86th Student Senate Resolution

NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT SENATE 86th SENATE RESOLUTION 15 TITLE:

Resolution of disapproval of the Board of Regents.

SPONSORSHIP: AdHoc Committee for University Issues, Chairpersons Senator Joseph Barbosa and Vice President Brooke Beason for themselves.

WHEREAS,

the foundation of democracy is that power lies with the governed not the governing; and

WHEREAS,

it is recognized that the Northwest Missouri State University Board of Regents legal power and authority to manage and control the affairs of the University is granted by the Governor, who is beholden to the citizens; and

WHEREAS,

the Board of Regents is appointed to uphold the vision, “Northwest Missouri State University will be an internationally recognized innovator in improving higher education. We will be a student-centered community of scholars with high expectations. Advances will be driven by our robust Culture of Quality, the use of leading-edge technologies and an unyielding commitment to continuous improvement.” and

WHEREAS,

the Board of Regents failed to follow their official governing By Laws, under Article XVI, Compliance With Laws, indicating that during all meetings, members must follow proper parliamentary procedures outlined in Roberts Rules of Order; and

WHEREAS,

the current Board of Regents President, James W. “Bill” Loch, along with the remainder of the board, lack the knowledge of parliamentary procedures as demonstrated at the meeting held on March 18, 2009; and

WHEREAS,

the Board of Regents recent action against cabinet member Joseph Cornelison, University Attorney and Chief of Staff, shows the lack of understanding of their roles and powers as members to the Board of Regents outlined in their By Laws Point 3 and Point 4 under Article 1, Powers of the Board of Regents as stated below: “3. Establish procedures regarding appointment, promotion, tenure, and dismissal of faculty members and approve all such personnel actions regarding faculty members.

“4. Approve the terms and conditions of employment of all University officials, defined for this purpose as the President, members of the President’s cabinet, deans, and directors or persons holding positions equivalent to that of director, and approve the appointment and dismissal of all such officials. When deciding upon salary modifications, the Board may, but is not required to, address that issue as to these officials by considering them in groups according to their respective classifications or by any combination of such classifications.” and WHEREAS,

the Board of Regents demonstrated disrespect to the students by bypassing their report, as listed on the agenda for the meeting of March 18, 2009; and

WHEREAS,

by what is stated above it is clear that the current Board of Regents has consistently failed to uphold their vision and mission stated as the governing board of Northwest Missouri State University; and

WHEREAS,

the Board of Regents have been called into question in regards to the Missouri State Sunshine Statute and political affiliations; and

WHEREAS,

the President of the Board of Regents, James W. “Bill” Loch, acted in an unprofessional manner in an attempt to persuade students to change their proposal of naming the Administration Building to an idea not reflecting the opinions or desires of the students; and

WHEREAS,

the Board of Regents stated to representatives of Student Senate that all Regents need be present for an official vote on issues, only to break this precedence in closed session (in reference to the meeting of March 18, 2009) when the termination of University Attorney and Chief of Staff, Joseph Cornelison was voted on without Regent Don Schneider in attendance; and

WHEREAS,

in a time of economic difficulty University funds, up to $50,000, are being used to defend the recent actions of Board of Regents in the vote to terminate University Attorney and Chief of Staff, Joseph Cornelison in a court of law; and

WHEREAS,

the conduct of the Board of Regents was not viewed as representing the University in a professional manner. Specifically, comments made by Regent Rachelle Brown and Regent Dr. Douglas Wyckoff were not parallel with the Board of Regents purpose and vision of a “student-centered community.” and

WHEREAS,

the recent actions of the Board of Regents have caused negative publicity for the University, possibly deterring the appointment of an adequate and competent Presidential successor for Dr. Dean L. Hubbard; and

WHEREAS,

the actions of the Board of Regents have threatened the advancement and economic opportunities for the University, community, and region of

northwest Missouri by causing future tenants of the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship to question the viability and the direction of Northwest; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the 86th Student Senate assembled here recommends the following actions to be considered by the State of Missouri: Removal of President James W. “Bill” Loch, from the Board of Regents.

The appointment of an official Parliamentarian for the Board of Regents to ensure proper procedures are being followed.

3. Student Regent attendance at all closed sessions of the Board of Regents.

4. Student Regent vote allowed on pertinent University issues.

5. Voting rights of the President of the Board of Regents be removed except in instances of a tie vote.

6. Greater campus and community awareness of the powers and limitations of the Board of Regents.

7. Governor Jeremiah “Jay” Nixon’s evaluation of appointments of the voting Regents on the Northwest Board of Regents: A. Regent James W. “Bill” Loch B. Regent Rachelle Brown C. Regent Lydia Hurst D. Regent Dr. Douglas Wyckoff E. Regent Gary Panethiere F. Regent Don Schneider G. Regent Rita Hanks H. Regent Doug Sutton 1.

2.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the 86th Student Senate issues a vote of no confidence in the previously mentioned regents in Point 7, A, B, C, D, and E. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, this information will be submitted to media outlets and Governmental officials as seen fit.

_(s) Abby Freeman_________________4/7/2009___________ Executive President Date _(s) Amanda Petelin________________4/7/2009___________ Executive Secretary Date