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Highlights among the topics discussed at meetings of the board of trustees Feb. 6 and 7 included a financial feasibility study of President Fogels proposals to grow the university a work-in-progress; a design/cost update on the University Commons and proposed parking garage; survey results on and plans for improved academic advising; expected increases in the hiring of persons of color; and mixed news about the FY05 budget.

Be careful what you wish for might have been the theme of Feb. 6ths Committee of the Whole meeting of the UVM board of trustees.

The board had asked to see a financial feasibility study of the vision President Daniel Mark Fogel articulated a year ago, to make certain its central assumptions notably that increasing undergraduate enrollment by 2,000 students would provide much of the financial fuel to power the vision were supportable.

But the board, which expected to see the final report at the February meeting, also asked that the study stress the assumptions in the vision with a variety of downbeat scenarios.

The president and his leadership team, in conjunction with consultant PricewaterhouseCoopers, took the request to heart. The outcome is what looks to be a best-practices financial analysis and model, loaded with the kind of sensitivity to scenario-planning trustees asked for that was unfinished by the February deadline.

After seeing a summary of work done to date, which clearly conveyed the complexity of the job and the motivation of the team to do it well, trustees felt the good far outweighed the bad.

Im a little disappointed the work isnt done, said trustee Bruce Lisman, but this is more complex and intricate than we thought. As this plays out over the next few years, I think this will be one of the most important parts of the platform weve put in place. Its a marvelous piece of work.

Provost John Bramley, who is leading the internal team with Mike Gower, vice president for finance and administration, said the feasibility study will be done and ready to present at the May board meeting.

The Facilities and Technologies Committee discussed a number of upcoming building projects that are central to increasing enrollments and advancing the universitys strategic plan.

Hank Colker of WTW Architects reported that his firm has received two independent cost estimates on the University Commons in its current design, and the project falls within the $70 million proposed budget. Changes have been made to the square footage, primarily an increase of 4,000 square feet for the bookstore, and replacement, on the exterior, of a reflecting pool with an outdoor amphitheatre.

The university hopes to break ground on a parking garage at the Gutterson lot on May 24, with an anticipated completion date of January 2005. The structure will add 550 spaces to the current surface lot. A number of factors, storm-water issues to changes in south campus roadways, have increased the projects cost from $8 million to $12.5 million. The trustees approved a resolution to use current bonding to cover the increased cost.

President Fogel informed the board that Gov. Douglas has recommended a $2.1 million state capital appropriation in support of the proposed life sciences facility. That number falls short of the $4 million figure UVM requested and the $3 million that has tended to be the standard capital appropriation in recent years. UVM will work with the governor and the general assembly to increase that number.

Provost John Bramley told trustees at the Academic and Student Programming Committee meeting that in surveys of graduates, conducted a year after they leave the university, 45 percent of those who graduated between 1995 and 2001 rated their advising experience as very good or excellent. In another survey, the National Survey of Colleges and Schools, UVM scored about the same as other doctoral institutions. But thats not good enough, Bramley said.

Measures recently undertaken to improve advising, he said, are a required evaluation at the department level; an online degree audit program; revised advising handbooks and a website. Bramley also noted the need for more programs to guide first-year students, such as the TAP and STEP programs in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Beginnings program in the College of Agriculture.

Fred Curran, director of institutional studies, reported that total student enrollment this term is 10,166, the highest for a spring semester since 1993.

Don Honeman, director of admissions and financial aid, shared preliminary information on applicants for the fall 2004 class. The quality, diversity and number of applications are on the rise, Honeman said. For complete information, see article in News Briefs, "Applications Increase to Near Record Levels."

Honeman also noted that his office is developing a model to invite student participation in the Honors College, with admissions letters to candidates slated for mid-March.

The Diversity Committee reviewed the universitys policy statements on gender, race, and ethnic diversity in order to align them with President Fogels initiatives and the recent Supreme Court decision on the University of Michigans policies.

Vice Provost for Multicultural Affairs Willi Coleman reported that current searches to fill job openings will net the largest number of persons of color ever and dramatically change the curriculum and the faces on this campus.

Ted Winfield, associate vice president for budget and resource management, reported to the Finance and Budget Committee expected FY05 revenues of $200 million and expenditures of $206 million. The shortfall will be filled by payback sources from the Voluntary Separation program and $3.8 million in other reductions and revenue enhancements.

Michael Gower, vice president of budget and finance, said UVM expects a 2 percent allocation for FY 05 from the state, rather than the 3 percent requested, or $350,000 less. The contingency fund has $190,000, with fewer than five months left in the fiscal year, he said.

A Lincoln, Vt., house donated by Oletha41 and Robert Bickford 43 of Starksboro, will be sold, and the proceeds will establish a faculty fellowship awards fund.

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