. White, and James D. Yancey. The Secretary to the Board, Gail S. Weber, was also in attendance during the Executive Session; Chancellor Thomas C. Meredith attended part of the meeting. In accordance with H.B. 278, Section 3 (amending O.C.G.A. § 50-14-4), an affidavit regarding this Executive Session is on file with the Chancellor's Office.
At approximately 10:00 a.m., Chair Howell reconvened the Committee meeting in its regular session and announced that no actions were taken in the Executive Session.
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COMMITTEE ON FINANCE AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS
The Committee on Finance and Business Operations met on Wednesday, June 12, 2002, at approximately 9:00 a.m. in the Board Room. Committee members in attendance were Chair James D. Yancey, Vice Chair J. Timothy Shelnut, and Regents Connie Cater, Donald M. Leebern, Jr., and Joel O. Wooten, Jr. Board Chair Hilton H. Howell, Jr. and Chancellor Thomas C. Meredith were also in attendance. Chair Yancey reported to the Board on Wednesday that the Committee had reviewed six items, five of which required action. With motion properly made, seconded, and unanimously adopted, the Board approved and authorized the following:
1. Approval of Institutional Operating and Capital Budgets for Fiscal Year 2003
Approved: The Board approved the institutional operating and capital budgets for University System of Georgia institutions and agencies. These budgets were reviewed by fiscal affairs staff for compliance with Board of Regents policies and directives and are on file with the Office of Fiscal Affairs.
Background: The recommended fiscal year 2003 educational and general operating budget for the University System of Georgia is $3.97 billion. This represents a decrease of $11.8 million, or 0.3%, from fiscal year 2002. The Systemwide auxiliary enterprise budget, which includes housing, food services, intercollegiate athletics, bookstores, and shops, is recommended at a level of $318.9 million for fiscal year 2003, an increase of $20.2 million over last year. The student activity budget, which supports educational, recreational, cultural, and social activities for students, is recommended at $67.5 million for fiscal year 2003. Finally, the recommended fiscal year 2002 capital budget, including all sources of funds (auxiliary enterprise funds, interest income, institutional, and other funds), is $90.6 million. This is a decrease of $84.5 million from last year's approved amount.
The fiscal year 2003 operating and capital budget recommendations are the culmination of a process begun in late January 2002. The senior leadership group in the University System Office held regional budget conferences with all University System institutions attended by presidents and senior staff. From these meetings, which centered on key institutional budget priorities, enrollment trends, and tuition and fees, allocation recommendations for state appropriations were developed. These were approved by the Board of Regents in April 2002. Additionally, and also at the April meeting, the Board approved recommendations on tuition and mandatory student fees. These actions by the Board formed the basis for the institutional budgets presented at this meeting. In addition to budget requests reflecting state appropriations and tuition revenues, each institutional budget includes auxiliary enterprise funds, student activity funds, capital funds, and all other sources or revenue.
The recommendations included a breakdown of budgets by fund source (i.e., educational and general, capital, auxiliary enterprises, and student activity) and a detailed description of educational and general budgets by revenue source and expenditure category (personal services, operating expenses, and equipment). The capital budget recommendation indicated sources of funds and type of project. Capital projects to be supported by institutional funds will be subject to appropriate review as required by policy. The staff included a table that depicted the breakdown of the budget by functional category: instruction, research, public services, academic, student, and institutional support.
2. Approval of Fiscal Year 2003 1% Holdback Allocation
Approved: The Board approved the prorated allocation of the 1% holdback instituted by the Governor for fiscal year 2003 among the institutions and operating units of the University System of Georgia. The direct instruction component of the formula is exempt from the holdback.
Background: In response to the downturn in the economy, the legislature approved budget reductions of 2.5% in fiscal year 2002 and 5% in fiscal year 2003, followed by an additional 0.82% reduction for fiscal year 2003. Due to the continuing uncertainty in the economy, the Governor has directed all agencies to withhold expenditures of 1% for fiscal year 2003.
Beginning with the first quarter of fiscal year 2003, the cash allotment for the University System will be reduced by 0.25%, for a cumulative cash allotment holdback of 1% for the fiscal year. The holdback applies to all state appropriations and special funding initiatives for "A" and "B" budgets.
The 1% holdback includes $6.44 million in state appropriations for the University System institutions, $348,100 in special funding initiatives, $304,612 in research consortium, and $2.33 million for the "B" units. The state appropriation holdbacks have been allocated proportionately for all institutions, "B" units, and special funding initiatives.
3. Approval of Parking Fee for Georgia College & State University
Approved: The Board approved a parking facility fee of $44 per semester for Georgia College & State University ("GCSU"), effective spring semester 2003.
Background: The recommended parking facility fee is designed to support the lease of a parking deck built by private developers on private land near the college. The facility and property will revert to ownership by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia at the conclusion of a 20-year period. This facility will provide secure (gated) parking for 252 vehicles and will be available to GCSU students only; that is, no parking by faculty, staff, or the general public will be allowed. The new parking deck will be located approximately one block from the main campus, and card access will be required to enter the facility. If the new fee is approved, the facility should be ready for student use by spring semester 2003.
The GCSU Student Government Association unanimously approved the new parking facility fee in an effort to alleviate the massive parking problems on and around campus. This fee will be payable by the students attending the Milledgeville campus only and will not be mandatory for any student
attending classes in Macon or at the Robins Air Force Base. With the construction of the new library, approximately 150 parking spaces were lost. This is the only reasonable and safe parking for students given the land-locked situation of the main campus.
It is recommended that this fee be considered not eligible for HOPE Scholarship program funding and that the Georgia Student Finance Commission be requested to exclude it from the list of HOPE-eligible fees in accordance with Board action taken at the March 2000 Board meeting.
4. Approval of Professional Program Tuition Increase for Georgia WebMBA™
Approved: The Board approved an increase of professional program tuition for the Georgia WebMBA™ program from $250 per credit hour to $350 per credit hour.
Background: In April 2000, the Board of Regents approved a new pilot program for the Georgia WebMBA™ consortium comprised of Georgia College & State University, Georgia Southern University, Kennesaw State University, State University of West Georgia, and Valdosta State University. At this meeting, an increase in tuition from $250 to $350 per credit hour is being recommended along with a change from pilot status to permanent status, which appears as Item 20 of the agenda of the Committee on Education, Research, and Extension.
The recommended tuition is less than the comparable Web-based Master of Business Administration ("M.B.A.") programs at Duke University and University of Phoenix, which charge $1,542 and $505 per credit hour, respectively. Funds will be used for quality enhancement of the program.
5. Approval of Renewal and Amendments of Agreements Between the Board of Regents and MCG Health, Inc. Regarding Medical College of Georgia Hospital and Clinics
Approved: The Board approved renewal of the Master Affiliation Agreement and all Associated Agreements for fiscal year 2003 between the Medical College of Georgia ("MCG") and MCG Health, Inc. ("MCGHI") regarding the operation of the MCG hospital and clinics, with amendments. These agreements, including amendments, are on file with the Office of Fiscal Affairs.
Background: In January 2000, the Board of Regents approved the Master Affiliation Agreement between the Board of Regents and MCGHI for the operation and management of the MCG hospitals and clinics. The Master Affiliation Agreement was the first of a series of agreements that cover facilities, assets, employees, and other elements involved in the transfer of operation and management, effective July 1, 2000. It embodies the fundamental understanding of the parties regarding the proposed affiliation and expresses the interests of the parties in negotiating the terms of the Associated Agreements.
The Associated Agreements include the Master Lease; the Clinical, Educational, and Research Services Agreement; the Operations and Services Agreement; the Personnel Agreement; the Asset Transfer Agreement detailing the assets and liabilities to be transferred; and the MCG Health, Inc./ Physicians Practice Group Agreement. All of these agreements are renewable at the end of the fiscal year with approval of the Board of Regents and the Board of Directors of MCGHI. The Associated Agreements provide for both parties to propose amendments to the agreements that may be negotiated with the renewal.
MCG and MCGHI have negotiated several amendments to the Master Lease; the Operations and Services Agreement; the Clinical, Educational, and Research Services Agreement; and the Personnel Agreement, as outlined in Appendix III. These amendments update and clarify the terms of the agreements and reflect minor changes in the exchange of services between the parties. The essential relationship between the parties remains unchanged.
Two additional agreements define the relationships between MCG and PPG and between PPG and MCGHI. These agreements do not require renewal each fiscal year, and the parties have submitted no amendments to the agreements between MCG and PPG. An amendment to the agreement between PPG and MCGHI has been proposed for approval of the Board of Regents and is also summarized in Appendix III. All agreements are on file with the Office of Legal Affairs.
6. Information Item: Addition to Policy Manual Section 704.041 Out-of-State Tuition Waivers
At the May 2002 meeting of the Board, a proposed change to The Policy Manual was continued for further study. The change would have granted residency status to dependent students whose supporting parents or court-appointed guardians had accepted full-time, self-sustaining employment in the State of Georgia for reasons other than gaining the benefit of favorable tuition rates. Meetings with University System institutional representatives resulted in a new proposal which will allow such students to obtain tuition rate benefits as a waiver of the out-of-state tuition differential, assuming appropriate supporting documentation is provided by the student to the enrolling institution.
The Vice Chancellor for Fiscal Affairs, William R. Bowes, reported on the proposed change to the Committee on Finance and Business Operations. Action on this recommendation was taken by the Committee on Organization and Law.
The proposed language, which will modify Section 704.041 Out-of-State Tuition Waivers of The Policy Manual, is as follows:
- Families Moving to Georgia. A dependent student who, as of the first day of term of enrollment, can provide documentation supporting that his or her supporting parent or court-appointed guardian has accepted full-time, self-sustaining employment and established domicile in the State of Georgia for reasons other than gaining the benefit of favorable tuition rates may qualify immediately for an out-of-state tuition differential waiver which will expire 12 months from the date the waiver was granted. An affected student may petition for residency status according to established procedures at the institution.
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COMMITTEE ON REAL ESTATE AND FACILITIES
The Committee on Real Estate and Facilities met on Wednesday, June 12, 2002, at approximately 9:15 a.m. in the Board Room. Committee members in attendance were Vice Chair Joel O. Wooten, Jr. and Regents Connie Cater, Michael J. Coles, Donald M. Leebern, Jr., J. Timothy Shelnut, Glenn S. White, and James D. Yancey. Board Chair Hilton H. Howell, Jr. and Chancellor Thomas C. Meredith were also in attendance. Vice Chair Wooten reported to the Board on Wednesday that the Committee had reviewed ten items, all of which required action. Item 10 was a walk-on item. With motion properly made, seconded, and unanimously adopted, the Board approved and authorized the following:
1. Major Capital Projects Presentations
Each year, the facilities staff review the priority list of major capital projects and evaluate any additional projects submitted by the institutions for consideration. In previous years, the Board has added to the list in roughly the dollar volume of projects that were funded for construction in the prior budget cycle. The objective is to hold the overall priority list of major capital projects to a total cost of approximately $500 million. This process also includes consideration of inflation and other related matters. While these matters were discussed as a Committee of the Whole, the Board actions were as follows:
Approved: The Board adopted the rank order of projects 20 to 22 for a cumulative cost of $501,562,000 and added these projects to the fiscal year 2003-2007 five-year rolling capital outlay plan, as presented below:
| Institution | Project | Requested State Funds | Cumulative Costs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20. | Armstrong Atlantic State University | Academic and Classroom Building | $22.5 million | $432,562,000 |
| 21. | University of Georgia | Special Collections Library | $24 million | $456,562,000 |
| 22. | Georgia Institute of Technology | Advanced Clean-room Building | $45 million | $501,562,000 |
Altogether, 11 major capital outlay projects were presented for consideration and placement on the major capital outlay projects priority list. For further information on these items, see pages 17 to 30, "Committee on Real Estate and Facilities, 'Committee of the Whole.'"
2. Rental Agreement, 255 E. Hancock Avenue, Athens, University of Georgia
Approved: The Board authorized the execution of a rental agreement between Slaughter Properties, LLC, Landlord, and the Board of Regents, Tenant, for approximately 8,800 rentable square feet located at 255 E. Hancock Avenue, Athens, Georgia, for a period commencing on June 17, 2002, and ending June 30, 2003, at a monthly rental of $10,942 ($131,300 per calendar year/$14.92 per square foot) for the first year. For the first option period, the monthly rental is $9,706 ($116,472 per year/$13.24 per square foot) with options to renew on a year-to-year basis for four consecutive one-year periods with rent increasing 3% each year for the use and benefit of the University of Georgia ("UGA").
The terms of this agreement are subject to review and legal approval of the Office of the Attorney General.
Understandings: UGA's Gerontology Center (the "Center"), a predominately research unit, will relocate to this location close to the UGA campus in order to release on-campus space for student-intensive programs. This lease is necessary to relocate the Center prior to renovation of its current facility for use by the School of Public and International Affairs.
Operating costs, including utilities, janitorial services, rubbish removal, pest control, and maintenance, are estimated to cost $15,000 per year.
Rental and operating expenses will be paid from a combination of general operation funds and research overhead cost recovery.
3. Rental Agreement, 110 E. Clayton Street, Athens, University of Georgia
Approved: The Board authorized the execution of a rental agreement between Humanism Investment, Inc., Landlord, and the Board of Regents, Tenant, for approximately 6,000 square feet located at 110 E. Clayton Street, Athens, Georgia, for a period commencing on June 17, 2002, and ending June 30, 2003, at a monthly rental of $6,062.50 ($72,750 per calendar year) with options to renew on a year-to-year basis for four consecutive one-year periods with rent increasing 3% each year for the use and benefit of the University of Georgia ("UGA").
The terms of this agreement are subject to review and legal approval of the Office of the Attorney General.
Understandings: UGA's Office of Institutional Research and Planning ("IRP"), an administrative unit, is to be relocated to this location close to the UGA campus so that academic units can remain on the north campus to interact easily with students. This lease is necessary to relocate IRP out of academic space prior to renovation of its current facility for use by the School of Public and International Affairs.
Operating costs, including utilities, janitorial services, rubbish removal, pest control, and maintenance, are estimated to cost $36,640 annually.
Rental and operating expenses will be paid from UGA's operations budget.
4. Rental Agreement, Technology Engineering Center, Crossroads Business Park, Savannah, Georgia Institute of Technology
Approved: The Board authorized the execution of a rental agreement between The University Financing Foundation, Inc., Landlord, and the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, Tenant, covering 75,000 square feet of office space located at Technology Engineering Center, Crossroads Business Park, Savannah, Georgia, for the period July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2004, at a monthly rental of $107,687.50 ($1,292,250 per year/$17.23 per square foot) with option to renew on a year-to-year basis for 24 consecutive one-year periods. At the first option year, the rentable square footage will increase to 96,899 square feet with a total rent of $1,669,570 for use of the Georgia Tech Regional Engineering Program ("GTREP") and the Georgia Institute of Technology ("GIT") Economic Development Institute ("EDI").
The terms of this rental agreement are subject to review and legal approval of the Office of the Attorney General.
Understandings: In June 1998, the Board charged GIT with developing an initiative to expand educational opportunities in engineering throughout the state. A principal component of this effort is GTREP, an educational initiative led by GIT designed to meet identified needs in areas deemed critical to the state, particularly as related to economic development. GTREP is centered in Southeast Georgia and offers undergraduate engineering degrees in collaboration with Armstrong Atlantic State University, Georgia Southern University, and Savannah State University.
GTREP is currently located at the Chatham Business Park in Savannah, and EDI is located at the Coastal Georgia Center in Savannah, but due to the expanding space needs and growing enrollment, GTREP does not have sufficient space to meet its mission.
In January 2002, the Board authorized a memorandum of understanding with the Savannah Economic Development Authority to construct a building for GTREP and to assist the Board in locating additional lease space. At the May 2002 Board meeting, President G. Wayne Clough updated the Board on the status of the GTREP program and its associated facility needs.
Operating expenses are estimated to be $474,500 per year for janitorial services, utilities, insurance, maintenance/repairs, and security.
The Landlord has agreed to give the land and buildings to the Board of Regents after the expiration of the last renewal option.
5. Rental Agreement, 10 Huntington Drive, Athens, Gainesville College
Approved: The Board authorized the execution of a rental agreement between GMAC Mortgage Corporation, Landlord, and the Board of Regents, Tenant, for approximately 24,580 square feet located at Perimeter Shopping Center, 10 Huntington Drive, Athens, Georgia, for the period July 1, 2002, through June 30, 2003, at a monthly rental of $18,271 ($219,254 per year/$8.92 per square foot) with options to renew on a year-to-year basis for five consecutive one-year periods with rent increasing no more than 3% per year for the use and benefit of Gainesville College ("GVC").
The terms of this agreement are subject to review and legal approval of the Office of the Attorney General.
Understandings: GVC has been utilizing facilities of Piedmont College in Athens, Georgia, for the Athens Instructional Site (the "Site"). These facilities are no longer available for the Site.
The Site served 218 students in fall 2001 and 304 in spring 2002. Current projections for fall 2002 estimate enrollment of 460 students. By fall 2005, it is projected that the Site will serve 1,000 students. The 24,580 square feet of space provided by the above-referenced rental agreement are necessary to accommodate the Site.
The property will include ample parking spaces. This space will be utilized for faculty offices, classrooms, a computer lab, informal student gathering space, admissions, records, and an advising, computing, testing, and tutoring center.
Operating expenses, including taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance, repair, janitorial services, pest control, and common area maintenance, are estimated to cost $120,824 per year.
This property will be rented until a permanent facility is obtained for the Site.
6. Appointment of Construction Management Firm, Macon State College
Approved: The Board appointed the first-named construction management firm listed below for the identified minor capital outlay project and authorize the execution of a contract with the identified firm at the stated cost shown. Should it not be possible to execute a contract with the top-ranked firm, staff will then attempt to execute a contract with the other listed firms in rank order.
Following a selection process for a construction management firm, the following recommendation was made:
Project No. BR-91-0201, "Addition to and Renovation of the Thomas School for Warner Robins Campus," Macon State College
Project Description: This project will renovate the 21,000-gross-square-foot Thomas School, constructed circa 1946, and an additional 24,000 gross square feet of classrooms will be built. The buildings will be used for the expanding programs offered by Macon State College in Houston County and will include classrooms for natural sciences, math, and information technology; a multimedia classroom; a lecture hall; and student and faculty support spaces.
| Total Project Cost | $5,000,000 |
| Construction Cost (Stated Cost Limitation) | $3,960,000 |
Number of construction management firms that applied for this commission: 8
Recommended firms in rank order:
- Chris R. Sheridan Construction Company, Macon
- Piedmont Construction Group, LLC, Macon
- Gilbane Building Company, Atlanta
7. Appointment of Design/Build Firm, University of Georgia
Approved: The Board appointed the first-named design/build firm listed below for the identified major capital outlay project and authorize the execution of a contract with the identified firm at the stated cost shown. Should it not be possible to execute a contract with the top-ranked firm, staff will then attempt to execute a contract with the other listed firms in rank order.
Following a selection process for a design/build firm, the following recommendation was made:
Project No. J-23, "UGA cGMP Facility," University of Georgia
Project Description: The "current" Good Manufacturing Practices ("cGMP") facility on the campus of the University of Georgia will be approximately 22,850 gross square feet and will include warehouse and storage areas, central weigh, quarantine, sterile manufacturing, biotechnology fermentation, isolation, purification, analytical testing, and phase I, II, & III manufacturing areas for tablet manufacturing and packaging.
Total project funding is $10,000,000 cash appropriated from the legislature.
| Total Project Cost | $10,000,000 |
| Construction Cost (Stated Cost Limitation) | $6,210,000 |
Number of design/build firms that applied for this commission: 12
Recommended design/build firms in rank order:
- Lockwood Greene, Atlanta
- Whiting-Turner, Atlanta
- Fluor Daniel, Greenville
8. Ground Lease Agreement, Armstrong Atlantic State University
Approved: The Board declared approximately 7.13 acres of land located at Armstrong Atlantic State University ("AASU"), Savannah, Georgia, no longer advantageously useful to AASU or other units of the University System but only to the extent and for the purpose of allowing this land to be leased for the benefit of AASU.
The Board also approved Educational Properties, Inc. as the developer/operator to provide Phase II student housing at AASU and authorized the execution of an amendment to the Phase I ground lease agreement and contracts with this firm covering approximately 7.13 acres of land located at AASU for a period not to exceed 35 years to provide student housing.
The Board also authorized an assignment of the ground lease, amendment to the ground lease, and related contracts from Educational Properties, Inc. to Armstrong Atlantic State University Educational Properties, Inc., as Lessee.
The terms of these agreements and contracts are subject to review and legal approval by the Office of the Attorney General.
Modified: This item was modified prior to the Committee meeting as presented below in bold.
Understandings: In October 1997, the Board passed a new student housing policy that requires the preparation of a comprehensive plan for student housing together with a financial plan to support the housing program objectives.
In accordance with the Board's housing policy, in May 2002, President Thomas Z. Jones presented an update to the Board, as an information item, of the AASU housing plan presented by Robert Burnett in March 1998.
The AASU updated housing plan provides housing for 5% (Phase I), 10% (Phase II), and 15% (Phase III) of AASU's student body to serve a specific, targeted segment of the student body. The targeted students include health professions students, applied sciences students, international students, student athletes, and honor students. The Board of Regents will not consider any request to initiate AASU's Phase III housing plan before 2009 unless AASU's head count enrollment exceeds 7,000.
Phase I (288 beds) is under construction and will open in fall 2002. This current Phase II request is for approximately 300 beds and student service support space.
9. Authorization of Project, "Micro-Electronics Research Center (MIRC) Nanolithography Cleanroom Fit-Up," Georgia Institute of Technology
Approved: That the Board authorize Project No. BR-30-0206, "Micro-Electronics Research Center (MIRC) Nanolithography Cleanroom Fit-Up", with a total project budget of $1,750,000.
Understandings: The project involves construction of approximately 1,100 gross square feet of new laboratory and office space within an existing building.
The project is located on the Cleanroom Level (ground floor) of the Pettit Microelectronics Research Center (MIRC), 791 Atlantic Avenue, Georgia Institute of Technology. The existing space is presently occupied by the Scanning Electron Microscope Laboratory (room 31) and the Ion Laboratory (room 38). Both rooms will be renovated to house the new nanolithography cleanroom. No new building additions will be needed to accommodate the improvements to the mechanical, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing systems.
The cleanroom fit-up space will be used by the research faculty of the MIRC Nanolithography Project for development and testing of electronic devices and systems. The project will create a "class 10" cleanroom space to support wet chemistry, stepper, and vectorbeam areas for nanolithography research. The specialized environmental requirements for this project will require a cleanroom with chemically clean air.
The project has an estimated stated cost limitation of $1,502,237 with a total project cost of $1,750,000. The total cost of the project is being funded by Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Inc. (private) funds.
Programming and design will be initiated within a design-build project delivery methodology with a construction start anticipated in November 2002. The staff in conjunction with the Georgia Institute of Technology will proceed with the architectural selection process.
10. Resolution, 2002C and 2002D General Obligation Bond Issue, Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission, University System of Georgia
Approved: The Board adopt the Resolution prepared by the Revenue Division of the Department of Law covering the issuance of 2002C and 2002D General Obligation Bonds ("G. O. Bonds") by the State of Georgia through the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission for use in funding projects for the University System of Georgia. This item was added by unanimous consent as a walk-on item to the Committee's agenda.
The Revenue Division of the Office of the Attorney General has prepared on behalf of the Board of Regents a Resolution to cover the sale of 2002C G. O. Bonds for the following projects:
| I-93 | Special Collections Library University of Georgia | $240,000 |
| Equipment for the Yamacraw Building Georgia Institute of Technology | $4,090,000 | |
| Dublin Campus Middle Georgia College | $500,000 | |
| Continuing Education & Economic Development Center Dalton State College | $100,000 | |
| Preforming and Visual Arts Center, Ph. 2 University of Georgia | $200,000 | |
| Various Projects Georgia Research Alliance | $7,745,000 | |
| TOTAL | $12,875,000 |
The Revenue Division of the Office of the Attorney General has prepared on behalf of the Board of Regents a Resolution to cover the sale of 2002 D G. O. Bonds for the following projects:
| MRR at Various Facilities | $31,075,000 | |
| I-87 | Bartow Center, Ph. 1 Floyd College | $18,180,000 |
| J-15 | River Regional Center Bainbridge College | $4,925,000 |
| J-27 | Coverdell Building University of Georgia | $1,400,000 |
| Cancer Research Center Medical College of Georgia | $1,400,000 | |
| I-83 | Central Chiller Plant System Upgrade Clayton College & State University | $4,600,000 |
| Replace West Campus Electrical Distribution System State University of West Georgia | $3,500,000 | |
| Purchase and Improve Warner Robins Facility Fort Valley State University | $4,690,000 | |
| Renovation of Jackson Hall Georgia Southwestern State University | $2,735,000 | |
| Physical Plant Renovation and Annex Georgia Southwestern State University | $1,765,000 | |
| Renovation and Expansion of Thomas School Macon State College | $5,000,000 | |
| Renovation of Talmadge Dormitory Middle Georgia College | $4,000,000 | |
| Academic Building Georgia Military College | $13,430,000 | |
| TOTAL | $96,700,000 |
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COMMITTEE ON REAL ESTATE AND FACILITIES, "COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE"
On Tuesday, June 11, 2002 at 10:15 a.m., Chair Howell convened the meeting of the Committee on Real Estate and Facilities as a Committee of the Whole. He then turned the chairmanship of the meeting over to Regent Wooten, Vice Chair of the Committee, in Chair Hunt's absence. Board members in attendance at this meeting in addition to Regents Howell and Wooten were Regents Hugh A. Carter, Jr., William H. Cleveland, Michael J. Coles, Joe Frank Harris, Donald M. Leebern, Jr., Elridge W. McMillan, Wanda Yancey Rodwell, J. Timothy Shelnut, Glenn S. White, and James D. Yancey.
Regent Wooten explained that the Committee would be hearing 11 presentations on projects to be considered for addition to the major capital projects list. He then turned the floor over to the Chancellor.
Chancellor Meredith remarked that he was looking forward to seeing how the process worked himself. Although the Regents had a long day ahead of them, the Chancellor assured them that the staff had spent many long days coordinating these presentations, so that they could get the process to this point. The institutions worked from January through March defining and then refining their proposals, and then, the University System Office staff helped get them ready for Board consideration. The projects were tested against overall Systemwide needs and how they measured up against the Board's principles for capital resources allocation as well as the new strategic plan. At this meeting, the Regents would be considering major capital projects only, those which will cost more than $5 million. There were a total of 26 major capital projects valued at over $500 million submitted to the University System Office for consideration in this year's funding cycle. There were 40 additional major capital projects valued at over $1 billion submitted as part of the five-year outlook planning process. There were also 108 minor capital projects with a value of $400 million. A lot of behind-the-scenes work had taken place to get to this point. The process was difficult because there were many meritorious projects. The staff were bringing forward a slate of 11 projects for Board consideration. Each president would have a brief period to make his or her presentation, followed by a period of questions and answers. Following all of the presentations, the Regents would individually rank each project based on need and merit. Thereafter, the rankings would be calculated, and the resulting top projects will be added to the bottom of the Regents' five-year rolling capital projects list. There are already 19 projects on the list. Like last year, the Regents would be using a computer-based voting and tabulation process. The Chancellor thanked the Interim Vice Chancellor for Facilities, George B. Wingblade; the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Design and Construction, Linda M. Daniels; and the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Real Properties, Peter J. Hickey, for their hard work in preparing for this meeting. He then called upon Mr. Wingblade to discuss related matters, including the current capital projects priorities list.
Mr. Wingblade noted that the existing 19 projects on the priorities list total approximately $410 million, not including an outstanding request for equipment totaling about $12 million. He said that the Board tries to keep the major capital projects priorities list at approximately $500 million. Therefore, there is room to add approximately $80 million to $90 million to the bottom of the list each year. The 11 projects to be presented at this meeting total approximately $300 million. The total capital request, including both the major and minor capital requests, for this year was over $730 million. The evaluation process the staff went through to narrow down to the level of presentations brought forward at this meeting was an enormous undertaking. One of the institutions with a project working its way up the list is the University of Georgia ("UGA") Performing Arts and Visual Arts Complex for the School of Arts. UGA is proposing to add additional private funds of $4 million to increase funding from $8 million to $12 million. Mr. Wingblade commended UGA for acquiring these private funds. Georgia Perimeter College ("GPC") is also on the priority list. Since this project will in all likelihood be funded for construction, he reminded the Regents that GPC will be adding a payback project of about $1.1 million on the Regents' annual budget request.
Each year, the staff also review the annual inflation rates. This year, in cooperation with consultants, the staff were recommending no increase for inflation because although labor costs have gone up, materials costs have gone down. Mr. Wingblade said that he hoped the Regents had the opportunity to review the briefing materials the staff had sent them the week before, as they included some background information on the process as well as details on all 11 projects. Each project included a chart that illustrated enrollment trends at each campus. He noted that the enrollment trends are shown in actual headcount and not full-time equivalence ("FTE"). Also in each briefing book, there was a green voting ballot. Each ballot has the 11 projects listed in alphabetical order. Each Regent would prioritize his or her priorities from 1 to 11, with number 1 being first choice. Once the ballots were cast, the staff would assist the Regents in voting using the computers. The computer software would provide the top rankings up to approximately $100 million to keep the total of the list close to $500 million. The process and the selection were very intense this year, Mr. Wingblade reiterated, and the staff considered every project carefully. With that in mind, he said, due diligence was conducted with significant credibility. Many issues were involved in evaluating campus needs and the budget formula to justify their needs and bring forth recommendations. Mr. Wingblade complimented his staff for their very hard work in making this happen. He then asked whether the Regents had any questions before the presentations began.
Regent White noted that although the enrollment figures were actually headcount figures, the resident instruction ratio for each campus was determined by gross square feet divided by FTE. He suggested that next year, the staff use consistent measures to make this information clearer.
Vice Chair Wooten noted that the FTE were also presented in the Regents' information. So, the data were there, but the Regents would have to interpolate it themselves.
Regent White thanked him for the clarification.
Vice Chair Wooten thanked the Chancellor and the staff for this tremendous undertaking and their intense scrutiny of the proposed projects. He asked that each of the presidents keep their presentations to ten minutes so there would be time for an additional ten minutes of questions from the Regents.
The following presidents, representing their respective institutions, presented their proposed major capital projects to the Board:
| President | Institution | Project (Cost) |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas Z. Jones | Armstrong Atlantic State University ("AASU") | Academic and Classroom Building ($22.5 million) |
| Peter J. Sireno | Darton College ("DC") | Humanities, Learning Support, Classroom Building ($16.5 million) |
| John Randolph Pierce | Floyd College ("FC") | Bartow Center, Phase II ($28.4 million) |
| Martha T. Nesbitt | Gainesville College ("GVC") | Classroom Building ($22.1 million) |
| G. Wayne Clough | Georgia Institute of Technology ("GIT") | Advanced Cleanroom Building ($45 million, plus $35 million in private funds) |
| Jacquelyn M. Belcher | Georgia Perimeter College ("GPC") | Health Sciences Building - Decatur Campus ($20.35 million) |
| Carl V. Patton | Georgia State University ("GSU") | Humanities Building |
| Betty L. Siegel | Kennesaw State University ("KSU") | Academic Computing Commons |
| Edward D. Jackson, Jr. | South Georgia College ("SGC") | Stubbs and Davis Hall Renovation |
| Lisa A. Rossbacher | Southern Polytechnic State University ("SPSU") | Mathematics and Engineering Building |
| Michael F. Adams | University of Georgia ("UGA") | Special Collections Library |
After each presentation, the Regents had the opportunity to ask questions of the respective president or make comments regarding the project. Those questions and comments were as follows:
Armstrong Atlantic State University
Regent Carter asked President Jones how he would keep the citation from the accrediting agency current in the years it takes the project to progress up the major capital projects list.
President Jones responded that AASU would have to submit a report to the accrediting agency this fall to address how the university is going to deal with the recommendations it received from the agency. He noted that AASU only received nine recommendations, which is excellent. AASU will be able to show the accrediting agency that the Board of Regents recognizes the facilities need as a serious issue and has placed the project on the major capital projects list for future development. That will not solve the problem, but it will certainly address the issue of good faith intent by the university and the University System of Georgia. The agency knows that many problems are not solvable immediately, but a failure to respond in a positive way would be very detrimental to AASU. Most assuredly, the university will have to provide annual reports to the agency on some of its recommendations, particularly the facilities recommendation. Still, a good faith gesture by the Board would speak volumes to its intent.
Regent Howell asked President Jones whether this was the same project that was presented the previous year.
President Jones responded that it was.
Regent Howell asked Mr. Wingblade how the Board goes about having a project built on the fast-track program.
Mr. Wingblade said that once the project is approved, the fast track is the type of process the project goes through from the design, bid, and build process to shorten the process. Once a project is on the five-year major capital projects list, the period after it is approved can be shortened if it is put on the fast track.
Regent Howell asked how it is decided which projects are done by the Georgia State Finance and Investment Commission ("GSFIC") and which are done on the fast track.
The Senior Vice Chancellor for External Affairs and Facilities, Thomas E. Daniel, responded that any project constructed with state bonds is a GSFIC project. The Board must go to the GSFIC and ask permission for a fast-track project, but if it is using state bonds, the Board must have GSFIC permission. Mr. Daniel explained that the Board must petition for a fast-track approach, but the GSFIC has been granting them to date.
Regent Coles asked whether it would make sense, because of the critical need, to consider leasing space until this project could be built.
President Jones responded that AASU may very well have to do so out of necessity after the coming year, because the enrollment projections for fall 2002 are well over 6,000 and the campus is only designed to accommodate about 4,000 students.
Vice Chair Wooten noted that this project addresses existing need and the core academic mission of the institution.
President Jones agreed that this is the core value of the university. There is an existing need, and even with the building, the gap between the square footage and enrollment will still be greater by 2008, but without this facility, it will be untenable.
Darton College
Regent Carter asked President Sireno whether the facility would have up-to-date information technologies built into it.
President Sireno responded that the entire building would be prepared for today's technologies and projected future technologies. In fact, over $500,000 of the total cost of the building was set aside for the requirements established by the Georgia Technology Authority.
Regent Cleveland asked whether there are plans to use leased or other space until this project is built.
President Sireno replied that DC is looking at leasing space contiguous to the campus and is also looking into making conference rooms into small classrooms to open up larger classrooms for additional students.
Floyd College
Regent White noted that the headcount at FC is approximately 2,400.
President Pierce responded that it is closer to 2,500.
Regent White noted that there are four different locations for FC and asked President Pierce to break down the enrollment at each of the locations.
President Pierce responded that more than half of the students are at the Rome campus, and slightly less than half (1,159) are at the two Bartow locations, including both the Cartersville location and the North Metro Technical College site. There are a couple of hundred students at the Bremen location.
Regent Coles asked whether there are problems with the center being located as far away from campus as it is.
President Pierce responded that the center will actually be a full-service campus of the institution, and as that campus grows, it will have its own staff. It has not thus far been a problem. Faculty come to FC with the understanding that they will teach at all locations. It is part of the culture of the institution.
Gainesville College
There were no comments or questions.
Georgia Institute of Technology
Regent McMillan asked how much of the required funding for the project would go on the major capital projects list.
President Clough responded that it would be $45 million.
Regent McMillan asked whether there has ever been any thought given to special projects of this nature going through another kind of process in the legislature for funding, because obviously, for GIT, UGA, and the Medical College of Georgia ("MCG") in particular, there are all kinds of worthy projects that need to be done, but to do any one of them is very costly. There should be another process for funding these types of projects, he said.
Regent Harris responded that the Pettit Microelectronics Research Center ("MIRC") was one project that was funded through the Georgia Research Consortium, which evolved into the Georgia Research Alliance ("GRA"). Other projects were also part of separate appropriations administered through the Board of Regents. So, this has happened with certain other projects. He did not know how this was being handled by the current administration.
Regent Coles said that if the Board was able to approach appropriate projects in this way, it could potentially accelerate the construction process, which would be essential for a project such as this.
President Clough remarked that this was a very good question and perhaps should be discussed with the Governor and the leadership of the legislature because this type of project should not be competing with the standard classroom project. This project presents an economic development and industry interaction opportunity. While it is a huge educational resource, it has many other dimensions, including national visibility for the university and the state, and it is a reasonable question to ask.
Chancellor Meredith agreed that this project was more about economic development than a daily academic venture on campus. He asked the Senior Vice Chancellor for External Affairs and Facilities, Thomas E. Daniel, whether there is any other funding avenues for such projects.
Mr. Daniel responded that Regent Harris was correct that the Georgia Research Consortium led to the development of the GRA. When Governor Barnes was first elected, he had the idea of the Yamacraw Building, a facility which has tremendously benefitted the University System. Now, Governor Barnes' cancer initiative will build a facility at MCG. Those kinds of examples are the ones that are part of the Governor's agenda. There is no mechanism to go to the Governor to put this project before him. So, the Board must use the only mechanism available to it. This project was selected to be brought before the Board for consideration. Considering the current economy, Mr. Daniel suggested that for the immediate future, the Board should stick with its available options.
Regent Carter asked how this project ties with the Governor's technology and cancer initiatives.
President Clough responded that the project ties into all of the missions of the GRA. It clearly is tied to Yamacraw and its legacy. It is also tied to the cancer initiative because this kind of facility will be essential to the development of designer drugs for people with specific DNA types and the research goals of the initiative.
Regent Coles asked whether there is tobacco settlement funding available to help build this project.
Vice Chair Wooten asked whether such funding was already included in the $35 million of private funding on the table.
President Clough responded that it was not. The private funding was obtained from discussions with the companies that would use the facility and user fees from other institutions that want to use the facility. So, there are no state funds included in the proposal other than the $45 million being requested.
Regent Howell said that it looked as though the Board has only one funding choice at this time. He wondered how the Board funded building the first cleanroom.
Mr. Daniel responded that the Georgia Research Consortium funded four projects through a public-private partnership. Approximately $12 million to $14 million state dollars were invested in the MIRC, and users and corporations brought private resources to the table. That was the model used to build the center, and it was the model envisioned for the biosciences building at UGA. There were two other projects funded by the consortium, one at Emory University and one at Southern Technical Institute.
President Clough noted that the GRA has not been building facilities in the past several years, though it has funded some renovation projects.
Regent Howell noted that at the time, there was not an established capital projects funding process.
Mr. Daniel noted that the GRA situation actually led to the development of this process, which has been working extremely well. During the Miller administration, the University System received over $1 billion for capital projects, and it is well on the way to breaking that record under Governor Barnes.
Regent Leebern noted that this project will really benefit all of the System. The GRA has attracted distinguished scholars and researchers over the years.
Regent Howell asked what this facility will do for GIT as an institution.
President Clough explained that if GIT does not get the facility, industry will go to other institutions with such facilities and top faculty may also be lured away. GIT has talked with its industry partners, faculty, and the GRA, and they all said that this is the most important thing GIT could do. The reason is that GIT already has excellence in this area. Yamacraw was designed to build on this excellence. If the facility is built, GIT will maintain this preeminence. In addition, there are other needs that have grown up around this area. This facility will allow not only GIT to be successful, but also other institutions that will need access to special facilities. It is preferable to have a single facility than to have duplicative cleanroom facilities all over campus with lots of technical support necessary for each of them. GIT felt that it would be wiser to concentrate the cleanroom facility and get superb technical support for internal and external users. GIT would really run the risk of falling behind in some crucial areas without this facility.
Regent Yancey said that he was on an economic development project team last year with President Clough and that he was certain this cleanroom would be an asset to economic development in the State of Georgia. Georgia was very close to attracting a semiconductor company last year, and GIT was instrumental in getting that close. This kind of facility would put Georgia ahead of other states in the Southeast in the area of technology.
President Clough added that one of the perks of attracting the semiconductor company would have been that it would have helped GIT build a facility like this. The company was developing an entirely new generation of facilities and felt GIT was falling behind in facilities.
President Clough responded that what was proposed was based on a reasonable financial pro forma that requires a certain amount of state funds to start the project. It is difficult to ask industry for $80 million. There is a certain amount of state funding required to make the pro forma work.
Regent Cleveland asked whether there is anything the Board can do to approve it another way.
Regent Coles responded that it is very difficult for the Board to get payback projects because they still require the same bond issuances as other projects. That is why payback projects are generally done privately and separately so that the institution basically becomes a tenant of the facility.
Vice Chair Wooten stated that the income stream on this project would be more tenuous than something like a parking deck that would earn an anticipated amount each year.
President Clough agreed that GIT had given its best estimate of the gifts and income it can raise in the amount of $35 million. There will have to be an advanced funding of the $35 million because it is a flow over time. It would be great to have payback funds, but the Georgia Tech Foundation, Inc. will have to help get this project underway.
Vice Chair Wooten said that the Board appreciated the $35 million commitment the foundation is willing to make.
Regent Howell asked whether the Board would be the first in the country to approve such a project if it approved the project for the list.
President Clough deferred to Senior Vice President Robert K. Thompson.
Dr. Thompson responded that some projects are already funded and under construction and others are in the planning stages.
President Clough stated that GIT would be the first in the Southeast.
Georgia Perimeter College
Regent Cleveland asked what would be the expected increase in enrollment that this expansion would be able to handle in the Nursing and Dental Hygiene programs.
President Belcher responded that the college would be able to double the enrollments. In the upcoming year, there will be approximately 200 students in these programs. The only thing that may interfere with doubling this enrollment would be clinical space. It would not be for want of facilities if the health science building is approved.
Chancellor Meredith noted that the programs are only accepting approximately 6% of the applicants.
President Belcher agreed and noted that applications have gone up 65% overall in Nursing.
Georgia State University
Regent Wooten asked how many square feet are in Sparks Hall, which is slated to be demolished.
President Patton responded that Sparks Hall, which serves several different uses, in terms of usable space is about 100,000 square feet, but it is totally inadequate space built in the 1950s.
Kennesaw State University
Regent Carter asked whether this facility would have state-of-the-art information technology.
President Siegel called upon KSU's Chief Information Officer, Randy C. Hinds, who responded that it would certainly be state-of-the-art.
Vice Chair Wooten asked about the chart President Siegel distributed comparing KSU and the University System of Georgia. He asked whether the System figures were gross square footage or only resident instruction space.
President Siegel called upon her Associate Vice President for Facilities, Lee Richey, who responded that the figures were gross square footage.
Ms. Daniels confirmed that to be the case. She explained that the gross square footage at KSU and the resident instruction space are almost the same number because the new dorms are not yet completed. In the University System as a whole, those figures are very different.
South Georgia College
Regent Coles asked whether the proposed project could not have been broken into two projects so that one or both of them could have made the minor capital projects list.
President Jackson responded that the Stubbs Hall project would have been over the $5 million mark for the minors list. The Davis Hall project could have been proposed for the minors list, but because the buildings are so closely located, this seemed to be a more effective way to do it. The total cost will be $7.4 million.
Regent Wooten asked whether SGC has ever had a major capital project.
President Jackson responded that SGC had its last brand new building in 1976, and he did not believe that in the history of SGC there has ever been a facility built that cost $5 million.
Southern Polytechnic State University
Regent Coles asked what the current enrollment is.
President Rossbacher responded that current enrollment is approximately 3,600 students.
Regent Coles asked whether the enrollment had increased slightly from last year.
President Rossbacher replied that it had. She said that enrollment has increased dramatically this summer and that she anticipates it to increase another 5% in the fall.
Regent Coles asked when President Rossbacher anticipates the college will return to its highest enrollment of about 3,900.
President Rossbacher responded that, realistically, it would be about three more years.
Vice Chair Wooten asked how important the facilities are to the attraction of students to SPSU.
President Rossbacher replied that she hears that a lot from students and parents who are visiting campus. She tries to show them the newer buildings when she gives tours, and they typically ask if they will have classes in those buildings, and the answer, depending on their major, is probably not many.
University of Georgia
Regent Shelnut asked where the special collection items are housed now.
President Adams responded that they are housed in several places. Most of them are kept in the Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library on the third floor of the Main Library, but they are not in the kind of climate-controlled environment they need. Some of the Peabody collection is in the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, and the political memorabilia is housed in several locations, including a warehouse.
Regent Coles asked whether this facility would be open to the public.
President Adams assured him that it would.
Regent Coles asked whether the facility would be available to store the archives of other universities.
President Adams responded that he did not know whether UGA had accepted the responsibility of storage for other universities' archives. UGA is the repository for the political papers of the state, and UGA provides access to its collection to every researcher in the University System.
Regent Leebern said that this project is for the benefit of the entire System and all of Georgia.
President Adams responded that as the flagship university and the oldest institution in the System, UGA has a number of major statewide responsibilities, of which this is but one. Of course, UGA also has the largest number of researchers who work with the materials. UGA produces the overwhelming majority of graduate degrees in Public Administration, Political Science, History, and related fields in the state, particularly at the doctoral level.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
After all of the presentations and discussions of the presentations were concluded, Vice Chair Wooten called for a brief break, which would give the staff time to prepare for the voting process.
After the break, Vice Chair Wooten called upon Mr. Daniel to explain how the voting process would work. After Mr. Daniel, Chancellor Meredith would give the Regents some instruction on the guiding principles they should consider as they place their votes.
Mr. Daniel thanked the Regents for their patience throughout the capital projects selection process and thanked the presidents for their outstanding presentations. He explained that the Regents should rank the 11 projects numbers 1 through 11, with number 1 being the greatest priority and most deserving of being added to the capital projects priority list. Once each Regent had marked his or her ballot, one of five staff members would come to him or her to assist in putting these votes into the computer system. Mr. Daniel called on the Director of System Office Technology Support, Matthew Kuchinski, who had created the tabulation program, to explain the process to the Regents.
Mr. Kuchinski explained that each Regent would submit his or her votes via a laptop computer with the assistance of a staff member. Once all the votes were submitted on behalf of all of the Regents, the computer program would then tally up the votes and prioritize them in the order of 1 through 11, at which time the order of priority would be presented to the Board.
Chancellor Meredith noted that the principles for capital resources allocation were included in the Regents' notebooks. He stressed the fifth principle, which is as follows:
In setting priorities for the use of state resources, highest weight will be given first to instructional facilities (e.g., classrooms, laboratories) followed by academic support facilities (e.g., libraries, computer centers), student support facilities (e.g., housing, recreational and student activities centers), and finally administrative facilities and infrastructure needs.
Critical infrastructure needs may take precedence in some cases, especially where cost-effectiveness is a major rationale. Special consideration for the role of the state support for research facilities will be evaluated in light of the unique research mission of certain institutions.
With that, the Regents began the voting process. After the votes were electronically tabulated, Chancellor Meredith read aloud the projects that were added to the five-year rolling major capital projects list at the numbers indicated:
| Institution | Project | Requested State Funds | Cumulative Costs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20. | Armstrong Atlantic State University | Academic and Classroom Building | $22.5 million | $432,562,000 |
| 21. | University of Georgia | Special Collections Library | $24 million | $456,562,000 |
| 22. | Georgia Institute of Technology | Advanced Clean-room Building | $45 million | $501,562,000 |
After the results were presented, Vice Chair Wooten thanked all of the presidents and their staff, as well as Mr. Wingblade, Mr. Daniel, and the University System Office staff for their superb job in this process. He then called for a motion to approve the placement of these projects on the list. With motion properly made, seconded, and unanimously adopted, the Board approved the placement of these projects on the five-year rolling major capital projects priorities list.
Vice Chair Wooten then asked for a motion to recess the Committee on Real Estate and Facilities as a Committee of the Whole. Motion properly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned into its regular session.
Board Chair Howell thanked Regent Wooten for chairing the Committee as a Whole for this process. He reminded the Regents that there would be a function that evening in honor of Chancellor and Mrs. Meredith at 7:00 p.m. at the Four Seasons Hotel ballroom. Also, Wednesday, June 12, would be a historic day for the Board of Regents and the University System of Georgia because of the inauguration of the tenth Chancellor, Thomas C. Meredith. As a token of the event, Chair Howell presented to the Chancellor a gift of cufflinks of the University System of Georgia seal, and for Mrs. Meredith, a pendant of the seal. At approximately 4:00 p.m., Chair Howell recessed the Board until 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 12, 2002.
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COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, RESEARCH, AND EXTENSION
The Committee on Education, Research, and Extension met on Wednesday, June 12, 2002, at approximately 9:00 a.m. in room 6041, the Training Room. Committee members in attendance were Chair Allene H. Magill, Vice Chair Martin W. NeSmith, and Regents Hugh A. Carter, Jr., William H. Cleveland, Joe Frank Harris, Elridge W. McMillan, and Wanda Yancey Rodwell. Chair Magill reported to the Board that the Committee had reviewed 23 items, 22 of which required action. Additionally, 557 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. Renaming of the Existing Master of Science in Management to the Master of Business Administration, Georgia Institute of Technology
Approved: The Board approved the request of President G. Wayne Clough that Georgia Institute of Technology ("GIT") be authorized to rename the existing Master of Science in Management to the Master of Business Administration ("M.B.A."), effective June 12, 2002.
Abstract: GIT began awarding the Master of Science in Industrial Management degree in 1945. To reflect the content of the degree, its name was revised in 1985 to the Master of Science in Management. The institution is now requesting approval to change the name of the degree to the Master of Business Administration. Although in the past it was important to differentiate GIT's programs with names that implied the engineering focus of the institution, the M.B.A. is the industry standard among graduate business programs, including those at other engineering universities.
The Master of Science in Management program required additional explanation when marketing the degree to prospective students and employers. In turn, students were disadvantaged when they had an additional hurdle, that of degree recognition, to overcome in gaining employment. The DuPree College of Management polled visiting recruiters (e.g., United Parcel Service, Inc., Southern Company, Barclays, and Infosys Technologies) concerning the degree name and was informed that a revised name would enhance the college's ability to attract campus employers and improve student options. Currently enrolled students voted for the name change by a margin of 125 to 5. In meetings held in four cities with over 75 recent alumni and at the spring meeting of the Corporate Advisory Board, the majority of persons representing both groups supported the renaming.
GIT's program will differ from existing programs because it is targeted toward engineering students and will only enroll full-time matriculants. The institution has steadily shaped its curriculum for preparing leaders for technological environments. In April 2001, the existing program received reaccreditation from the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business, along with a recommendation for the industry standard renaming of the degree.
2. Renaming of the Existing Master of Science With a Major in Administration to the Master of Business Administration, Georgia Southwestern State University
Approved: The Board approved the request of President Michael L. Hanes that Georgia Southwestern State University ("GSSU") be authorized to rename the existing Master of Science with a major in Administration to the Master of Business Administration ("M.B.A."), effective June 12, 2002.
Abstract: GSSU proposed the renaming of its Master of Science with a major in Administration to the Master of Business Administration. The proposal was a response to requests from the business community in Southwest Georgia and from current and interested graduate students. According to GSSU, an M.B.A. program is more appealing to the business community and is a more widely accepted graduate program in business than the Master of Science with a major in Administration. The School of Business Administration is currently in candidacy status for accreditation by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business. Currently, there are 62 students enrolled in the Master of Science with a major in Administration program. The enhanced, new M.B.A. program is intended to serve the same sample population at the beginning of its implementation. Enrollment is projected to increase significantly by attracting regional students. The program will be restructured and redesigned to be more attractive to prospective graduate students and potential employers of graduates.
3. Renaming of the Existing Master of Science With a Major in Management (Formerly Management of Technology) to the Master of Business Administration, Southern Polytechnic State University
Approved: The Board approved the request of President Lisa A. Rossbacher that Southern Polytechnic State University ("SPSU") be authorized to rename the existing Master of Science with a major in Management (formerly Management of Technology) to the Master of Business Administration ("M.B.A."), effective June 12, 2002.
Abstract: The School of Engineering Technology and Management at SPSU proposed a renaming of the Master of Science with a major in Management to the Master of Business Administration. The M.B.A. curriculum will consist of graduate courses that lead to tracks in marketing, operations management, management of technology, and management information systems.
The Atlanta metropolitan area has experienced tremendous growth over the past ten years. The population of the area is almost the equivalent of the rest of the state. Increasingly, educational preparation occurs at higher levels in the immediate metropolitan area. Simultaneously, significant developments have occurred in aerospace, information technology, medical, and financial services. Students at SPSU and other regional organizations in industries ranging from banking to hospitality have expressed a strong interest in having a permanent M.B.A. program at SPSU. The existing major in Management has approximately 200 declared majors, and it is anticipated that interest will rise with the authorization for substantive modification and renaming. The program will be targeted toward recruiting international students. Based on an internal SPSU survey, it was found that students and employers recognize the M.B.A. more readily than the Master of Science with a major in Management.
The overall market for management education in Atlanta is growing among public, private, and proprietary institutions. The M.B.A. degree at SPSU will serve a market of students who are attracted to the institution for its engineering technology environment. The engineering technology market niche affords SPSU an opportunity to provide management training to engineering technologists. The program's name change will enhance SPSU's degree programs for potential students.
The existing management program is nationally accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs. SPSU plans to seek accreditation from the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business and will apply for precandidacy in the accreditation review process.
4. Establishment of the Master of Industrial Design, Georgia Institute of Technology
Approved: The Board approved the request of President G. Wayne Clough that Georgia Institute of Technology ("GIT") be authorized to establish the Master of Industrial Design, effective June 12, 2002.
Abstract: As defined by the Industrial Design Society of America, "Industrial design is the professional service of creating and developing concepts and specifications that optimize the function, value, and appearance of products and systems for the mutual benefit of both user and manufacturer." Industries that employ industrial designers include, but are not limited to, automotive, computer, medical, assistive, and software technologies. The intent of the degree is to create a professional master's program with specific content areas that support the industrial design profession in industries residing within and outside of the state.
Need: Bureau of Labor Statistics findings project a growth rate of 11.5% for the industrial design profession through the year 2005. A 1997 Time magazine article entitled "Where the Jobs Are" predicted that 76,000 new product design employment opportunities will develop by the year 2005. In 1998, the Industrial Design Society of America commissioned Drexel University to conduct a survey to determine the outlook for industrial design employment in the country. The findings indicate "the total number of employed industrial designers increased by 47% between 1993 and 1998. The percentage of designers hired with graduate degrees over the past five years has increased by 56%." The 1997 U.S. Economic Census Bureau listed 36 industrial design service firms in Georgia; 27 of those firms are located in the Atlanta area. In addition to local design service firms, design departments are resident in such companies as The Coca-Cola Company, NCR, Philips, Lucent Technologies, Siemens, IBM, and Motorola.
Objectives: The specific objective of the program is to facilitate student learning of design activities at an advanced level; to incorporate aesthetic, ethical, social, ergonomic, and environmental sustainability values in formulating industrial design approaches; and to prepare students for professional practice.
Curriculum: The 48-semester-hour curriculum will require a degree-hour waiver due to the graduate studios and design courses that form the core of the program.
Projected Enrollment: The institution anticipates new enrollments of 20, 40, and 40 during the first three years of the program. All projected enrollments will be new to the institution.
Funding: The institution will reallocate resources to implement the program.
Assessment: The Office of Academics and Fiscal Affairs will work with the institution to measure the success and continued effectiveness of the program. The program will be reviewed in concert with the institution's programmatic schedule of comprehensive program reviews.
5. Establishment of the Master of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics, Georgia Institute of Technology
Approved: The Board approved the request of President G. Wayne Clough that Georgia Institute of Technology ("GIT") be authorized to establish the Master of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics, effective June 12, 2002.
Abstract: The field of prosthetics and orthotics encompasses all aspects related to devices that replace lost limbs or augment musculoskeletal structures. Prosthetics involves the study of the artificial replacement of body parts. Orthotics is concerned with the design of artificial replacements and their custom fitting to accommodate patient needs and simultaneously promote well-being. The design and manufacture of artificial limbs and braces, the clinical fitting of these devices to patients, and the management of patient care facilities require a complex and multidisciplinary set of skills. Patient care in prosthetics and orthotics in the United States is conducted by certified prosthetists and orthotists. The proposed Master of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics, one of the first such programs in the country, would prepare students to receive professional certification in prosthetics and orthotics while obtaining a thorough knowledge of the growing complexities in the field. Concurrent with the proposed new degree is a request to establish a School of Applied Physiology. (See Item 12, page 40.)
Need: A 1996 study prepared by the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education highlighted data concerning the future demand for individuals in this field. The report sites "a projected 25% increase in total number of persons with paralysis, deformity, or orthopedic impairment by 2020; a projected 47% increase in total number of persons with an amputation by 2020; and the inability of adequate numbers of clinicians to serve a population where a projected 25% of patients require clinical services from qualified practitioners."
Objectives and Curriculum: The main objective of the two-year program is to provide students with the theoretical and practical understanding as well as clinical training they need to become leaders in the prosthetics and orthotics industry. Students will be prepared for careers in professional practice, device design and manufacture, and academe. The 48-semester-hour curriculum requires a degree-hour waiver because of the clinically intensive context of the program. At least 27 semester hours of clinical instruction are required. Courses taken in the program include Biomechanics and Kinesiology, Medical Imaging Systems, Gait Analysis, and Clinical Pathology.
Projected Enrollment: The institution anticipates new enrollments of 10, 10, and 15 during the first three years of the program.
Funding: The institution will reallocate resources to implement the program.
Assessment: The Office of Academics and Fiscal Affairs will work with the institution to measure the success and continued effectiveness of the program. The program will be reviewed in concert with the institution's programmatic schedule of comprehensive program reviews.
6. Establishment of the Existing R.N. to Master of Nursing as an External Degree at Columbus State University, Medical College of Georgia
Approved: The Board approved the request of President Daniel W. Rahn that the Medical College of Georgia ("MCG") be authorized to establish the existing R. N. to Master of Nursing ("M.N.") as an external degree at Columbus State University ("CSU"), effective June 12, 2002.
Abstract: In response to the request to provide nurses in West Georgia an opportunity to complete a master's level nursing degree, during fall 1999, MCG offered nursing programs on the campus of CSU. In addition, a satellite campus was created to establish a School of Nursing at CSU. The collaboration between MCG and CSU concerning the M.N. was initially established in January 1999 with the approval of the major in Family Nurse Practitioner via Georgia Statewide Academic and Medical System ("GSAMS") delivery. MCG offers four majors under the M.N. degree: Nursing Anesthesia, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. A collaborative arrangement was developed between MCG and CSU so that students would be provided access to the resources of the host institution, such as the library, student activities, and student services. Based on prior existing arrangements and the request to meet specific regional needs, MCG requested approval to again offer its M.N. program on the campus of CSU. The curriculum will be equivalent to the existing R.N. to M.N. program at MCG.
In the spirit of collaboration, MCG will offer its R.N. to M.N. program externally on the campus and through distance technologies to students located at CSU. MCG and CSU will complete a memorandum of understanding detailing the operational aspects of this collaboration.
7. Establishment of the Existing R.N. to Bachelor of Science in Nursing as an External Degree at Columbus State University, Medical College of Georgia
Approved: The Board approved the request of President Daniel W. Rahn that the Medical College of Georgia ("MCG") be authorized to establish the existing R.N. to Bachelor of Science in Nursing ("B.S.N.") as an external degree at Columbus State University ("CSU"), effective June 12, 2002.
Abstract: In response to the request to provide nurses in West Georgia an opportunity to complete a baccalaureate nursing degree, during fall 1999, MCG offered nursing programs on the campus of CSU. A collaborative arrangement was developed between MCG and CSU so that students would be provided access to the resources of the host institution, such as the library, student activities, and student services. Due to prior existing arrangements and the request to meet specific regional needs, MCG requested approval to again offer its R.N. to B.S.N. program on the campus of CSU.
An interest survey completed with several hospitals in the Columbus area indicated that at least 42 nurses were very interested in enrolling in a technology-assisted R.N. to B.S.N. program. The curriculum will be equivalent to the existing R.N. to B.S.N. program at MCG. The curriculum of study requires 120 semester hours of course work.
In the spirit of collaboration, MCG will offer its R.N. to B.S.N. program externally on the campus and through distance technologies to students located at CSU. MCG and CSU will complete a memorandum of understanding detailing the operational aspects of this collaboration.
8. Establishment of the Existing Bachelor of Science in Nursing as an External Degree at Gwinnett University Center, Medical College of Georgia
Approved: The Board approved the request of President Daniel W. Rahn that the Medical College of Georgia ("MCG") be authorized to establish the existing Bachelor of Science in Nursing ("B.S.N.") as an external degree at Gwinnett University Center ("GUC"), effective June 12, 2002.
Abstract: In May 2001, the State of Georgia Health Strategies Council released a report entitled Code Blue: Workforce in Crisis. The report documents that there is an insufficient number of nurses in the current Georgia workforce. The report defined the shortage as a 13% average vacancy rate in hospitals and nursing homes with a higher (19%) vacancy rate reported for the Atlanta area. As the health sciences university of the University System, MCG seeks to meet the educational needs of the state in the area of nursing.
The MCG School of Nursing receives applications from various geographic locations within the state. As of January 2002, over 250 applications were received for the B.S.N. program. Of those, approximately one-third of the applicants listed Gwinnett County or an adjacent county as their permanent address. MCG's School of Nursing consistently has twice as many students desiring to attend the MCG program at Athens than can be accepted. MCG projects that students who are not accepted to the Athens campus will elect to attend a program offered at GUC.
The admission requirements for the external degree program will be identical to the admission criteria for the existing "two plus two" B.S.N. at MCG. In addition to traditional classroom instruction, upper-division courses will be taught via distance education technologies, including Georgia Statewide Academic and Medical System ("GSAMS") from Athens or Augusta, WebCT™, Internet, and other online opportunities. Each student will have access to faculty based on the Augusta and Athens campuses and to the associate dean for academic programs.
In the spirit of collaboration, MCG will offer its B.S.N. program externally on the campus and through distance technologies to students located at GUC. MCG and GUC will complete a memorandum of understanding detailing the operational aspects of this collaboration.
9. Establishment of the Existing Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences as an External Degree at Gwinnett University Center, Medical College of Georgia
Approved: The Board approved the request of President Daniel W. Rahn that the Medical College of Georgia ("MCG") be authorized to establish the existing Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences as an external degree at Gwinnett University Center ("GUC"), effective June 12, 2002.
Abstract: As the health sciences university of the University System, MCG seeks to meet the educational needs of the state in the area of radiologic sciences. MCG recognizes that as technologist shortages increase, the responsibilities of active practitioners seemingly increase. An institutional needs assessment survey was conducted in various sites around the state including the cities of Augusta, Columbus, Athens, Macon, Milledgeville, and Rome. In addition, an Internet survey was conducted, and the institution received 148 responses. Of the completed surveys, 70% of the respondents reported they would complete their baccalaureate degree if it was delivered over the Internet, and 26% of the respondents said they would be interested in a continuing education program if delivered in a similar format.
The Department of Radiologic Sciences at MCG requests approval to implement a distance learning curriculum based on a multiple technology or blended delivery platform. The request is twofold. First, instead of relying on Georgia Statewide Academic and Medical System ("GSAMS") as a delivery platform, MCG proposes to incorporate Internet-deliverable WebCT™, videotape, and CD-ROM as equally viable delivery platforms, beginning fall semester 2002. Second, MCG proposes to make this blended delivery concept possible for the Radiologic Science majors in addition to the associate to baccalaureate "bridge" program. A combination of online and classroom instruction will be provided at GUC. MCG offers the following four majors under the Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences: Nuclear Medicine Technology, Medical Dosimetry, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, and Radiation Therapy Technology. The program offerings have the support of administrators at both institutions.
In the spirit of collaboration, MCG will offer the program externally on the campus and through distance technologies to students located at GUC. MCG and GUC will complete a memorandum of understanding detailing the operational aspects of this collaboration.
10. Establishment of the Associate of Science in Cardiovascular Technician, Darton College
Approved: The Board approved the request of President Peter J. Sireno that Darton College ("DC") be authorized to establish the Associate of Science in Cardiovascular Technician, effective June 12, 2002.
Abstract: DC proposed the establishment of the Associate of Science in Cardiovascular Technician to meet a societal need in Southwest Georgia. The program will provide a formal educational setting for those demanding opportunities in this allied health field. National data points such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggest that the number of cardiovascular technicians will increase 35% by 2010. Demographic trends confirm that as the population ages, there is an increase in heart disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, and the complications of diabetes mellitus and obesity. Cardiovascular technicians are educated to intervene with clients' experiencing such illnesses by assisting with diagnostic procedures, performing therapeutic interventions, teaching clients, monitoring compliance levels, and promoting wellness.
Need: According to Planning for Tomorrow, the Georgia Department of Labor's industry and occupational outlook, the state's need for cardiovascular technicians is estimated to increase by 61% by 2006. In Southwest Georgia, there is an estimated increased need of 44% personnel in this allied health area.
Objectives: The primary objective of the program is to educate cardiovascular technicians who can assist with meeting the health needs of Southwest Georgians by working with physicians and surgeons in acute care facilities, outpatient areas, cardiac catheterization laboratories, stress testing, and physicians' offices and clinics.
Curriculum: The 71-semester-hour program is designed to meet the accreditation standards of the Joint Review Committee on Education for Cardiovascular Technicians. The program of study requires that students complete practicums and coursework in cardiology, pharmacology, and cardiovascular disease processes.
Projected Enrollment: The institution anticipates new enrollments of 16, 21, and 27 during the first three years of the program.
Funding: The institution has redirected resources to establish the program and has been approved for a Title III grant under the Strengthening Institutions Program. The program will be housed in the existing Nursing and Allied Health Divisions.
Assessment: The Office of Academics and Fiscal Affairs will work with the institution to measure the success and continued effectiveness of the program. The program will be reviewed in concert with the institution's programmatic schedule of comprehensive program reviews.
11. Administrative and Academic Appointments and Personnel Actions, Various System Institutions
The administrative and academic appointments were reviewed by Committee Chair Joe Frank Harris and were approved by the Board. The full list of approved appointments is on file with the Office of Faculty Affairs in the Office of Academics and Fiscal Affairs.
12. Modification to Organizational Structure With the Establishment of the School of Applied Physiology, Georgia Institute of Technology
Approved: The Board approved the request of President G. Wayne Clough that the Georgia Institute of Technology ("GIT") be authorized to modify its existing organizational structure with the establishment of the School of Applied Physiology, effective June 12, 2002.
Abstract: GIT's Department of Health and Performance Sciences has made several changes in the past few years in its efforts to move from a service-oriented unit to one involved in the offering of academic programs. GIT proposed that the existing Department of Health and Performance Sciences be renamed and reconstituted as the School of Applied Physiology. The School of Applied Physiology's focus is based on biomechanics, neural control, and systems muscle physiology. This is consistent with the institution's mission, as outlined in its strategic plan.
Approximately ten years ago, during GIT's reorganization, departmental faculty successfully lobbied to be included as a unit within the newly formed College of Sciences. Given this change in administrative structure, the existing department's objective was to progress to a degree-granting academic unit. In that regard, GIT hired four new faculty, three since 1997. All of these faculty are dedicated to teaching, service, and research. They have moved into a newly renovated laboratory and administrative space in the Weber/SST Building, acquired significant increases in extramural funding, and developed an emerging unit that contributes to the educational and research community through collaborations with faculty at Emory University, the University of Georgia, Georgia State University, and the Medical College of Georgia. Additionally, the existing department has completed staff reorganization to support the growing research and teaching demands relative to the proposed degree.
GIT's request was part of the overall institutional plan to offer a Master of Prosthetics and Orthotics degree contingent upon Board of Regents approval. (See Item 5, pages 34 to 35.) Funding for the unit will come from a variety of sources, including the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and other agencies. No new state-allocated operating funds are required to establish the institutional unit.
13. Modification to Organizational Structure, Macon State College
Approved: The Board approved the request of President David A. Bell that Macon State College ("MSC") be authorized to modify its existing organizational structure, effective June 12, 2002.
Abstract: MSC requested Board approval for modifications to the institution's organizational structure. These changes respond to recommendations made by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools ("SACS") during a regular reaffirmation visit conducted in February 2002. The realignments strengthen MSC's administrative configuration in two areas: technology support services and student development.
MSC proposed that technology support services for both academic and administrative computing be consolidated under a director of technology services reporting directly to the president. This model charges a chief information officer with responsibility for this critical area and assigns clear authority to manage services, quality assurance, provisioning, planning, and budgeting. A current member of MSC's administration who has extensive experience in information technology management in both the public and private sectors is available to fill this position.
The visiting SACS team recommended that MSC identify an administrative unit responsible for the overall planning and implementation of student development functions and establish a position at a level commensurate with other major administrative areas within the institution. MSC proposed to bring student activities and organizations, professional counseling, career planning and placement, and health, wellness, and recreation under the direction of the dean of students and include this administrator as part of the president's cabinet.
14. Modification to Organizational Structure, Gainesville College
Approved: The Board approved the request of President Martha T. Nesbitt that Gainesville College ("GVC") be authorized to revise its existing organizational structure to establish the position of Vice President for External Programs to head the GVC Athens and Forsyth sites, effective June 12, 2002.
Abstract: GVC requested approval to modify its existing organizational structure to establish the position of Vice President for External Programs to head the GVC Athens and Forsyth sites. With the growth in Athens, needs will arise to add various support services, and subsequently, a need exists for a full-time administrator to manage operations at both external sites. The vice president for external programs will coordinate activities associated with all aspects of the operation of GVC in Athens to include academic programs, business functions, student support services, and community relations. In addition, the responsibilities of the position will include management of the GVC presence in Forsyth. Management and control of academic areas reside with the vice president for academic affairs. The institution will absorb costs associated with this organizational change by transferring the incumbent who holds the position of Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs into the new position.
15. Revised Institutional Statutes, Dalton State College
Approved: The Board approved the request of President James A. Burran that Dalton State College ("DSC") be authorized to establish revised institutional statutes, effective June 12, 2002.
Abstract: The revision of the statutes reflects a thorough review and brings the statutes into line with current Board of Regents policies and procedures. The DSC statutes were last revised and approved by the Board of Regents in August 2001. At its April 2002 meeting, the Board of Regents approved a revision of DSC's administrative structure, essentially reducing the number of vice presidents from four to three. A change of this significance needs to be incorporated into the statutes. DSC is currently completing its Southern Association of Colleges and Schools self-study in preparation for a March 2003 reaffirmation visit.
As a result of several internal recommendations, DSC has incorporated the following changes into the statutes:
Article I, Section C: The Organization section has been revised to include all of the chairs, directors, and coordinators that appear in the college's organizational chart.
Article III, Section D: The Officers of General Administration section has been revised to depict three vice presidents instead of four, as approved by the Academic Council.
Article IV: This article is new and depicts the job descriptions of the directors who respond to the president. This revision rectifies a self-study noncompliance item.
Article VI, Section J: The organizational change, as approved by the Academic Council, in which the number of vice presidents was being reduced from four to three is reflected throughout.
The name of the Student Affairs Council has been changed to the Student Activities Council.
The name of the Enrollment Services Council has been changed to the Enrollment and Student Services Council.
The Committee on Faculty Evaluation Process and the Promotion and Tenure Review Committee have been replaced by a Faculty Evaluation Committee, as approved by the Academic Council.
16. Establishment of the Norman Giles/Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Molecular Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Georgia
Approved: The Board approved the request of President Michael F. Adams that the University of Georgia ("UGA") be authorized to establish the Norman Giles/Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Molecular Genetics and Functional Genomics, effective June 12, 2002.
Abstract: The Georgia Research Alliance ("GRA") has designated half of the endowment fund for the professorship. The University of Georgia Foundation, Inc. has designated $375,000 in private funds for the endowed chair, and the University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc. has designated an additional $375,000 for this position. The foundation contributions total the $750,000 match required for GRA funding. The position is important to both the GRA and UGA because it will enhance the institutional focus areas in genomics and the Biomedical Health Sciences initiative.
Biographical Sketch: Dr. Norman Giles was born in Oakland City, Georgia. He received his undergraduate degree from Emory University in 1937. Dr. Giles completed his graduate work at Harvard University and received a Doctorate in Cytogenetics studying under eminent geneticist Professor Karl Sax. Upon finishing postdoctoral studies, Dr. Giles accepted a position at Yale University as an instructor in the Botany Department. He was later appointed as the Eugene Higgins Professor of Genetics. Dr. Giles was elected a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He served as President of the Genetics Society of America and of the American Society of Naturalists. Dr. Giles returned to UGA in 1972 as a Fuller E. Callaway Professor and later assisted in the creation of the Department of Genetics. Dr. Giles has been responsible for creating and promoting programs that have helped bring the field of genetics into everyday applications.
17. Termination of the Doctor of Education With a Major in Research Design, University of Georgia
Approved: The Board approved the request of President Michael F. Adams that the University of Georgia ("UGA") be authorized to terminate the Doctor of Education with a major in Research Design, effective June 12, 2002.
Abstract: UGA requested approval to terminate the major in Research Design under the existing Doctor of Education degree because the program had experienced low enrollment and because a decision was made to discontinue the program concurrent with the conversion to the semester system. Currently, there are no students matriculating in the program. Termination of the program will have no adverse impact on the faculty or other programs. There are no plans to reinstate the major.
18. Termination of the Master of Arts for Teachers With a Major in History, University of Georgia
Approved: The Board approved the request of President Michael F. Adams that the University of Georgia ("UGA") be authorized to terminate the Master of Arts for Teachers with a major in History, effective June 12, 2002.
Abstract: UGA requested approval to terminate the major in History under the existing Master of Arts for Teachers degree because the program had experienced low enrollment and because a decision was made to discontinue the program concurrent with the conversion to the semester system. Currently, there are no students matriculating in the program. Termination of the program will have no adverse impact on the faculty or other programs. There are no plans to reinstate the major.
19. Establishment of the Department of Educational Administration and Policy, University of Georgia
Approved: The Board approved the request of President Michael F. Adams that the University of Georgia ("UGA") be authorized to establish the Department of Educational Administration and Policy, effective June 12, 2002.
Abstract: UGA requested approval to establish the Department of Educational Administration and Policy in response to changing conditions both in terms of the expectations within the profession of educational leadership and in state and national educational environments, including efforts to reform educational leadership programs in Georgia. The department will be characterized by its focus on scholarship and its preparation of individuals to assume executive leadership positions in P-12 schools, faculty positions in higher education, and research and leadership roles in other agencies, such as state departments of education or legislative policy analysis teams. The department will create an environment to stimulate, foster, and support inquiry into the legal, economic, historical, philosophical, social, political, and international context of educational policy and practice. Staffing for the department will include interested faculty invited to join the department from other departments and individuals recruited nationally from available faculty lines. No new funding is requested for the establishment of this unit. Currently, three faculty members have expressed an interest in joining the proposed department. The College of Education is holding three vacant faculty lines against which it will recruit after the new department has been ratified by the Board. The department will foster an environment to engage in intellectual discourse and research in multi-disciplinary issues associated with educational policy and practice in diverse settings.
20. Permanent Status of the Georgia WebMBA™ Program, Consortium Institutions: Georgia College & State University, Georgia Southern University, Kennesaw State University, State University of West Georgia, and Valdosta State University
Approved: The Board approved the request of the Consortium -- Georgia College & State University, Georgia Southern University, Kennesaw State University, State University of West Georgia, and Valdosta State University -- to extend permanent status to the existing Master of Business Administration ("M.B.A.") program, otherwise known as the Georgia WebMBA™, via a consortial arrangement using the Internet as the primary mode of delivery, effective June 12, 2002.
Abstract: The Consortium, a group that consists of five University System institutions that are accredited by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business, proposed a collaborative, exclusive Web-based M.B.A. program to reach disparate markets in Georgia. The Board approved the Georgia WebMBA™ at its April 2000 meeting with the understanding that advances in technology could provide new opportunities for educational institutions to serve markets that existed but were inaccessible using traditional delivery systems. Upon its ratification, it was decided that in academic year 2002, the pilot tuition rate, associated costs, and programmatic outcomes would be revisited to further determine the solvency of the program.
The request that the program move from pilot to permanent status was based on the following outcomes:
The Georgia WebMBA™ program will graduate its first class in December 2002. The average retention rate of 90% over two cohorts reflects the success of the program. Enrollments are distributed across the five institutions with each admitting five to seven students. The program now serves two cohorts of 27 students each.
The Georgia WebMBA™ program began its second cycle January 2002 and is recruiting a third cycle of students to begin August 2002. Curricular modifications will enable the program to accept a new cohort of students annually.
The Georgia WebMBA™ program was included in the System's successful distance education substantive change review.
The request to revisit the pilot tuition rate will be addressed through the Committee on Finance and Business as Item 4 of its agenda. (See page 5.)
21. Establishment of the Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Analytic Genomics, Georgia Institute of Technology
Approved: The Board approved the request of President G. Wayne Clough that the Georgia Institute of Technology ("GIT") be authorized to establish the Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Analytic Genomics, effective June 12, 2002.
Abstract: The Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Analytic Genomics, a position combining computational biology and bioinformatics to be housed within the School of Biology, will be a leader in the development and application of computational tools to examine structure-function relationships in biomolecular systems. Funds for the chair consist of $750,000 from the Georgia Research Alliance ("GRA") and $750,000 from GIT's foundation. Computational biology and bioinformatics are the application of modern mathematical, computational, and physical sciences to gain new insights into the molecular mechanisms of life and the processes that control the replication and health of all organisms. The recruitment of a GRA eminent scholar in this area will help bring new and important expertise essential to biotechnology and pharmaceutical research to the state.
New developments in targeting drug therapies at bacterial and virus infections, cancer, and degenerative diseases are demonstrating the crucial importance of understanding the relationship between the three-dimensional structure and the function of targeted biological macromolecules. The Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Analytical Genomics will bring a major research effort in modeling the structures of biomedically important proteins and nucleic acids. The scholar is expected to develop strong collaborations with experimental efforts in understanding structure-function features of complex systems, such as a cell's protein synthesis machinery, the ribosome, and protein-ribonucleic acid molecular complexes involved in virus replication and cancer. This work will focus on developments targeting drug therapies, bacterial and virus infections, cancer, and degenerative diseases. Each of these targets requires a deep understanding of the relationship between the three-dimensional structure and the function of molecules of critical importance. This GRA eminent scholar will perform research in the computational and structural biology of proteins and nucleic acids in an effort to understand features of these complex systems.
22. Establishment of the Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Biological Systems, Georgia Institute of Technology
Approved: The Board approved the request of President G. Wayne Clough that the Georgia Institute of Technology ("GIT") be authorized to establish the Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Biological Systems, effective June 12, 2002.
Abstract: This eminent scholar position is part of the Georgia Research Alliance ("GRA") allocation in the area of bioinformatics. It was also considered to be in support of a major grant proposal to The Whitaker Foundation for the development of the GIT/Emory University Department of Biomedical Engineering. The Whitaker Foundation proposal was funded at $16 million, and the pledge of the GRA to provide an eminent scholar was an important factor in the success of the grant application. Funds for the chair consist of $750,000 from the GRA and $750,000 from the Georgia Tech Foundation.
The search has commenced for an internationally recognized scholar in either of two broad areas: 1) computational bioinformatics, functional genomics, and proteomics or 2) technologies underpinning bioinformatics, functional genomics, and proteomics. Examples of the first of these areas include research into gene-finding methods, computational models of functional genomics and protein function, and modeling of complex biological systems at the cellular level. Examples of the second area include micro- and nanotechnologies for microarrays and protein chips and molecular imaging. In addition, scholars are sought whose interests overlap with cancer applications. This strategy will enable GIT to leverage its partnership with Emory University's School of Medicine, in particular, the Winship Cancer Institute.
A search committee has been formed and potential laboratory space identified in the U. A. Whitaker Biomedical Engineering Building, to be completed in July 2003.
23. 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:
| University of Georgia | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Agency | Duration | Amount |
| Provide Georgia Corn Extension education program support | Georgia Commodity Commission for Corn | 7/1/01 - 6/30/02 | $4,000 |
| Provide technical support for corn improvement team | Georgia Commodity Commission for Corn | 7/1/01 - 6/30/02 | $36,400 |
| Use selected fungicides for brown rot control on peaches | Georgia Commodity Commission for Peaches | 1/1/02 - 12/31/02 | $2,500 |
| Provide support to Americorps | Georgia Department of Community Affairs | 10/1/01 - 9/30/02 | $620 |
| Provide diversity in nutrition education program | Georgia Department of Human Resources | 10/1/01 - 9/30/02 | $426,359 |
| Track local tobacco-related ordinance in Georgia | Georgia Department of Human Resources | 5/1/02 - 3/30/03 | $89,000 |
| Direct organizational development project | Department of Labor | 2/28/02 - 9/30/02 | $129,988 |
| Provide services for Georgia postsecondary skills | Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education | 10/1/01 - 7/20/02 | $21,750 |
| Present symposium on the South and globalization | Georgia Humanities Council | 1/1/02 - 8/31/02 | $8,000 |
| Georgia State University | |||
| Evaluate home care satisfaction | Georgia Department of Human Resources | 12/1/01 - 9/28/02 | $49,480 |
| Study electronic court filing | Georgia Courts Automation Commission | 1/1/02 - 6/30/02 | $70,000 |
| Provide education workforce development | Georgia Professional Standards Commission | 1/7/02 - 8/16/02 | $23,800 |
| Contribute to the historic American building document | Georgia Building Authority | 12/31/01 - 12/1/02 | $31,350 |
| Provide support to welfare reform | Georgia Department of Community Health | 7/1/01 - 6/30/02 | |
