Minutes of the Meeting of the Deans Council
September 12, 2006 – 9 a.m.
Warner Conference Room
PRESENT: Finnie Murray, Lois Flagstad, Frank Harrold, William Jurma, Ed Scantling, Kenya Taylor and Janet Wilke
ABSENT: Bruce Forster
Diversity Hires: Frank asked for clarification on what exactly a diversity hire is. Finnie explained they had had a conference call with Ed Wimes and Sonya Smith to discuss specifics regarding this and other questions. Ed and Sonya will take the questions to General Council for their approval.
Programs of Excellence: Finnie asked the Deans how they were coming with their FY 07 POE proposals. Discussion was held on the ranking process being the same as last year with the Deans each presenting their proposals and then everyone ranks all proposals, with the exception, of their own by importance.
Distance Course Non-Resident Tuition Differential: Kenya distributed a handout titled Distance Course Non-resident Tuition Differential, Summer 2006. The handout showed the amounts to be transferred to each college. Each college should have a plan as to how the money is spent and the committee will decide how it will be reported.
Pay as you go Summer Session & Tuition Flexibility for circumstances like Dual Enrollment: Discussion was held on the draft proposal presented to Finnie regarding the budget shortfall for summer school. Discussion was held and it was decided to forward the proposal on to the Chancellor.
Dual Enrollment Classes for High School Students: This agenda item is kept on as a reminder.
Pandemic Flu Updates: Frank reported that the Teaching Continuity Committee had met with Amy Elwood from the Twin Rivers Health Department to explain and answer questions regarding bird flu. Also discussing UNK’s Health Plan was LeAnn Obrecht. All campuses have unique plans that suit their own needs and ours states that after there are three cases reported on campus we will close. Student Life is working on a website to keep people informed.
Student Life Updates: Lois reported on construction cite updates and the webcam viewing access to the construction cite. Bids have gone out for steel and copper. She also reported on the discipline process with Public Safety and Judicial Officer, Brandon Benitz. Student Life will start planning for Fall 2007 orientation soon.
Other items: Finnie reported there had been a visit from Dr. Mike Sitorius and some other doctors from UNMC proposing a non-traditional pre-med program, similar to the RHOP program.
Ed reported that Mark Sire, a previous Kearney State alum, had received teacher of the year (nationally). Ed had questions regarding honoring alums.
Discussion was held on the minutes of the August 29, 2006, Deans Council Meeting. The minutes were approved with several slight modifications with all present in favor.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting of the Deans will be on Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. in the Warner Conference Room.