University Executive Committee Meeting Notes

April 26, 2007

Rollin Richmond

Rick Vrem

Carl Coffey

Mike Reilly (for Steve Butler)

Rob Gunsalus

Anna Kircher

Denice Helwig Carol Terry

Patty Lindley, Staff Support

Guests:

Jená Burges

Nancy Hurlbut

Jyoti Rawal

Llyn Smith

President’s Report

President Richmond, along with Provost Vrem, reported on the CSU Access to Excellence Summit attended by a team from HSU on April 24-25. Steering committee progress, including draft reports, will be available at: http://www.calstate.edu/acadaff/System_Strategic_Planning/AccessToExcellence.shtml.

It is anticipated that CSU Board of Trustee action will take place in late Spring 2008.

President Richmond recently met with the Headwaters Fund Board of Directors where he presented a proposal to support the HSU Entrepreneurship Program.

Diversity Update

Jyoti Rawal and Llyn Smith provided a diversity update, noting that the Dialogue on Race was a successful event and they are already planning for the next event next fall. They plan to begin researching various model/structures for campus diversity offices and will be soliciting campus input.

They met with representatives from Human Resources and Academic Personnel Services to discuss faculty/staff training and development opportunities.

The Diversity Funding Committee has issued a call for proposals for 2007/08.

Other Reports

Provost Vrem reported:

  • there is an informational meeting to discuss the Learning Commons on April 27.
  • the campus visit by WASC representatives is scheduled for February 6-8, 2008.

Vice President Gunsalus reported:

  • the Distinguished Alumni Awards event was held on April 19.
  • Advancement is preparing an 18-month calendar action plan in an effort to be more proactive and to move the University forward in both increased enrollment and fundraising.

Vice President Coffey reported:

  • the Behavioral and Social Sciences Building is nearing completion with occupancy expected during May. A tour for members of the University Executive Committee will be arranged.

Mike Reilly (for Vice President Butler) reported:

  • that he (Mike) has attended meetings of the P-16 group on behalf of President Richmond, where educational and community leaders are focusing on increasing the Native American high school and college going rates in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties.
  • confirmations received from students planning to attend HSU in the fall are very strong (1159 freshmen, compared to 789 at this time last year). There are 540 transfer students, compared to 382 last year. Master and credential students are increased, as well. A meeting of administrators will be scheduled to discuss student housing needs.

Anna Kircher reported:

  • that as a result of the Virginia Tech tragedy, methods for better communicating with students are being explored, including messages sent to cell phones.

Distance Learning Update

Nancy Hurlbut provided an update regarding the distance education efforts on campus, noting that a report will be forthcoming. Some of the areas that her committee addressed included the lack of infrastructure, a review of resources and establishment of goals, a survey of distance education courses, and discussions relating to the definition of “distance education” and determination of seat time. An American Indian distance education course is planned for the Hoopa area next fall.

Scheduling and Four-Unit Courses Report

Jená Burgess reported that a committee evaluated Schedule 25 and determined that it is not capable of optimizing scheduling to avoid course conflicts. Mike Reilly noted that Duke University developed a scheduling program that they are willing to share with us; their courses begin at 8:30 AM. Jená will organize a group to continue a review scheduling issues. This item will be discussed again with the University Executive Committee in early June.