University Executive Committee Meeting Notes

April 19, 2007

Rollin Richmond

Colleen Mullery (for Rick Vrem)

Steve Butler

Rob Gunsalus

Denice Helwig

Saeed Mortazavi

Carol Terry

Patty Lindley, Staff Support

President’s Report

  • President Richmond shared some of the items discussed at the April 16 CSU Executive Council meeting:
  • Campus representatives will be invited to a meeting at the Chancellor’s Office to discuss the new CFA contract as well as fee increases.
  • Management of student loans by financial aid officers.
  • Campus apprenticeship opportunities in the trades classification, particularly for minorities.
  • The CSU is developing a records retention policy. Direction was received to retain e-mail records no longer than six weeks.
  • David Brewer, Superintendent, Los Angeles Unified School District, made a presentation and expressed a need for more teachers in their area. It was noted that CSU Northridge has a program for tracking student performance (within the area of education).
  • Supreme Court ruling regarding universities and the need to negotiate with local municipalities for police and fire protection.
  • Jacob Varkey will be presenting before the CSU Board of Trustees at their May meeting. A faculty member from CSU Los Angeles will also be presenting. These presentations, as well as future presentations by other campuses, are a result of Beth Ambos’ (Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Initiatives and Partnerships), visit to HSU recently where presentations, to provide the Trustees with an opportunity to hear from exemplary faculty engaged in research with students, was discussed. Steve Cuhna, Wang Family Excellence Award recipient, will also be honored at the May Board of Trustees meeting.
  • Initiative which would require minimum levels of state funding for school districts and community college districts to be calculated separately, using different criteria and separately appropriated.
  • Plans for campus actions to facilitate graduation, FY 2007-08.
  • Draft state funded capital outlay program 2008/09 priority list.

President Richmond attended a WASC CEO Forum on April 18 where discussions focused on new regulations which are being considered from the office of the Secretary of Education and changes in the way the federal government provides oversight of education. It was noted that Cal Poly Pomona has a department-level annual review of student achievement. President Richmond noted an interesting article by Daniel Yankelovich, “Ferment and Change: Higher Education in 2015.”

President Richmond will be meeting with a student representative who is interested in discussing a student-sponsored Pow Wow on campus.

Other Reports

Vice President Butler reported:

  • that there have been many student-related disciplinary actions taking place.
  • that the Sustainable Living Arts and Music Festival is occurring on April 21.
  • that the Outstanding Student Awards will take place on April 23.

Senate Chair Mortazavi reported:

  • that there will be several resolutions discussed at the April 24 Academic Senate meeting (Articulation of International Baccalaureate Exams; HSU Policy on Web Accessibility; UCC Oversight of Cross-College Interdisciplinary Programs; Approval of Spring 2007 Graduation List)

Vice President Gunsalus reported:

  • George O’Brien, CEO of PALCO, accompanied by his chief scientist, visited HSU on April 19 including a tour of areas within CNRS.
  • that the Distinguished Alumni banquet is taking place on April 19.
  • that there are a large number of applications for the Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications position.
  • HSU football players are partnering with the student calling team on April 19, placing fundraising phone calls to former football players.
  • that the office of Public Affairs is assisting Professor Sillett in the management of his many contacts related to being featured in the latest book by best-selling author, Richard Preston, “The Wild Trees.”

Carol Terry reported:

  • that as a result of a FISMA audit finding, HSU will begin collecting from past debts and sending overdue accounts to collections. It was suggested that Financial Aid representatives be included in the planning discussions.

Colleen Mullery reported:

  • the Council of Deans met on April 16 where budget reductions were discussed.
  • that there were a number of unsuccessful faculty searches this year. This topic will be discussed at Provost Vrem’s summer retreat.