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Meeting Minutes, October 26, 2007

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Creator: Offices of Board of Trustees and President
Subjects: Administration, Board of Trustees, BOT Minute Books
Date: October 26, 2007
Format: Text/pdf
Original Format: Computer file
Resource Identifier: OCTOBER 26 2007.pdf
Collection Number: UA 1
Language: English
Rights Management: Educational use only, no other permissions given. Copyright to this resource is held by Michigan State University and is provided here for educational purposes only. It may not be reproduced or distributed in any format without written permission of the University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.
Contributing Institution: Offices of Board of Trustees and President; University Archives & Historical Collections; MATRIX
Contributor: Offices of Board of Trustees and President
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Transcript:
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
OF THE
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES

October 26, 2007

President Simon called the meeting of the Board of Trustees to order at 9:30 a.m. in the Board Room.

Trustees present: Joel Ferguson (via telephone as indicated below), Melanie Foster, Colleen McNamara, Donald Nugent, Faylene Owen, George Perles, and Scott Romney.

Trustees absent: Dorothy Gonzales.

University officers present: President Simon, Provost Wilcox, Vice President Poston, Secretary Barber, Vice President and General Counsel Noto, Vice Presidents Denbow, Hudzik, June, Webb, and Webster, Associate Vice President for Research Hunt, Senior Advisor and Director Granberry Russell, and Executive Director Beekman. Faculty liaisons present: Rebecca Henry, James Potchen, John Powell, and Susan Sleeper Smith. Student liaisons present: Eric Hinojosa, Michael Leahy, Jarrod Morrice, and Yanisleidy Reina.

All actions taken were by unanimous vote of the Trustees present, unless otherwise noted.

1. On a motion by Trustee Foster, supported by Trustee Romney, the BOARD VOTED to approve the agenda.

2. On a motion by Trustee Nugent, supported by Trustee Foster, the BOARD VOTED to approve the meeting minutes of September 12, 2007.

3. President’s Report

A. The Campaign for MSU

President Simon thanked Vice President Webb, Provost Wilcox, and the entire MSU community for the success of the Campaign for MSU. Donors surpassed the university’s expectations by committing a total of $1.439 billion during the campaign. She thanked the Trustees for their support and noted that their vision for MSU was critical in the success of the Campaign.


B. Engineering Residential Option

President Simon asked Provost Wilcox to discuss the new College of Engineering residential option.

Provost Wilcox said the Engineering residential option provides another example of how the academic enterprise and the Residential Life enterprise can work together. Dr. Satish Udpa, Dean of the College of Engineering, deserves great credit for his commitment to invigorating undergraduate education within the College of Engineering. Dean Udpa’s goal has been to create a model for engineering education across the country.

C. MSU Professor Wins Nobel Prize

President Simon noted that MSU Adjunct Professor Albert Fert was awarded the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physics. Professor Fert has had a strong collaboration with Physics Professors Jack Bass, Bill Pratt, and Peter Schroeder, all of whom have worked for many years with Professor Fert on magnetoresistance.

D. MSU Professors Named Fellows by American Association for the Advancement of Science

President Simon said that the American Association for the Advancement of Science has awarded the distinction of Fellow to MSU Professors George Garrity of the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics and Jack Preiss of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

E. Free Speech Issues

President Simon stated that there have been incidents on campus that have drawn attention to the issue of free speech. It is important for universities to be a model for civil discourse. It is unfortunate that extreme speakers incite behavior from some that is inappropriate within the academic community.

Trustee Owen stated that everyone has the right to speak freely on campus; however, MSU does not have to condone hate speech. She asked that a resolution be drafted and presented at the next Board meeting that expresses the Board’s disapproval of the message of hate being presented by Mr. Nick Griffin at MSU on October 26, 2007.

F. State Budget

President Simon asked Vice President Webster to comment on the State Budget.

Vice President Webster said that within a week MSU should know what the operating budget will be for the fiscal year that began on October 1, 2007. There has been significant progress on recognizing and separating the University Research Corridor (URC) universities in the State budget. This represents a milestone in the way that the State of Michigan views higher education and the innovation that comes from these three universities.

Vice President Webster stated that MSU will likely see a one percent increase over the reduced base. As of the Board meeting, the appropriation base from last year was 1.8 percent lower than the previous year. MSU would receive a one percent increase on that reduced base.

President Simon said that this represents a one percent increase in state appropriations over what was planned in the MSU budget. Consistent with the resolution of the Board, the understanding was that any increase in State appropriations above the planned level would be returned to the students through a reduction in the annualized tuition rate effective the next semester.

Dave Byelich, Director of Planning and Budgets, stated that a one percent increase in appropriations would result in a reduction of approximately $2.25 per credit hour. A lump sum adjustment in recognition of the prior semester would be approximately $27. (A memorandum describing the change in detail is attached). (Appendix A)

4. There was no Public Participation on Issues Germane to the Agenda.

5. Personnel Actions

Provost Wilcox presented the following personnel actions:

Alston-Mills, Brenda, AN-Professor, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Department of Animal Science; Office of Organization and Professional Development for Diversity and Pluralism, $150,000, with Tenure, effective January 1, 2008.

Clay, Daniel C., AY-Professor, Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies; Institute of International Agriculture, $130,000, with Tenure, effective August 16, 2007.

Buell, Carol R., AY-Associate Professor, Department of Plant Biology, $107,000, with Tenure, effective January 1, 2008.

Sefcik, Donald, AN-Professor, College of Osteopathic Medicine; Departments of Family and Community Medicine; Pharmacology and Toxicology, $240,000, with Tenure, effective December 1, 2007.

Trustee Nugent moved to approve the recommendations, with support from Trustee Owen.

Provost Wilcox said that Professor Alston-Mills has a Ph.D. from MSU in Zoology and Endocrinology. She has served as an Associate Professor in Animal Science at North Carolina State University since 1990 and as Assistant Dean of Diversity in its College of Agriculture and Life Sciences since 2004. Her teaching interests include anatomy and physiology of domestic animals, mammalian endocrinology, and the biology of milk.

Provost Wilcox said that Professor Clay received a Ph.D. in Demography/Rural Sociology from MSU in 1982. He served as Associate Professor and Research Coordinator in the Institute of International Agriculture at MSU from 1987-2000 and as served as Director and Professor since 2000. Professor Clay has research interests including food aid impacts; household livelihood strategies; and population, environmental, and developmental linkages in the international community.

Provost Wilcox stated that Professor Buell has a Ph.D. in Biology from Utah State University. She has been an Assistant Professor at Louisiana State University and has been an Assistant and Associate Investigator in the Plant Genomics Group at The Institute for Genomic Research since 1999.

Provost Wilcox noted that Professor Sefcik as served as an Associate Professor and Professor in Family Medicine at Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University since 2000. He has also served as the Chair of Family Medicine, Academic Chair of Family Medicine, and Assistant Dean for Clinical Sciences.

THE BOARD VOTED to approve the recommendations.

6. Gifts, Grants and Contracts

On behalf of Vice President Gray, Dr. Paul Hunt, Associate Vice President for Research introduced Dr. Steven Pueppke, Director of the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, to speak to the Board regarding the bioenergy value chain and bioenergy research at MSU.

Dr. Pueppke said that the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center is focused on the bioenergy value chain. There is great interest on the part of President Simon and across the State of Michigan in creating a bioeconomy in Michigan. The Center was funded a few months ago by the U.S. Department of Energy. MSU received $51 million and is working with the University of Wisconsin to look at the value chain.

Dr. Pueppke stated that the Center’s research focuses on three things: improving the composition of the biomass by making it more amenable to extracting economic value; making sure that sustainability is addressed so that resources are not damaged; and ensuring that processing systems are efficient and cost effective. The proposal is focused on discovery research. It is basic science, but there is a very key link to the real world.

Dr. Pueppke explained that more than 40 MSU scientists are involved in the project. The strength for Michigan and the bioeconomy is the tree resource, a long-term resource that represents an ecosystem that is found not just in Michigan, but other states. The Center could provide an opportunity for MSU to seize leadership both with the private sector and with federal partners to sustain funding and research beyond the five year timeframe.

Trustee Ferguson joined the meeting via telephone.

7. Finance Committee Report

Trustee Nugent presented the Finance Committee Report and recommendations.

A. The 2008-09 Appropriation Request

It was recommended that the Board of Trustees adopt the Appropriation Request, including needs for the University General Fund, the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, and Michigan State University Extension.

Trustee Nugent moved to approve the recommendation, with support from Trustee Foster.

Assistant Vice President Dave Byelich stated that this is a routine item that allows MSU to respond to questions from the State of Michigan. The allocations reflect the scope of the University’s activities and the fact that a research intensive university like MSU has some very different needs than do other institutions. In particular, its science, technology, engineering, and math programs have some unique cost structures that MSU asks the State of Michigan to recognize.

THE BOARD VOTED to approve the recommendation.

B. Funds Functioning as Endowments

It was recommended that the Board of Trustees establish a fund functioning as an endowment entitled Norman and Lillian Higgins Research Endowment in Plant Pathology.

It was recommended that the Board of Trustees establish a fund functioning as an endowment entitled Einar and Patricia Hardin Scholarship Fund.

It was recommended that the Board of Trustees establish a fund functioning as an endowment entitled The Geraldine Curtis Endowment for WKAR Radio Talking Book.

Trustee Nugent moved to approve the recommendations, as a group, with support from Trustee Foster.

THE BOARD VOTED to approve the recommendations.

C. Farm Lane Underpasses—Implementation and At-Grade Crossing Elimination

It was recommended to the Board of Trustees that it adopt the following resolutions:

Resolved that the at-grade crossings of the CN (Grand Trunk) and CSX railroads over Farm Lane be eliminated by the Farm Lane underpass project to be constructed by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), which will result in a material change to the campus landscape and footprint, so that vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle traffic will move under the railroad tracks rather than crossing over the tracks;

Resolved further that the administration is authorized to take all actions it deems necessary or desirable to accomplish such construction, including without limitation execution of contract(s) with MDOT and other documents relating to the Farm Lane underpass project and expenditure of matching funds equal to the amount of project costs not funded by other sources;

Resolved further that the administration is authorized to obtain interim financing for a part of the cost of construction of the underpass project, not to exceed $4,000,000, through loans from the MDOT Local Jobs Today loan program, and to execute any related contracts and other instruments and take any other actions it deems necessary or desirable in connection with such loans; and

Resolved further that prior actions of the administration with respect to the Farm Lane underpass project are ratified and confirmed.

Trustee Nugent moved to approve the recommendation, with support from Trustee Perles.

Vice President Poston offered to explain the first three parts of the resolution. First, the Board needs to approve the footprint change for the project. Second, when a project like this is funded by the federal government, MSU is not authorized to manage it. MDOT has agreed to manage the project, but that places the project outside of the University’s normal construction policies. This resolution authorizes the administration to pay its share of the various costs associated with the project and to execute any contracts necessary to do so. The third piece is actually a short-term one- year loan. MSU applied for funding from the Michigan Jobs Today Program and received a grant of slightly less than $4 million. By receiving money from that program, MSU is eligible for a loan with an interest rate of approximately four percent until the funds arrive.

Trustee Nugent added that the project will make campus much safer.

THE BOARD VOTED to approve the recommendation.

D. Purchase of Grand Rapids Property—Planned Expansion of College of Human Medicine

It was recommended to the Board of Trustees that it purchase real property located at 445 Michigan Street NE in the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, for $950,000 and upon such other terms and conditions as may be acceptable to the Vice President for Finance and Operations and Treasurer.

Trustee Nugent moved to approve the recommendation, with support from Trustee Foster.

THE BOARD VOTED to approve the recommendation.

E. Authorization to Plan (footprint change) Case Hall—Loading Dock Addition

It was recommended to the Board of Trustees that it authorize the administration to plan for modifications that may result in a material change to the campus footprint for the project entitled Case Hall—Loading Dock Addition.

Trustee Nugent moved to approve the recommendation, with support from Trustee Foster.

THE BOARD VOTED to approve the recommendation.

F. Authorization to Plan—T.B. Simon Power Plant—Reverse Osmosis System

It was recommended to the Board of Trustees that it authorize the administration to plan for the project entitled T.B. Simon Power Plant—Reverse Osmosis System.

Trustee Nugent moved to approve the recommendation, with support from Trustee Owen.

Vice President Poston said that the power plant does not have adequate storage to store greater volumes of the caustic chemicals that are needed for the power plant to operate. Holding capacity for these chemicals could be expanded, but they are dangerous and a potential environmental problem should anything happen to the storage facilities. The other option was to install a reverse osmosis system that would actually lead to a reduction in the quantity of chemicals used on a daily basis, thus reducing the quantity of chemicals needed. The authorization to plan will allow more research to be done on the reverse osmosis system.

THE BOARD VOTED to approve the recommendation.

G. Project Approval—Authorization to Proceed

It was recommended to the Board of Trustees that it authorize the administration to proceed with the project entitled Michigan State University Shooting Sports Education and Training Center and approve a budget of $3,500,000; and that it grant a land use zoning variance for the Shooting Sports Education and Training Center, to allow its construction and use within the Agricultural District.

Trustee Nugent moved to approve the recommendation, with support from Trustee Owen.

Vice President Poston said that this project represents a unique partnership between MSU and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Dr. Bill Taylor, Chair of Fisheries and Wildlife, spoke to the programmatic aspects of the project.

Dr. Taylor stated that planning for the facility began in 2004. A group was able to work together on the project due to MSU’s continuing relationship with 4H extension programs and the DNR. While the project started with the narrow focus of an air rifle and small bore firing range, feedback from students and partners within the community have broadened the vision of the center. This facility will have an incredible impact on students, staff, faculty, and the community.

Dr. Taylor introduced Becky Humphries, DNR Director, to discuss the project.

Ms. Humphries said that she enjoyed building the partnership between the DNR and MSU and looks forward to continuing the relationship in the future with this project. The DNR, the Natural Resources Commission, and the Natural Resources Trust Fund Board are all very proud partners in the project. Michigan is one of the foremost states for outdoor recreational activities. There also exists a huge trade base in the State for manufacturers of this equipment. Conservation Officer training is another important aspect this project will provide. Conservation Officers would use the Training Center to be certified and to keep their skills up to date.

Vice President Poston said the proposed location for the program is between Jolly Road and Interstate 96. The site will require a zoning variance because this is in the agricultural district. There is an opportunity for expansion in the future should that be necessary.

THE BOARD VOTED to approve the recommendation.

H. Project Approval—Authorization to Proceed—Mary Mayo Hall--Renovations

It was recommended to the Board of Trustees that it authorize the administration to proceed with the project entitled Mary Mayo Hall—Renovations and to approve a budget of $12,500,000.

Trustee Nugent moved to approve the recommendation, with support from Trustee Owen.

Vice President Poston asked Vennie Gore, Assistant Vice President for Housing and Food Services, to discuss the project.

Dr. Gore said that the building was constructed in 1931 and is one of the glorious old residence halls on campus. What is proposed is actually a restoration to keep the architectural integrity of the building while keeping it up to code for safety, mechanical, and electrical issues. Improvements will include improving access for the disabled and replacing some landscaping. Laundry facilities will be moved from the basement to the living floors for student convenience. Student room furniture will be replaced, along with carpeting. Service areas would also be created to enable recycling.

THE BOARD VOTED to approve the recommendation.

Trustee Ferguson ended his participation in the meeting.

I. Project Approval—Authorization to Proceed—The Secchia
Center—West Michigan Medical School

It was recommended to the Board of Trustees that it authorize the administration to proceed with the project entitled the Secchia Center—West Michigan Medical School and to approve a budget of $90,000,000; and to arrange for the Michigan State University Foundation (MSUF) to hold and invest all gifts received relating to construction of the Secchia Center, until used for their intended purpose, and to transfer to the MSUF such gifts received by Michigan State University.

Trustee Nugent moved to approve the recommendation, with support from Trustee Owen.

President Simon said that this project will be the anchor building for what has been termed the “medical mile” in Grand Rapids.

Dr. Marsha Rappley, Dean of the College of Human Medicine, thanked the Board for its vision of the College of Human Medicine as a research intensive medical school. This building marks the path to that future. She thanked President Simon for her leadership, Provost Wilcox and Vice President Poston for their advice and counsel, Vice President Webb for the continued success of development efforts, faculty and staff within the College of Human Medicine who have worked tirelessly on the project, and the community of Grand Rapids for its generosity.

President Simon said the plan was that the facility would be supported through donor funds. Originally, the stakeholders report estimate for the project was $70 million. That estimate included a land acquisition price of approximately $7.5 million and building construction costs of $60 million. However, the cost of the land acquisition increased from the estimated $7.5 million to $15.7 million. The furnishings are estimated at $5.5 million. The parking, which is another important piece of this project, was not part of the original estimate. That includes ramp spaces, surface parking, and additional expansion sites for the College of Human Medicine or other MSU related activities. When the increase in land price is factored in along with the building estimate, furnishings, parking, and inflation the total cost of the building is estimated at $90 million.

President Simon noted that there was a commitment from Spectrum Health for half of the original estimate for building costs in the stakeholders report. The plan is to continue to raise money for the building to meet the target of having the building paid for through private dollars. Meanwhile, with the help of the MSU Foundation, we are able to finance the building in a way that has no impact on tuition and fees or other support from MSU. This permits MSU to continue to raise money and move the project forward.

Vice President Webb stated that MSU has had an excellent reception from the Grand Rapids community. Grand Action continues to be a partner in raising funds, the current total of donations being $35.7 million.

THE BOARD VOTED to approve the recommendation.

J. Project Approval—Authorization to Proceed (Budget and Scope Adjustment) Duffy Daugherty Football Building Addition—George & Sally Perles Plaza and Weight Room Expansion

It was recommended to the Board of Trustees that the project budget be increased from $14,600,000 to $17,600,000 for the project entitled Duffy Daugherty Football Building Addition—George & Sally Perles Plaza and Weight Room Expansion.

It was recommended to the Board of Trustees that the project scope be amended to include the weight room expansion and construction of the George and Sally Perles Plaza.

Trustee Nugent moved to approve the recommendation, with support from Trustee Foster.

Vice President Poston noted that the Board had previously authorized the administration to proceed with other parts of the Duffy Daugherty Football Building extension and renovations, such as the construction of offices, meeting rooms, and team rooms. Trustee Perles was generous enough to be the anchor donor for the plaza. MSU has acquired additional support for the construction of the weight room. It would save money to complete the plaza and the weight room at the same time as the other parts of the Duffy Daugherty Football Building project.

THE BOARD VOTED to approve the recommendation.

K. Project Approval—Authorization to Proceed—Old College Field—Renovations Phase II—Athletic Fields

It was recommended to the Board of Trustees that it authorize the administration to proceed with the project entitled Old College Field—Renovations Phase II—Athletic Fields and to approve a budget of $1,800,000.

THE BOARD VOTED to approve the recommendation.

8. Policy Committee Report

Trustee McNamara presented the Policy Committee Report and recommendations.

A. College of Law Board Appointments

It was recommended that the Board of Trustees approve the following appointments to the Law College Board:

David Porteous for a term of three years, commencing January 2008 and ending January 2011.

Robert Weiss for a term of three years, commencing January 2008 and ending January 2011.

Trustee McNamara moved to approve the recommendation, with support from Trustee Nugent.

THE BOARD VOTED to approve the recommendation.

Trustee Ferguson joined the meeting via telephone.

B. Naming Proposal: Skandalaris Center

It was recommended to the Board of Trustees that all of the new construction areas of the Duffy Daugherty Football Building be named the “Skandalaris Football Center” that the space in the Duffy Daugherty Football Building previously designated as the Football Operations Center remain unnamed to avoid creating confusion with the larger Skandalaris Football Center, and that the Hall of History to be located in the Skandalaris Football Center be available for naming in honor of a future donor.

Trustee McNamara moved to approve the recommendation, with support from Trustee Owen.

President Simon noted that Bob and Julie Skandalaris are extraordinarily generous donors. They have permitted MSU to move forward with the Football Operations Center and have subsequently made an additional commitment to support the locker room expansion, hence the new name of the Skandalaris Football Center. The other point of generosity is that they have permitted MSU to seek another donor for the Hall of History.

C. Naming Proposal: The John and Marnie Demmer Shooting Sports
Education and Training Center

It was recommended to the Board of Trustees that the Shooting
Sports Education and Training Center be named the John and Marnie Demmer Shooting Sports Education and Training Center.

Trustee McNamara moved to approve the recommendation, with support from Trustee Foster.

President Simon noted that the Demmer family, over a very long period of time, has been extraordinarily supportive of MSU. The enthusiasm for this project is tremendous. Mr. Demmer’s generous gift has given this project momentum and broad community support.

Mr. Bill Demmer said that it was an honor to attend the meeting and represent his family. He noted that his parents met at MSU in 1938 and were involved in many activities on campus. Mr. Demmer thanked the Board for allowing his family to honor their father and late mother.

THE BOARD VOTED to approve the recommendation.

D. Approval of Lease Terms: James Porter

It was recommended to the Board of Trustees that it approve the execution of a lease agreement with James Porter, consistent with the Lease Term Sheet presented to the Board for inclusion in its minutes. (Appendix B)

Trustee McNamara moved to approve the recommendation, with support from Trustee Romney.

THE BOARD VOTED to approve the recommendation.

Trustee Ferguson ended his participation in the meeting.

9. Audit Committee Report

Trustee Perles presented the Audit Committee Report and recommendations.

It was recommended to the Board of Trustees that it accept the audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2007.

Trustee Perles moved to approve the recommendation, with support
from Trustee Owen.

Trustee Perles said that the Audit Committee had met and reviewed the 2006-07 audited financial statements. MSU received the highest ranking and opinion from the auditor. No significant adjustments were proposed during the audit and no material weaknesses in accounting policies or procedures were noted.

THE BOARD VOTED to approve the recommendation.

10. Boldness by Design Presentation: Human Capital Report

Vice President Poston presented the Boldness by Design report on Human Capital. (Appendix C)

11. Trustees Comments

Trustee Foster thanked Vice President Webb and Associate Vice President Heil for the successful conclusion of MSU’s Capital Campaign. The celebration gala was a wonderful event. The 25th anniversary celebration of the Wharton Center was also an extraordinary event with over 400 donors and supporters of the Wharton Center present. It was nice to welcome former MSU presidents back to campus for these events.

Trustee Foster thanked President Simon for diligently working on behalf of MSU to bring so many projects to fruition.

Trustee Nugent said that it was wonderful to be able to recognize some key individuals through the MSU Alumni Association Outstanding Alumni Awards and the Outstanding Faculty Awards. These are two very important groups that deserve the recognition.

Trustee Owen asked Dr. James Potchen, Faculty Liaison to the Board, to introduce Dr. Susan Sleeper-Smith, Faculty Liaison to the Board, to speak about the Quality Fund.

Dr. Sleeper-Smith said that oftentimes faculty do not have the opportunity to speak with the Board regarding things that are working on campus for the faculty and students. The Quality Fund is one of those things that is working for both faculty and students. The Board had challenged the faculty to create more meaningful learning experiences for students and to do it in a competitive way. Examples of how faculty are using the Quality Fund include creating smaller discussion classes within larger integrated classes and improved student-based learning facilities for Lyman Briggs students.

Trustee Romney stated that he is proud of the amount of innovation and creativity at MSU on all levels. He cited several examples at the meeting, including Trustee Perles donating to the Duffy Daugherty project, the Demmer family supporting the Shooting Sports Education and Training Center, the bioenergy research center funded through the federal government, and the Secchia Center in Grand Rapids. These are great projects that highlight the excellence and efficiency found at MSU.

12. Public Participation on Other Issues

A. Campus Speaker Nick Griffin

Mr. Michael Epstein, member of the Jewish Student Union, thanked the Board for the opportunity to discuss the Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) bringing Mr. Nick Griffin to campus to speak. Mr. Griffin is the head of the British National Party. Mr. Epstein said that the British National Party proposes incentives for immigrants and their descendents to return home, advocating for the appeal of all anti-discrimination legislation and restricting party membership to indigenous British ethnic groups that derive from indigenous Caucasians.

Mr. Epstein stated that Mr. Griffin has been arrested, convicted, and prosecuted for incitement of hate speech and that the speech that Mr. Griffin is scheduled to deliver at the Veterinary Medical Center will include an explanation of how multiculturalism, mass immigration, and Islam are destroying Western civilization. Mr. Epstein said that he hoped the Board would reaffirm what President Simon said in her statement and support productive civil engagement.

B. Campus Speaker Nick Griffin

Mr. Phillip Moon, MSU student and reporter for Spartanedge.com, said that Mr. Nick Griffin is an outspoken anti-Semite and holocaust denier. Mr. Moon said that he hoped MSU would make sure that the event was a debate and not just Mr. Griffin spewing a message of hate.

C. Young Americans for Freedom (YAF)

Mr. Chris Singer, MSU student and Board member of the Peace Education Center, said that for the past 37 years, the Peace Education Center has been a partner of MSU. The Center works to bring about positive social change. Mr. Singer said that the YAF is the only student group in the nation to be recognized as a hate group. The purpose of such speech is to incite, not to have an open discourse and exchange of ideas. Mr. Singer stated that the Peace Education Center wishes to stand in solidarity with the communities that have been the targets of YAF’s hate speech.

D. Campus Speaker Nick Griffin

Dr. John Masterson, MSU Professor Emeritus, said that not all forms of free speech and publication are protected by the First Amendment and that inciting racial or ethnic hatred is not a protected form of free speech. Dr. Masterson said that he experienced great embarrassment and sadness that the YAF student group was listed as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

E. MSU Capital Campaign

Ms. Deb Bittner, President of the MSU CT Union, thanked President Simon for the success of the MSU Capital Campaign. She said that her union members are thrilled to be part of Team MSU.

F. Thank you to Professor Horace Smith and Diane Wilson

Mr. John Stewart, former State Representative, said that he wanted to thank Ms. Diane Wilson, Vice President Steve Webster, Professor Horace Smith, and Trustee Emeritus Jack Shingleton for their outstanding representation of MSU. Mr. Stewart explained that he had contacted Vice President Webster regarding a special celebration at the Plymouth Canton Community School of the 50th anniversary of the Sputnik launch. Both Vice President Webster and his executive assistant, Diane Wilson, were very responsive in arranging for a representative from MSU to perform a presentation for the Plymouth Canton students.

Mr. Stewart stated that Professor Horace Smith was gracious enough to be the keynote speaker and gave a well received presentation to the students. Professor Smith demonstrated the kind of outreach upon which MSU prides itself.

Mr. Stewart thanked Trustee Emeritus Jack Shingleton for all of his contributions to MSU. Mr. Stewart stated that he had the opportunity to work closely with Mr. Shingleton and had the utmost respect for his work and dedication to MSU.

13. Request to Adjourn

On a motion by Trustee Owen, supported by Trustee Foster, THE BOARD VOTED to adjourn at 12:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,



Alison E. Barber, Ph.D.
Secretary of the Board of Trustees

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