University Executive Committee Meeting Notes
August 28, 2008

Rollin Richmond
Steve Butler
Carl Coffey
Rob Gunsalus
Anna Kircher
Nancy Hurlbut
Jim Howard
Bob Snyder
Patty Lindley, Staff Support

Guests:
Jená Burges
Ken Fulgham
Scott Hagg
Ginny Kelly
Mike Reilly

President’s Report

President Richmond reported on his attendance at an external review meeting for the Institute for Integrated Research in Materials, Environments and Societies (IIRMES) at CSU Long Beach on August 25.

Some of the topics discussed at the August 26-27 CSU Executive Council meeting included:

  • Budget – no progress to report. If the budget isn’t passed in the near future, the CSU may need to use other funds to pay salaries.
  • Executive Vice Chancellor West is retiring in December.
    Amethyst Initiative to lower the drinking age from 21 to 18 – the CSU does not support this initiative.
  • Presentation by Dr. Jerry Schubel, President & CEO, Aquarium of the Pacific – President Richmond will assist Dr. Schubel in coordinating scenario planning workshops to review long-term issues such as sea level rise, water shortages, desalination, and conservation.
  • Teacher Preparation Quality Study (President Richmond, Provost Snyder and Dean Hurlbut will discuss this further)
  • Coordination of cooperation with Vietnam to improve their quality of education.
  • Voluntary System of Accountability roll-out
  • Human Resources – a student appeal system at the Chancellor’s Office level is being developed.
  • An annual report on vice presidential compensation is being planned.
  • The appointment of vice presidents may require approval by the Chancellor.
  • Guidelines are being developed for faculty searches.
  • Intercollegiate Athletics and Title IX interest by the trustees.

Provost Snyder, who attended a portion of the CSU Executive Council meeting shared information regarding some of the items discussed which included:

  • 2009-2010 budget planning
  • Enrollments
  • Textbook Audit and Athletics Audit (a task force is being developed to review the implementation of policies within Athletics)
  • Technology Steering Committee update – a task force is reviewing options for a learning management system

President Richmond represented the CSU at a Troops to College event at Infineon Raceway on August 23. He reminded the Executive Committee members of the ceremony inaugurating HSU’s new Veterans Enrollment and Transition Services (V.E.T.S.) program at noon on August 28.

Per CSU Academic Affairs coded memo AA-2008-30, campuses are required to hold a Constitution Day educational program on September 17 of each year. Dean Ayoob will assist in the coordination of an event at HSU.

The HSU College Republicans club has requested that the campus support a moment of prayer, the lowering of campus flags and a flag memorial on September 11. The University Executive Committee members provided input to President Richmond who will respond to the club.

Institutional Research Consulting Proposal

President Richmond reviewed the proposal submitted by Sal Rinella. This item will be discussed further at the September 4 University Executive Committee meeting.

Recruiting Materials and Enrollment Update

Scott Hagg reviewed the communications sent to prospective students noting the dramatic increase in applications as result of HSU re-investing resources into this area. It was requested that the Provost be notified of those departments who have not prepared a departmental e-mail that is sent to prospective students. Dean Ayoob requested that departments routinely receive a list of admitted majors and their e-mail address so that personal contact may be made by the department chairs. An update will be provided to the University Executive Committee in approximately six weeks.

Mike Reilly provided an enrollment update for fall semester:

  • 7,775 students (headcount) compared to 7,740 at this point last fall.
  • FTE is down slightly from this point last year, 7,103 compared to 7,138.
  • The effectiveness and impact of the 16-unit limit on early registration will be analyzed.
  • A record 1,200 new freshmen are currently enrolled compared to 1,051 last fall.
  • Graduate, credential and post-baccalaureate enrollment is down by 54 students compared to last year.

Advising Center Update

Jená Burges reviewed the advising proposal presented last year which would provide advising services for first-year freshmen through the Advising Center. The University Executive Committee initiated a task force ad hoc committee last year charged with drafting an academic advising action plan. A pilot project involving one academic program has been created for consideration.
Ginny Kelly reviewed the tasks and responsibilities of the Advising Center.

Following input from the committee members, President Richmond asked that steps be taken to implement the pilot project which will require the acquisition of one additional advisor. Ginny, Ken and Jená will be invited to update the University Executive Committee in two months.