Meeting Minutes of the
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
of NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
January 14, 1999

CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Chair Robert Boey at 11:42 a.m. in the Regency Room of Holmes Student Center at Northern Illinois University. Recording Secretary Sharon Mimms conducted a roll call of Trustees. Members present were Trustees Susan Grans, James Myles, Myron Siegel, Student Trustee Joseph Sosnowski and Chair Boey. Not present were Trustees George Moser and Manuel Sanchez. Also present were Board Parliamentarian Kenneth Davidson and President John La Tourette. With a quorum present, the meeting proceeded.

VERIFICATION OF APPROPRIATE NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
Confirmation of Open Meetings Act public notice compliance was provided by Board Parliamentarian Ken Davidson.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chair Boey recognized the presence of Dr. James Norris and Dr. Sue Ouellette, representatives of the University Advisory Committee.

MEETING AGENDA APPROVAL
Trustee Myles made a motion to approve the agenda and was seconded by Trustee Grans. The motion was approved.

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Trustee Myles and seconded by Student Trustee Sosnowski to approve the minutes of the December 10, 1998 meeting. The motion was approved.

REPORTS OF BOARD COMMITTEES AND BOARD LIAISONS

Executive Committee
There was no report from the Executive Committee. Academic Affairs, Student Affairs And Personnel Committee
Chair Susan Grans said that the Committee had not met since November. She reported that the colleges had been engaging in strategic planning activities for several years, and the college deans have now written a statement that provides an overall planning context. This statement and an update on the strategic planning efforts will be brought to the Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and Personnel Committee at its next meeting. It will then be brought to the Board.

Finance, Facilities And Operations Committee
Since the Committee Chair was called away unexpectedly and was unable to attend the meeting, Chair Boey asked Committee Liaison Eddie Williams to give the Finance, Facilities and Operations Committee report. Dr. Williams reported that the Committee had not met since the last meeting of the full Board of Trustees. Items to be considered at the next meeting of the committee will include fees and ongoing projects such as Phase II of Stevenson Towers.

Legislation, Audit and External Affairs Committee
There was no report from Legislation, Audit and External Affairs Committee.

Illinois Board of Higher Education
President La Tourette stated that at the December 10 meeting of the Board, it was anticipated that the Board of Higher Education would be taking action on budget recommendations for the year 2000 on December 15. At that time, the President described those budget recommendations as being very aggressive in the level of funding being requested. He noted that in the eight or nine years prior to the appointment of Dr. Keith Sanders as executive director of the Board of Higher Education, recommendations had typically involved a three or four percent increase for the public universities. And that always created a problem, President La Tourette said, because the overall package presented by the Board of Higher Education was typically at a six percent level, suggesting to legislators that higher education was being well taken care of, particularly the public universities. But the legislators did not realize that there were items in the IBHE budget dealing with retirement, the community colleges and HECA grants that inflated the increase. That was not the case this time, the President said, and I believe that we can say firmly that Dr. Sanders has rectified that situation because the average increase being recommended for public universities this time ranges around seven percent. He has been very understanding of the public university needs, particularly in the case of salaries, and he has presented a plan for a five percent salary increase: a three percent base increase and a one percent additional increase to improve the universities' competitive position for faculty and staff salaries. That one percent is to be matched by university reallocation or from other fund sources. As reported at the December 10 meeting, the university already has that one percent in matching funds as a result of our enrollment dividend. We are very pleased by both the level of the recommendation and the very serious attempt of Dr. Sanders and his staff to understand the needs of the public universities.

The budget process discussion was very elaborate involving two large meetings between the university staff and the staff of the Board of Higher Education — one here on campus in early fall and the second in Springfield in November. The Chair of the Board of Trustees attended both of these meetings. During the December 10 Board meeting, Chair Boey indicated that he was also extremely pleased with the way in which the universities were able to interface with the Board of Higher Education staff and the process used to reach a level of basic recommendations going to the Governor and the legislature that have not been seen for 15 or 20 years. The President reported that the budget was approved on December 15. Chair Boey remarked that it is indeed refreshing to see the new spirit from the IBHE that exists under Dr. Keith Sanders' leadership. We hope that this is the beginning of a new era, he said. Dr. Sanders certainly deserves all the support we can give him. 

University Civil Service Merit Board
Trustee James Myles, the University Civil Service Merit Board representative, stated that the scheduled meeting of that board was cancelled and rescheduled for February.

Northern Illinois University Foundation
There was no report from the Northern Illinois University Foundation.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Chair Boey asked for a motion to close the public meeting to conduct an Executive Session to discuss the following subjects authorized by the Illinois Open Meetings Act regarding personnel matters as generally described under §2(c)(1) of the Open Meetings Act, property matters as generally described under §2(c)(5) and §2(c)(6) of the Open Meetings Act and Executive Session Minutes matters as generally described under §2(c)(21) of the Open Meetings Act. Trustee Grans so moved, seconded by Trustee Myles. A roll call vote of the Trustees to recess to Executive Session was unanimous.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING RECONVENED
Chair Boey reconvened the public meeting of the Board of Trustees at 2:12 p.m. Chair Boey announced that Dr. James D. Norris, UAC Representative and Executive Secretary of the University Council, had made a request to make remarks. Trustee Siegel asked if Dr. Norris was expressing an official position of UAC. Dr. Norris said he was not. He was speaking as Executive Secretary of the University Council and, as such, is authorized to speak for the University Council at times when it cannot meet to discuss the issues. His statement, he said, also reflected his personal views. Dr. Norris was allowed to speak as a representative of the University Council.

Dr. Norris thanked Chair Boey and the members of the Board of Trustees for the opportunity to make a brief statement regarding the Convocation Center. I do not claim to speak for every member of the faculty and staff. I am, however, speaking as the Executive Secretary of the University Council, he said. Perhaps more importantly, I am presenting what I perceive to be the view of the overwhelming majority of the faculty and a substantial portion of the staff regarding the recent suggestion by President La Tourette that Northern Illinois University should build an arena. President La Tourette proposed the center as a possible solution for a multitude of problems. Apparently my silence at the last meeting, when Chair Boey asked me if I had any statement to make was misconstrued by some as support for the project. Nothing could be further from the truth. If you remember, there was nothing on the agenda about the arena, and the President's remarks came as a tentative proposal near the end of a rather long meeting. My silence should be understood in that context and in the context that I do not think it's appropriate to comment on every proposal that the President might make. The speed with which more than a $30 million project has moved from a tentative proposal not even on the agenda to approval by this Board suggests to me that the project has been on the drawing board longer than some of the problems that it is supposed to solve. Unfortunately, the rush to approval has precluded any serious discussion of the issue by the faculty, staff and students, many of whom have just returned to the campus. Nevertheless, I remain now, as I have been for a decade, very dubious as to the cost benefit of the arena, and I think that's a position that most of the faculty support. And make no mistake, regardless of the label, it is a facility that would be used primarily for seasonal athletic events. Nothing that was said at the meeting or at a subsequent meeting that I had with the President — he was gracious enough to talk to me for some time — has altered my position. Athletics on this campus has a history of loss, not profit; it does not generate a surplus. One need only attend any athletic event on the campus to understand this basic fact. The result is that not only would significant increases in student fees be necessary to pay for the construction of the proposed arena, the need to apply continued support for the operation and maintenance of the facility would require continuing and probably continued increases in student fees. Student fees are like taxes, once they're increased, they never decrease.

Connecting the parking problem, if one can call it a problem, to the proposed arena seems to me to be a specious argument at best. If we have the land to build an arena and a parking lot, we have the land to build a parking lot, which makes sense, without the arena. As a matter of fact, we have a remote lot now. And I have been on a number of campuses that have remote lots, and I think they can be very successful. Adequate bussing and differential fees make them actually popular on some campuses. The President himself pointed out that we could build a parking lot and supply the bussing at a cost well within the present fee structure. And it seems to me that if the lots are needed then they should pay for themselves.

Let me turn my attention to the suggestion that the arena is necessary for compliance with Title IX. Nothing in that legislation compels universities to add additional resources to intercollegiate athletics. Indeed, the required proportion has two numbers, and to achieve the necessary balance, one could as easily reduce one number as increase the other. Certainly in Academic Affairs, when we needed to bring our operating costs into proportion with our income, we did not rush into large increases in fees or tuition, rather, we reduced the faculty and staff — roughly 20 percent for the faculty, I don't have the figures for the staff — so that we can now live within our budgets. A very wise decision. And we might want to consider the same alternative in reducing athletics to fit within their budget. The administration, the Board of Trustees, the IBHE, the legislature, the Governor, practically everyone in the nation has stressed the need to keep education affordable. At a recent meeting, when the Board of Trustees approved a modest three percent increase in tuition scheduled to encourage students to complete their degree in four years, the concern was expressed again and again to keep education affordable. It is a concern that I applaud, and I think most of the faculty applaud, and the citizens of Illinois appreciate. I would hope the concern is genuine. Students, I think we should remember, pay the bottom line. It doesn't make much difference to them how you itemize the check that they receive, whether it's fees or tuition, they pay the bottom line unless they happen to be on a full-ride scholarship. They pay whatever you come up with in tuition or fees.

Now, before you leap to the conclusion that I am sure some people already have, that I am in some way opposed to intercollegiate athletics, let me assure you that I have never taught or wanted to teach in an institution that did not participate at some level in intercollegiate sports. Moreover, I'm rather used to supporting athletic teams with less than impressive win and loss records. I'm a Cub fan. You get used to it. My concern is not the win-loss record. It is with the apparent high priority afforded athletics. I am, of course, sympathetic to the need for recreation opportunities for students, as I am for the need for better classrooms, better equipment, smaller classes, more opportunities for students to write, more opportunities for students to engage in interactive learning, and all those other conditions that promote learning, including even better salaries for faculty and staff. No one has made a case that better physical recreation facilities are or should be first in our priorities, but we seem to change our priorities rather often. In closing, I think, to be honest, I should freely and frankly admit that I am an academic, that my priorities undoubtedly reflect my view of universities as primarily institutions of higher learning. My judgments, my priorities are informed by academic values and not athletic dreams. And I would urge the President and the Board of Trustees not to be duplicitous in dealing with the proposed arena. If it is intended primarily as an athletic facility, and if it's worthy of your support, it should be presented honestly. And I think you very much for the opportunity to make remarks.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT NO. 17
President La Tourette reported that he and Kathy Swanson attended the swearing in of Dennis Hastert as the new Speaker of the House in Washington. We are extremely proud that Mr. Hastert is a graduate of Northern Illinois University having completed a master's degree here in the 1960s, the President said. I think Denny, coming from a humble background and representing the Midwest, is certainly the person needed today for the position of Speaker of the House. As I said in Washington, I think he is a person who represents the kind of student who comes to Northern, acquires a good education and moves beyond a humble beginning to take on a position of leadership. I think we can be very proud of Denny, President La Tourette said, and the record he has established in the House. President La Tourette also told the Board that the bill clarifying the status of board members on NIU's Board and other boards in the state, whose terms expire on January 18, had been passed and was awaiting the Governor's signature. This legislation was required because of a flaw in the original bill in which it is clear that once the Board moves beyond the transition period the person continues to sit as long as the governor does not appoint a different person. However, this aspect of the original legislation did not cover the transitional periods. Thus, without the new legislation, three of our Board members would have been disenfranchised as of January 18. In fact, for a short period, they still may be disenfranchised if the Governor does not sign the bill until some later date. Kathryn Swanson, Executive Director for State and Federal Relations, said that she met with the Board of Higher Education staff, Dr. Sanders and representatives from the other public universities on Wednesday, January 13. She told them that President La Tourette had already sent a letter to the Governor encouraging quick action on this legislation and asked those at the meeting to do the same. Ms. Swanson thought it would take at least two weeks to obtain a signature from the Governor due to the office transition. President La Tourette assured those NIU Board members who are affected that the university is doing everything possible to clarify this situation as quickly as possible.

Agenda Item 8.a. - NIU Naperville
President La Tourette complimented Dr. Williams and his staff on the tremendous job they have done over the last few months in dealing with the development and conceptualization of a facility in Naperville and bringing it to the point of construction. This represents an enormous effort that continued right through the holidays. The President announced that this facility would house NIU BIS (Business and Industry Services), a number of academic programs and a program called the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory (NCREL). NCREL is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping schools and the students they serve. A leader in linking research and technology to learning, this laboratory provides practical research-based resources and assistance to educators, policymakers and communities. NCREL is one of ten regional educational laboratories in the United States and serves a seven-state Midwest region that is the home to more than 20 percent of the nation's schools, teachers and students. It is supported by conducting research and evaluation; providing training and technical assistance; offering seminars, academic advice and counseling for education professionals; and developing print, audio/video and multimedia products in carrying out its mission. We are very pleased to be in partnership with this organization, the President said. They will occupy about 35,000 square feet in this facility. The President noted that Jerry Nowakowski, at one time a faculty member in the College of Education, is the director of the program, and Dennis Gooler, the former Dean of the College of Education, is a key staff person. By having the laboratory located in our facility, President La Tourette said, there will be enormous benefits to both organizations in the future. The recommendation asked for Board approval to proceed with the project with a total budget not to exceed $20 million. Included with this approval will be the action necessary to enter into an agreement for funding with the Illinois Development Finance Authority (IDFA), which is a semipublic agency that assists organizations such as Northern Illinois University in issuing bonds. They offer very low interest rates and are double tax exempt. Northern Illinois University is considered single tax exempt by the federal government. Bonds issued through IDFA are exempt from both state and federal taxes.

Dr. Williams stated that the Board authorized the university to enter into a purchase agreement for the NIU Naperville facility as well as a development agreement for the facility based on NIU's need to consolidate its programs in the Naperville area. In order to obtain financing, the university first had to identify and refine costs. The agreements the university has entered into require specific action by a certain date. The land purchase agreement, for example, requires action in February. In order to meet that deadline, Dr. Williams continued, we have to obtain the necessary approvals to issue revenue bonds through IDFA so that we will have the resources to pay for the facility. The concept was refined, and detailed drawings and specifications were prepared so contractors could estimate the construction of the project. This allowed the university to obtain a guaranteed maximum price for the facility. Once that price has been established, we will be in a position to size the bond issue and know what the total expenditure will be.

Dr. Williams stated that the concept had been discussed in detail with the facility's three primary users — NIU credit and noncredit programs, the BIS program and NCREL. The BIS program, currently renting space in the western suburbs, will require approximately 16,000 square feet of space. Also, NCREL has agreed to lease space in the center. The compatibility of their operation with NIU is quite apparent, Dr. Williams noted, and this will be an excellent partnership. The needs of these major users were translated into specific floor plans along with an indication of the type of materials and construction so contractors could develop a firm price on the building. Dr. Williams then went over the concept plan with the Board. We wanted to make sure we were making a firm statement in the architecture of the building, he said, and to maximize the natural areas. The site will include a retention pond along Diehl Road so passing traffic will see the NIU facility across a lake. In addition, Dr. Williams said, we wanted to make sure the parking area (a minimum of 500 spaces) was functional yet aesthetically pleasing, so there are plantings and circulation streets that take advantage of the site and also point toward the building. Certain parts of the building will actually protrude out over the lake. We take advantage of the site itself in order to provide an architectural statement, Dr. Williams said, as well as a functional statement for the building.

The first floor will contain two major areas, an educational wing and an office wing. The educational wing contains classrooms, office space and a dining area. Dr. Williams said that these areas are functional and in line with our analysis of the Hoffman Estates and Rockford Education Centers. Through our experience with those facilities, he said, we were able to refine the program and maximize the efficiency and utilization of the space. In the office wing of the building, there is space for the BIS program, computer laboratories and a resource center. The areas to the north of the building, toward the lake, include an auditorium that seats 185 people and a 6,000 square foot multipurpose room that is divisible into four spaces, each adequate for a classroom.

The second floor plan for the facility provides space for the NCREL operation. They need approximately 30,000 square feet. Part of their space protrudes out over the atrium area, which will be an all-glass area that looks out toward the lake. The second floor also includes tiered classrooms for NIU's College of Business program, breakout rooms and other associated educational academic space.

The final thing I would like to present, Dr. Williams said, is a representation of what the building will look like. I underscore the term "representation" because we have not truly finished all of the design. The Hamilton Group, Epstein (architects of record) and Jenkins (actual architects) have spent a great deal of time working with us to maximize the design, architectural nature, functional nature and programmatic nature, yet minimize the cost implications. Based upon this result, we had two independent contractors look at our plans and specifications, and they provided specific estimates on the cost of the development. That cost came within our estimated range. Based on this, Dr. Williams said, the Hamilton Group has given us a specific number to work with.

The university requested that the Board of Trustees approve a total budget not to exceed $20 million as well as approval of the actions contained in the Board Resolution to initiate financing and meet the requirements of the purchase contract and development agreement. The resolution, which provides for the financing of the project, was prepared by Bond Counsel and reviewed by University Counsel for Governance, Risk Management and Equity Services. Through the issuance of these bonds, the university can proceed with acquisition of the land and construction of the property. Chair Boey asked for a motion to approve the item and Board Resolution for NIU Naperville. Trustee Siegel so moved, seconded by Student Trustee Sosnowski. The motion was approved. President La Tourette thanked Dr. Williams and his staff for all the work they had done. I think this is an exciting project, the President said, and one which establishes a more visible NIU presence in one of the major suburban areas that we have been serving with off-campus programs for over 40 years. Until the university has a physical facility like we have in Rockford or Hoffman Estates, many people do not realize that NIU is operating throughout the region to provide affordable access to educational opportunities.

Agenda Item 8.b. - Convocation Center
President La Tourette stated that the process being used for the convocation center was exactly the same as that used for the Naperville facility. There are three very distinct steps we are going through in reviewing this project with the Board of Trustees, President La Tourette said. In November, we discussed the issue with the Finance, Facilities and Operations Committee. The issues were then discussed at the Board meeting on December 10, at which time the Board directed me to provide more detail about the project. If the Board approves this second step, the university would proceed to try to develop a meaningful project that is within budget to bring to the Board between now and April, with the Board acting on the project in April. This is not a final decision, the President said, and I would contest the statement that this is rushing the project and not having a project considered with great care. There have been hundreds of hours spent on this project not only by our staff but by two major design firms that have national and international reputations. And we have been dealing with one of the world's largest development firms, President La Tourette said, as well as one of the world's largest construction firms in looking at this project. As a result of discussion in November, the suggestion was made by the Board to establish an advisory committee. That advisory committee has now met and contains representation from a broad base of people on the campus, including Dr. Charles Larson, who was recommended by Dr. Norris to be on the advisory committee. I want to encourage patience as we work through this process, President La Tourette said, so that we can all understand what it means and how it will benefit the university. We are planning to have weekly meetings of the advisory committee since we now have enough from the work done by Mr. Williams and his staff to really have serious discussions not only about a convocation center but about how that adds more value to the campus.

To summarize, President La Tourette said, we are facing a decision relative to the establishment of track as part of our response to the Office of Civil Rights. We have to indicate not only that we are committed to establishing the program, but that we are going to have facilities to allow appropriate competition. It is not in my thinking or the Board's thinking that we are going to reduce men's sports in order to improve the representation of women's sports, he said. I do not think it is appropriate to increase opportunities for women by decreasing opportunities for men. And I know that the Speaker of the House, Denny Hastert, feels very strongly about that issue because he has represented that position with great force to the director of OCR in Washington. In addition to that, we will have to provide increased parking here very quickly if we are to meet the needs of the commuter students coming to the campus. If we do not have parking, we will not attract those students who come here to access a quality program at a public university. These students often commute from home because they cannot afford to live on campus or go to a private school in the suburbs. Finally, President La Tourette said, in a few years we will have to respond to the increased use of the Recreation Center. This is becoming an even more significant factor in recruiting and retaining residential students.

President La Tourette asked Dr. Williams to give the Board a brief presentation on the convocation center because some of the Board members had to leave. Dr. Williams stated that the Board had asked the President to ask staff to look at the feasibility of a convocation center addressing the three problems faced by the institution. Those problems were the OCR Title IX issue, the need for additional recreation on campus and the need for additional parking. A number of people spent most of the holiday season pursuing the answer to the question of whether or not it is feasible for a convocation center to be built to address these needs in an adequate, economical way. Our conclusion was that it is possible. The first recommendation included the development of a convocation center that would include approximately 211,000 square feet of useable space. Such a facility would have an NCAA 200-meter track that would seat approximately 8,700 for sporting events and up to 10,000 for entertainment and concerts. In addition, the plan includes establishing a five-year Recreation facilities improvement program for which $1.8 million of existing or future funding that would be available without any additional student fees has been set aside. This portion of the plan involves a comprehensive recreation plan that would utilize both the existing Recreation Center and Evans Field House for recreation purposes. There is an academic use of Evans Field House and that would not be negatively impacted in this plan. We wanted to set aside sufficient funds, Dr. Williams said, so that the facilities could be renovated and would maximize the recreational programs of the institution. The third component of the plan included the development of peripheral parking that would be supplemented through shuttles and funded through existing fees.

We worked with two very strong, well-known architectural firms in developing a concept plan to make sure this was feasible. We did that without any cost to this Board or the university. Those firms worked through the holiday season in order to come up with specific numbers so that we might be able to identify a total cost. As a result of that, we feel that it is feasible to proceed. The items that have been discussed have been a part of the campus master plan since 1988. The potential and use of a convocation center have been discussed since 1989, Dr. Williams said. Also, the campus master plan included a third addition to the Recreation Center. These components are not new issues for our campus, Dr. Williams added, but have been discussed over many, many years. Our final analysis shows that a convocation center project is feasible and worth pursuing. The university requested Board of Trustees project approval for the construction of a Northern Illinois University convocation center of approximately 211,000 gross square feet, based on established program requirements, with a budget not to exceed $35,850,000. The university further requested Board of Trustees authorization to initiate a development process, which will include the selection of a developer or development team that will provide a refined and detailed guaranteed project construction proposal. After appropriate campus consultation, the results of this process will be reported to the Board for final approval.

In regard to President La Tourette's comments about having looked at this possibility for quite some time, Trustee Myles remarked, I can remember when this issue came up with the Board of Regents and was called the multipurpose arena. We met with one of the vice chancellors of the Board of Regents who came to Chicago to discuss this, and we sent him back to Springfield saying we wanted a more explicit strategic plan. We were not satisfied. Today, what I see tells me that I can really appreciate what Dr. Williams, his staff and the President have done to bring this about. I move in support of this convocation center, and I hope my colleagues agree with me. Trustee Myles also asked that the Board have representatives of minority firms build this project, if not as major contractors, at least on a subcontract basis.

Chair Boey invited each of the Trustees to state his or her feelings on the subject of the convocation center. Student Trustee Sosnowski said he wanted to add that there is a large amount of student interest in the project and many who support it already. In the past three months since the President announced the possibility of a convocation center, there has not been one letter or one NIU Speaks telephone call to the Northern Star about it. Usually, when there is no negative reaction, the Student Trustee said, that shows there is some positive support out there. Also, the Northern Star has formally endorsed this project, he continued, and I will just remind the audience that the Star is an all-student newspaper run entirely by students, and the decisions come entirely from students. I think that is a real good indication of what the student body feels. I also think students are always looking to have the best education. I am very aware of my own finances, Sosnowski said. I am paying students fees now and will continue to pay them in my graduate education as I continue here. I am more than happy to pay the couple of extra bucks the convocation center will cost the students. I think in the upcoming months we will see a lot of support coming from the students for this project.

On the subject of the Northern Star, Chair Boey commented, we do not need 282 acres for the convocation center as mentioned in today's article.

I am absolutely in favor of this convocation center, Trustee Siegel said. I listened to Dr. Norris speak and heard the frustration which apparently is coming out of a lack of understanding of the financing and other issues. But Northern needs to do these types of projects for the future in order to enhance the value of a degree. It is our job — the university, administration, faculty and students — to make sure that this university continues to grow and continues to make a name for itself and have national and regional recognition. Part of the way that is done is through the facilities that are available. We are fortunate here to be able to take a variety of different needs that would normally be paid for by student fees and combine them into one student fee that is not substantially higher than the students would have to pay anyway to address these other issues and to provide them with this convocation center. I think in the future we are going to hear how wonderful it was that we moved this thing forward. I want to make it clear that I absolutely support this and would move to approve the action item.

I feel, sometimes, that I am the pragmatic one of the group, Trustee Grans said. I ask the strange questions because I come at it from looking at the drawings and trying to put the numbers with the whole project. I really applaud the staff on the process. And I have to agree with my fellow Trustees that this is a process we have been a part of, and it is not finished yet. We will have checks and balances to make sure it comes out correctly. I appreciate Dr. Williams getting back to me with the questions answered in a way a developer would and the way a good accountant would put it together. That practicality bodes well for the students and for the building of the structure.

Chair Boey stated that in telephone conversations with Trustees George Moser and Manny Sanchez, both wanted to be sure that the Board and the university knew they also supported the convocation center. For those of you who know the Board and the members that sit on this Board, the Chair said, I do not think there is any question that student affordability has always been our top priority. It is understood that one obligation in the governance of this university is to be sure affordability is its top priority. But that top priority must also be balanced with the growth of the university, because what good is affordability if the university goes backwards. And, as Trustee Siegel has said, the value of a degree is only as good as the presence of the institution. We started our Executive Session this morning at eleven thirty, Chair Boey said, and came back here at two o'clock. Let me assure you that all the discussion centered around a number of important issues that we had to discuss with all the what ifs and the why nots. This Board is deliberate, intelligent and extremely careful about making a decision, the Chair said, and we are not going to rush into any item, especially one as important as this. To say that you think we are going to rush into it would be an insult to our capabilities. I join my colleagues in feeling that the time is now, Chair Boey said. It is important, and we believe we can balance it with the affordability situation for the students. I am sure this same discussion was held years back when people talked about building the Holmes Student Center and the Recreation Center, and I am sure there were objections. For those of you who know me, the Chair said, I spend five nights a week in the Recreation center. And I often ask myself, as I try to weave my way through the traffic of young people in the building, where would all these young people go on a January night of minus ten degrees if it was not for the Recreation facility? We should always have discussions and disagreements in philosophy; that is the way it should be. But let us be sure that in the end we have examined all the options so that we do the right thing. Sometimes it takes a little bit more courage to do the right thing. I too support the convocation center, Chair Boey stated. On the motion, Trustee Siegel so moved, seconded by Trustee Myles. The motion was unanimously approved by all members of the Board.

President La Tourette announced that Dr. Williams would have the charts on the NIU Naperville project as well as several charts on the design concepts for the convocation center available for viewing after the meeting. Also, he stated that the figure approved by the Board is a maximum figure. We feel we can trim that figure back, the President said, but we wanted to have a maximum figure because we believe there are donors, both donors in-kind and donors in cash, who will help us with this facility. So what Dr. Williams has presented and what the Board has approved is the maximum envelope that programmatically meets all of our needs in a very well designed facility. We still have a lot of work to do in trying to reduce the cost and impact on the university and the students before we bring this back to the Board. I appreciate the Board's support for this, President La Tourette said, and repeat that this has been a very deliberate process. He then read an e-mail message sent to him that morning from a Faculty Senate member. The message read in part:

He then read an e-mail message sent to him that morning from a Faculty Senate member who stated that there seemed to be an impression that faculty were unified in opposing the new convocation center, but in fact, a goodly number of Faculty Senate members were very much in favor of it. They stated, however, that funds should not be taken from academic areas to build the facility. President La Tourette responded that there were absolutely no plans to use academic monies to build the convocation center. The faculty member's last comment was "Hang in there, NIU needs the facility."

I think, the President said, this is a sentiment that expresses the view of many people who do understand that we are not taking dollars from the academic area to build this facility, and it will not involve a drain on the academic area. In fact, it should involve a great deal of extra support for the academic area by providing a very good facility for the job fairs we have on campus, for convocations, for commencement exercises and a whole host of other activities. I think that would be beneficial not only to the academic area of the community but also to the student body.

Agenda Item 8.c. - Emeritus Status
The President directed the Board's attention to the information item on emeritus status. This policy, he said, provides a simple way of honoring faculty and indicating that they have provided long and honorable service to the university. The retiring person would be able to use the title of his or her rank in the designation of emeritus status. For example, if a person is retiring as an associate professor, the title would be associate professor emeritus. Also, President La Tourette said, it would be appropriate for those who are retiring as distinguished teaching professors or distinguished research professors to use the emeritus title in conjunction with that designation. Included with the item was a write-up showing how the process will work.

Agenda Item 8.d. - Year 2000 Compliance
This was an update of the report provided the Board of Trustees on September 17, 1998. The university continues to believe that its approach to the Year 2000 problem has been prudent and appropriate and that its mission-critical systems will not be adversely affected by the arrival of the millennium.

Agenda Item 8.e. - Summary of Grant and Contract Awards
The review of grant and contract activity over the past several months showed that the university is at a total of just over $16 million thus far for FY99. Trustee Grans commented that the university makes a significant contribution to communities, counties and businesses in the whole region. Sometimes it appears that we gloss over these reports, she said, but the Board is very appreciative of the work done by faculty and staff to acquire these grants and contracts for NIU. They are wonderful examples of building relationships as a regional university. I am very proud of what the university and the College of Education have done and are doing with our schools in Rockford, Trustee Grans said, and wanted to say thank you to the entire faculty and staff for a job well done. I think we do not say thank you enough for those sorts of relationships. 

Agenda Item 8.f. - Personnel Item
President La Tourette recommended the appointment of Dr. Lynne Waldeland as Executive Vice President and Interim Provost with an appointment to begin on June 1, 1999 and ending July 1, 2000. Input was solicited from faculty and staff about this appointment, and over 50 letters, memos and e-mails were received. Fourteen people were mentioned as possible candidates for the position. Two or three people were most frequently mentioned, the President said, and these individuals appeared to me to have credentials that could be seriously considered for this appointment. The sentiment was expressed by a number of faculty that the person appointed should not be a candidate for the permanent position. In appointing Dr. Waldeland, not only am I recommending an excellent candidate who meets all of the qualities that have been identified for this position, President La Tourette said, but it is clear that she will not be a candidate for the permanent position. She had to be persuaded to delay a planned retirement and extend her time with the university to take this position. I have not found very many people who have the depth of commitment and loyalty that she has to this institution. This is certainly evident in the number of hours and effort that she puts in to make the university strong in its academic programs. She is viewed very positively by people outside the university. This appointment will allow her to immediately begin the search for her replacement and relieves the Provost of that responsibility so he can concentrate on filling the position of Assistant Provost for Resource Planning, another critical position in the office. It is with strong conviction and great pleasure, the President said, that I present a person who, by the letters that I received, is not only respected but loved across campus. Chair Boey asked for a motion to appoint Dr. Lynne Waldeland as Executive Vice President and Interim Provost from June 1, 1999 through July 1, 2000. Trustee Grans so moved, seconded by Trustee Myles.

A roll call vote of the Trustees was as follows:
         Trustee Susan Grans                                 Yes
         Student Trustee Joseph Sosnowski            Yes
         Trustee James Myles                                  Yes
         Chair Robert Boey                                      Yes
The motion was approved.

President La Tourette and Chair Boey said it should be noted in the minutes that Board members who were not present had mentioned that their votes would be fully in favor of Dr. Waldeland's appointment.

CHAIR'S REPORT NO. 13

Agenda Item 9.a. - Amendment to Bylaws of the Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University
An amendment regarding quorums and other aspects of the Bylaws of the Board of Trustees was required as a result of the bill allowing the Student Trustee to vote on the Board of Trustees. Chair Boey asked for a motion to approve the Amendment to the Bylaws of the Board of Trustees. Trustee Grans so moved, seconded by Trustee Myles. A roll call vote of the Trustees was as follows:
         Trustee Susan Grans                                      Yes
         Student Trustee Joseph Sosnowski                 Yes
         Trustee James Myles                                       Yes
         Chair Robert Boey                                           Yes
The motion was approved.

Agenda Item 9.b. - Higher Education Procurement Rules
The Higher Education Procurement Rules have been revised and now have become permanent reflecting the emergency rules adopted in July 1998 when the new procurement regulations were adopted by the legislature. Chair Boey stated it was necessary that the Board change its rules to conform with those of the state. Trustee Myles moved to approve the Higher Education Procurement Rules, seconded by Trustee Grans.

A roll call vote of the Trustees was as follows:
         Trustee Susan Grans                                      Yes
         Student Trustee Joseph Sosnowski                 Yes
         Trustee James Myles                                       Yes
         Chair Robert Boey                                           Yes
The motion was approved.

Agenda Item 9.c. - Executive Session Minutes Release
Chair Boey asked for a motion to approve the release from confidentiality of the specified sections of Executive Session Minutes noted in this Board meeting report from September 15, 1997 through November 10, 1998. 
Trustee Myles so moved, seconded by Student Trustee Sosnowski.

A roll call vote of the Trustees was as follows:
         Trustee Susan Grans                                      Yes
         Student Trustee Joseph Sosnowski                 Yes
         Trustee James Myles                                       Yes
         Chair Robert Boey                                           Yes
The motion was approved.

Agenda Item 9.d. - Proposed Board of Trustees 1999 Meeting Dates
Chair Boey asked for a motion to approve the proposed 1999 Board Meeting Dates for the Board of Trustees. Trustee Grans so moved, seconded by Trustee Myles.

A roll call vote of the Trustees was as follows:
         Trustee Susan Grans                                      Yes
         Student Trustee Joseph Sosnowski                 Yes
         Trustee James Myles                                       Yes
         Chair Robert Boey                                           Yes
The motion was approved.

There being no Other Matters, Chair Boey asked for a motion to adjourn. Trustee Myles so moved, seconded by Trustee Grans. The motion was approved. The meeting was adjourned at 3:29 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Sharon M. Mimms
Recording Secretary