University Executive Committee Meeting Notes

June 29, 2006

  • Rollin Richmond
  • Steve Butler
  • Rick Vrem
  • Rob Gunsalus
  • Carl Coffey
  • Jane Rogers
  • Helen Jones
  • Saeed Mortazavi
  • Carol Terry
  • Denice Helwig
  • Patty Lindley, Staff Support

President’s Report

President Richmond shared information regarding his recent trip to Hong Kong where he met with Po Chung. He and other HSU representatives attended the Fourth International and Interdisciplinary Conference honoring Alexander von Humboldt and Zheng He which was held at the Xi'an International Studies University in China.

President Richmond attended the June 25-28 CSU Executive Council meeting where some of the topics discussed included:

  • Technology
    Provost Vrem noted that Professor Nancy Hurlbut will serve as Faculty Associate during the 2006/07 academic year and will coordinate efforts to promote and improve distance education at HSU.
  • Review of the Cornerstones strategic planning document which was approved by the Board of Trustees in 1999.
  • CSU’s Mathematics and Science Teacher Initiative APLE (Assumption Program of Loans for Education), a competitive teacher incentive program that assumes outstanding educational loan balances in return for years of qualifying teaching service. Kim Coughlin-Lamphear will be invited to an upcoming University Executive Committee meeting to discuss the APLE program.
  • Community Outreach and Industry Engagement
  • Students who have not passed the statewide exit exam may not be admitted into the CSU system.
  • California Veterans Educational Opportunities Partnership The HSU representatives who recently attended CSU meetings to discuss educational opportunities and assistance to active duty and eligible veterans will be invited to a University Executive Committee meeting to provide an update.
  • 2006/07 preliminary budget information was shared. Vice presidents were asked to inform President Richmond (by July 5) what requests (in addition to the “Compact”) they would like to see included in the 2007/08 budget.

Other reports

Vice President Butler reported:

  • that the June 21-23 HOP session was held, with a large group of transfers and freshmen attending, including some who are participating in the WUE (Western Undergraduate Exchange) program. 
  • that the new Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management, Michael Reilly, will begin on August 1. 

Professor Saeed Mortazavi reported:

  • that the Academic Senate will be addressing unfinished business in early fall (RTP, distance education, and committee structure).

Vice President Coffey reported:

  • on some of the items discussed at the recent CABO (Chief Administrators and Business Officers) meeting:  Proposition 1 on the November ballot (would result in Harry Griffith Hall renovation); no outstanding audit issues for HSU; new student liability insurance; Avian flu continuity plans (will be placed on HSU’s web site, once final); risk pool (Dave Bugbee will meet with the University Executive Committee); and a CSU master agreement for electronic waste recycling services.
  • that construction/renovation projects are proceeding (Behavioral and Social Sciences building, anticipated completion in Spring 2007; physical education project; Science B renovation; Van Duzer Theatre disability seating; campus signage and wayfinding; and UC Quad Pedestrian Safety Project). 

Carol Terry reported:

  • that the year-end closing process is proceeding and should be completed on time. 
  • that a CPA has been hired, as well as a new director for human resources who plans to begin on July 24.   
  • that a new procurement card will be available in the fall which includes a web-based reconciliation process. 

Provost Vrem reported:

  • that some of the areas his unit is focusing on include:  recruitment/maintaining faculty; WASC reaccreditation; quality GE courses; development of on-online courses and degree programs; international partnerships.
  • that three administrator vacancies have been filled recently (Bob Snyder, Dean, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Anna Kircher, CIO, Information Technology Services; Jena Burges, Vice Provost, Academic Programs and Undergraduate Studies).  Chris Hopper has been appointed interim dean for Research and Graduate Studies and Study Abroad Programs. 
  • that space issues, as a result of the new Behavioral and Sciences Building, will continue to be discussed.  Funds have also been allocated to upgrade classrooms into Smart classrooms. 
  • that due to the limited time to prepare a submission (September 1, 2006), it was recommended that the work on a submission to the Carnegie Foundation be placed on hold; the University Executive Committee members agreed with  this recommendation.  

Denice Helwig reported:

  • that two institutes being monitored by the president’s office include the California Center for Rural Policy (CCRP) and the Klamath Watershed Institute, which may be of interest to Vice President Gunsalus. 

Helen Jones reported:

  • that discussions will be occurring to address leadership of the Diversity Plan Action Council, due to Professor Rofes’ recent death.