The selection of Stephen Jordan as Metro State's next president and a tuition increase dominated last Wednesday's Board of Trustees meeting.

As reported April 6 in Today@Metro, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to offer the position of president to sole candidate Jordan, president of Eastern Washington University. Jordan later that day accepted the post. To read more about Jordan's selection, go to: http://www.mscd.edu/%7Ecollcom/@metro/tw@metro_vol2/jordan1_twv2040605.htm

The Board of Trustees also approved a 7.2 percent tuition increase for the next academic year during last week's regular meeting.

The increase was the higher of two options presented by staff to the board for consideration. "I'm in support of the 7.2 percent increase," said Trustee Mark Martinez. "Over the past several years we've been extremely judicious in keeping our tuition in line," he noted.

Both Governor Bill Owens and the Colorado Commission on Higher Education indicated they would support an increase as high as 7.9 percent. Interim President Ray Kieft added that the 7.2 percent increase would be among the smaller tuition increases in the state.

Handbook Change
Trustees also agreed to a change in the Handbook for Professional Personnel. The change restores an option that exists in the State Colleges Handbook, to promote in rank individuals who are truly exceptional in their accomplishments but who may not meet the degree requirements that would otherwise apply.

Tenure Tabled
A request to give final approval for tenure to 10 individuals was tabled until next month after the trustees ultimately decided they need information about each tenure candidate. Trustees said they had been given only the names of individuals recommended for tenure and requested a summary of accomplishments about each individual prior to next month's meeting.

"This is by no means an attempt to second-guess the recommendations but simply to understand them more fully so we can join in taking pride in the individuals who receive tenure," explained Trustee Adele Phelan.

The review and evaluation process for probationary faculty eligible for tenure consideration involves seven levels of review, starting at the department level and culminating with the president. The Board of Trustees is then asked to approve the recommendations.