BOR Minutes: March 21-22, 2002

a.

ITEM 114-1000-R0302 - Staff; The University of Montana Missoula

b.

ITEM 114-1001-R0302 - Authorization to Confer the Title of Professor Emeritus upon David H. Jackson, Professor of Forestry, School of Forestry; The University of Montana-Missoula

c.

ITEM 114-1500-R0302 - Staff; Montana Tech of the University of Montana

d.

ITEM 114-1900-R0302 - Staff; Helena College of Technology of the University of Montana

e.

ITEM 114-2000-R0302 - Staff; Montana State University-Bozeman

f.

ITEM 114-2300-R0302 - Staff; Agricultural Experiment Station

g.

ITEM 114-2700-R0302 - Staff; Montana State University-Billings

h.

ITEM 114-2701-R0302 - Authorization to Confer the Title of Professor Emeritus of Accounting upon Joanne Sheridan; Montana State University-Billings

i.

ITEM 114-2702-R0302 - Authorization to Confer the Title of Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, Humanities, and Religious Studies upon Walter B. Gulick; Montana State University-Billings

j.

ITEM 114-2800-R0302 - Staff; Montana State University-Northern

k.

ITEM 114-2801-R0302 - Authorization to Confer the Title of Professor Emeritus of Metals Technology on Conrad Nystrom; Montana State University-Northern

l.

ITEM 114-2850-R0302 - Staff; Montana State University-Great Falls College of Technology

a.

ITEM 114-102-R0302 - Approval of Tentative Agreement with International Union of Operating Engineers, Local # 400; Montana University System  Memo   Agreement

b.

ITEM 114-103-R0302 - Approval of Tentative Agreement with Montana State University-Billings Faculty Association; Montana University System  Memo  Agreement

c.

ITEM 114-104-R0302 - Approval of Tentative Agreement with Vocational Technical Educators of Montana; Montana University System  Memo  Agreement

SUBMISSION AGENDA

g.

ITEM 114-1602-R0302 - Authorization to Name the Rural Education Technology Center the Charles G. Swysgood Technology Center; The University of Montana-Western

h.

ITEM 114-1603-R0302 - Mission / Vision Statement - Strategic Plan; The University of Montana-Western - See attached Memo 

Regent Roehm indicated that some Mission/Vision Statements submitted have been specific whereas others have not.  He stated that he and Dr. Scott will look at them between now and the May 23-24, 2002 meeting and decide if a particular format should be adopted, or items included.  He also mentioned that Centers are usually funded by grant dollars and he believes they should be sunsetted when no subsequent funding source can be found.  With the emphasis being placed on the economic impact of the university system on the State of Montana, this also should be reflected in the Submission for approval of new programs.  He and Dr. Scott will have a report on this at the May meeting.

ITEM 114-2704-R0302 - Authorization to Implement the Master of Science Degree in Athletic Training; Montana State University-Billings  Program Description  Program Description

a.

ITEM 114-301-R0102  - Approval of Proposal to Add a Certificate Program in Heavy Equipment Maintenance; Flathead Valley Community College  Program Description

b.

c.

d.

ITEM 114-2004-R0102 - Mission / Vision Statement; Montana State University-Bozeman

OTHER

Dr. Scott gave an overview of the history of this problem.  Existing Nursing Programs include five levels (below) with two formats for the bachelor's degree.  A generic program begins at freshman level and terminates with a baccalaureate degree in nursing whereas a completion program begins with an ASN and RN licensure and terminates with the baccalaureate degree in nursing.

Masters:        Montana State University-Bozeman (with options in specialty areas)

Bachelors:     Both Generic and Completion - 4+ outreach: Carroll College (generic), Salish Kootenai College  (completion), MSU-Bozeman (generic) [serving Bozeman, Billings, Great Falls, Missoula, and one cohort with FVCC at Kalispell], MSU-Northern (completion) [Internet statewide].

Associates:    

Leading to Registered Nurse licensure (ASN) - 4:      Salish Kootenai College, Montana State University-Northern [serving Havre, Great Falls, Lewistown], Montana Tech, Miles Community College.

Leading to Licensed Practical Nurse licensure (AAS) - 5: CoT's at Billings, Great Falls, Helena, Missoula and Montana Tech.

CNA:  Montana Tech and some high schools, programs approved by DPHHS exist around the state.

Outreach:   Historically, MSU has provided RN education around the state with Bozeman offering upper-division programs in Billings, Great Falls, and Missoula and in Kalispell under a cohort arrangement with FVCC.  MSU-Northern offers the ASN via NorthNet and onsite instruction in Havre, Lewistown and Great Falls.  The BSN completion program [only for students with the 2-year RN + RN licensure] is available via Internet wherever students are located around the state. MSU-Bozeman's comprehensive, statewide generic program is 10th largest in the country.

Dr. Scott reported that seven campuses are considering new programs or extension of existing programs.

Other Factors:  Dr. Scott cited other issues of concern. There has been only marginal movement on a 1998 report from the Task Force on Nursing Education for the 21st Century with articulation continuing to be a problem. A consultant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Dr. Mary Rapson, advised that the LPN at the AAS level is "over-educating" students and creating excess credit problems for them. Graduates at each level are getting too much of the same thing (emphasis added).  Dr. Rapson further commented that a typical PN of 42-50 credits would suffice and fit within a 2-year RN at 72 total credit hours. This led the MINT group to draft an articulation model, which is presently under discussion.

Since Montana Tech converted its LPN to the AAS and implemented the 2-year RN (ASN),  the campus has learned from the National League of Nursing (NLN) that NLN will not accredit two associate degrees leading to two separate licenses at the same institution. Thus, only one of the two 2-year degrees can be accredited. Montana Tech's "ladder" concept linking the LPN and ASN requires a student to complete 118 credits, excessive by 46-48 credits for an associate degree.

     Additional concerns about expansion of nursing programs include availability of sufficient clinical space, future "accreditation" of LPN programs, campus pass rates on the licensure examinations (NCLEX).

     Dr. Scott recommended that the Board place a moratorium on new program proposals until the Governors Task Force on Health Care Workforce Shortages make its report in September. Other recommendations related to clarifying the accreditation issue at Tech, revisiting the LPN-AAS decision, and completing articulation contracts for all programs.

Chancellor Gilmore urged the Board not to put a moratorium on programs totally.  He indicated that if they were to wait for the Task Force report they could be delayed six months to a year.   Regent Semmens inquired if MINT had any data on placement rates.  Dr. Scott indicated the Montana Hospital Association had just presented a study to the Governor's Task Force and that she would obtain the information and provide it to the Regents.  Regent Jasmin indicated that Southwest Montana actually has the nursing shortage, so it is a regional rather than a state problem.  General discussion revealed that action was taken four years ago by the Board to complete the clean-up of the programs system-wide to make credits transferable without excessive duplication of programs.  Until it is resolved, it will be followed at each meeting.  Student problems will be handled before any new programs are considered.  The nursing shortage in Montana is a very complex issue.  As with teachers, one of the problems causing the shortage may well be the low pay offered, causing graduates to leave Montana for the best opportunities and the ability to repay their student loans.  Several recommendations were offered to the Legislature at the last session to address these problems, but none were passed.  It was indicated that MSU-Bozeman was taking a different approach to their teachers' career fair this spring.  Only Montana school districts have been invited to meet with the students, without the glitz and allure of out of state districts competing for attention.  Regents Roehm and Hamilton will work with Dr. Scott to pinpoint where the problems lie in Montana nursing and will bring a report back to the Board at the May 23-24, 2002 meeting.

     Regent Jasmin MOVED for APPROVAL to MOVE item a. of the SUBMISSION AGENDA to the ACTION AGENDA of the May 23-24, 2002 meeting with further revisions to be completed before that time

   Motion APPROVED unanimously

     Regent Jasmin MOVED for APPROVAL of item b. of the SUBMISSION AGENDA as an ACTION ITEM today

   Motion APPROVED unanimously

     Regent Jasmin MOVED for APPROVAL to MOVE item c. of the SUBMISSION AGENDA to the ACTION AGENDA of the May 23-24, 2002 meeting

   Motion APPROVED unanimously

a.

       Regent Jasmin MOVED for APPROVAL of Item a. of the Action Consent Agenda 

     Motion APPROVED unanimously.

ITEM 113-108-R1101 - Revision of Policy 940.13 - Veterans' Fee Waiver; Montana University System  Memo

        Regent Jasmin MOVED for APPROVAL of Item a. of the Action Agenda as AMENDED and removing entirely the Contingent Policy

      Motion APPROVED unanimously.

Item b. of the Action Agenda was deferred to the May 23-24, 2002 meeting 

       Regent Jasmin MOVED for APPROVAL of Items c. and d. of the Action Agenda

     Motion APPROVED unanimously.

e.

       Regent Jasmin MOVED for APPROVAL of item e. on the ACTION AGENDA as AMENDED

     Motion APPROVED unanimously.

a.

Item a. of Other was moved to New Business for action on Friday

a.

Open Forum for Public Input on MONTANA UNIVERSITY SYSTEM ISSUES

a.

ITEM 114-107-R0302 - Fees for FY 2003; Office of Commissioner of Higher Ed Commissioner's Memo  MSU-Bozeman Athletic Proposal  Mandatory Fees  Miscellaneous Fees

Commissioner Crofts reminded the Board they had approved tuition last May for two years.  However mandatory, miscellaneous, and course fees were only approved for one year.  An effort has been made in recent years to hold mandatory fee increases to approximately the same as consumer price increases.  The total increase in mandatory fees should be no more than 3%.  Overall, the increases cluster around 3% with some slightly above, and some slightly below.  Some fees have not been established yet such as auxiliary enterprises, room rates, and health insurance rates which will come up in May or July.  The Commissioner indicated there were two charts in front of the Regents showing a ten year picture.  Ten years ago, the mandatory fees for resident students were $291 below peers, while in 01-02 they were $398 above peers.  Ten years ago, the mandatory fees for non-resident students were $1068 below peers, and in 01-02 they were $398 above peers.  He referred to two fee increases mentioned in his memo.  The first was the athletic fee at MSU-Bozeman.  It was pulled from the March agenda and deferred to the May 23-24, 2002 meeting to await the outcome of the student vote.  This policy on student input will be reviewed for clarification to prevent the misconception that a student vote could bind the Board.  It will be presented at the May 23-24, 2002 meeting.  The Commissioner noted that the second fee referenced in his memo was included without his support. This was the library fee at MSU-Billings.  Two years ago he agreed with Chancellor Sexton and the students that the library situation at MSU-Billings  was so far below the guideline of 6% that he agreed to put in a one-year fee which is not to be assessed this year.  The campus wants to reinstate it.  The Commissioner is concerned this will lead down the road to new mandatory fees.  When the Board reviewed course and program fees, it desired to have more of the cost of education covered by tuition than mandatory fees and course/program fees. The intent was to move in the direction of reaching a single sticker price for the cost of tuition without ever-expanding fees.  Last May a .7% increase was approved for library improvements and that should get them closer to the 6% guideline.  The goal should be to keep the sticker price simple, but as it is tuition is not the true cost and there is sticker shock when the fees are added on.  Chancellor Sexton indicated they are not much closer now than they were, and that the students are behind the library fee.  Although library materials are more available now electronically, that medium also has a cost associated with it.  They have received their largest ever endowment and are using the interest for the library but continue to fall farther behind.  Regent Roehm indicated that when new programs are presented to the Board for approval, the associated costs, including the library costs, are included.  Those costs are always portrayed as being minuscule, or the assets are already there.  He therefore feels no sympathy to this request.  In theory all of these costs were considered with the new programs.  Dean Moe indicated they have a library fee at the Great Falls College of Technology since they are the lead institution serving students in Great Falls, MSU-Northern and the College of Nursing in Bozeman.  Under their structure there is no way to bill the other campuses for those costs so the fee covers them for the two campuses.  They do not charge the School of Nursing since they receive in-kind services.  It was indicated that the proposed increase at Billings would generate $80,000 per semester.  The annual increase in materials and periodicals is from 18% to 20%.  The Commissioner indicated that the dollars noted will not make up the difference, and the mandatory fees at the Billings campus are already the third highest in the system.  His point is that increases should be put into tuition rather than an ever increasing number of fees.

   Regent Hamilton MOVED for APPROVAL of Item a. of  New Business absent the MSU-Billings Library Fee and the MSU-Bozeman Athletic Fee

The motion was APPROVED unanimously

   Regent Hur MOVED for APPROVAL of the MSU-Billings Library Fee

 The motion was APPROVED on a 4-3 vote with Regents Thompson, Hamilton and Roehm dissenting

 The MSU-Bozeman Athletic Fee was deferred to the May 23-24, 2002 meeting

It was generally agreed to use most of the proposed format, but to hold back portions for later proposals.  The Board will meet April 24, 2002 to refine the numbers presented in the budget, determine the percentage increase to be requested above present law adjustments, and select the investment items to be included in the budget.

c.

Montana State University-Billings/Dell Corporation Collaboration - Informational Item Only 

Moved from Other on the Administrative/Budget Committee for action

ITEM 114-112-R0302 - Dell Technology Support Services Center; Montana State University-Billings

Chancellor Sexton explained to the Board this proposal which has suddenly come together after 8 months in planning.  They have received a grant for $1.5 million and have another appropriation for $1 million to help finance this project.  A loan for $755,000 will be covered by a 10 year firm lease with Dell.  The purchase of additional acreage for parking will be paid from parking fees.  It is anticipated that the venture will create 150 new jobs in the first 8 months with above average earnings and a wide variety of job opportunities.  All final documents for this project are subject to approval by the Commissioner.

   Regent Jasmin MOVED for APPROVAL of Item c. of  New Business

 The motion was APPROVED unanimously