Regents roundup

Here’s a look at other action taken by the CU Board of Regents during its Tuesday meeting at the University Memorial Center on the CU-Boulder campus:

Regents discuss amending policies for electing chair, vice chair

The board decided not to act on proposed amendments to the Laws of the Regents concerning the election of a chair and vice chair. The discussion began in the wake of the board’s inability at its June meeting to elect a chair after 14 rounds of voting.

Proposed changes would include allowing the chair to serve two consecutive terms and, unless seven or more regents are members of the same political party, stipulating the chair and the vice chair be from different political parties.

Regent Irene Griego asked that party affiliation not be a factor in the chair and vice chair elections. Regent James Geddes said he would prefer the voting take place in private, rather than in the public meeting. The proposed amendments will go back to the Laws and Policies Committee for further review and will be brought again to the full board at its December meeting.

Chair Michael Carrigan acknowledged the “difficult process” the board went through in electing a chair this summer, but stressed that the conflict is in the past.

“We are working together terrifically,” he said. “Two weeks after our special meeting, we had a very productive retreat with all nine regents very engaged and working together. We put our personal differences aside and are working together.”

Carrigan also said that he has re-evaluated his practice of abstaining from voting, which is the prerogative of the chair when a deciding vote is not needed to break a tie. Because some regents told him his abstentions had become a distraction – the opposite of his intent, he said – he has decided to begin casting votes, with exceptions in some circumstances.

Denise O’Leary selected for UCH Authority Board

Denise O’Leary was appointed to represent the sixth Congressional District on the University of Colorado Hospital Authority Board of Directors. O'Leary replaces Mary Rhinehart, who no longer resides in the 6th Congressional District. The regents approved the appointment 7-0. Regent James Geddes abstained, saying that although he felt O’Leary is a fine candidate, he would like the board to be more involved in choosing candidates. CU President Bruce Benson said the regents will be given that option going forward.

O’Leary is a member of the Board of Directors of Medtronic Inc., US Airways Group Inc. and Calpine Corp. She serves on the Board of Trustees of the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation and the Board of Directors of The Denver Foundation and the Corporation for Supportive Housing.

Schroffel thanked for service

Bruce Schroffel, the CEO and president of the University of Colorado Hospital who has announced his retirement, was recognized by the board with a resolution of appreciation.

-          Cathy Beuten and Jay Dedrick

CU leadership honors Bruce Schroffel at Tuesday's meeting. From left: regents Joe Neguse, Sue Sharkey, Kyle Hybl and James Geddes; Don Elliman; Lilly Marks; Schroffel; Bruce Benson; and regents Michael Carrigan, Irene Griego and Glen Gallegos.