Meeting Actions
November 19, 2013
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees on November 17 & 18, 2013 at the University of Maine at Farmington, the Board approved the following actions:
Acceptance of Minutes. The following minutes were approved as presented:
September 5, 2013 – Finance/Facilities/Technology Committee Meeting
September 5, 2013 – Human Resources & Labor Relations Committee Meeting
September 23, 2013 – Board of Trustees Meeting
September 23, 2013 – Faculty & Student Representatives Session
September 25, 2013 – Investment Committee Meeting
October 30, 2013 – Finance/Facilities/Technology Committee Meeting
October 30, 2013 – Academic & Student Affairs Committee Meeting
October 31, 2013 – Audit Committee Meeting
October 31, 2013 – Human Resources & Labor Relations Committee Meeting
Annual Financial Report. The Board of Trustees approved the FY2013 Annual Financial Report as presented.
Confirm Appointment of Student Representative to the Board of Trustees. The Board Trustees approved the appointment of the following Student Representative to the Board of Trustees: Ryan Ouellette, UMPI Student Representative (1 year term: Nov. 2013 – May 2014).
Student Conduct Code: Revision. The Board of Trustees approved and ratified the revisions to the Student Conduct Code and the review process.
Changes in Core Student Profile. The Board of Trustees recognizes its responsibility to serve the educational needs of all Maine citizens, confirms the evolution in the UMS’s core student profile to include adult and non-campus based learners, and directs the System to review and act on policies, practices and operating procedures to better serve the needs of all of its students.
Honorary Degree Nomination for 2014. The Board of Trustees approved the Honorary Degree Nomination for 2014 for UMFK as presented.
Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Associated Faculties of the Universities of Maine. The Board of Trustees authorized the Chancellor to sign an agreement with AFUM, if ratified by membership. This settlement occurs in the context of an overall Trustee strategic change package designed to close a significant financial gap while meeting mission responsibilities. This package will emphasize control of benefit costs, rightsizing, and reinvestment. Costs associated with this contract will not be borne by students or their families, but by reductions and efficiencies.
The Board of Trustees reviewed the following agenda items as forwarded by the Finance/Facilities/Technology Committee to the Consent Agenda from its meeting on October 30, 2013:
Stewart Commons Studio Art/New Media Complex Adjustment, UM. The Board of Trustees authorized an increase to $10,342,000 in the budget for the Stewart Commons Studio Art/New Media Complex Project (#5100239) at the University of Maine, with the cost being funded by gifts.
Authorization to Lease Space in Augusta, USM. The Board of Trustees authorized the University of Maine System acting through the University of Southern Maine to lease approximately 11,239 square feet at 14 Chestnut Street in Augusta, ME for a period of five (5) years, with the option to renew for one additional five (5) year term and to terminate its lease at 45 Commerce Drive. The final terms, including rate, associated costs and other terms, shall be negotiated by the University of Southern Maine in the best economic interest of the University, subject to review and approval by the University of Maine System Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration and University Counsel.
The Board of Trustees reviewed the following agenda items as forwarded by the Academic & Student Affairs Committee to the Consent Agenda from its meeting on October 30, 2013:
Tenure Nomination – School of Law. The Board of Trustees approved the recommendation of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee and to grant tenure to the candidate submitted by the University of Maine School of Law. This appointment will be effective September 1, 2014.
New Academic Program: PhD. In Communications, UM. The Board of Trustees approved the recommendation of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee to create a Ph.D. in Communication at the University of Maine.
Awarding of Academic Degrees. The Board of Trustees approved the recommendation of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee to authorize the awarding of degrees during Commencement ceremonies for the 2013-2014 academic year to those students fully recommended by the appropriate faculties and the presidents of the respective institutions and/or divisions of the University of Maine System.
International Study Centers Update and Discussion of Next Steps Related to International Recruitment. The Board of Trustees endorsed the International Student Recruitment Initiative embodied by the Study Group project as well as the continuing individual campus international student recruitment efforts. Further, the Board directs that interim updates regarding the Study Group project be made by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs to the Academic and Student Affairs Committee in late summer of 2014 and in January of 2015 and that a comprehensive report be submitted to the Board of Trustees in June 2015.
Date of Next Meeting. The next meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held on January 27, 2014 at the University of Maine System.
