Minutes, 38559

Meeting Minutes - July 2005
Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia Held via Conference Call July 26, 2005
CALL TO ORDER The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia met on Tuesday, July 26, 2005, via conference call. The Chair of the Board, Regent J. Timothy Shelnut, called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. Present on Tuesday, in addition to Chair Shelnut, were Vice Chair Patrick S. Pittard and Regents Hugh A. Carter, Jr., Connie Cater, William H. Cleveland, Michael J. Coles, Joe Frank Harris, Julie Hunt, W. Mansfield Jennings, Jr., Donald M. Leebern, Jr., Elridge W. McMillan, Martin W. NeSmith, Doreen Stiles Poitevint, Wanda Yancey Rodwell, Richard L. Tucker, Allan Vigil, and Joel O. Wooten, Jr. ATTENDANCE REPORT The attendance report was read on Tuesday, July 26, 2005, by the Associate Secretary to the Board, Jennifer E. Fairchild-Pierce, who announced that Regent James R. Jolly had asked for and been given permission to be absent on that day. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS Chair Shelnut thanked the Regents for arranging their schedules to join the Board for this special meeting, particularly on such short notice. He noted that some of the Regents were calling from out of state and thanked them for their special commitment. At this meeting, the Board of Regents would begin addressing a very important responsibility, that of selecting the next Chancellor of the University System of Georgia. Chancellor Thomas C. Meredith has accepted a new post as the Commissioner of Higher Education with the State Institutions of Higher Learning in Jackson, Mississippi. Chair Shelnut said that the Board was grateful to the Chancellor for his contributions to the University System of Georgia during the last several years and that the Board extended its best wishes to him and his wife, Susan, as they prepare to return to Mississippi. When the time presents itself, the Board will honor Chancellor and Mrs. Meredith in an appropriate manner. Meanwhile, the vacancy that Chancellor Meredith's departure creates presents the Board of Regents with the selection of the individual who will manage the day-to-day operations of the University System of Georgia and its 34 colleges and universities. The initial deliberations connected to this responsibility would be initiated at this meeting.

Because the agenda item and matters to be discussed at this meeting involve personnel issues, the Board would conduct this meeting in Executive Session in compliance with the state's Open Meetings Act. Chair Shelnut stated that he did not anticipate that the Board would take specific action at this meeting. Rather, the Regents would begin conversations necessary to address the appointment of an Interim Chancellor and the launch of a national search to permanently fill the Chancellor's post. He pledged that the Board would keep all of its key constituents well informed on key matters as specific actions are taken and would issue timely updates as appropriate. EXECUTIVE SESSION At approximately 10:10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 26, 2005, Chair J. Timothy Shelnut called for an Executive Session for the purpose of discussing personnel and compensation issues. With motion properly made and variously seconded, the Regents who were present voted unanimously to go into Executive Session. Those Regents were as follows: Chair Shelnut, Vice Chair Patrick S. Pittard, and Regents Hugh A. Carter, Jr., Connie Cater, William H. Cleveland, Michael J. Coles, Joe Frank Harris, Julie Hunt, W. Mansfield Jennings, Jr., Donald M. Leebern, Jr., Elridge W. McMillan, Martin W. NeSmith, Doreen Stiles Poitevint, Wanda Yancey Rodwell, Richard L. Tucker, Allan Vigil, and Joel O. Wooten, Jr. Also in attendance were Chancellor Emeritus Stephen R. Portch; the Secretary to the Board, Gail S. Weber; the Associate Secretary to the Board, Jennifer E. Fairchild-Pierce; the Associate Vice Chancellor for Media and Publications, Arlethia PerryJohnson. The Senior Vice Chancellor for Support Services, Corlis Cummings, attended part of the Executive Session. In accordance with H.B. 278, Section 3 (amending O.C.G.A. 50-14-4), an affidavit regarding this Executive Session is on file with the Chancellor's Office. At approximately 10:35 a.m., Chair Shelnut reconvened the Board meeting in its regular session and announced that no actions were taken in the Executive Session. He stated that the Regents had discussed two items in Executive Session: the need to appoint an Interim Chancellor and the national search for a permanent Chancellor. The Board will take formal action on appointing an Interim Chancellor for the University System of Georgia at its regularly scheduled meeting on August 2 and 3, 2005. In addition, the Board is considering a fast-tracked timeline for the national search for the new Chancellor, one that will identify a new Chancellor within a 90- to 120-day period and have the new Chancellor assume the post no later than January 1, 2006. The Chair said that Baker-Parker and Associates, Inc., the selected executive search firm, has assured the Executive and Compensation Committee that it can meet the ambitious timeline.

Next, Vice Chair Pittard stated that he wants to lead an effort aimed at expanding communications in the University System of Georgia and is working with Ms. PerryJohnson on a strategy to publicize the accomplishments of the System as well as to educate the citizens of Georgia about the Board of Regents, its purpose, and its history. He said that he would like to include the publication of a new monthly periodical and to engage System institutions in these strategic communications efforts. Regent Rodwell commented that Ms. Perry-Johnson and her staff have done an exemplary job in particularly challenging times and noted that the System already has a periodical. Vice Chair Pittard agreed that the staff of the Office of Media and Publications have done an astounding job responding to the challenges of the last year but that he would like to see the System's public relations effort take a more proactive approach with communications strategies aimed at educating the public about the Board of Regents, its unique history, and its responsibilities. He said that he plans to meet with Ms. PerryJohnson to discuss these efforts. Regent Rodwell volunteered to help with this important project. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:40 a.m. on July 26, 2005.
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Gail S. Weber Secretary, Board of Regents University System of Georgia

J. Timothy Shelnut Chair, Board of Regents University System of Georgia