Advisory Board Meeting

Monday, September 11, 2017

5:30 pm, Lecture Hall, Building 2

Minutes

  1. Call to Order; Confirmation of Quorum (4 Board Members present)

Chairman Steve Boerigter called the meeting to order at 5:37 pm.

Board Members Present:

Stephen Boerigter

Michelle Hall

David Sutton

Sheila Schiferl

UNM Staff Present:

Cynthia Rooney, Chief Executive Officer

Sharon Hurley, Dean of Instruction

Bob Harmon, Director, Business Operations

Kathryn Vigil, Student Enrollment Director

Elizabeth Rademacher, Student Success Manager

Gayle Burns, Business Services Manager

Nancy Coombs, Marketing Representative

Visitors:

Sarah von Sternberg, LA Monitor

  1. Routine Business – Board Action Items
  2. Adoption of Agenda: David Sutton moved to adopt the agenda. Sheila Schiferl seconded. Motion passed.
  3. Approval of Minutes from May 8, 2017: Steve Boerigter moved to approve the minutes. Sheila Schiferl seconded. Motion passed.
  1. Public Comment

No public comment.

  1. Introduction of New Employees

Cindy Leyba was announced by Dr. Rooney as the new Executive Assistant to the CEO and the new Board Secretary. Unfortunately, she was unable to be at this meeting. Dr. Sharon Hurley was introduced as the new Dean of Instruction, effective July 1. Bob Harmon was introduced as the new Director of Business Operations, effective September 7.

  1. Routine Business Continued – Board Action Items
  1. Review Bylaws: Dr. Rooney pointed out potential changes including; page 6, 1330.02 building posting versus website posting of meeting announcements; Branch Director versus CEO; and, page 3, process for replacing a board member. Sheila Schiferl made suggestions for correction of two typos. After discussion, David Sutton moved to approve with no changes. Michelle Hall seconded. Motion passed.
  2. Dr. Rooney provided an overview of the current status of the operating agreement between UNM Los Alamos and UNM Albuquerque. Steve Boerigter asked for clarification on the agreement dates and inclusion of current year. After discussion among the board, Michelle Hall moved to approve the current operating agreement. David Sutton seconded. Motion passed.
  1. Information for the Board
  2. New employees were introduced previously
  3. Dr. Rooney reviewed the organizational chart.
  4. Dr. Rooney reviewed committee structure at UNM Los Alamos.
  5. Dr. Rooney provided background on current issues in New Mexico higher education. She discussed the concern of too many institutions, governance issues (centralization vs. decentralization), and enrollment in higher education.
  6. Dr. Rooney provided an overview of enrollment data from the start of the Fall 2017 term.
  7. Sheila Schiferl asked a question about the reasons for the drop in students from other campuses.
  8. Steve Boerigter commented about prioritizing increasing degree-seeking students.
  9. After discussion, the board recommended that a survey be developed to find out more about students enrolled in online courses.
  10. Dr. Rooney provided information about fundraising events and activities that UNM Los Alamos has done in past years.
  11. Dr. Rooney highlighted the need to raise money for student scholarships
  12. Michelle Hall reinforced the importance of developing a clear message.
  13. David Sutton expressed concern about timing.
  14. After ideas were shared and recommendations were made, it was decided that discussion will continue in an ongoing basis and at future meetings.
  1. Reports
  2. Chief Executive Director:
  3. Dr. Rooney presented Dr. Chaouki Abdallah’s email message about DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). She provided an overview of issues and legislation and presented a collaborative organizational message/letter from University Presidents.
  4. It was reported that state revenues are better than expected but budgets are still tight.
  5. The UNM Presidential search is planned to be completed in September or October.
  6. An employee appreciation event is being planned.
  1. Office of Instruction
  2. Dr. Hurley discussed the transition of the Dean position.
  3. The Associate Dean position was eliminated as well as the Department Chair titles. Instead, three Division Chairs will oversee the program departments.
  4. The three Division Chairs are: Barbara Yarnell, Michelle Marsee and Irina Alvestad. A breakdown of their responsibilities and oversight was provided. This structure will utilize a team approach and will be looked at after one year.
  5. Searches for vacant positions are moving forward.
  6. This was the first semester that we hired a UNM graduate student as an adjunct. The individual is teaching an online class in economics.
  7. Melanie Shirk and Mary Martucci have resigned from their positions as regular/core faculty.
  8. Dianna Ballesteros is the new biology and chemistry lab technician.
  9. Student Services
  10. Kathryn Vigil presented the report for Student Services and reported that follow up with students has increased on all aspects of enrollment and support including phone calls, emails, and recommendations for resources.
  11. An ongoing review of processes is being done to continuously improve services to students.
  12. Business Operations
  13. Dr. Rooney reported that she served in the interim role in oversight of business operations during the employee transition.
  14. The budget was loaded and categorization of reserves was submitted.
  15. Dr. Rooney reviewed the report of actuals.
  16. UNM-IT has been working closely with UNM Albuquerque’s College of a Business to provide courses in project management on our campus utilizing zoom technology to broadcast from Los Alamos.
  17. Dr. Rooney reviewed the GO Bond renovation plans.
  18. Working with HED and local county officials, the official new Mil Levy rate for the current year has been determined and does include the increase approved by the voters in January of 2017. Also, the anticipated revenue is slightly more than expected.
  19. Dr. Rooney presented the Report of Actuals (Exhibit I).
  1. Next meeting: November 13, 2017
  1. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 7:41 pm