November 13-14, 1991
11-13-1991
Pages Unnumbered
BOARD OF REGENTS
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA SYSTEM
November 13-14, 1991
The Board of Regents met on the above date in the Carson Valley
Inn, Minden, Nevada for a Regents' Workshop.
Members present: Mrs. Carolyn M. Sparks, Chairman
Mrs. Shelley Berkley
Dr. Jill Derby
Dr. James Eardley
Mrs. Dorothy S. Gallagher
Dr. Lonnie Hammargren
Mr. Daniel J. Klaich
Mrs. June F. Whitley
Members absent: Mr. Joseph M. Foley
Others present: Chancellor Mark H Dawson
President Anthony Calabro, WNCC
President Joseph Crowley, UNR
President John Gwaltney, TMCC
President Robert Maxson, UNLV
President Paul Meacham, CCSN
President Ron Remington, NNCC
President Jim Taranik, DRI
Mr. Ron Sparks, Vice Chancellor
Mrs. Karen Steinberg, Acting Vice Chancellor
Mr. Doug Burris, Assistant to the Chancellor
Mrs. Sue Baker, Exec. Asst. to the Chancellor
Ms. Pamela Galloway, Public Information Officer
Mrs. Sunny Minedew, Senior Research Analyst
Mr. Glen Krutz, Research Analyst
Ms. Mary Lou Moser, Secretary
Mrs. Leslie Jacques, Asst. to the Secretary
Also present were Vice Presidents/Deans Bill Bishop (DRI), Ashok
Dhingra (UNR), Robert Hoover (UNR), Herb Peebles (CCSN), Lorrie
Peterson (WNCC), John Scally (TMCC), John Unrue (UNLV), and
Faculty Senate Chairmen Bill Baines (TMCC), Larry Goodnight
(DRI), Elizabeth Raymond (UNR), and Lori Temple (UNLV).
A workshop for Regents, Presidents, Academic Vice Presidents,
Faculty Senate Chairmen, the Chancellor, and the Chancellor's
staff was held November 13-14, 1991 in Minden, Nevada. Chairmen
Sparks called the meeting to order at 10:45 A.M., declaring that
all attendees were invited to actively participate in discussion
of the agenda items.
Chairman Sparks announced that Regent Joseph Foley was unable to
attend due to a scheduled surgery appointment. His health is
improving since his recent stroke.
1. Discussion on Academic Planning
Dr. Derby welcomed participants to the Fall workshop on
academic planning and stated that it is her intention to
hold a very informative workshop regarding academic plan-
ning and welcomed open discussion on the agenda item.
She stated that last January the Academic Affairs Committee
invited consultants to report to the Board on the System's
strategic academic planning and this discussion is a result
of that report. Priorities must be set by the System in
order to achieve successful planning. She encouraged the
participants to become "system" planners during the work-
shop by working together and sharing ideas for systemwide
issues and concerns. The focus of today's interaction may
have far reaching implications in the future of Nevada's
higher education.
Dr. Derby expressed her appreciation to Acting Vice Chan-
cellor Karen Steinberg and staff for all their preparation
for the workshop's discussion on academic planning.
Acting Vice Chancellor Steinberg explained the dynamics of
the agenda item and reviewed materials contained in the
packets, filed in the Regents' Office. The academic plan-
ning process must begin by identifying and understanding
the strategic issues, both internal and external to UNS
that will impact higher education. She requested that
each break-out group define strategic directions of what
the UNS should be doing in response to the strategic is-
sues and then set objectives on how to accomplish the goals
in relation to the strategic directions. The break-out
groups will report to all the participants on their stra-
tegic directions and objectives. A work plan will be es-
tablished for the upcoming year to accomplish these ob-
jectives, including who will be responsible for the action
and in what time frame. The work plan will be reviewed on
an annual basis to see what has been accomplished, along
with the review of the strategic directions and objectives
that have been set.
The designated break-out groups met throughout the day and
the meeting reconvened at 3:05 P.M. Wednesday, November 13,
1991 with all particpants present.
Acting Vice Chancellor Steinberg requested each group to
present a summary report of its discussions on strategic
directions. Dr. Derby, Mrs. Temple, Mrs. Berkley and Mr.
Klaich each gave a report. Mrs. Steinberg requested the
break-out groups meet again and discuss the objectives in
reaching these strategic directions. She directed each
group to list its objectives and submit them to her by the
end of the day. The Academic Affairs Office will compile
the information and present it to the Board of Regents at
its meeting in December.
The meeting reconvened at 8:45 A.M. Thursday, November 14, 1991
with all participants present except Regents Hammargren and
Klaich.
2. Futures Commission Report
The Community College Presidents reviewed the recently pub-
lished Futures Commission report, "Changing with the Times,
Challenging the Futures", filed in the Regents' Office.
President Remington addressed the challenges affecting cur-
riculum and instruction for Nevada. See Futures Commission
report for Nevada's strategies in addressing the following
issues:
a) Community Colleges will be asked to demonstrate account-
ability for the outcomes of the educational process.
b) As Community College enrollments increase, more students
will be underprepared and will need upgrading of basic
skills.
c) Community Colleges curriculum will need to move beyond
provincialism toward a global perspective incorporat-
ing issues affecting the world as a whole.
d) Serving Nevada's many isolated, rural populations will
require access to distance learning techniques and
technology.
e) Scientific literature and demographic forecasts predict
severe shortages of qualified personnel in scientific
and technical fields throughout the coming decade.
f) Underrepresented populations face severe obstacles in
pursuing careers in scientific and technical fields.
President Calabro addressed the challenges affecting faculty
and students for Nevada. See Futures Commission report for
Nevada's strategies in addressing the following issues:
a) Emerging technologies will require a change in faculty
roles.
b) Community Colleges will confront a shortage of quali-
fied faculty in all fields and face stiff competition
in recruiting new faculty.
c) Community Colleges will face the challenge of retaining
students in educational programs, particularly those
students from underserved and minority populations.
d) Community Colleges will need to forge linkages with
their students to encourage a sense of community and
integration.
President Meacham addressed the challengers affecting facil-
ities and physical plants for Nevada. See Futures Commis-
sion report for Nevada's strategies in addressing the fol-
lowing issues:
a) Nevada's Community Colleges will need adequate facil-
ities and physical resources in the wake of extensive
growth and increasing needs.
b) Community Colleges face the challenge of promoting the
cultural awareness of the student population and the
community at large.
President Gwaltney addressed the challenges affecting eco-
nomic development for Nevada. See Futures Commission report
for Nevada's strategies in addressing the following issues:
a) Society faces increasing demands for a technically
literate work force able to perform in a complex,
technical environment.
b) As society advances, upgraded and customized training
techniques are needed by Nevada business and industry
to remain competitive in a global economy.
c) Community Colleges will need to form community alli-
ances and partnerships with all segments of the popula-
tion to carry out their mission of broadbased education
and social interaction.
Mr. Doug Burris addressed the Look to the Future for Nevada
and summarized the report. See Futures Commission report
for Nevada's response.
President Calabro expressed his thanks to all those who
contributed to this report, especially the Nevada Community
College Futures Commission Committee (Charles R. Greenhaw,
NNCC; John Scally, TMCC; Dave Hoggard, CCSN; Vern Baker,
CCSN; Judith Colness, TMCC; Anne Hansen, WNCC; Daniel Lyons,
CCSN; Michelle Legras, WNCC, Graphic Design; and Terry Ann
Taeubel, WNCC, Administrative Support).
Chairman Sparks commended the Committee for a very informa-
tive report.
3. Discussion of Employee Benefits
Chancellor Dawson reviewed the employee benefits that are
addressed in detail in the Board of Regents' Handbook,
Title 4, Chapter 3, Professional Staff.
He explained the terminology used when addressing employment
contracts; i. e., 3-year term contract, multi-year contract
and rolling contract. A rolling contract is used if the
contract is renewed annually. A 365-day notice must be
given if the contract is to be terminated, therefore giving
the employee a year's notice.
Dr. Derby requested a list of System employees who have
multi-year contracts.
Chancellor Dawson explained that the Board of Regents con-
sider salary increases for those employees who report di-
rectly to the Chancellor and the Presidents. The other
professional employees who do not have this direct report-
ing are approved by the Dean, Vice President and President.
Presidents do have the authority to issue 3-year contracts.
It was reported that the 7 Presidents and University Vice
Presidents have 3-year contracts, along with the Chancellor,
Vice Chancellors, General Counsel and Secretary of the
Board. President Gwaltney added that two of TMCC's employ-
ees have a 3-year contract. President Maxson stated that
UNLV's Football Coach has a 5-year contract, which was
approved by the Board, and UNLV's Basketball Coach has a
4-year rolling contract.
Dr. Derby indicated that the salary difference between Ad-
ministration and faculty is becoming greater. President
Crowley responded that the professional faculty is not
being compared with others in the same market place. It
is a national comparison that is used and has become a
problem and probably which needs to be narrowed. If Nevada
does not compare itself with the nation's institutions of
higher education, then it will become incapable of competing
in the market place and Nevada will not be able to attract
the top candidates.
Chanceller Dawson indicated that UNS abides by the Nevada
Revised Statute that addresses Employer Paid Retirement.
He reviewed the Board's policy on compensation for outside
professional services, death benefits, leave of absence
without salary, sabbatical leave, administrative leave,
Presidential leave and transition, sick leave, annual
leave, judicial leave, professional salary schedules, early
retirement incentive program, and grants-in-aid.
A discussion was held regarding a policy on letter of ap-
pointments. Dr. Eardley requested that a system policy
be developed to distinguish whether or not faculty can be
employed at more than one institution. Mrs. Gallagher
disagreed and felt it was an institutional issue.
Chancellor Dawson reviewed the health insurance benefit
provided to State employees.
Chancellor Dawson recommended that since UNS competes
nationally with other higher education institutions in
attracting professional faculty, that UNS should provide
the same benefits as do the other institutions.
President Crowley informed the Board that the Academic
Affairs Council will be discussing tenure upon appointment
and will be reviewing the current policy.
Chancellor Dawson discussed the salary goals and surveys
and stated that within 5 years of employment the profes-
sional faculty should be at the average within the range.
The meeting was continued during a working lunch session.
Vice Chancellor Sparks indicated that at the June 1986
Board of Regents meeting the following salary goals for
faculty and Administrators for the Universities and Com-
munity Colleges was adopted:
Universities - To be among the top quartile of the 51
principal land-grant Universities in the United States.
Community Colleges - To be among the top quartile of
the 47 medium-enrollment urban Community Colleges sur-
veyed through random sample.
Vice Chancellor Sparks distributed information from the FY
1990 salary surveys which display the average faculty sal-
aries of the land-grant Universities and Community Colleges.
The following information was extrapolated from the survey
that includes all ranks (Instructor, Assistant Professor,
Associate Professor and Professor).
Universities
The top quartile salary is $48,000, 12.9% above the
median.
The median salary is $42,500, 12.9% below the top
quartile.
UNR is ranked 28th out of 51; the average salary is
$42,400, which is 0.2% below the median and 13.2% below
the top quartile.
UNLV is ranked 35th out of 51; the average salary is
$40,300, which is 5.5% below the median and 19.1% below
the top quartile.
Community Colleges
The top quartile salary is $40,700, 11.8% above the
median.
The median salary is $36,400, 11.8% below the top
quartile.
TMCC is ranked 29th out of 47; the average salary is
$34,800, which is 4.6% below the median and 17% below
the top quartile.
CCSN is ranked 32nd out of 47; the average salary is
$32,900, which is 10.6% below the median and 23.7%
below the top quartile.
Although WNCC and NNCC were not included in the survey,
they would have ranked 31st and 41st, respectively.
Vice Chancellor Sparks informed the Board that the Chancel-
lor's Committee to Study Administrative Salaries recommended
changing the goal to the average of the comparison groups
instead of the top quartile. The comparison groups would
be the land grant institutions in the Arkansas Survey for
the Universities and System Office, and for the Community
Colleges, the study conducted by UNS on medium enrollment,
urban, Community Colleges.
He reviewed the "Twenty-Fourth Annual Rank-Order Distribu-
tion of Administrative Salaries Paid 1990-91". This Ar-
kansas report (120 pages) summarizes the results of a
questionnaire study in 146 state-supported Universities
representing 49 states and 32 University Systems repre-
senting 25 states.
4. Potpourri
President Maxson stated that the previous days workshop
session was most productive and interesting. He extended
his appreciation to Regent Derby, Acting Vice Chancellor
Steinberg and staff, and the Board of Regents for develop-
ing such an informative session on academic planning.
President Gwaltney reminded the Board that the FCC appli-
cation for a radio station at TMCC had been sent each
member and requested each of them to return the applica-
tion as soon as possible.
The workshop adjourned at 1:10 P.M.
Mary Lou Moser
Secretary of the Board
11-13-1991