St. Mary's University
367th Meeting of the Faculty Senate
October 24th, 2003
1 :30 p.m. Alkek 106
VPAA Manuel first expressed the desire to return at the November Senate Meeting to continue his report. He then presented information in six areas.
1. VPAA Manuel gave a summary of the effects on the University of the untimely death of Mr. David Simpson, the Vice President for Administration and Finance, and stated that the Administration has taken the steps needed to cope with the loss, and to cover all necessary transactions. VPAA Manuel has been appointed to be the interim treasurer until a replacement for VP Simpson can be found, and other duties have been taken over by other members of the Administration. A search for a replacement has begun, and the new VP will probably come from off-campus.
2. VPAA Manuel reported that the redesign of the undergraduate core curriculum is well on its way, a design team has been chosen and has begun meeting, and work on the actual design will soon begin. A curriculum consultant will be brought in the help with the design. VPAA Manuel expressed great enthusiasm for the work done thus far, and said that the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) has requested that a presentation be made on the University's efforts to redesign the core curriculum.
3. In the area of technology planning, VPAA Manuel said that he has been asked to guide the long-term planning for a technological upgrade of the University. Issues regarding the use of technology with respect to service learning, administrative use, and distance learning will be addressed. The structure of the plan has not yet been set. The question of what will happen to CARS will be an important issue. He also reported that the University budget must be designed to take up the slack when the Title V Grant expires in 2004. The University can reapply after two years off, but an effort is being made to get this delay removed. The new grant would be for 2.5 million dollars spread over a 5-year period.
4. In his report on enrollment management, VPAA Manuel said that this is an important issue that he would like to continue to address at the next meeting. He pointed out the need to plan a structure for enrollment management, and to continue the search for a new Vice President for Enrollment Management. The new search for a VP will be instituted soon. VPAA Manuel stated that recruitment for the next class is right on schedule, but that the university has not been forthright in addressing the newest technology in this area. He stated that research has shown that 65% of students use the web to find a school to attend, and that each website is given only eight seconds of the students attention. Implementing software, Hobson's Enrollment Management Tool (EMT Hobson), was purchased two years ago but has not been fully utilized. This tool is used to develop prospects, tailor inquiries, profile students, gives prospect names and SATs, and creates triggers as to when to contact prospective students. The University buys a list of approximately 100,000 names each year from which to build a prospect base.
VPAA Manuel said that the University needs to catch up in the area marketing, and that a person will be designated to dedicate themselves to the marketing effort. In order to increase efficiency, the designated person will report directly to the Director of Admissions rather than to the VPAA. VPAA Manuel also mentioned the use of the Noel Levitt questionnaire of high school students, which asks questions about student choices of schools, to build a data base.
5. VPAA Manuel gave an update on the SAC accreditation process, stating that everything is going as expected, and that a focused report will be done in March. A Quality Enhancement Plan, designed to improve student learning, will be due six weeks before the SAC team visit in April. He also mentioned that the old SAC accreditation schedule was every ten years, but will be every five years in the future. An Administration task force will be put in place to insure the development of the Enrollment Management Plan, and will provide help for any University body which needs it. He said that summer school enrollment is "pitiful", and suggested that a creative use of laptops could be part of the solution. He also stated that a report from the Committee on the Internationalization of the Curriculum will be forthcoming, and that two consultants will be brought in to help the Committee.
6. Revisions to the Faculty Handbook. VPAA Manuel reported that the Academic Council has reviewed all the revisions except for those in Sec. 1.8. Some revisions were approved, some were not, and some suggestions were made. He promised to meet with the Faculty Senate Executive Committee on this subject.
Approval of Minutes for the 366th Meeting of the Faculty Senate: One correction, suggested by Senator Byrd, was made. Senator Padmanabhan moved to accept the minutes as amended and was seconded by Senator Duesterhoeft. The minutes were approved subject to the correction indicated.
President's Report:
A. Meeting with the Vice President for Academic Affairs. President Hampton informed the Senate that the meeting with the VPAA scheduled for October 13 was cancelled, but that another meeting would be held on October 27. President Hampton reported that the Senior Faculty Review Resolution had been given to the VPAA, and that it would be handled by the Academic Council along with the revisions to the Faculty handbook. In regard to the Summer School Policy report, he said that the report had not yet been found. Senator Hampton then brought up the Harassment and Discrimination Policy, saying that he had checked with the Director of Human Resources and they are not working on this policy. This policy will have to be revisited and the appropriate committee reactivated.
B. Meeting with the Advisory Council to the Assistant Chancellor. President Hampton reported that the Faculty Senate concerns regarding the "Community Window" will be addressed at the November meeting of the Senate. The minor or concentration in Catholic Studies and how they could be combined with other disciplines was also discussed at the meeting.
Committee Reports: (Note: Most committees were unable to report because of
time constraints, rather than having nothing to report.)
University Committee Reports:
Academic Development Council: No report.
Athletic Council: No report.
Budget Committee: Senator Gomez reported that several budgetary models were considered, and that the two major variables are tuition and salaries. It appears that both of these will increase and the challenge is to break even. Enrollment numbers for the coming year are only assumed and may change.
Concerns were expressed regarding impact of the planned tuition
increase and course offerings on enrollment.
Dr. Cotrell will discuss the budget at the December meeting of the
Faculty senate.
Campus Beautification/Design Committee and Campus Environment Committee: No report.
Facilities Master Planning Committee: Senator Kampschroeder reported that the long-range plan is to move parking to the perimeter of the campus, and to add a total of 750 new parking spaces.
A two-hour presentation to the committee by the architect outlined a
two-phase plan in which the main goal will be to protect existing assets.The plan will go first to the Executive Council for approval, then it will be presented to the University community, and finally it will go the Board of Trustees.
Student Judicial Committee: No report.
University Parking Committee: Vice President Bentch reported that the entrance to the back side of the campus will be relocated in order to improve access.
Benefits Committee: No report.
Faulty Senate Committee Reports:
Committee A: Senior Faculty Review. Senator Kampschroeder reported that a fifteen-question faculty survey concerning the Senior Faculty review has been created, and will now go to the Human Subjects Committee for approval. It is expected that the survey will go out to the Faculty soon.
Committee B: Grievance Process. No report.
Committee C: Summer/Work Compensation. No report.
Committee D: Harassment and Discrimination Policies. No report.
Committee E: No current task assigned.
Old Business: President Hampton reported that the issue of Academic Freedom for Clinicians will be addressed as part of the revision of the Faculty Handbook. He also stated that the request to investigate the need for a AAUP Chapter on campus has been put on hold.
New Business: None.
Announcements: None.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned by general consent at 3: 15 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Gene W. Lene, Secretary
2003-2004 Faculty Senate