MINUTES OF THE MEETING 
OF THE 
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY 
BOARDOFTRUSTEES 

January 13,2009 

President  Simon  called  the  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  to  order  at  2:10 
p.m. in the Board Room. 

Trustees  present:  Dianne  Byrum,  Joel  Ferguson,  Melanie  Foster,  Colleen 
McNamara,  Don  Nugent  (by  telephone),  Faylene  Owen,  George  Perles  (by 
telephone), and Diann Woodard (by telephone). 

University  officers  present:  President  Simon  (by  telephone,  then  in  person), 
Provost Wilcox, Vice  President Poston, Secretary Beekman, Vice  President and 
General  Counsel  Noto,  Vice  Presidents  Denbow  and  Gray.  Faculty  liaisons 
present:  James Potchen and Rand Spiro.  Student liaisons present: Christopher 
Kuleszka. 

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

1. 

2. 

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

Election of Officers 

A. 

Board of Trustees Officers-Chairperson 

Trustee Owen  moved to  nominate Trustee  Ferguson to serve as 
Chairperson of the Board of Trustees. 

Trustee  Nugent  moved  that  Trustee  Ferguson  be  declared 
Chairperson  by  unanimous  consent,  with  support  from  Trustee 
Byrum. 

THE BOARD VOTED to elect Trustee Ferguson as its 
Chairperson. 

B. 

Board of Trustees Officers-Vice  Chairperson 

Trustee Owen moved to nominate Trustee Foster to serve as Vice 
Chairperson of the Board of Trustees. 

Trustee  Nugent  moved  that  Trustee  Foster  be  declared  Vice 
Chairperson  by  unanimous  consent,  with  support  from  Trustee 
Byrum. 

THE BOARD VOTED to elect Trustee Foster as its Vice 
Chairperson. 

3.  Trustee Comments 

Trustee Ferguson thanked Trustee Owen for nominating him to serve as 
Chairperson. He stated that he would work hard to keep up the momentum 
built by President Simon. 

Trustee Foster thanked Trustee Owen for nominating her to serve as Vice 
Chairperson and thanked her colleagues for their unanimous support.  She 
stated that it is a pleasure to serve as Vice Chairperson.  She noted that 
she looked forward to the continued bi-partisan support of President Simon 
and the administration. 

Trustee Nugent said that he appreciated the past cooperation of the Board 
and looks forward to that continuing with the new members. 

Trustee Woodard said she looked forward to working with everyone. 

Trustee Perles welcomed Trustee Byrum and Trustee Woodard 

Trustee Byrum said she looked forward to working with the Board 

President Simon congratulated Trustees Ferguson and Foster and 
welcomed Trustees Byrum and Woodard. 

4. 

Public Participation on Other Issues 

A.  FOlA Requests 

Dr. Thomas Woods stated that the MSU FOlA office lacks openness 
and sincerity.  He asserted that the terminology "broad and 
expansive" is commonly used to deny requests.  Dr. Woods 
suggested too many hurdles are placed in the way of receiving 
information, including long wait times and high expenses.  Dr. Woods 
also suggested that discrimination against minorities may be taking 
place within WKAR.  He urged the Board to investigate possible 
discrimination at WKAR and operations within the MSU FOlA office. 

5. 

On a motion by Trustee Owen and supported by Trustee Ferguson, THE 
BOARD VOTED to adjourn at 2:20 p.m. 

RespectFully submitted, 

fiilliam -R. Beekman 
Secretary of the Board of Trustees 

Board of Trustees Minutes 1.13.09