July 11, 2024
Agenda, Minutes and Meeting Materials
October 15, 2024
Agenda, Minutes and Meeting Materials
Thursday, July 10, 2025, 8-10:30 am, Club 95 Boardroom
Thursday, September 11, 2025, 8-10:30 am, Club 95 Boardroom
October 29, 2024 – Heritage Gala (Board of Trustees Award presented) 5-8 pm, Beggs Ballroom (RSC)
December 6, 2024 – Board of Trustees Holiday Party 5:30-7 pm, TBD
Thursday, April 10, 2025, 8:00 AM — Shocker Success Center, MR 101, 1845 Fairmount Street, Wichita, KS 67260
Upcoming BOT Meeting Dates:
Additional Events:
Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 8:00 am — Club 95 Boardroom, 1937 N. Oliver Street, Suite A300, Wichita, KS 67208
In attendance were Laurie Labarca, Nancy McCarthy Snyder, Kevin McWhorter, Keith Lawing, Junetta Everett, Tracee Adams, Dan Rouser, Jeff DeGraffenreid, and Connie Dietz. Also in attendance were Andy Schlapp, Troy Bruun, Olivia Kerschen, and Rick Muma.
Laurie Labarca called meeting to order at 8 a.m.
Troy introduced Matt Cash from Forvis to review the audit findings. Findings were a clean audit with no deficiencies. After the review, there were no questions from the Board.
Dan moved to approve reports, seconded by Nancy. Motioned passed.
Laurie Labarca asked for changes or additions to the minutes. Keith moved to approve the minutes and Junetta Seconded. Motion passed.
Nancy McCarthy Snyder asked Troy Bruun to review the financial reports with the board. He reviewed the foundation investment report, infrastructure review, Mill Levy budget, YTD revenue and expenditures, Operating budget and the Board Initiatives budget. Dan inquired as to how the city/county has changed over the years. Andy provided a brief history regarding how expenditures and priorities have changed. Throughout the history of Mill Levy the city and county have asked the board to modify the mill levy budget to meet the changing needs of the Community and University. Today we are focusing on university projects that can grow the economy. A request was made for WSU Foundation to visit at a future meeting so we can learn more about WSUFAE benchmarks and rate of return. Also, during Mill Levy review, Keith suggested it would be helpful for Board members to have talking points around historical story of how Mill Levy came about, and its use and what the Board of Trustees role is around it. No other discussions.
Kevin moved to approve reports, seconded by Dan. Motioned passed.
All changes were reviewed. One additional correction to the by-laws was to remove gender references (i.e. chairman) and to delete Article IV, Section 4. Motion to approve the changes to new By-Laws by Junetta, seconded by Connie. Approved.
Rick Muma gave an update on what is happening at WSU. Rick Muma also gave updates on Fall enrollments at WSU and how declining high school graduation rates could affect WSU in the future. Also discussed that the search for a new Provost is still underway. The Board asked Rick to talk about new article claims of plagiarism. The Board was comfortable with his and the Universities response to these allegations. The Board agreed to write a letter of full support of President Muma. The letter will be sent to KBOR and a copy to the Governor.
Next board meeting is scheduled for January 9, 2025. Olivia Kerschen will be sending out a calendar invite with location and details.
Meeting adjourned.
Olivia Kerschen Board Assistant Secretary
Thursday, July 11, 2024, 8:00 am; John Bardo Center, Room 164, 1815 Innovation Blvd. Wichita, KS 67208
In attendance were Laurie Labarca, Nancy McCarthy Snyder, Kevin McWhorter, Keith Lawing, Junetta Everett, Tracee Adams, Dan Rouser. Also in attendance were Andy Schlapp, Troy Bruun, Olivia Kerschen, Werner Golling and Rick Muma. Laurie Labarca called meeting to order at 8:00 am.
Andy introduced Olivia Kerschen and thanked all who helped compose the previous minutes with the departure of Susan Johnson.
Laurie Labarca asked for changes or additions to the minutes. Keith Lawing, Tracee Adams and Nancy McCarthy Snyder offered 3 changes to the minutes. Keith moved to approve the minutes and Dan Rouser Seconded. Motion passed.
Laurie asked that everyone sign these and return them to Olivia Kerschen.
Nancy McCarthy Snyder asked Troy Bruun to review the financial reports with the board. He reviewed the foundation investment report, infrastructure review, Mill Levy budget, YTD revenue and expenditures, Operating budget and the Board Initiatives budget. Nancy also said that Troy would be bringing new financial documents that will be more in line with our audit documents to future BOT meetings. Keith Lawing inquired about the cash that is not available for Board Initiatives. Cash not spent for Scholarships, Interns, Business and economic research, city and county government services stay in their respective funds until spent. All other unspent funds roll over to university strategic initiatives. We also keep 2.9 million in reserve for cash flow.
Keith Lawing moved to approve reports, seconded by Junetta Everett. Motioned passed.
Andy Schlapp gave an update on meetings – he has met with all County officials, the city manager’s office and a few City council members. The meetings went well. We are working to schedule meetings with the remaining city council members. Both City and County elected officials are generally supportive of the university stadium project and Wichita Bio Medical phase 2 project.
There were a few questions about some wording. Since the Board did not have a redlined version, it was decided to hold off on approving updated bylaws until the next meeting. Olivia Kerschen will send out the Red Line version of the bylaws so everyone can see what changes were made. Feedback should be sent to Olivia.
Andy Schlapp mentioned that Junetta Everett, Tracee Adams and Kevin McWhorter’s are being reappointed to the board 2024. Nancy McCarthy Snyder noted that she will only serve one more year. The suggestion was made that we send out a list of each officer’s role, duties and expectations ahead of the meeting before elections. Keith Lawing asked that we appoint a nominating committee next year. Historically, this has been done. Dan Rouser motioned to retain officers for another year, Tracee Adams seconded, motion passed.
Andy Schlapp nominated Jill Docking for this award since she has been instrumental in Wichita Biomedical Campus. Kevin McWhorter suggested that for next year, we start compiling a list of possible nominees throughout the year and send them out before the nominating meeting. It was agreed that the nominating committee being assembled could also address the Award’ nominee. Dan Rouser motioned to nominate Jill Docking, Junetta Everett seconded, motion passed.
Rick Muma gave an update on what is happening at WSU. Rick Muma also gave updates on Legislative programs funded stating it has been collectively one of the most successful outcome in the history of WSU. Muma updated current and future construction projects. Discussion focused on Phase 2 of Wichita Biomedical Campus and what that will look like. Also discussed WSU Stadium and the plan going forward. P11 building should be completed soon, and we plan to hold the next meeting in that space. Also discussed that the search for a new Provost has begun. This will be Werner’s last meeting, as he is retiring on August 9th. They are conducting interviews in the next few weeks to backfill his position.
Next board meeting is scheduled for September 12, 2024, but Olivia Kerschen will be looking for new dates to reschedule due to multiple conflicts.
Meeting adjourned.
Olivia Kerschen,
Board Assistant Secretary