APPROVED Minutes December 8, 2016 Western Washington University Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes Thursday, December 8, 2016 1. CALL TO ORDER Board Chair Sue Sharpe called the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of Western Washington University to order at 3:05 p.m., in the Boardroom, Old Main 340, in Bellingham, WA. Board of Trustees Sue Sharpe, Chair Chase Franklin, Vice-Chair John Meyer, Secretary Betti Fujikado Mo West Earl Overstreet Abigaíl Ramos Karen Lee - absent Western Washington University Sabah Randhawa, President Eileen Coughlin, Senior VP, Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services Richard Van Den Hul, Vice President for Business and Financial Affairs Stephanie Bowers, Vice President for University Advancement Steve Swan, Vice President for University Relations and Community Development Brian Burton, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs Kristen Larson, Faculty Senate President Kerena Higgins, Assistant Attorney General Paul Cocke, Director of University Communications Paul Dunn, Special Executive Assistant to the President Barbara Sandoval, Assistant to the President and Secretary to the Board of Trustees Rayne Rambo, Assistant Secretary to the Board of Trustees 2. PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS: AN EXPLORATION Sue Sharpe, Chair, Board of Trustees and Marjorie Hatter, Western Washington University Foundation Board led a joint discussion with the Western Foundation Board and the Trustees regarding how to navigate public and private partnerships that will benefit the university and the local community. President Randhawa noted that it is important to have this conversation especially as Western initiates the strategic planning process. President Randhawa, Jerry Thon, Western Washington University Foundation Board of Directors and Pete Dawson, President and Owner, Dawson Construction shared examples and experiences of public-private partnerships that have created opportunities for students. These opportunities are part of the process in supplementing financial support for universities. page 1 APPROVED Minutes December 8, 2016 During a conversation facilitated by Stephanie Bowers, Vice President for University Advancement, President and CEO, WWU Foundation, the two boards were asked to consider the following questions: • What factors are important to consider in thinking about public and private partnerships and collaborations for Western? (mindset and culture) • What is the existing landscape for partnerships and collaborators at other institutions? What lessons have they learned? What legal or regulatory constraints and pitfalls must we work with? • Are there opportunities that would be unique to Western Washington University that build on our strengths? The trustees and the Foundation Board engaged in a robust discussion and brainstormed thoughts and ideas for future partnerships. At the conclusion of the joint session Trustee Fujikado summarized the conversation stating that advance planning is essential to understanding where responsibilities will fall in the process of public and private partnerships. Trustee Fujikado said that the perfect trifecta of advance planning in public and private partnerships would be: 1.) having a clear purpose for students that would benefit the state of Washington, 2.) minimizing risk, and 3.) making sure that the partners meet Western’s expectations and fulfill the requirements. Trustee Sharpe closed the discussion by acknowledging the progress and contributions that were made in the conversation by both boards with a clearer vision moving forward. The meeting adjourned at 5:02 p.m. page 2 APPROVED Minutes December 8, 2016 page 3