MINUTES OF THE MEETING 
OF THE 
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY 
BOARDOFTRUSTEES 

November 21.2008 

President Simon called the  meeting of the  Board of  Trustees to  order at  11:30 
a.m. in the Board Room. 

Trustees present: Joel Ferguson (by telephone), Melanie Foster (by telephone), 
Dorothy Gonzales, Colleen  McNamara  (by telephone),  Faylene Owen,  George 
Perles (by telephone), and Scott Romney (by telephone). 

University  officers  present:  President  Simon,  Provost  Wilcox  (by  telephone), 
Vice President Poston, Secretary Beekman, Vice President and General Counsel 
Noto,  Vice  Presidents  Denbow,  Hudzik,  and  June,  and  Senior  Advisor  and 
Director  Granberry  Russell.  Student  liaisons  present:  Christopher  Kuleszka, 
Manish Madan, and Michael Webber. 

All  actions  taken  were  by  unanimous  vote  of  the  Trustees  present,  unless 
otherwise noted. 

1. 

On  a  motion  by  Trustee  Romney,  supported  by  Trustee  Owen,  the 
BOARD VOTED to approve the agenda. 

2.  There was no Public Participation on Issues Germane to the Agenda. 

3. 

Personnel Actions 

President Simon presented the following Personnel Action. 

Groves,  Robert,  W.,  AN-Vice  President  for  University  Advancement, 
$290,000, Executive Management, effective January 1, 2009. 

Trustee  Owen  moved  to  approve  the  recommendation, with  support 
from Trustee Romney. 

President  Simon  stated  that  the  role  of  university  advancement,  as  it 
relates to the future of MSU, is much more critical today than  it has been 
in the past.  MSU is an institution that was built on, and continues to focus 
is 
on, its land grant philosophy.  MSU understands that its first  covenant 
to  the  people  of  Michigan.  We  also  understand the  need  for  private 
support  to  meet  the  covenant  MSU  has,  not  only  with  the  people  of 
Michigan, but with people around the world. 

President Simon said that  in searching for  a Vice  President of  University 
Advancement, the candidate needed to  understand 
that 
underpin  MSU  and  needed to  be  excited  not  only  about  our  land  grant 
heritage,  but  world  grant  as  MSU's  destiny.  Bob  Groves  is  such  a 
person. 

values 

the 

President  Simon  stated  that  recommending  Bob  Groves  to  be  Vice 
President  for  University Advancement  was  an  easy  choice.  He  has  a 
degree  in  horticulture,  and  experience  at  the  leading  land  grant  and 
research universities in North America, and he was an integral part  of  the 
very successful capital campaign at the University of  Michigan. 
She 
said that it is a pleasure to recommend Bob Groves to the Board. 

President  Simon  acknowledged  Secretary  Beekman  for  his  role  in  the 
search  and  thanked  the  review  committee  comprised  of  Dean  Mary 
Mundt, Dean Jim Kirkpatrick, Steve Smith, and Greg Hauser. 

Provost Wilcox  stated that  he was  impressed with  the  process  and  with 
Bob Groves.  Mr. Groves is an executive that  can  provide the  leadership 
MSU needs. 

Trustee  Owen  stated  that  Bob  Groves  has great  fundraising  experience 
and is a good administrator.  It is an honor to have Bob Groves join Team 
MSU. 

Trustee  Perles  thanked  President  Simon  for  her  work  on  bringing  Bob 
Groves to MSU. 

Trustee  Foster thanked the  search  committee members for  their  diligent 
work. 

THE BOARD VOTED to approve the recommendation. 

Roll call vote: 
Trustee Ferguson-Yes 
Trustee Foster-Yes 
Trustee Gonzales-Yes 
Trustee McNamara-Yes 
Trustee Owen-Yes 
Trustee Perles-Yes 
Trustee Romney-Yes 

Board of Trustees Minutes 11.21.08 

Mr.  Groves said  he  is proud to  be joining  Team  MSU.  He  is excited to 
become  part  of  an  institution  that  has  been  dedicated  to  serving  the 
people  of  Michigan  and  the  world,  and  doing  it  in  a  very  positive  way. 
Public institutions should be proud of being aggressive in philanthropy, 
thus  leveraging the  public's investment.  MSU should  have the very  best 
advancement program possible. He noted his belief that the  Board, 
administration,  and  Team  MSU  are  all  dedicated  to  making  that 
It  is  an  honor  to  accept  the  position  of  Vice  President  for 
happen. 
University Advancement. 

4. 

On a motion by Trustee Ferguson and supported by Trustee Owen, THE 
BOARD VOTED to adjourn at 1 1 :40 a.m. 

Respectfully submitted, 

William R. Beekman 
Secretary of the Board of Trustees 

Board of Trustees Minutes 11.21.08