II. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AND UNIVERSITY POLICIES COMMITTEE

1. Report from Patrick A. Shoulders, chair

Chairman Shoulders reported that the committee heard a presentation by Professor of Informatics Bernard Frischer on the Virtual World Heritage Lab. Prof. Frischer shared pictures of three dimensional models of the Garden of Hadrian in a World Heritage Site. The work by the School of Informatics and Computing is an interdisciplinary program with The College of Arts and Sciences. The committee also received a report on research activities on the campus of IU Bloomington presented by Executive Vice President and Provost Lauren Robel and Vice Provost for Research Sarita Soni.

Chairman Shoulders stated that newly appointed chancellors for IU Kokomo and IU Southeast were introduced. Chancellor Susan Sciame-Giesecke begins her appointment on April 15, 2014 at IU Kokomo and incoming Chancellor Ray Wallace begins his appointment on July 1, 2014 at IU Southeast

2. Action Item: Approval is requested for the following degrees:

• IUB – Master of Science in Computational Linguistics
• IUB – Bachelor of Arts in Biotechnology
• IUB – Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance
• IUB – Bachelor of Science in Computational Linguistics
• IUS – Bachelor of Science in Music
• IUS – Bachelor of Science in Sociology
• IUSB – Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability

Unanimously approved on a motion duly made and seconded.

3. Action Item: Approval is requested for revisions to the Intellectual Property

Policy.

Unanimously approved on a motion duly made and seconded.

FINANCE, AUDIT AND STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE

1. Report from Randall L. Tobias, chair

Chairman Tobias said that the committee heard a report on the university’s Financial Literacy Program. He stated that university wide, student borrowing has decreased 12% with significant declines at two regional campuses, IU Northwest and IU South Bend. He continued that reasons behind the reduced borrowing were attributed to changes in financial aid business practices along with the increased visibility of financial literacy programs.

Chairman Tobias reported that an update was given on the university’s employee benefits budget over the last decade which included initiatives to contain cost increases. These initiatives have led to a decrease in the fiscal year 2015 budget for employee benefits.

He continued that the Internal Revenue Service has requested the University amend two of its defined contribution retirement plans to reference the specific treatment of excess annual contributions to participant accounts.

2. Action Item: Approval is requested to amend the IU Retirement & Savings Plan and the IU Replacement Base Plan.

Resolution of The Trustees of Indiana University Approving an Amendment to The IU Retirement & Savings Plan and The IU Replacement Base Plan

Whereas,the IU Retirement & Savings Plan is a defined contribution retirement plan under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code;

AND WHEREAS, the IU Replacement Base Plan is a defined contribution retirement plan under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code;

AND WHEREAS, both of these retirement plans are subject to Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code, with annual contribution limits.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE RESOLVED that The Board of Trustees approves the amendment of Section 5.02(e), regarding limitation under the Code section 415, to be and read as follows for both plans:

If as of the end of the Plan Year, the annual additions allocated to any Participant’s Account exceed the limitations of this Section, the excess annual additions will be corrected as permitted under the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (or similar IRS correction program).

Unanimously approved on a motion duly made and seconded.

Chairman Tobias further reported that updates were presented on the university’s operating fund investment portfolio and the Bicentennial Strategic Planning process. He also stated that the State Board of Accounts has presented to the university the completed A-133 audit from 2012-13.

FACILITIES AND AUXILIARIES COMMITTEE

1. Report from Philip N. Eskew Jr., chair

Chairman Eskew reported that the committee heard a review of five current projects under construction followed by a repair and rehabilitation update.

He stated that Vice President Thomas A. Morrison presented a summary of the proposed IU School of Medicine Multi-Institutional Academic Health Science and Research Center in Evansville, Indiana. Chairman Eskew said that after careful consideration of four proposed sites for the Center, the recommended site was in downtown Evansville near three hospital campuses, several health clinics, and interstate access. He continued that the recommendation was supported by President McRobbie and Dean Jay Hess of the IU School of Medicine.

2. Action Item: Planning approval by the board is requested for the IU School of Medicine Multi-Institutional Academic Health Science and Research Center-Evansville at the Downtown Evansville site proposed by Skanska/US Health Realty.

Unanimously approved on a motion duly made and seconded.

3. Project and Design Approvals

IUB – Gateways (Design Approvals Only)

Action Item: Approval of the board is requested to proceed with designs of the following gateways located on the Bloomington campus:

• Third and Union Gateway

  As the south east entry point to the campus from the east side of Bloomington, the northwest corner of Third and Union Streets is the suitable place to announce the campus edge.  Materials associated with the campus landscape characteristics, such as limestone walls, ornamental site features, brick paving, flowers, and trees are incorporated in the design.  The existing semi-circular configuration of sidewalks at the corner will be reinforced by a concave limestone/fieldstone wall terminating in the middle of the curve with a fabricated limestone-arched pedestrian gateway.  A brass bell will be affixed at the top of the gateway arch.  A sidewalk leading northwest to the housing unit and into the campus will enter the gateway tying it into the existing network of walkways.   Closer to the corner in a planting bed and located east of the pedestrian gateway, a convex limestone sign wall will be engraved with the campus name.  Seasonal flowers surrounding the sign wall and lighting will enhance the visibility of the landscape feature.

• Woodlawn and Bypass Gateway

  Announcing the Woodlawn Avenue alignment at its future northern extremity, the relocated Chi Omega gates will, once again, assume a location of appropriate prominence.   The gates will border the east and west edges of the roadway in close proximity as exists at their original location.  A new pedestrian sidewalk will be extended from Bart Kaufman Field, along the east edge of Woodlawn Avenue, through the gates, and connect to the path at the edge of the bypass.  The existing topography on either side of the roadway will be adjusted to create a plinth of soil at the base of the gates. 

• Jordan Avenue Pedestrian Safety, Phase II

  Improvements to the Jordan Avenue corridor between Third Street and the existing traffic circle will include a widened street profile with bike lanes in both directions, planted landscape medians, codified mid-block street crossings, upgraded intersection ramps/crosswalks, bus pull-off with improved bus stop, and improved site lighting.  Species of trees will vary to ensure diversity and protection against having the canopy compromised by disease.  Medians will be planted, so they will be a site amenity to the corridor as well as a deterrent to pedestrians crossing at locations other than approved crosswalks.

Unanimously approved on a motion duly made and seconded.

4. Consent Items

IUPUI – Grant of Storm Sewer Easement – University Hall

Action Item: Approval of the board is requested to grant a storm sewer easement to the city of Indianapolis. The requested easement is located in an area proximate to 301 North University Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN, and is required as part of the construction of University Hall.

The legal description of the easement is filed in the office of the Secretary of The Trustees of Indiana University

Unanimously approved on a motion duly made and seconded.

IUK – Grant of Easement for Bridge Improvements

Action Item: Approval of the board is requested to grant an easement to the Board of Commissioners of Howard County, Indiana for the purpose of improving the bridge located in the twenty-two hundred block of LaFountain Street, Kokomo, IN.

The legal description of the easement is filed in the office of the Secretary of The Trustees of Indiana University

Unanimously approved on a motion duly made and seconded.

UNIVERSITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE: EXTERNAL, STUDENT AND HUMAN RESOURCES

1. Report from James T. Morris, chair

Chairman Morris said the committee heard a presentation by Vice President Jacqueline Simmons on Indiana University’s Commitment to Student Welfare Statement. He then read the statement for the record.

Indiana University’s Commitment to Student Welfare

To address the unacceptable incidence of sexual assault and similar crimes on U.S. college campuses, Indiana University is committed –

• To take vigorous steps to prevent sexual assault and similar crimes through education and training, including education on the effects of alcohol on the issue of consent;
• To help build in our community a robust culture that rejects such conduct and associated behaviors;
• To encourage bystanders to intervene to avoid a sexual assault from occurring or to report such crimes to university officials or local authorities, and to fully account for such reports under federal law;
• To support victims with full information about available resources, to assist victims in accessing resources, and at all times to exhibit personal care and concern to victims;
• To investigate thoroughly and objectively all reports of sexual assault and other crimes, and to cooperate fully with local law enforcement and prosecutors;
• To conduct university proceedings arising from sexual assault and other crimes with the highest degree of professionalism, assuring fairness and dignity to all participants.

Action Item: Approval is requested for the adoption of the Indiana University’s Commitment to Student Welfare Statement.

Unanimously approved on a motion duly made and seconded.

Chairman Morris reported the committee heard a report on the Student Engagement Study. The ongoing study by Graduate Assistants Alexa Arndt and Chelsea Wheeler focuses on how student’s voices are heard with regards to administrative decision-making university wide. Trustee Farlow will continue to work closely with the students on this project and there will be future updates presented to the Board.

He continued that President McRobbie introduced two Goldwater Scholars, among five from IU, who spoke to the committee about their future plans.

Chairman Morris next reported that the committee heard an update on the Indiana University Research and Technology Corporation from Vice President William Stephan and Anthony Armstrong, President and CEO of IURTC. He stated that IURCT is currently undergoing a strategic planning process update with input from key internal and external stakeholders. Due to the rapid change in technology transfer and the commercialization environment, the IURTC has developed new strategies to increase the corporation’s impact and return on investment.

Chairman Morris said the committee heard a report from Daniel C. Smith, President of the Indiana University Foundation, which included information on trends in higher education fundraising and an update on the university’s fundraising results at this time. He said President Smith shared that the 2020 IU bicentennial fundraising goal is $2.5 billion.

He continued that a state legislative report was presented by Vice President Mike Sample and Associate Vice President Jeffrey Linder. The update underscored a previous presentation that the 2014 general assembly session had many substantive issues in which IU’s interests were protected in relation to taxes, employee benefits, deregulation and equal opportunity.

REPORT OF THE STUDENT TRUSTEE

1. Remarks from Trustee Farlow

Trustee Farlow thanked the trustees, members of the university administration and others who responded to the survey for the Student Engagement Study. She continued that she was grateful to the committee chairs of the board for their interest in how the student voice is heard at board meetings.