University of Nebraska Kearney

Minutes of the Meeting of the Deans Council
Wednesday, June 14, 2006 – 9 a.m.
Warner Conference Room

PRESENT: Finnie Murray, Ken Nikels, Lois Flagstad, Marilyn Hadley, Frank Harrold, William Jurma and Janet Wilke

ABSENT: Bruce Forster

1. Academic Program Review:  Ken raised the question if external accreditation should fully substitute for the Academic Program Review process, and if so, what, if anything should be filed in the Library archives.  Discussion was also held on possibly increasing the APR external evaluator honorarium.  Ken will survey our peer institutions to determine how our current $600 stipend compares.
2. Roles and Responsibilities of the UNK Department Chair:  Finnie discussed the document titled Roles and Responsibilities of the UNK Department Chair.  Discussion was held on if this document should become policy or only be used as an advisory document.  The document titled Roles and Responsibilities of the UNK Department Chair was approved as an advisory document with all present in favor. 
3. Pandemic Flu Update:  Frank distributed and discussed a handout titled Pandemic Flu Management Update.  Discussion was held on: formation of the committee to explore alternative modes of instruction; a request to the Registrar’s office to identify academic policies that might need to be waived in case of a pandemic; and decisions regarding what are the essential operations in the colleges and Academic Affairs offices, as to planning for maintaining them in a pandemic. 
4. Student Life Updates:  Lois discussed Staff changes happening in Student Life:  Cami Wacker, Associate Director Student Development/Retention has resigned effective July 5^th; Brandon Benitz has now been appointed to Interim Assistant to the Dean of Student Life; and a new Director of Multi-Cultural Affairs has been hired and will start August 1^st.  Lois reported on Fall Orientation dates and having the colleges involved in mini sessions, and she also reported on the residence hall progress—the ground breaking will be August 7^th, and the first hall should be completed by August of 2007 with availability for 160 students.  The other two residence halls should be open no later than spring semester 2008. 
5. Other items:
    
   Discussion was held on the minutes of the April 25, 2006, Deans Council Meeting.  The minutes were approved with amendments with all present in favor.
    
   Finnie distributed and discussed the memo from JB Milliken regarding Strategic Opportunity Fund Update.
    
   Finnie discussed the Dean of the Library Search and announced that Janet Wilke will be the Interim. 
    
   Goodbyes and well wishes were said to Ken and Marilyn as Marilyn attended her last Deans Council Meeting. 

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned.  The next meeting of the Deans will be on Thursday, June 22, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. in the Warner Conference Room.