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Back to Board of Trustees Minutes
Back to Board of Trustees
Lincoln University
BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING
Saturday, September 18, 2004
MINUTES
The Lincoln University Board of Trustees met on Saturday, September
18, 2004, in Vail Hall. Chairman Frank C. Gihan called the meeting
to order at 9:00 a.m. Two Lincoln University students, Mr. Nathaniel
Brooks, ex. December ‘04 (deceased) and Mr. Darrell Cannady, ex. ‘06 (deceased)
were remembered in the opening prayer given by Dr. Valerie Tate Green, University
Chaplain. Secretary Powelson called roll.
Trustees present: Dr. Robert L. Albright, Mr. Robert L.
Archie, Dr. William E. Bennett, Christopher R. Booth Esq., Howard H. Brown
Esq., Mr. Barry Cooper, Ms. Andrea L. Custis, Bishop David G. Evans, Mr.
Frank C. Gihan, Mr. Tracey J. Hunter Hayes, Mr. William B. Ingram, Dr. David
E. Knox, Dr. Ernest C. Levister, Ms. Kimberly A. Lloyd, Mr. Gregory C. Miller,
Dr. Calvin S. Morris, Dr. Donald L. Mullett, Mr. Robert F. Powelson, Mr.
Donn G. Scott, Mr. Dwight S. Taylor, Hon. W. Curtis Thomas*, Mr. David E.
Warr; Ex-officio Trustees Mr. André V. Duggin for Governor Edward
G. Rendell, Dr. William V. Larkin for Secretary Vicki L. Phillips, Dr. Ivory
V. Nelson; Student Trustee Mr. Abraham Hoff. Quorum of 12 satisfied.
Faculty Representative Dr. Susan E. Safford; Emeritus Trustees Mr. Walter
D. Chambers, Dr. Frank T. Coleman, Mr. Theodore Robb, Mr. William A. Robinson.
Trustees excused: Mr. Kent Amos, Mr. Warren R. Colbert,
Hon. Levan Gordon, Hon. Dominic F. Pileggi; Emeritus Trustees Dr. James A.
Parker, Rev. Leroy Patrick.
Trustees absent: Ms. Carol Ann Campbell, Hon. LeAnna M.
Washington, Mr. Nathan H. Waters, Hon. Sherman F. Wooden, Mrs. Phyllis G.
Woolley-Roy; Emeritus Trustee Dr. Kenneth M. Sadler.
__________
*Representative Thomas arrived after all scheduled resolutions were passed.
MINUTES
Secretary Powelson offered the June 30, 2004, Board of Trustees special meeting
minutes for Board approval.
The motion was properly moved and seconded.
Favor: 25
Oppose:
Abstain:
Motion carried.
Secretary Powelson offered the April 17, 2004, Board of Trustees annual meeting
minutes for Board approval.
The motion was properly moved and seconded.
Favor: 25
Oppose:
Abstain:
Motion carried.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chairman Gihan welcomed new trustees Alumni Association nominee Howard H.
Brown ’68, Esq.; Senate appointee Ms. Kimberly A. Lloyd, ’94; Student Trustee
Mr. Abraham Hoff Jr.; and Faculty Representative Dr. Susan E. Safford to
the Board.
Dr. Nelson was congratulated on his fifth anniversary as University President
and for serving as Vice Chair of the Pennsylvania Association of Colleges
and Universities (PACU).
Trustee-elect Lloyd, in recognition of President Nelson’s accomplishments,
presented a $10,000 check to Lincoln University.
Trustee Custis announced that Verizon will contribute $10,000 to the University’s
LASER Program.
On September 30, 2004, Dr. Frank T. Coleman will receive the John Wanamaker
Humanitarian Award in recognition of eighty years of service to the Christian
Street YMCA in South Philadelphia.
On October 30, 2004, Mr. André V. Duggin will receive the Dr. Coppin
Diamond Award of Excellence from The Women’s Christian Alliance.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
At the annual leadership retreat held in August 2004, the following key priority
areas for the 2004-05 academic year were identified:
1. Institutional Development and Fundraising
2. Academic Reform
3. Undergraduate and Graduate Student Recruitment
4. Information Technology
5. Capital Projects/Dormitory Renovations
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
The President announced that the Governor has approved Lincoln University’s
request to begin four additional capital projects totaling $65.5 million.
Dr. Larkin noted that the amount of capital funding through the Department
of General Services for this coming year for Pennsylvania’s fourteen community
colleges combined is $20 million; and for Pennsylvania’s fourteen state system
of higher education institutions combined is $65 million.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Vice President Merlin introduced Ms. Melvie Hall-Bellinger, appointed August
2, 2004, as Lincoln University’s Director of Finance.
The Treasurer’s Report was accepted as information.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
TRUSTEES, DEGREES, AND NOMINAITONS COMMITTEE
Dr. Calvin S. Morris, Chair, Trustees, Degrees, and Nominations Committee,
offered the following resolutions for Board approval:
APPOINTMENT OF ALUMNI TRUSTEE
RES178_091804
WHEREAS, Article II, Section 2, of the Lincoln University By-Laws (revised
November 20, 1999) stipulates that upon the expiration of the term of any
Alumni Trustee, the Board shall elect an Alumni Trustee for a term of four
years from nominations submitted by the Alumni Association; and
WHEREAS, The Alumni Association has nominated Howard H. Brown, ’68, Esq.
to serve as an Alumni Trustee for a four-year term to expire June 30, 2008;
and
WHEREAS, The Alumni Association has duly notified the Board of Trustees of
said nomination; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees hereby approves the nomination of the
Alumni Association for the appointment of Howard H. Brown, ’68, Esq. as Alumni
Trustee to serve in accordance with Article II, Section 2 (C) of the University
By-Laws.
The motion was properly moved and seconded.
Favor: 25
Oppose:
Abstain:
Motion carried.
APPOINTMENT OF FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE
RES179_091804
TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
WHEREAS, By resolution dated November 20, 1999 (RES041_112099), the Lincoln
University Board of Trustees established that, subject to the provisions
of the resolution, a member of the faculty, to be selected by the faculty
and subject to Board approval, may participate as faculty representative
in meetings of the Board of Trustees and Committees of the Board in a non-voting
capacity. The faculty representative may not participate in executive
sessions of the Board of Trustees or of its committees; and
WHEREAS, By resolution dated November 17, 2001 (RES098_111701) the Lincoln
University Board of Trustees established a two-year term for the faculty
representative to the Board of Trustees, with all other provisos of RES041_112099
remaining intact and in effect; and
WHEREAS, The faculty has selected Dr. Susan E. Safford to serve as faculty
representative to the Board of Trustees; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees hereby approves the faculty selection
of Dr. Susan E. Safford to serve as faculty representative to the Board of
Trustees for the 2004-05 and 2005-06 academic years.
The motion was properly moved and seconded.
Favor: 25
Oppose:
Abstain:
Motion carried.
APPOINTMENT OF STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
RES180_091804
TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
WHEREAS, Article I, Section 2 (D) of the Lincoln University By-Laws (revised
November 20, 1999) provides that one of the eighteen University Trustees
shall be a student representative who shall serve for a term of one year;
and
WHEREAS, By resolution dated February 19, 2000, the Board of Trustees approved
the Student Government Association (SGA) process of determining the student
representative to the Board of Trustees; and
WHEREAS, The process approved provides, pursuant to the Constitution of the
SGA, that the SGA President will be the student representative to the Board
of Trustees; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That Mr. Abraham Hoff, Jr. is hereby appointed Student Representative
to the Board of Trustees in his capacity as President of SGA, for a term
expiring June 30, 2005.
The motion was properly moved and seconded.
Favor: 25
Oppose:
Abstain:
Motion carried.
The Barnes Foundation
Nominations are being accepted by the Trustees, Degrees, and Nominations
Committee for two Barnes Foundation board vacancies to be acted upon at the
November 20, 2004 Board meeting.
BUSINESS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Mr. Donn G. Scott, Chair, Business Affairs Committee, offered the following
resolutions for Board approval:
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT (LUC-AAUP)
RES181_091804
WHEREAS, The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the Trustees of
Lincoln University of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education (University)
and the Lincoln University Chapter of the American Association of University
professors (LUC-AAUP) expired August 31, 2003; and
WHEREAS, Representatives of the University and LUC-AAUP met and bargained
in good faith; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the CBA negotiated by the two parties providing for, among
other things, wage increases to eligible faculty during the following years
is hereby approved; and further
September 1, 2003 – August 31, 2004 6.204%
September 1, 2004 – August 31, 2005 7.049%
September 1, 2005 – August 31, 2006 7.282%
September 1, 2006 – August 31, 2007 7.206%
RESOLVED, That the legal sufficiency review letter provided by legal counsel
is incorporated by reference to this resolution.
The motion was properly moved and seconded.
Favor: 25
Oppose:
Abstain:
Motion carried.
LINE OF CREDIT INCREASE
RES182_091804
WHEREAS, In April 1999, the Lincoln University Board of Trustees approved
a line of credit for the University which has $2.0 million permanent and
$2.0 million seasonal components; and
WHEREAS, On June 10, 2004, Lincoln University refinanced its existing loans
which had restricted expansion of its line of credit without prior approval;
and
WHEREAS, On June 10, 2004, Lincoln University issued bonds which permit the
line of credit to be increased by a percentage of operating expenses that
the Administration has deemed more flexible for the University’s needs; and
WHEREAS, Lincoln University has noted the size of the line to be less than
is needed for proper operation of its finances and that the percentage of
the line compared to operating expenses has eroded by 25% from12% when the
Board last approved it to 9%; and
WHEREAS, Lincoln University’s historical usage has rarely exceeded $3.0 million
in the last three years; and
WHEREAS, Lincoln University can report its usage to the Board to understand;
now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That Lincoln University’s permanent line of credit at $6.0 million
is hereby approved; and further
RESOLVED, That an internal review process that does the following is hereby
approved:
1. Reports to the Business Affairs Committee of the Board
on line of credit utilization; and
2. Reviews with the Business Affairs Committee of the Board
the University’s operational plans for full line of credit repayment whenever
the line is anticipated by the Administration to go over $4.0 million.
The motion was properly moved and seconded.
Favor: 25
Oppose:
Abstain:
Motion carried.
AD HOC COMMITTEE ON BY-LAWS
Dr. Robert L. Albright, Chair, Ad Hoc Committee on By-Laws, offered the following
resolution for Board approval:
AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS OF
RES183_091804
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY
WHEREAS, The By-Laws of Lincoln University of the Commonwealth System of
Higher Education, adopted by the Board of Trustees on November 20, 1999,
is the official document governing the policy directives and the management
of the University; and
WHEREAS, The By-Laws are silent with respect to the official tenure of the
Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary of the Board; and
WHEREAS, Under Article III, Section 2 states that, "The regular meeting of
the Board of Trustees in addition to the annual April meeting shall be held
on the third Saturday in September, November, and February at such time and
place as shall be designated by standing resolutions of the Board," without
exception; and
WHEREAS, Under Article III, Section 9 states that, "It shall be the duty
of each Trustee to attend all meetings of the Board of Trustees unless excused
by the Chair of the Board," without exception; and
WHEREAS, The By-Laws are silent with respect to the duties of the Vice Chair;
and
WHEREAS, Under Article IV, Section 3, the By-Laws are silent with respect
to who names the Treasurer; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary of the Lincoln University
Board of Trustees shall serve a two-year term, beginning July 1 and ending
June 30, and may be re-elected; and further
RESOLVED, That in no case will the Chair, Vice Chair, or Secretary serve
more than four years consecutively; and further
RESOLVED, That to avoid conflicts with such events as holidays and unforeseen
circumstances (Acts of God) the Board Chair shall have the authority to adjust
the meeting date of the regularly scheduled meetings of the Board with the
appropriate notice requirements as prescribed in the By-Laws; and further
RESOLVED, That while it is the duty of each Trustee to attend the regularly
scheduled Board meetings, the Board of Trustees shall allow a one-time telephonic
participation by a member of the Board during the fiscal year as a non-voting
member, not to be included in the quorum count; and further
RESOLVED, That a section in the By-Laws will reflect that, for any circumstance
requiring a vote on any personnel matters relating to the President of the
University or Board Officers, telephonic participation will not be permitted;
and further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees recommends the following duties for
the Vice Chair of the Board: The Vice Chair shall be an Ex-officio
member of committees of the Board of Trustees as directed by the Chair.
In the absence of the Chair, the Vice Chair shall preside over all meetings
of the Board and shall discharge the duties pertaining to the office of the
Chair; and further
RESOLVED, That with the approval of the Board of Trustees, the President
shall name the Chief Fiscal Officer as Treasurer; and further
RESOLVED, That the effective date of this Resolution will be July 1, 2005.
The motion was properly moved and seconded.
Favor: 25
Oppose:
Abstain:
Motion carried.
The Audit, Buildings and Property, Executive, Information Technology and
the Library, Investment, and Planning and Development Committee Reports provided
in the Board book were accepted as information.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Dr. Ernest C. Levister, Chair, Audit Committee, encouraged members of the
Board to submit a signed copy of the 2003-04 Conflict of Interest statement
to the Board office. Outstanding statements include: Dr. Leonard Bethel
(2003), Ms. Carol Ann Campbell, Hon. Levan Gordon, Mr. Nosakhere Griffin-El,
Dr. David Knox, and Mrs. Phyllis G. Woolley-Roy.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND THE LIBRARY
Several Trustees pledged four or more laptop computers each to the University.
Representative Thomas offered the following motion for Board approval:
THE BOARD WILL UTILIZE INTERNAL AND/OR EXTERNAL RESOURCES TO PROVIDE
EACH LINCOLN UNIVERSITY STUDENT WITH A LAPTOP COMPUTER.
The motion was properly moved and seconded.
Representative Thomas accepted a friendly amendment to assign this activity
to the Student Affairs and Information Technology and the Library Committees
for review and analysis.
It was moved and seconded to table the amended motion.
Favor: 12
Oppose: 13
Abstain: 1
Motion defeated.
Chairman Gihan then offered the following motion for Board approval:
THE STUDENT AFFAIRS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND THE LIBRARY COMMITTEES
WILL REVIEW AND ANALYZE THE CONCEPT OF BOARD UTILIZATION OF INTERNAL AND/OR
EXTERNAL RESOURCES TO PROVIDE EACH LINCOLN UNIVERSITY STUDENT WITH A LAPTOP
COMPUTER.
Favor: 17
Oppose: 6
Abstain: 3
Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Chairman Gihan announced that a groundbreaking ceremony for the new 400-bed
residence hall will be held at the construction site immediately after the
Board meeting.
There being no further business, Chairman Gihan adjourned the meeting at
11:05 a.m. ET.