MINUTES OF THE INFORMAL MEETING 
of the 
BOARD OF TRUSTEES 
March 16, 1972 

Present:  President Wharton; 
Stevens, Thompson, 
Secretary Breslin; 
Ballard and Carr. 

Trustees Carrigan, Hartman, Huff, Martin, Merriman, 
and White; Provost Cantlon, Executive Vice President and 
Vice Presidents Muelder, Perrin, and Wilkinson; Messrs. 

Absent:  No one. 

I President Wharton called the Informal Meeting of the Board of Trustees to order at 7:45 p.m. 
i He announced that the first presentation of the evening would be made on the Environmental 
| Systems project of the College of Engineering.  Dr.,Lawrence W. Von Tersch, Dean of the 
I College of Engineering, introduced Dr. Herman E. Koenig, Chairman of the Department of 
| Electrical Engineering and Systems Science, to make the presentation. 

i Dr. Koenig reviewed the areas of financial support for the systems analysis program.  He 
\ listed HSUfs Colleges of Engineering and Natural Science, Center for Environmental Quality, 
\ and Office of Interdisciplinary Research as the chief on-campus financial supporters. 
I Outside support has come from RANN (a major program funded by the National Science Foundation) 
j the General Electric Foundation, Dupont De Nemours and Company, and the Jessie Smith Noyes 
| Foundation. 

! The major purpose of the systems analysis program is to apply modern systems techniques 
| to solving problems of- the environment.  Dr. Koenig indicated that the long-range research 
\ goal of the program is to build a scientific base for coordinated planning in technological 
| development and land use.  He added that included in this goal is the development of tools 
Tfor assessing the limitations of the environment to process man-made wastes and the 
! development of regulatory and economic policies to promote ecologically sound technological 
\ development and economic growth. " ' 

| Dr. Koenig discussed the short-range research goals of the program:  applying the "ecosystems" 
\ approach to the long-term impact of nutrient and thermal waste input to fresh water bodies; 
) developing computer models from which long-term impact of spray irrigation of animal and 
\ municipal wastes on land can be charted; using computers to plan sites for power plants 
| so as to be efficient and at the same time ecologically sound; applying the systems 
} approach to beef production; and using management technologies in pest-insect management. 

i 
j Dr. Koenig also discussed the research strategies being used in the systems analysis 
] program and why rural areas were selected for environmental studies. 

; Vice President Muelder made some brief comments concerning the next presentation which 
\ concerned the MERIT Computer Network between Michigan State University, Wayne State 
I University, and the University of Michigan.  Dr. Muelder reviewed the historical development 
i of the network.  He then introduced Dr. Bertram Herzog, Professor of Industrial Engineering 
j at the University of Michigan and Executive Director of the MERIT Computer Network. 

| Dr. Herzog discussed support of the network concept by the Michigan Legislature.  He added 
I that it has only been recently that all matching funding including state, federal and 
i private sources has been obtained.  He also indicated that he has been'very pleasantly 
| surprised with the high level of cooperation between the three institutions. 

I The chief purpose of the project is to connect the computer centers of the-threeUniversities 
\ in such a way as to maximize research potential for all three institutions and at the same 
j time maintain the autonomy of each computing center.  Future goals of the project include 
| possible connection with the computer operation at Western Michigan University and 
| establishing remote terminals at other interested state-supported colleges and universities 
j'in Michigan. 

| Dr. Herzog presented a film which had been made from a video tape taken by Wayne State 
! University in December when the first message was sent through the network utilizing the 
j computers of the University of Michigan and Wayne State University. 

IFollowing the film, President Wharton indicated that the success of the network so far 
j has created growing interest from other colleges and universities in the state.  He added 
| that he felt it"was quite important that before the network is expanded more experience 
j should be gained in the operation of the MERIT project. 

\ The members of the Board expressed appreciation to Dr. Herzog for the presentation. 

I President Wharton adjourned the Informal Meeting at 9:35 p.m.