University of Nebraska Kearney

Minutes of the Meeting of the Deans Council
9 a.m. - July 8, 2004
Warner Conference Room

PRESENT: Finnie Murray, Lois Flagstad, Marilyn Hadley, Larry Hardesty, Frank Harrold, William Jurma, Ken Nikels and Kathy Smith

GUESTS: Kimra Schipporeit, Director, Student Records and Registration

Dr. Murray welcomed Dr. Larry Hardesty, Dean of Libraries, who began his duties on July 1, 2004 .

1. Report. Kim Schipporeit gave a brief update on enrollment figures. In comparison to same date 2003, headcount is up 150 students. Enrollment from June 2004 Transfer Day was comparable to last year, and if the July Transfer Day holds steady, then Fall numbers should be good.
   
   Kim has been asked to coordinate data gathering for an August BOR report on Summer School. She shared a handout showing the data Central is requesting from the campuses. The handout was reviewed and discussed. Since we must have Summer School information to Central Administration by July 22, the Deans are requested to have their information to Finnie Murray by Friday, July 16. Kathy Livingston and Mike Bohnhoff are also collecting data to be included in our report.
   
   One of the questions Central has asked is, “What has been the impact of the budget cuts?” UNK has reduced their summer budget by $300,000, and that has impacted summer enrollment.
   
   International Education Director Fox has asked for General Studies courses in the summer primarily for the benefit of international students. Another question was, “What facilities are used during summer for non-credit activities? (i.e., athletics, residence halls). In addition to the areas that have been contacted for input, it was suggested that Chartwell’s might give us additional information.
   
   Related to UNK efforts to address Summer School enrollments, Kim shared a draft survey that could be given to Summer School students to obtain useful information about reasons for attending, length of sessions, and classes offered. She then forwarded a proposal from the Ad Hoc committee reviewing summer school asking for a return to the 12-week Summer Session that would begin immediately following Commencement in the Spring. The Committee agreed that the current dates of summer school are detrimental to optimal summer offerings. At present, University campuses do not coordinate sessions. Until 2000, the summer 12-week session was scheduled for four days per week (M-Th) and began the Monday after Spring Commencement. Discussion ensued. Motion was made by Marilyn Hadley that for Summer 2005, we return to the former 12-week Summer Session. The first 4-week session would begin on Monday, May 9, and finish on Friday June 3. The 8-week session would be offered Monday, June 6, through Friday, July 29, and classes would be held four days per week. William Jurma seconded the motion. All members of the Deans Council voted ”Aye”. The motion passed.
2. Summer Commencement Concepts:
   Graduates and guests at Spring Commencement number more than the Health and Sports Center can accommodate; therefore, the concept of Summer Commencement was discussed. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Deans that Summer Commencement is particularly important for graduate students. The new schedule for Summer School should be very compatible with a Summer Commencement. There was a slight concern about attendance at Summer Commencement. Kathy Smith moved that we approve the reestablishment of Summer Commencement immediately after the end of Summer Session 2005 (July 29). Ken Nikels seconded the motion. By vote of the Deans, there was unanimous approval. Motion passed.
3. Meeting w/Academic Affairs Directors:
   Finnie would like to meet monthly with Directors in the Academic Affairs area that report directly to him. He asked if the Deans would like to meet with the Directors to exchange ideas and strategies. The Deans readily agreed to do this once per month on a trial basis for Fall 2004.
4. Assessment Results in Strategic Planning.
   Finnie has met several times with Faculty Assistant Glen Powell to discuss Assessment issues. Dr. Powell has drafted a list of possible members for the proposed Data Analysis Committee that would include the Deans as members. UNK would have that committee take assessment information from the institution and tie it into strategic planning, hoping to derive optimum value from the assessment we do. Dean Smith sees feedback loops as a prime part of assessment, but questioned how we would distill the information into something usable. Frank Harrold questioned how the proposed Data Analysis Committee would articulate with Strategic Planning. Finnie stated that he expects that data summarization and recommendations of the proposed Data Analysis Committee would be made available to the Strategic Planning Committee for consideration.
   
   Glen will be scheduled to talk with this group soon. He has begun discussing the proposed Data Analysis Committee concept with other bodies on campus, including leadership of Faculty Senate.
5. 5. UNO Initiated Dual Enrollment Pilot. Finnie Murray shared the information UNO provided to the Council of Academic Officers at their June 23 meeting. UNO has been enrolling high school students in University courses. They feel the program has been very successful. The UNO AP Institute that prepares high school teachers to teach AP courses has been very popular in Omaha and, if extended, may help prepare teachers in rural areas so that their students will have greater opportunities for AP courses.
6. CAO Memo of Understanding: UNL has presented an opportunity for the other University of Nebraska campuses to offer credits to the Joint Forces Staff College . It was noted that UNK classes were offered in the past by Distance Education in Norfork , Nebraska , to the military. Students in the Joint Forces Staff College are mostly lower-level officers being groomed for specialized commands.
7. NRI Core Facilities. The University will put about $1 million this year into NRI grants, targeted in specific areas. The details for the program are being finalized by UNCA and will be provided at the next VCAA meeting. Finnie asked the Deans to begin considering possible applications for this opportunity. Dr. Nikels suggested that John Falconer, Director of Sponsored Programs be a part of the grant writing. The College of Education ’s Exercise Science Program has been a recipient of an NRI grant.
8. Assessment. Discussed under item 4.
9. Priority Program Funding: Deans should get proposals for priority funding to SrVCAA by July 31.
10. New Faculty/Professional Staff Orientation. The Deans reviewed the schedule for Fall Orientation. It was suggested that some issues that were of interest primarily to faculty should be moved to the afternoon. Karin Covalt will revise the schedule and bring it back for approval of the Deans.
11. Dean Council Minutes. Finnie Murray suggested that the minutes of Deans Meeting be typed and submitted to the Deans for approval. After approval, they will be put on the Web. Kathy Smith so moved. Marilyn Hadley seconded. All Deans voted AYE. Motion passed.
12. Other. None.

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting of the Deans will be on Tuesday, July 20, at9 a.m.in the Warner Conference Room.