University Executive Committee Meeting Notes

November 29, 2007

Rollin Richmond

Ken Ayoob

Steve Butler

Rob Gunsalus

Denice Helwig

Susan Higgins

Jim Howard

Mark Larson

Bob Snyder

Carol Terry

Ray Wang

Patty Lindley, Staff Support

Guests:

Jená Burges

Greg Crawford

President’s Report

President Richmond congratulated:

  • Vice President Gunsalus on conducting a productive HSU Advancement Foundation meeting on November 28 where Gwynna Morris served as the new Board Chair.
  • the WASC steering committee, noting their excellent Capacity and Preparatory Review Report (http://www.humboldt.edu/~wasc/keydocs.html). The WASC re-accreditation team will be visiting HSU February 6-8.
  • Guy-Alain Amoussou, Ray Wang and others who coordinated the 1+2+1 Chinese Delegation visit to HSU on November 26-27.

He reported that the local airport managers and others presented a proposal to Delta Airlines which would provide service from the local airport to Delta’s western hub in Salt Lake City. The plan includes $500,000 in revenue guarantees, as well as $500,000 in pre-purchased travel through an Air Travel Bank™ (ATB). President Richmond will request a meeting between airport managers and university administrators to discuss this further.

Other Reports

Dean Higgins reported:

  • there is a celebration of the accreditation of the MSW program to be held on November 30 at the Potowat Village.

Vice President Butler reported:

  • volunteers are needed to support students during finals week by assisting with the pancake “breakfast” on December 10, 7-9 PM or 9-11 PM (two shifts).
  • academic dishonesty cases have increased significantly this semester.

Mark Larson reported:

  • he, along with co-chair, Bob Snyder, will be meeting with the University Budget Committee on November 30.
  • the final Academic Senate meeting of the fall semester will include a briefing from the ad hoc Budget Review Task Force, as well as two resolutions: Resolution on a Procedure to Address the Concern of the Faculty Members of Humboldt State University with Regard to the Actions of President Rollin Richmond and his Administration (#05-07/08-EX) and Resolution on Proposed Changes to “Course Requirement Information—Course Syllabi,” in the HSU Faculty Handbook, Section 336 (#06-07/08-SA).

Vice President Gunsalus reported:

  • the HSU Advancement Foundation endowment is valued at $16 million; the value of non-endowed funds totals $5.25 million, much of which is attributed to Hydrogen Demonstration Non-endowed Assets (Schatz). The Advancement Foundation Finance Committee approved the withdrawal of funds from the Hydrogen Demonstration account for the purpose of constructing a new Schatz Energy Research Center facility.
  • Frank Whitlatch, HSU’s new Associate Vice President, Marketing and Communications, starts work on December 3.

Carol Terry reported:

  • CSU Human Resources has a new e-learning program available to all employees, which includes hundreds of professional learning courses for a yearly fee of $119.

WASC

Greg Crawford and Jená Burges reviewed the status of HSU’s WASC reaffirmation process, noting that the Capacity and Preparatory Review Report has been submitted. The WASC visiting team has been identified and a schedule for their visit is being developed. A brochure has been developed (“WASC & You”) which will be distributed shortly in preparation of the February WASC team visit.

CSU System Wide Assessment of Information and Communication Technology Literacy Skills

Ray Wang and Jená Burges discussed information competence, a requirement being implemented by the CSU in 2009/2010 to ensure that all graduates have mastered the requisite skills and knowledge in problem solving and thinking critically. Ray noted that the Library offers a one-credit-hour class to help prepare students. Additionally, he and others are exploring options, including iSkills, an assessment tool developed by ETS. This item will be placed on a March agenda of the University Executive Committee, when Jená will share a plan for coordinating assessment requirements at the system level with those needed for university purposes.