Regent Candidate Advisory Council

MEETING MINUTES
October 22, 1999
1:00 p.m.
238 Morrill Hall, University of Minnesota

Present:                                       Absent:
Nedra Wicks, Chair                      Gertrude Buckanaga
Joe Aitken                                     Manuel Cervantes
Ken Albrecht                                 Humphrey Doermann
Carol Batsell-Benner                      Paul Dovre
Jane Belau                                     Jo-Anne Stately
Rondi Erickson
Richard Ista
Dave Kanatz
Rebecca Mathern
Mary McLeod
Dave Nauman
Colman O'Connell
Bernie Steffen
Paul Thatcher
Jane Tschida
Jona Turner
Bob Vanasek
Billie Young

The Regent Candidate Advisory Council was called to order by Nedra Wicks, RCAC Chair, at 1:05 p.m. in Room 238, Morrill Hall, on the University of Minnesota Campus. Ms. Wicks introduced Rondi Erickson and Bernie Steffen, new members of the Council.

Mary McLeod moved approval of the minutes of June 11, 1999. The motion was approved.

Ms. Wicks announced that Gregg Orwoll has resigned from the Council effective October 7, 1999, and that Barb Patterson, who has been secretary to the Council since its inception, will retire effective October 31, 1999. Paul Thatcher moved that the Council pass a resolution commending Ms. Patterson and Mr. Orwoll for their work on the Council. The motion carried. Ms. Wicks added that she would convey special thanks to Ms. Patterson for her years of service to the Council.

Ms. Wicks reported on her meetings with Senator Roger Moe, Representative Steve Sviggum and Ken Dayton, former chair of the Council. She said that the Leadership is in agreement with the February 1 deadline for the recommendation of regent finalists to the legislature and February 15 as the deadline for final selection of regents by the legislature. Legislative leadership expressed support for the Council. Ms. Wicks said that members whose terms end in January, 2000, must complete and send in the application form enclosed in their folders to be considered for reappointment.

Ms. Wicks announced the following openings for the next round of recruitment: two at-large positions, one student position, and one 5^th congressional district position.

Ms. Wicks discussed the materials contained in the folders which included the following committees and their chairs: Interview Process and Questions - Paul Dovre; Orientation - Ken Albrecht; Recruitment/Public Relations - Billie Young; Document Review - Jona Turner; References - Dave Naumann; Nominations - to be appointed in the fall. Members were asked to contact committee chairs directly to serve on a committee.

Mr Thatcher asked if stub terms would count as part of the Council's two-term limit on sitting regents. After discussion Ms. McLeod moved that a subcommittee be established to examine the question and make a recommendation to the Council. The motion was approved. The following members were appointed to the subcommittee with Ms. McLeod as Chair: Mr. Thatcher, Bob Vanasek, Jane Belau, Rondi Erickson and Billie Young.

At 1:30 p.m. Ms. Wicks recognized President Mark Yudof who addressed the Council on the qualifications for regent candidates. Among the qualities he urged the Council to look for were the following:

• Judiciousness, a sense of individual presence, gravitas. "A regent should speak with measured words.
• Display fairness and open-mindedness. A regent should be even-handed.
• Maintain confidentiality. A regent deals with many sensitive matters.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the University, an understanding of the peculiar culture of universities and how they are different from most other public or private institutions.
• Recognize conflicts of interest and understand that even an appearance of a conflict of interest can be damaging to the institution.
• Wisdom to use restraint in the use of power.
• Prior board and professional experience, especially in the management of complex institutions.

In responding to Council members' questions, President Yudof advised the Council to seek candidates with in-depth experience in technology, finance, and human relations. The Board, he said, should also reflect the racial and geographic diversity of the state. In seeking out candidates he suggested contacting major industry and professional groups and when qualified candidates have been identified, to place personal phone calls to them to convince them to serve. He added that the work load for regents, and therefore the time commitment required, has been significantly reduced. Among the sources for recommendation he suggested were business leaders, current and former academicians, former and present high profile individuals, former regents and current and former chancellors. People who have been successful in the past, he said, are likely to be successful in the future. President Yudof departed at 2:30 p.m.

Ms. Wicks presented a proposed activity calendar for 1999-2001 for review and comment. Ms. Young moved approval. The motion carried. The following members volunteered to attend upcoming Board of Regent meetings: November 11-12, Jane Tschida and Mr. Naumann; December 9-10, Carol Batsell-Benner and Colman O'Connell; February 10-11, Jona Turner and Ms. Erickson; March 9-10, Ms. McLeod and Rebecca Mathern; April 13-14, Joe Aitken and Bernie Steffen.

Ms. Wicks reminded Council members of attendance guidelines and will follow up on the three meeting rule in regard to absences from Council meetings pursuant to Minn. Stat. 15.0575 subd. 4. The next meeting of the Council will be held on Friday, April 14, 2000 at 1:00 p.m. The agenda and meeting place will be sent to Council members one month in advance.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m.

Last Updated: 01/10/05 (mp)

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