Minutes of the
 Board of Trustees of
Northern Illinois University
June 15, 2000

I am delighted to have the privilege of welcoming our new student trustee, James Barr, Chair Moser said. James has served in the Student Association for several years. He is a political science/public administration student here at NIU, and very active in both government and politics. 

We are delighted to have you join the Board this year, Jim. Your service in student government has provided you with a depth of knowledge, which will be a tremendous asset to the Board. This board takes the opinions and counsel of the student trustee very seriously, and I want you to know I am looking forward to working with you next year. Chair Moser then swore in James Barr, whose appointment will be effective July 1, 2000, as follows:

Mr. James Barr, do you solemnly swear that you will support the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Illinois and the laws thereof, and that you will faithfully discharge the duties of Trustee for the Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University to the best of your ability?

James Barr: I do.

Mr. Barr made the following statement:
 

Thank you Mr. Chair and members of the Board. Thank you President Peters, members of the university faculty and staff here today. There are many individuals I should thank today, but I will limit myself to a select few. First, an individual who cannot be here due to orientation, our new president of the Student Association, Mr. Ken Getty, for his vision in appointing me to this position. With his fellow executives and their staff, the S.A. is sure to reach new heights. I would also like to thank several of the previous student trustees for their guidance and friendship over the last four years. It has been a very distinct pleasure to know each of them over those four years: David Marquez, Steven Kovacs, Joseph Sosnowski and certainly, most significantly today and over the last four years, Mr. Nolan Davis for his guidance and friendship. Thank you, Nolan.

Having taken an active role in the university governance process for the last four years, I have had the opportunity to become acquainted with a great many of the university's staff. Almost without exception, these university officials have been dedicated, hardworking and very honorable. Although I do not have the time today to mention all of them, I must share the experiences I have had with at least one of them. When I entered Northern four years ago, I thought the days of my having a role model were over. I was wrong. Mr. President, Mr. Chair, this individual has taught me about ethical behavior and, more significantly, dedication to an institution based on principle. Today, she is formally known as our Assistant Provost for Student Services. However, to a great many students, and especially all of our student leaders, she is known simply as Micki. Thank you, Micki.

I would be remiss not to mention a few of my friends and family. First, Mr. Jeff Holtz is here with us today. Jeff has been by my side for over eight years in a great many endeavors both here at Northern and in high school, and I am very grateful for his friendship. Thank you, Jeff. My freshman year I had the opportunity to meet a very special individual, Michael LaPidus. Since that time, we have been roommates for a very long time, three years. We have also been members of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity together, officers of Model Illinois Government, Student Association officials, local government candidates, and although I have been slightly more effective in that area, I had the benefit of running unopposed, where Michael had very real competition. We have also shared in our Catholic faith. Michael thank you for your lessons in life about loyalty and about strength in the face of adversity; it has meant very much to me. I need to also mention Bob Comstock, my high school broadcasting teacher, my grandfather, James O'Connel, neither of them is here today. Along with Micki, they have been my role models in life and mentors, and I am very appreciative towards them. Lastly, I wish to thank two very special people, who have given me more love and support than any individual rightly deserves. Thank you Mom and Dad — my parents, Carney and Patrice Barr.

On a personal note, one year ago I never imagined I would be here with you today. I had just lost an election and was convinced my service to the university had concluded. That is why it gives me such pleasure to become a member of a Board that I know personally has done so much to further the mission of the university in the last four years.

Our university community faces a great many challenges in the year ahead. The composition of the student body is changing. The cost of higher education is rising. The number of social outlets for our students is shrinking. And, we are experiencing the effects of a new and dynamic economy. With each of these challenges comes an opportunity, and it gives me pleasure at this time to say that I concur with our new leader, President Peters, that we can be the leading regional university in the nation. I also agree with Provost Waldeland that to reach our potential, we must integrate technology in our classrooms, and we each need to realize a true and very definite commitment to diversity in our faculty, in our staff and in our students. Like many students, Northern is not just my "home away from home"; it is my home. The university community has quickly become my personal community. The lesson I wish to carry to the students is that we each have much to take pride in here at Northern, whether it is our public administration division, our theatre arts program or our nationally-recognized accountancy major. Northern is a dynamic institution, and it is an exciting time to be your next student trustee. Thank you very much, and good day to each of you.

     Chair George Moser
     Vice Chair Manny Sanchez
     Secretary Myron Siegel
     Fourth Member of the Executive Committee Bob Boey
     Civil Service Merit Commission. Jeremiah Joyce

The above-named officers were elected by acclamation of the Board.

It is with great pleasure, Chair Moser said, that I welcome Dr. John Peters to the President’s chair. I look forward to working with you to make Northern Illinois University the best regional institution in the nation, which you have committed yourself to do. We have done so many things together already, I am sure that is going to be an easily achievable goal. As you get settled over the summer, I want you to know that I am fully committed to assisting you in any way possible in your efforts to develop your vision for NIU, the Chair said, a vision that is shared by the Board of Trustees, and we welcome you to the university.

President Peters thanked Chair Moser. I do not think any individual or family could have been more accepted and welcomed to a broad region and community than I have been, and Barbara and my son, Russell, whom you will be meeting in August. In my two weeks on the job, I have traveled over a thousand miles in this region. I have been to Rockford four times, to Hoffman Estates four times, to Naperville once and Chicago twice. I've also been to Governors State. I have had two hundred annuitants to the residence. I was lonely, you see, so, I brought two hundred of my closest friends over. I can just tell you that this institution is in fine shape, the President said. It has a great governing board, a great faculty, a great student body and a great state. And I am very lucky and proud to be here.

Chair Moser recognized the University Advisory Committee (UAC) representatives: Dr. Dan Griffiths, Dr. Sue Ouellette, Dr. James Lockard, Dr. Rich Becker and Ms. Judy Burgess.

Dr. Griffiths took the opportunity to also thank the Board for appointing John Peters as the new president. His academic and administrative background and accomplishments speak for themselves. In addition, Dr. Griffiths said, from my brief conversations with him and his work as Chair of the Provost Search Committee, I believe he will be a superb fit for NIU, and I welcome him. I also wish to thank the Board for its attempts to address an increase in the salary level of faculty and staff, since it is necessary to have more competitive salaries in order to retain quality faculty and staff.

Later in the agenda, Chair Moser said, we will properly salute our outgoing student trustee, Nolan Davis, but, as a point of personal privilege, I wanted to extend my personal thanks and best wishes to you, Nolan, in your future endeavors. This is Nolan’s last meeting as a Student Trustee. Nolan has become a personal friend of mine, the Chair said, and I know of everyone on the Board here. Nolan you have been a terrific leader and representative to this Board, and one of the smartest guys I know. Your involvement and presence in the Presidential Search process has been very professional, and your advice and counsel have been much appreciated. As you know, Dr. Peters was frequently labeled "the students’ provost" at the University of Tennessee. So, his presence at the helm of NIU is an example of this Board’s commitment to the students and a testimony to the importance of your thoughts and leadership during the search process. Thank you, Nolan for your contribution to this Board. You will be missed by everyone and especially by myself, the Chair said.

Nolan, I know it has been a wonderful experience for you, Trustee Boey said, especially having gone through the discussions on the presidential search. That probably will prepare you for many years to come for some of the actions on the boards of corporations on which you, I am sure, will be serving. There is no question in my mind that success is yours. You only have to reach for it. You have been a great trustee for us, he said. Thank you for all the help you have given us, and personally, too.

Nolan, it has been wonderful, almost coming on a year, Trustee Siegel said. You came on in some difficult circumstances at a difficult time, and you made a big impression on the Board. Good luck and thank you.

Chair Moser welcomed James Barr, the new student trustee. James, we look forward to a good year. You have a tough act to follow; however, I know you are up to the task. Your reputation precedes you. Jim will take office officially on July 1, the Chair said, and will join us at the Board table at the September Board meeting.

Chair Moser made the following comments:

I would just like to make a couple of comments of appreciation, and thank my fellow Trustees at this time for the vote of confidence that they have shown to me and the entire Board. I am humbled by the expression of trust that you have made with this vote this morning, and I vow to uphold that trust throughout the coming year. We have had quite a year. When I first took up this position twelve months ago, I knew we faced a number of challenges. I could have never guessed the fast track we were on and how significant the ensuing year would be in the life of this university. Twelve months ago I outlined a series of actions that I thought we needed to take or get underway in the coming year. With few exceptions, I am proud to say that we have made major progress in these important areas. First and foremost, of course, is our selection of a new president. I know John Peters is getting a little tired of these public accolades, but I know I speak for all of my fellow Board members when I say we are extremely pleased to have such a well-respected leader at the helm of NIU as we enter the new century. Of all the prescribed duties of a Board of Trustees, none is more important than the hiring of the university president. I think we can all feel a great sense of accomplishment on that score and I know there are a lot of Board members, like our fellow Trustee, Manny Sanchez, who worked very hard on the Presidential Search Committee with Trustee Bob Boey. I know myself, it has been a difficult year in many ways, but also very rewarding, and I think we have accomplished a lot. 

At this time last year, we pledged to get our Naperville facility up and running by fall of the year 2000, and we have actually exceeded that goal. The first classes are already being offered at NIU-Naperville. Our new Naperville director has been hired and the grand opening for that facility is scheduled for early this fall. Talk about fast track. That is impressive by any measure. Being in the development business, I know what I am talking about, and I have seen these kinds of projects that have not gone that well. This one is going extremely well. A plan to unify the identities of our regional sites is well underway now, as well, and interest in an NIU brand is on the upswing as we increase our physical presence in these key areas. This year we finally secured $4.5 million in funding to complete our library basement buildout project. That has been on our priority list since our inception as a Board, and I think it is an excellent example of the persistence that is sometimes needed to get these projects funded. No rundown on this past year would be complete without some mention of our convocation center project. All of you know how much work went into the planning and approval process for that facility. But I think few people really understand how much work has been accomplished during that time. Since the approval was finalized, contracts have been signed, plans have been completed and the groundbreaking is about to take place. This is one of the most exciting projects that we have dealt with as a Board.

On the political front, our relations in Springfield and Washington and with municipal governments throughout our region have never been better, thanks to stepped-up efforts in our Government Relations and Community Relations areas. This was a key area we identified last year, and I am pleased to report that our progress in these areas has been substantial. We have seen a number of economic programs garner national attention. Outstanding students and faculty have been profiled and interviewed in media across the country and around the world. We know that these are strong messages about the quality of an NIU education. We are glad to see the continued emphasis in this area. Our new Center for Diversity Resources is up and running now with a full-time director and a number of full- and part-time staff. This Board has made diversity issues a priority, and we are pleased to see that a number of new initiatives in that area are well underway, including a comprehensive study of programs and services available to one of our fastest growing student populations, Asian Americans.

I certainly could go on at great length about our accomplishments over the past year, but suffice it to say we have been on a very busy and very productive track. Each new step we take enlarges the vista and lets us see even more of what is possible. I would like to mention several areas in which I think we need to concentrate our efforts over the coming year. First and foremost, we must continue to pursue the highest possible academic quality and access to our programs. That means obtaining funds to attract and retain the best faculty and students at NIU. There is no single answer to this challenge. It is going to require a concentrated effort to reach public officials, private donors and corporate partners to tell the NIU story. That effort has made steady improvement over the past year, and we as a Board must do everything we can to continue our support of these efforts. Secondly, we must take advantage of every connection we currently have with the key opinion leaders and decision-makers. We have more than 160,000 NIU alumni, and more than three-quarters of them live in Illinois. Most of those are here in the Chicagoland area. We need a political action ambassador's program that makes use of our considerable alumni strength in support of key issues affecting the life and health of Northern Illinois University. Third, we need to continue our progress on a comprehensive plan for the West Campus. The special development authority we obtained for our undeveloped acreage on West Campus provides nearly limitless opportunities for innovative public/private partnership ventures. Finally, we need to enhance our role as a catalyst for change and positive development in our region. We have long said that NIU is defined by this vibrant region. We certainly have many initiatives underway and that illustrates the regional leadership position the university has. Over the next twelve months, and under the leadership of Dr. Peters, I hope we can begin to bring that overriding message into greater focus. We want to concentrate more of our outreach efforts on those projects, which uplift and unify the voices of leadership in our region.

In any event, I thank you, fellow Trustees, for your continuing support and for all of you who have gathered here today. I ask you to continue to provide your wise counsel and support as we deal with the challenges of the year ahead.

Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and Personnel Committee
Without being redundant, Committee Chair Robert Boey said, let me simply welcome Dr. John Peters. We look forward to working hand in hand with you for many years to come.

The Committee Chair reported that the Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and Personnel Committee met at the NIU-Rockford facility on June 2. Because we were meeting on her home grounds, he said, I asked Barbara Vella, the vice chair of the committee, to chair the meeting. The Committee reviewed requests for new specializations within current degree programs, new off-campus degree authority for two programs, a request to delete an emphasis in an undergraduate program and the correction of the tenure location for a faculty member. We also endorsed an amendment to the NIU Constitution. These items will be presented for Board approval later in the meeting. We also heard an update on this year's program reviews and on the NCAA certification process. Dean LeRoy Pernell of the college of Law presented plans for the Zeke Giorgi Legal Clinic to be located in Rockford. It will provide NIU third-year law students with valuable, practical experience.

Finance, Facilities and Operations Committee
It was similarly our privilege, Committee Chair Manuel Sanchez reported, to host the meeting at NIU-Rockford. Also, we were privileged to hold the first post-Peters regime, if you will, formal Trustee Committee meeting, he said, and it was our honor to do that.

With the help of Dr. Williams, the Finance, Facilities and Operations Committee received informational items and reports concerning transactions in excess of $100,000 for the period January 1 through March 31, 2000; investments for the period July 1, 1999 through March 31, 2000; university banking services; Fiscal Year 2001 appropriated budget update; the active capital projects with a budget in excess of $100,000; Altgeld Hall renovation project; and a report on NIU-Naperville. Items presented to the Committee for action included the following: Fiscal Year 2002 budget guidelines; contracts and purchases for services and materials, including local access network equipment and Continuing Education TeenReach Training Program; printing services for the Northern Star; commodities items for the campus Materials Distribution Center; Neptune East and Douglas Hall roof replacement projects; the College Avenue bridge repair project; and the West Campus chilled water production and distribution project. These and other items addressed by the Finance, Facilities and Operations Committee are included in the President's Report, the Committee Chair stated, which President Peters will present for Board of Trustees approval at today's meeting.

Legislation, Audit and External Affairs Committee
Committee Chair Myron Siegel reported that the Legislation, Audit and External Affairs Committee met at NIU-Hoffman Estates on June 5. Committee Liaison Kathy Buettner gave reports regarding the university's FY01 operating and capital budgets; a five percent increase in the operations budget for FY01; and a separate line item of $495,000 for the creation of a legal aid clinic in Rockford to be named after Zeke Giorgi, the late state representative from Rockford and the father of our own NIU Trustee, Barbara Giorgi Vella. This legal aid clinic will be set up by the College of Law as a practicum experience for those students who receive their Rule 711 licenses. For the second year in a row, the university operational budget was passed by the General Assembly in lump-sum format. The general assembly focused entirely on deferred maintenance and compensation issues during their annual appropriation hearings. I am pleased to report, the Committee Chair said, that this budget is one of the best higher education has received in the last two decades from the state.

The university received $4.5 million in capital funding to build out the Founders Library basement. Substantive legislation related to public higher education was somewhat limited this year due to the condensed nature of the session, the Committee Chair said. This Board's priority legislation, Senate Bill 1589, which eliminates the sunset provisions in gender equity waivers for intercollegiate athletics was signed into law by the Governor and is effective immediately. The Senate resolution that encourages state research-based universities to expand their roles in teaching, research and public service to include economic development also passed. A similar resolution is pending in the House. Legislation to establish predictable and consistent expectations with respect to ERO participation is currently awaiting the Governor's signature. With respect to the annual university audit, the FY99 Financial and Compliance Audit conducted by the Office of the Auditor General, reported five findings, none of which were repeat findings. Considering the university's accounting office has overseen the conversion of the new finance system over the last fiscal year, the findings are relatively minor and have been addressed. Two of the findings were present in most university audits. Of the larger institutions in the state, Northern lead with the fewest number of audit findings, he said, and I have a commitment that we will drive this number down. The Committee heard a report outlining new internal audit guidelines for cash operations and management and concurred with the addition of an internal auditor for FY01.

At the federal level, the Department of Education developed a revised timetable for institutional reporting on teacher education programs requiring institutions to report by April 7, 2001 to the State Board of Education. Just recently, the IRS has issued proposed regulations on the 1098T reporting requirement, in connection with the HOPE and Lifetime Learning Credits. This is an item that both Kathy Buettner and Kathe Shinham have pushed very hard for the university. The proposed regulations indicate that institutions are not required to report information on individuals who will claim the student as a dependent, and no information reporting is required for noncredit and nonresident alien students. This notice is going to be published in the Federal Register on Friday, June 16, Committee Chair Siegel said, and we will see where that goes. But it seems to have gone in the way we wanted it to go. Special thanks to Kathy Buettner and Kathe Shinham for all of their work and efforts on this matter. 

Illinois Board of Higher Education
On June 6, President Peters said, I attended my first meeting of the Illinois Higher Board of Education held at Governors State. I had the privilege of meeting other chancellors and presidents, the committee members and their staff. Many items were discussed, but I will highlight three action items and one information item that are of direct and significant interest to NIU. The first was an action for the Board to endorse the Prairie State Achievement Examination, a high school senior examination mandated by the State Board of Education. The Illinois Board of Higher Education asked the public universities to consider the composite score from the Prairie State Achievement Examinations in their admissions. President Peters asked Provost Waldeland to conduct an examination of this test to see if NIU can reasonably use this test in admissions. One of the reasons for that is, he said, that if it was part of a university's admissions decision, it would motivate high school students to take the test seriously.

Under its authority, the IBHE granted a Certificate of Approval and Authorization to grant degrees in Illinois to Cardean University. Cardean University is a wholly owned subsidiary of UNext.com, a private for-profit, limited liability corporation established in 1997. They have been given authorization to deliver a master of business administration course, a master of science in information management and a master of science in information technology. The delivery is basically on line and through guided individual self-study. Cardean collaborates with five major universities to develop course content and establish outcome measures. Those include Carnegie Mellon, University of Chicago, London School of Economics, Stanford and Colorado. They will operate at 500 Lake Cook Road in Deerfield, President Peters said, and I understand that their tuition will be basically 20 percent of what would be paid on campus at one of those prestigious institutions.

A third action item directly relevant to NIU, he continued, was the appointment of the public board members for the newly established University Center of Lake County. On May 11, the IBHE decided that the main facility of the new University Center of Lake County would be located at the College of Lake County in Grayslake with a satellite in Waukegan. Their mission is to deliver low-cost, convenient, high-quality, upper-division and graduate education to local residents. This initiative builds upon the 11 public and private institutions that are part of the multi-university center, and NIU is one of those. This new entity will not grant degrees. The member institutions will grant the degrees. But the new entity will promote and support the students, the President said. It will give them a home base. The expectation is that there will be between 3,000 and 5,000 students at the center within five years. The funding is blended funding from the state, the county and the federal government. The state has provided $11 million in capital funds this year and $500,000 in operating funds. Lake County has provided $3 million worth of land and $3 million in capital. The federal government has provided $2.8 million in funds, $3 million is to be raised privately, and there is another million dollars in operating funds to be considered by the state. The board members were elected and appointed. Hereafter, the board will replenish its own membership. Of the representatives from the institutions, President Peters said, I am pleased to announce that Janet Lessner from our Division of Continuing Studies will be our liaison. I have directed the Provost and Anne Kaplan to do a feasibility study on the programs NIU can deliver to the market and how we can cooperate to make this a success.

Finally, as an information item on the Fiscal Year 2002 budget guidelines, the IBHE will entertain proposals for a strategic initiative for developing and completing baccalaureate completion programs. The concern grows out of the need for junior college attendees to complete their four-year baccalaureate. Several million dollars will be set aside, and proposals will be favorably looked upon that satisfy high occupational and student demand areas such as computing, information technology, mathematics and science in the education field, and special education. Proposals are to be designed in cooperation with community colleges or educational consortia, and are to reach place- and time-bound students. They are to employ Internet-based strategies. I have asked Provost Waldeland to do an analysis so that we can put in a proposal and help with this initiative, President Peters concluded.

University Civil Service Merit Board
There was no report from the Civil Service Merit Board.

Northern Illinois University Foundation
NIU Foundation Liaison Robert Boey deferred to Foundation President Mallory Simpson for the report on Foundation activities. President Peters attended his first Foundation Board meeting yesterday and was welcomed as an ex-officio member. He recently also met with the executive committee, she said, and is knee deep in working with us on a major gift solicitation. We are delighted with this level of activity already in the development area. In fact, in Lowden Hall this week, there was a sometimes loud celebration because we have already surpassed two major milestones. The annual telefund program exceeded the million dollar mark in pledges to date this fiscal year, which is tremendous success thanks to the leadership of Bob Heuermann and Bill Lambert. The other major milestone, Ms. Simpson said, was "blowing by" $10 million in gifts for the first time in Northern's history. There were several notable gifts that contributed to that success, the largest of which was the Hoffman Estates land gift, thanks to Dr. Eddie Williams. Also, the university received a significant gift-in-kind from the Sony Corporation. We set an aggressive goal for increasing cash gifts this year, she said, and I am happy to report that we have already exceeded that goal by 26 percent. We are charging hard and expect to end the year near $12 million. The impact on colleges because of this successful year has been pretty dramatic as well. The giving to the College of Business has more than doubled this year; giving to the College of Education has quadrupled; and, just through the Telefund alone, gifts through annual fund gifts to Visual and Performing Arts are up 30 percent.

We have launched a new program this year, which is really resurrecting a tradition that had been abandoned for a time. Working with Lee McCauley and the Alumni Association and her staff and their new Student Alumni Association, Ms. Simpson went on to say, we have launched a senior challenge program about which we are very excited. Spring graduates have all been solicited and the participation rate is excellent at 51 percent. They have pledged $51,000. We are delighted to be able to have those seniors responding that way and starting the habit of giving right off the bat. Also, at yesterday's Foundation Board meeting, she said, I demoed an extensive new development in the Foundation web site that was masterminded and managed by Jennice O'Brien in Public Affairs and designed by Jeff Straum in the Publications area. I hope you will have a chance to look at it. It links from the NIU main homepage and also from the new Alumni Association portal. A comprehensive new donor recognition program was also approved at the meeting. It will recognize and thank donors for their gifts annually, lifetime giving and bequest intentions, and there is also a special program of recognition for young alumni. This recognition program will provide many opportunities for increased involvement with the university, which we hope then will lead to increased giving as well. That program will launch on October 20 at the donor recognition program.

Lastly, I had the pleasure of announcing two major new gifts to the Foundation Board. The first is a new $150,000 gift to the College of Education for the School University Partnership Program as part of the challenge you have heard about during the last year. And the second is a phenomenal new gift from a phenomenal new first-time donor — an $875,000 gift to the College of Business. The great thing about this gift is that this individual wants to be involved with the university in a variety of ways. This is just the start of a long-term relationship, and we expect many more significant gifts to come from this.

Agenda Item 8.a.(4) – Materials Distribution Center - Fiscal Year 2000 Renewal Order
Agenda Item 8.a.(5) – Northern Star Fiscal Year 2001 Contract Renewal
Agenda Item 8.a.(6) – Neptune East Roof Replacement - Capital Project Approval
Agenda Item 8.a.(7) – Douglas Hall Roof Replacement - Capital Project Approval
Agenda Item 8.a.(8) – College Avenue Bridge Repair - Capital Project Approval
Agenda Item 8.a.(12) – Request to Delete Existing Emphasis
Agenda Item 8.a.(13) – Correction of Tenure and Promotion Department

PRESIDENT'S REPORT NO. 22

University Recommendations Forwarded by the Board Committees

Agenda Item 8.a.(1) - Fiscal Year 2002 Budget Guidelines
The most significant aspect of these guidelines, President Peters, is a request for a six percent faculty and staff salary increase, which is part of our plan to be competitive. It also included price and library increases, $5 million in program priorities and requests, and $3.45 million for nonacademic program improvements and infrastructure and computing systems. Chair Moser asked for a motion to approve the FY02 Budget Guidelines. Trustee Sanchez so moved, seconded by Trustee Skoien. The motion was approved.

Agenda Item 8.a.(2) - Division of Continuing Education - TeenReach Training Program
In cooperation with the Illinois Department of Human Services, NIU's Division of Continuing Education is contracting to operate a training program for staff of the TeenReach Program, which utilizes a curriculum of the National Institute of Out-of-Time School and the Chicago MOST Program. This is a program that is intended to address the problems related to children who are left alone. All of the funding comes from the Illinois Department of Human Services, President Peters said, and I urge Board approval of this item. The Chair asked for a motion to approve the TeenReach Training Program through the Division of Continuing Education. Trustee Siegel so moved, seconded by Trustee Boey.

Agenda Item 8.a.(3) - Information Technology Services - Switched Local Access Network (LAN) Equipment
We have expanded our network significantly, President Peters said, moving from over 200 nodes to over 4,000, serving over 7,000 PC's. We need to improve our broad band services and our technological and electronic support to Naperville, Rockford and Hoffman Estates. Approval was requested to expend $1.59 million over the next two years to upgrade NIU's LAN service equipment. Trustee Boey so moved, seconded by Trustee Siegel. The motion was approved.

Agenda Item 8.a.(9) - West Campus Chilled Water Production and Distribution - Capital Project Approval
The Finance Committee viewed a very detailed PowerPoint presentation on the university's plan to deliver chilled water to the West Campus. In conjunction with this, Dr. Peters said, we have a program from the Capital Development Board to reduce R-12 and R-11 refrigerants. The university requested authorization to establish a total budget of $2,204,900 for this phase of its chilled water production and distribution. Trustee Sanchez so moved, seconded by Trustee Vella. The motion was approved.

Agenda Item 8.a.(10) - Requests for New Specializations Within Degree Programs
Specializations exist within existing approved degrees, President Peters, explained. They do not require IBHE approval. They do require Board approval and reporting to the IBHE. This is a request to develop a Specialization in Health Services Management and a second Specialization in Health Promotion within the Master of Public Health. The health service management specialization deals with the issues of managed care, and the specialization in health promotion deals with healthy lifestyle issues. These are two very important programs for which there is demand. They will be implemented with existing resources. They have all the appropriate academic approvals from the department through the Provost. A request was also made to add the Specialization in Orientation and Mobility within the master's Special Education program in the Department of Education. This specialization is designed specifically to prepare students for national certification from the Association of Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired. There is a great demand for individuals trained as orientation and mobility specialists. I am proud to say that NIU is one of only five universities in the nation that offers course work in both of these specialties, Dr. Peters said. The final specialization requested was the Specialization in Bioinformatics within the M.S. in Biological Sciences. Given the explosion of mapping information from the human genome project, President Peters said, this specialization will train individuals in the use of computer techniques and modelings to analyze a great amount of data, which will then help us organize, compare and analyze these sequences and help us characterize the functions of genes. The university requested Board of Trustees approval for the Specialization in Health Services Management and the Specialization in Health Promotion within the Master of Public Health, the Specialization in Orientation and Mobility within the Master's in Special Education, and the Specialization in Bioinformatics within the M.S. in Biological Sciences. Chair Moser asked for a motion to approve these specializations. Trustee Siegel so moved, seconded by Trustee Skoien. The motion was approved.

Agenda Item 8.a.(11) - Request for Degree Authority at Off-Campus Sites
The Illinois Board of Higher Education now uses boundaries of ten regional consortia created for off-campus planning and telecommunication delivery purposes, Dr. Peters explained. Board approval was sought to deliver an Ed.D. in Instructional Technology in Region 10, which is Chicago, and an M.S. in Management Information Systems in Region 3 in Naperville. After Board approval, these programs will have to be forwarded for IBHE approval. The Ed.D. in Instructional Technology is designed for faculty who are already in community colleges, administrators and other educators who need this degree for technology planning purposes. NIU faculty will deliver the courses on-site. The M.S. in Management information Systems will be delivered at night in Naperville to individuals who work during the day. The university requested authority to offer these off-campus degrees. Trustee Sanchez so moved, seconded by Trustee Vella. The motion was approved.

University Reports Forwarded from the Board committees
Before you is a series of reports that have been reviewed by the Board Committees. I want to compliment the staff for putting together what I consider to be outstanding reports for information items, Dr. Peters said. I will not comment on them unless there are questions. However, there are two items I would like to point out. One is the Zeke Giorgi Legal Clinic, Agenda Item 8.b.(8). Through the action of Speaker Madigan and Rep. Scott, we are establishing, through our Law School, a legal clinic in Rockford in the name of the late Rep. Zeke Giorgi, Trustee Vella's father. I would just like to thank everyone who brought this together, Trustee Vella said, particularly Kathy Buettner down in Springfield, and Speaker Madigan and all the people who worked on this. Again, on behalf of my family, I would like to say thank you to everyone. President Peters said that Dean Pernell, who is working on this project, reported that the university would receive $495,000 dollars the first year. The state has committed to funding the clinic for three years.

In regard to Agenda Item 8.b.(9), NCAA Certification Progress Report, the President reported that an outstanding NCAA self-study had been prepared, and the NCAA Certification Team would arrive on campus on Monday, June 19.

Item Directly From the President
President Peters introduced Regina Girdauskas, who was recently appointed Director of NIU-Naperville. Ms. Girdauskas comes to Northern from Benedictine University in Lisle, where she directed the Institute for Management and taught organizational behavior, financial administration, budgeting and management accounting at the graduate level. Prior to that, she worked in the private sector, first for Container Corporation and later for George Court Company and Austin Fabricators. Moreover, he said, Ms. Girdauskas has lived in Naperville for 26 years. We believe her knowledge of the western suburban region will be especially helpful as we begin to put greater emphasis on the many ways that Northern can help serve that area.

Agenda Item 8.c.(1) - Summary of Grant and Contract Awards
Finally, I just want to report on four awards that our faculty have received in the area of grants and contracts that pleased me greatly, President Peters said, because they represent a diversity of extramural funding. One of the things that Northern will be doing in the next few years is increasing its level of sponsored program activity. In Geography, funding was received from the Intergraph Corporation and went to Philip Young and Andrew Krmenec for the "Intergraph Center of Excellence," which provides training in geographical information. The center will be very important for the university and will also provide services to local governments and other entities. In Physics, through the auspices of the University of Chicago, the President reported, Professor Clyde Kimball, who is one of our outstanding faculty members, has received an award of over $400,000 for his research in materials characterization. He will be doing his research using the Photon Source at the Argonne National Laboratory. The third grant, which goes to Sharon Freagon in the Department of Teacher Education, comes to the university through the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services for an educational access project, a longstanding program. The award is for over one million dollars, Dr. Peters said, and the funds will be used to provide advice and consultation to the Department of Children and Family Services about the education and special education of children and youth who are in the care and custody of the department. The final grant comes from the National Science Foundation, and it goes to Professors Xueshu Song and Radha Balamuralikrishna, in our Department of Technology in the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, for the establishment of a "Virtual Laboratory for Training Machine-Tool Building and Maintenance Technicians via the Internet." That grant is for one-half million dollars, and the funds will be used to develop and test a virtual training laboratory for machine tool building and maintenance technicians via the internet in order to enhance learning efficiency and improve laboratory safety by minimizing environmental hazards.

Agenda Item 9.b. - Resolution - John E. La Tourette
This resolution honors Former President John E. La Tourette for his years of service to Northern Illinois University. Since this Board has publicly expressed its appreciation to Dr. La Tourette several times, Chair Moser said, I request the resolution be entered in the Board’s record and the minutes of this meeting, to properly honor Dr. La Tourette. The Board of Trustees bestows the honorary title of President Emeritus on Dr. La Tourette. The resolution reads as follows:

WHEREAS Public Act 89-4 created a body politic and corporate known as the Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University to operate, manage, control and maintain Northern Illinois University in accordance with the rights, powers and duties vested by law in such Board; and

WHEREAS in 1979 John E. La Tourette came to Northern Illinois University as provost and vice president for academic affairs, serving in that position as the university's chief academic Officer, John E. La Tourette was named as Northern Illinois University's 10th president in May, 1986 by the Board of Regents for the Regency Universities System; and 

WHEREAS he has served faithfully in that capacity since that time and has become the longest sitting public university president in Illinois; and 

WHEREAS given the scope and long tenure of John E. La Tourette's service to Northern Illinois University, it is fitting and appropriate to give special notice and appropriate recognition to John E. La Tourette who is retiring from the NIU presidency on May 26, 2000; and

WHEREAS said John E. La Tourette has demonstrated devotion to, cooperation with and support for the Northern Illinois University community; and

WHEREAS the Board of Trustees and Northern Illinois University have received the advantage of John E. La Tourette's efforts evidenced by a doubling of its land holdings; an aggressive expansion of the presence of the University throughout its region with the establishment of satellite campuses in Rockford, Hoffman Estates, and Naperville; the creation of several new construction projects at the DeKalb campus (Engineering Building, Faraday Hall West, the Campus Life Building, and most recently, a Convocation Center); the establishment of the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology and the addition of more than a dozen new academic programs; and 

WHEREAS The Board of Trustees wishes to officially express its appreciation and gratitude for John E. La Tourette's many far-reaching contributions to Northern Illinois University.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University in formal meeting herein assembled, extends its grateful appreciation to and celebration of John E. La Tourette for his outstanding and loyal service by bestowing upon Dr. La Tourette the honorary title of President Emeritus.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this RESOLUTION be presented to Dr. La Tourette and a copy of this document be placed in the official files of the Board as a part of the permanent record of the great State of Illinois and as a lasting tribute to the fruitful accomplishments of John E. La Tourette.

Adopted in a regular meeting assembled this 15th day of June, 2000.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF

NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

George A. Moser, Chair

Attest: Manuel "Manny" Sanchez, Secretary

Agenda Item 9.c. - Release of Executive Session Minutes
The Illinois Open Meetings Act requires public bodies to review the minutes of their executive sessions on a semiannual basis and determine what parts of the minutes they should make available to the public because they no longer require confidential treatment. Upon review and advice of the Board’s Parliamentarian, who is also the University Counsel for Governance, Risk Management and Equity Services, Chair Moser said, I recommend that the Board approve release from confidentiality the specified sections of the executive session minutes listed in your Board report, which will be placed in the minutes of this meeting. Those sections which are still subject to confidentiality, together with sections from subsequent meetings, will be considered again in six months.

The following sections of executive session minutes for the relevant period are proffered for release from confidentiality:

    June 6, 1999 - Executive Session of the NIU Board of Trustees
         3. Property Matters
             c. Mini-Storage Property Acquisition

    January 23, 1997 - Executive Session of the NIU Board of Trustees
         1. Property Matters
             b. City of Sycamore/former College of Engineering site contract
                  negotiations

    December 10, 1998 - Executive Session of the NIU Board of Trustees
         5. Personnel Matter

    December 10, 1999 - Executive Session of the NIU Board of Trustees
         1. Review and Approval of Executive Session Minutes
         2. Real Property Matters
             a. Easements and Lease Amendment - City of DeKalb
             b. Update on other acquisitions - Mini-Storage

Chair Moser asked for a motion to approve this release of executive session minutes. Student Trustee Davis so moved, seconded by Trustee Siegel. The motion was approved.

Agenda Item 9.d. - Resolution - Nolan L. Davis
This resolution honors Nolan L. Davis, the Board's outgoing Student Trustee. I want to personally thank you again, Nolan, for your leadership and outstanding service to this Board of Trustees, Chair Moser said. You have been a valued member of this Board and an excellent representative for the students. Their viewpoints have been heard because of your insight and perspective. You have the distinction of being the only Student Trustee on the NIU Board who has ever served on the Board during a Presidential Search, the Chair said, and you did an outstanding job. On behalf of my colleagues, I request a motion to approve this resolution honoring Nolan Davis and his contribution to the Board and bestowing upon him the honorary title of Student Trustee Emeritus. Trustee Siegel so moved, seconded by Trustee Sanchez. The motion was approved. Chair Moser presented the following resolution to Student Trustee Davis.

WHEREAS, Nolan L. Davis was selected by his constituents at Northern Illinois University to represent their interests and has faithfully served the Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University as its sixth Student Trustee; and

WHEREAS, in said position, Mr. Davis capably discharged those duties and responsibilities while at the same time keeping in the mind the interests of all of the people of the State of Illinois in addition to the wellbeing of Northern Illinois University; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Davis has demonstrated devotion to, cooperation with, and support for the Board, Northern Illinois University, and the faculty, staff and student personnel of same; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees and Northern Illinois University have received the benefit of his helpful insights which have been of special worth; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees wishes to officially express its appreciation for the many far-reaching contributions by Mr. Davis to all of the above-mentioned interests of this Board, 

NOW THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University in formal meeting herein assembled, extends its grateful appreciation to Mr. Nolan L. Davis for his outstanding and loyal service.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this RESOLUTION be presented to Mr. Davis and a copy of this document be placed in the official files of this Board as a part of the permanent record of the great State of Illinois and as a lasting tribute to the performance and accomplishments of Mr. Nolan Davis. 

Adopted in a regular meeting assembled this 15th day of June, 2000.

 BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF

NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

George A. Moser, Chair

Attest: Manuel "Manny" Sanchez, Secretary

It is a wonderful honor to be recognized by the Board this way and to be finishing up a year of service on the Board of Trustees. As I am sure you all know, I came in a little bit late to the Board and missed the very beginning of this year. I was wondering, since I did not come in at the right time and through the normal process, whether or not I would, essentially, be shut out and never really get to participate. I hear war stories from student trustees at other universities who actually are there from the very beginning and still get shut out. I have been very glad that this Board has not done that. This Board has welcomed me from the very beginning, and the university community has welcomed me into this position. The morning after I was confirmed by the Student Senate, I began receiving calls from people urging me to see things their way. And, I have been more than willing to talk to anyone and to learn everything I can. The only thing that has been more valuable than the amount of learning I have done this past year is working with topnotch people. There is nothing more exciting than working on something truly important with people of the caliber we have on this Board. These people are the movers and the shakers in the state, the kinds of people who make everything happen that happens in this state. It has been a wonderful pleasure.

I wanted to mention Micki Emmett, and, fortunately, she is still here. When I came to Northern, I did not get very actively involved because I wanted to make sure I survived graduate school first. So, I did not get to meet Micki quite as early as I should have. But from the very first time I met her until now, she has been one of the people who has guided me, helped me and given me more advice and more knowledge than you could imagine. Another person who has really helped me is the first administrator I met at Northern. I began working with him and working on various projects at the Center for Black Studies. There is an atmosphere on this campus of inclusion and of friendship that is very rare at many universities. I worked at the University of Chicago for a semester, and that is a university where there are pockets all over campus, and the people in that pocket are fully accepted. The people from the other pockets, might not ever be accepted. But Northern is not like that. And there is one place on campus that actually goes out looking for people and invites them in to participate, and that is the Center for Black Studies. That is how they found me, and that is how I became involved on campus. I would like to thank Dr. Zike for his leadership in the Center for Black Studies and for all that he has been to me in my career. Thank you all.

We are going to miss you, Nolan, Trustee Siegel said. Thanks for all your help this year on the Board — a lot of great insights, difficult times, lots of excitement and action. Trustee Siegel asked Micki Emmett and Admasu Zike to stand and be recognized. Thank you both for bringing us Nolan, getting him and some of the other Student Trustees involved. We are looking forward to Mr. Barr coming on in a couple of weeks. Thank you both for your involvement, Trustee Siegel said.

Respectfully submitted,

Sharon M. Mimms
Recording Secretary

*Subsequently moved to NIU-Naperville.