MINUTES OF THE INFORMAL MEETING
of the
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
July 15, 1971

Present:  Trustees Carrigan, Hartman, Huff, Martin, Merriman, and Stevens; President Wharton, i

Provost Cantlon, Executive Vice President  and Secretary Breslin, Vice Presidents
Muelder, Perrin, and Wilkinson; Dr. Nonnamaker, Mr. Ballard, Mr. Carr, and 
Mr.  Spaniolo. 

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President Wharton called the meeting to order and announced  that three sets of presentations 
would be made, all of them relating to the University's residence hall system.  He added that  re residence
the presentation reflected  a great deal of work by various committees  and groups. 

Presentations

halls

Dr. Wharton introduced the individuals responsible  for the presentation:  Richard Bernitt,
Director of Public Safety; Gary North, Coordinator  of Residence Halls, Miss Kay White, Dean  j
•of Students Office; Dr. Dorothy Arata, Assistant Provost for Undergraduate Education; and 
Robert Underwood, Manager of Residence Halls. 

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Mr. North reported  to the Board on the recent findings and recommendations  of the Residence
Hall Security Committee.  He indicated  that the Committee has attempted to tackle  security
problems before they reach crisis proportions  as they have on many other campuses.  Mr.
Underwood  reported on the various recommendations made by the Committee  concerning physical
changes which hopefully will improve residence hall security.  He  added that many of these
recommendations have already been implemented or are in the planning  stage.  Mr. Bernitt
pointed out that the Committee was in agreement that the key to residence hall security is
education.  Mr. North also indicated that seminars on security  are being held  for all
residence hall personnel.

Trustee Carrigan asked if a program could be developed to loan security locking devices to
students.  Mr. Underwood  indicated that this would be looked into.

Trustee Huff  asked if the Committee concerned itself with the problem of lighting on the
campus.  Mr. Bernitt pointed out that this was a serious concern and that better lighting was
recommended  for several areas of the campus.

Miss White and Dr. Arata reported to the Board on educational programming  in residence halls
for the past year.  Miss White indicated that at MSU there were concerns over the implications
of the 18-year old vote and  a change in the age of majority in Michigan as they relate to
educational programs in the residence halls.  Dr. Arata stated that educational programming
in the residence halls consists of co-curricula programs, formal courses, and special courses.
She indicated  that some 550 formal courses were taught in residence halls  last year.  She also
pointed out that this trend was helping to ease to some degree the need  for classroom  space on
campus.

Trustee Martin asked what  courses are taught in residence halls.  Dr. Arata pointed out that
many of the same courses offered  at other locations  on campus are found in the residence halls
She added that her concern was that more needed to be done in educational programming  related
to the studentfs  interaction with his peers and the adult population.

Trustee Huff asked about the status of decentralizing  the undergraduate  library.  Provost
Cantlon reported  that although the University was still committed to this approach little was
being done to expand decentralization due to current economic conditions.

Trustee Thompson asked for information regarding  academic advising in the residence halls.
Dr. Arata reported that much of the advising  is done by the University College.

There was general discussion regarding educational programs for juniors and seniors who
reside in the residence halls.

Dean Nonnamaker presented  a general overview of a recent  study of the resident  assistant
position in the residence halls.  Mr. North pointed  out that the resident assistant program
as it is currently organized has existed at the University since 1957.  He presented  a brief
profile of the 322 resident  assistants who will be working  at MSU in the fall.  He added that
the primary purpose of the program is to maintain a climate in the residence halls which
helps students pursue their academic programs.  He indicated that the major contribution of
the study was to develop a job description of the resident assistant which can be implemented
and evaluated by the Dean of Students Office.

Trustee Huff asked about student perceptions regarding resident assistants.  Ron Stead of the
Dean of Students Office answered  that many students have little contact xtfith resident assis-
tants.  However, he felt that most  students would  support retaining  resident  assistants in
the residence halls. 

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Mr. Huff also raised the question of financial need  as a factor in selecting resident assis-
tants.  Mr. North responded  that while financial need was not a formal criterion in the
selection process, he would always hope that it would be a consideration.  He indicated  that
the resident  assistant position did provide a means of obtaining  room and board while
attending MSU.

President Wharton thanked the visitors to the meeting  for their presentations and the
meeting was adjourned.

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