University Executive Committee Meeting Notes

March 13, 2008

Rollin Richmond

Ken Ayoob

Steve Butler

Rob Gunsalus

Denice Helwig

Jim Howard

Anna Kircher

Mark Larson

Bob Snyder

Ray Wang

Patty Lindley, Staff Support

Guest:

Jená Burges

President’s Report

President Richmond reported on some of the topics discussed at the March 11-12 CSU Board of Trustees meeting:

  • Charles Goetzl is stepping down as President, Academic Professionals of California, and will be working with the Chancellor’s Office to help campuses reduce the number of grievances and improve working relationships with the unions.
  • Access to Excellence – President Richmond shared copies of a PowerPoint presentation and asked that recommended changes be forwarded to him. The most recent draft may be viewed at http://www.calstate.edu/acadaff/System_Strategic_Planning/draft-revised.shtml. This will be discussed at the March 20 University Executive Committee meeting.
  • for the first time, every CSU campus has met/satisfied all FISMA audit recommendations.
  • HSU’s student housing project was approved with construction likely to begin late summer/early fall 2008.
  • A student rally regarding the proposed budget cuts to the CSU is planned for April 21; CSU Legislative Day is scheduled to occur on April 28 – both in Sacramento. President Richmond plans to attend.
  • There is proposed legislation which would modify California’s Education Code to authorize the CSU to offer doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree programs. Students are developing a bill that would limit student fee/tax increases by trustees.
  • Two new trustee members were appointed: Ms. Margaret Fortuna and Mr. Curtis Grima.
  • CSU staffing patterns analysis, noting it would be helpful to have an analysis for HSU.

President Richmond also noted:

  • that he recently visited with legislators and their staff members while in Washington, D.C. to discuss CSU’s requests for funding, many of which would impact HSU. Congressman Thompson requested that HSU develop a funding proposal relating to forestry and fisheries for his consideration.
  • that he has accepted an invitation to meet with the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors to discuss the proposed reduction to the CSU budget.
  • that an hour-long online training course, “Working Effectively With Tribal Governments,” is available at www.GoLearn.gov (free through April 30, 2008)

Other Reports

Vice President Butler reported:

  • Outstanding Student Award nominations are being accepted through March 26 http://www.humboldt.edu/~studaff/Download/division/outstanding_student_awards.pdf
  • Athletic Sports Auction fundraiser for scholarships is taking place on March 29.
  • Election for student government positions will be held in April, with the filing period ending on April 7. http://www.humboldt.edu/~hsuas/
  • Preview is taking place on April 11-12, as is the California Big Time event.
  • Mike Reilly will be scheduled to provide updated enrollment information to the University Executive Committee in the near future.

Provost Snyder reported:

  • A 16-unit cap has been placed on fall registration in an effort to address seat availability concerns – after all registration periods are over, students may add additional units.

Vice President Gunsalus reported:

  • a productive retreat of the Advancement Foundation was held at Benbow recently, with members expressing interest in assisting with outreach and fundraising efforts.

Dean Wang reported:

  • The Library, with the assistance of Plant Operations, is converting a section of the library into an internet café (part of the Learning Commons initiative) with a Fall 2008 implementation planned.

CIO Kircher reported:

  • The Advisory Committee on Services to Students with Disabilities is updating the campus TDD (Telecommunications Display Device) phone information and identifying telephones that do not work properly.

Academic Senate Chair Larson reported:

  • that the Academic Senate has passed a resolution regarding syllabi content which addresses Accessible Technology Initiative mandates. It was suggested that language be incorporated addressing actions to take in case of an emergency.
  • Revision of Appendix J is progressing. Denice Helwig recommended that Appendix R (Grievance Policy) be updated with improved, simplified guidance.
  • Elections will be taking place soon.
  • Senate response to ad hoc Budget Review Task Force report will be submitted to the President during April.

Dean Howard reported:

  • that he attended a social event organized by CNRS student representatives which was well attended and very worthwhile.

Dean Ayoob reported:

  • the ad hoc University Review Committee for departmental RTP criteria and standards are progressing with their review. Vice President Butler noted that draft information related to the counselor’s RTP process has been submitted and should be included for consideration.

Proposed Site – Arcata Endeavor

Members of the University Executive Committee discussed the proposed site for the Arcata Endeavor at St. Louis Road off L.K. Wood Boulevard, noting student safety concerns.

Telecommunication Charges

Anna Kircher provided historical data relating to funding of departmental telecommunications charges, also clarifying that local phone calls are one cent per minute (not three cents as previously reported). It was recommended that appropriate use of state resources (including telephone use) be shared with new employees via Human Resources. It was agreed that the existing telecommunications allocations would be incorporated into each division’s overall budget as a permanent item (and won’t be distributed by Telecommunications as has been done in the past).

HSU Policy for Commercial Visual and Sound Productions

Vice President Gunsalus reviewed the proposed Policy for Commercial Visual and Sound Productions, which “does not restrict faculty or students in any academic filming or sound production endeavors” and focuses “on campus visual and sound production for commercial purposes.” This item was approved and will be issued to campus as a campus Executive Memorandum.

WASC Report

Jená Burges attended the meeting to discuss the recently-received WASC report. She will attend an upcoming University Executive Committee meeting to share additional information.