BLUEFIELD STATE COLLEGE
Board of Governors
April 16, 2009

Members Present: Ms. Gloria Stephens, Mr. Norris Kantor (Chair), Dr. Lyn Guy, Mr. Daniel Frost, Mr. Erik Guyton, Ms. Angie Lambert, Mr. Sylvester Myers, Mr. Larry Ratliff, Ms. Anne Taylor
Members Absent: Mr. Larry Morhous, Mr. James Palmer, III
Staff/Guests: Dr. Albert Walker, Mr. John Cardwell, Dr. Don Smith, Ms. Shelia Johnson, Dr. Tracey Anderson, Ms. Lisa Neel, Ms. Deirdre Guyton, Dr. Jim Voelker and the BSC American Government students, Mr. Chris DeWeiss (via conference call)

Welcome and Call to Order – Mr. Norris Kantor
Chairman Norris Kantor called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at the MountainView Student Residence and Conference Center and welcomed all in attendance. Mr. Kantor introduced Ms. Anne Taylor as a newly appointed member of the Board and asked Ms. Barilla, Notary Public, to administer the oath of office. Mr. Kantor announced that the Governor will be appointing a new member to replace Mr. John Shott, who resigned upon his election to the WV Legislature.
Consent Agenda
A motion was made (LGuy/LRatliff) to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion carried.
Audit Report – Chris DeWeiss (conference call)
Chairman Kantor asked for questions concerning the Audit Report received prior to the meeting. Mr. Chris DeWeiss, Suttle & Stalnaker Certified Public Accountants, reviewed portions of the report and informed the group that BSC received a clean, unqualified opinion, which is the best opinion that the institution can receive. 
Mr. Kantor appointed Ms. Anne Taylor to the Finance Committee. Other members of this committee are Mr. Larry Morhous and Mr. Larry Ratliff.  
Formal Motion to Approve Policy Recommendations - Mr. Kantor asked for a motion to specifically approve the policy recommendations. Motion was made (LRatliff/EGuyton) to approve all the policies presented. Motion carried.
Proposed 2009-2010 Tuition and Fee Increases – Mr. Kantor asked for a motion to approve the recommended tuition and fee increase request. Motion was made (EGuyton/LGuy) to approve the increases. Ms. Johnson reviewed the material with the group and the rationale for the increases. Discussion followed. Motion carried.
New Degree Program Proposals – Dr. Smith reviewed the proposed degree programs and explained how each would enhance the student’s knowledge and provide a competitive advantage.
Discussion Agenda
Finance Committee Report – Mr. Ratliff reviewed the budget year- to-date and some of the components that make up the budget. Discussion followed.
Other
- Mr. Frost discussed the catastrophic leave policy presented at the February meeting and asked for a ruling of the Board.  Mr. Kantor stated that he contacted other institutions in the state, as well as the Higher Education Policy Commission and found that BSC is in full compliance with what HEPC does and recommends. Mr. Kantor informed Mr. Frost that a written legal opinion can be provided if necessary. Mr. Frost asked that it be included in the minutes that the Board is not going to adhere to what he says was the policy. Mr. Kantor explained that when making a legal decision you have to take all sections that are applicable, read them together, and come to a conclusion. Mr. Kantor informed Mr. Frost that he (Mr. Kantor) and Mr. Morhous concluded that the form is appropriate and proper and in conversations with the HEPC attorney and the HEPC attorney concurs and that is the legal opinion and ruling of the Chair.  Discussion followed.  Mr. Kantor informed Mr. Frost that he has the right to ask for a motion to overrule the ruling of the Chair. Mr. Frost made a motion to overrule the ruling of the Chair. With no second the motion was dismissed.  Mr. Frost asked that the minutes reflect the ruling of the Chair, that BSC is in compliance with what HEPC recommends concerning the catastrophic leave policy.
- Mr. Kantor reminded the group that he agreed at the February meeting to check into the cost of a feasibility study on housing and give a report. He reported that Brown Edwards gave an estimate of $15,000 to $25,000 to do a feasibility study on housing.  Discussion followed. No action was taken.
- Mr. Kantor displayed a certificate presented to Bluefield State College for the “2008 Best of the Best Reader’s Choice Awards” from the Bluefield Daily Telegraph.
Next Meeting Date – June 18, 2009
- Mr. Kantor informed the group that Board officers will be elected at the June meeting. Mr. Kantor informed the group that both his and Dr. Guy’s terms will end June 30, 2009. A new chairperson will take office July 1, 2009.

With no further business to conduct, the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Anita Barilla