The meeting began informally at 1:10 pm. Rosie Gilbert called the meeting to order at 1:30 pm.

Rosie Gilbert, USUAS-J, Chair

Don Cecil, UAS Faculty Council

Megan Hall, USUAA

Ron Gatterdam for Larry Duffy, UAF Faculty Senate

Tish Griffin, UAS Staff Council

Michael Schmahl for G. Stacey Banks II, ASUAF

David Rohwer for Leafy McBride, SAA

Hilary Davies, UAA Assembly

Rudy Candler, UAF Staff Council

Barbara Tullis, UAA Assembly

* Rob Fitch, who represented the Kodiak College Student Association, is no longer a member of the Council. This seat is vacant.

MOTION: Moved by Cecil, seconded by Rohwer, passed without objection

"The University of Alaska System Governance Council hereby adopts the agenda for its August 26, 1999, meeting. This action is effective August 26, 1999."

The minutes were not available.

Rosie Gilbert said that she is looking forward to working with everyone here. She said that there was an interesting report by the McDowell Group regarding high school student perceptions of the university system. They only surveyed 300 students; but there are some interesting points made. Contact Pat Ivey if you'd like to get a copy of this report.

Pat Ivey said that Pat Pitney and Wendy Redman were both out of the office today and were not available to discuss the budget outlook. Pat Ivey said that the Board of Regents passed a resolution supporting a long term fiscal plan for the state. It was reported on APRN as a resolution in favor of a yes vote on the advisory election for September 1999.

The budget discussion at the most recent BOR meeting in Seward covered student demographics, the physical plant (maintenance, renovation, etc), and strategic initiatives.

There are six or seven "Strategic Initiatives." In developing these initiatives, the President brought together focus groups of industry and public representatives.

Don Cecil said that there is a real uphill battle with the next legislature, according to what Wendy Redman said at the BOR meeting in Seward.

Rosie Gilbert said that there was a presentation about the faculty and staff tuition waiver at the most recent board meeting in Seward. There was a good defense strategy to defend those waivers and a lot of support from the BOR. Don Cecil agreed. Pat Ivey said that the tuition waiver is a key to retention of faculty and staff.

Pat Ivey said that the university gets more than $1 million worth of training value for about $92,000 worth of expenditure, according to the report by Janet Jacobs. Rep. Coghill (R-North Pole) was given more information about the waivers recently. He sponsored a bill last session which would discontinue the waivers and has agreed not to push the bill; although it probably won't be withdrawn. Hilary Davies said that the tuition waiver is a good tool for the university in recruiting employees.

Rosie Gilbert said that we could get personal stories about the waiver's benefits gathered together and send them to Rep. Coghill. She said that we don't have to wait until the legislative session is upon us to do that.

Don Cecil said that the legislature needs personal stories from faculty and staff about how important the tuition waivers are.

Mike Humphrey, from the SWOHR, is in charge of the Health Care Request for Proposals (RFP). It would be nice to have a progress report on this.

Hilary Davies said that the new draft Information Technology Policy is something that we need to be aware of. Ron Gatterdam said that a draft policy was introduced to the Board in June. He commented to the Board of Regents regarding privacy issues in the draft policy, especially as it comes to monitoring email and the use of the internet.

Pat Ivey said that this draft policy is shown for first reading at the September/October meeting in Anchorage.

The FY 2001 Budget and a legislative report from Wendy Redman or Ann Ringstad are two items for the next council meeting agenda.

Rosie Gilbert noticed that campus reports were not included on this agenda. Pat Ivey said that they normally are.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:45 pm.