Laurie Sabin

The Board discussed the elimination of athletics programs, faculty promotion and tenure recommendations, and recognition of the student trustee. Updates were provided by the President, student trustees, and faculty representatives. The Board also received reports from the Financial Affairs Committee, Academic Affairs and Student Success Committee, and the Cleveland State University Foundation. Action items included the approval of a collective bargaining agreement with the Communications Workers of America, the establishment of new integrated degree programs, amendments to research misconduct policies, faculty emeriti status, retirement plan amendments, changes to educational assistance benefits, meal plan and housing rate increases, and the authorization of retail subleases and a new air dome purchase for Krenzler Field.

The board discussed institutional leadership and the "Path to 2020" initiative. Amendments to the bylaws were approved to create a new Student Affairs Committee. Reports were received regarding student success initiatives, the university's cost-reduction plan to exceed legislative benchmarks, marketing awards, RTA bus line ridership, and ongoing construction projects. The board also reviewed fundraising results, academic affairs, and student affairs updates including the Expressive Activity Policy. Financial items approved included various collective bargaining agreements, police mutual aid, deferred maintenance, engineering building construction, tuition surcharge adjustments, and affirmative action plans. Additionally, the FY 2015 external audit was accepted, and authorization was granted for the issuance of Series 2016 General Receipts Bonds for debt refunding purposes.

The board meeting included the recognition of distinguished faculty members and a retiring trustee for their service. The President provided a report on recent campus achievements, and the Board ratified the appointment of a new Director of Athletics. Reports were delivered regarding student concerns, faculty representative observations, and updates from the Academic Affairs and Student Success, Financial Affairs, and Governance committees, as well as the CSU Foundation. The Board approved new degree programs, a College Completion Plan, asbestos remediation funding, and a new pouring rights contract. Additionally, the Board authorized employment agreements for basketball coaches, approved successor collective bargaining agreements for faculty units, accepted the President's annual evaluation, delegated authority for appointment to an academic council, accepted a strategic transformation plan, set spending authority for the first quarter of the new fiscal year, and held the election of board officers.

The board discussed and authorized several key items including a financial services contract with Huntington National Bank, a new tiered parking rate structure for fiscal year 2013, and a bid award for structural repairs to the Central Garage. The board also held an executive session to approve the President's performance bonus and his goals for the 2012-2013 academic year. Additionally, the board recognized a long-serving trustee for her service, approved the reappointment of community board members, accepted various faculty tenure recommendations, authorized an agreement for bar review courses, approved advertising expenditures, and authorized the purchase of a confocal microscope and wireless network equipment. Finally, the board discussed the university's capital and investment plan and adopted a resolution authorizing the issuance of general receipts bonds to fund new life sciences facilities and refund outstanding debt.

The Board of Trustees meeting focused on several key institutional developments, including a report on philanthropic gifts, the university's financial state, and the initiation of a structural change workgroup to ensure long-term stability. The Board approved the Commercialization Pathway for Tenure, discussed preparations for Higher Learning Commission accreditation, and received a mid-year budget review. Additionally, the Board authorized contracts for the Washkewicz Hall construction, renewed a management agreement for the Recreation Center, granted emeritus status to four retiring faculty members, and formally elected Harlan M. Sands as the next President of the University, while also approving a collective bargaining agreement with the AAUP.