Deans’ Council Meeting

Held:September 6, 2012

Attendees: B. Barnett, L. Chakrin, E. Saiff, L. Siecke, S. Perry, H. Nejad,C. Romano and invited guests B. Varano and M. Bitz.

Administrative Program Review

B. Varano gave an update on administrative program review. Four units will be reviewed each year. Review on Residence Life has just been completed.

  • The review is not just for financial purposes, it is also to improve efficiency and reallocate resources. Review will also help identify how many cross-trained populations of employees could apply themselves across the campus.
  • Members of the committee include: Kathleen Mainardi, Brittany Williams, Rick Brown, Beth Walkely and Babs Varano.
  • Units that have undergone the zero-based budget exercise will be reviewed. There are about 65 units to be reviewed.
  • Program review provides more information than the Essential Functions report. Essential Functions was able to identify how many cross trained populations of employees could apply their skills across the campus.

Adjunct Degree Verification

Whenverification process is finished each semester a list should be forwarded to J. Capizzi along with a list of who is teaching.

Adjunct records are currently being kept on unit level.

Affirmative Action (AA)

  • L. Edwards - Policy for prohibiting discrimination in language has not changed for 2012. There is still discussion in Trenton about where this policy is going.
  • AA is still conducting investigations;if there are problems in units they should be brought to the attention of AA. Do not try to handle the situation yourself.
  • In the past faculty ads have only gone to HR but will now also be coming to Affirmative Action. If you are looking to replace a faculty member without a search you must file a search waiver.

Deans Lecture Series - $10,000 is available but a process is needed, along with topics.

Discussion on whether to have a theme-based series. Suggestions includedthemes that could invite and attract multiple topics like pioneers in the disciplines which would focus on an individual who has made a contribution in their field. A possible title: “Pushing Boundaries—Pioneers in the Disciplines.”

Writing Across the Curriculum

M. Bitz is trying to advance student writing through writing intensive courses.

There are different issues with different majors or programs butthere are WAC representatives in each of the schools.

The recommendation is to have students take 3 writing intensive courses in their career. Right now most students are taking two.

Independent Studies

Each unit discussed their payment strategies.

Provost would like the process to be more standardized, and will speak with J. Capizzi and J. Jeney regarding this issue.

Strategic Planning Summary

A subgroup has been charged with taking the language of goals,taking all information gathered on objectives for the goals,and then coming up with appropriate language. Unfortunately the objectives and goals did not necessarily align. Subgroups will reconvene and check on alignment of goals and objectives and then check on whether objectives are measurable. There is hope that there will be cleaner language and a smaller list of objectives.

An external consultant will be hired to come in and review and make suggestions to help refine the plan.

Discussion oftimetable, formation of a strategic plan, and developing a niche market.

Enrollment Management Update

Housing Project – Cabinet did approve out of state housing waiver to attract out of state students. The goal for enrollingin-state undergraduates is 871 freshman, + 37 out of state students.

The New Scholar Reception is September 19.

The Degree Completion Program and MBA program both exceeded their goals.

Two masters programs that did not reach goals are Sustainability Studies and Educational Leadership.