April 13, 2009
2:00 – 3:15
SPNA Department Meeting
230 Bicycle Factory
Facilitator:
Mark Hoffman
Recorder:
Attendees:
Dan Balfour, Greg Cline, Diane Kimoto, Mike Payne, Rich Jelier, Donijo Robbins, Steve Borders, Kathy
Agard, Quincy Williams, Al Lyons, Mike Mast, Sherry Moyer
Guests:
George Grant, Jayne Dissette
Mark Hoffman
Minutes
Agenda item:
REMARKS FROM DEAN GRANT
Dean Grant reports that although times are bad, the health of the College is good. The university
administration is looking at various options to control costs; however no immediate drastic actions
are anticipated.
Discussion:
The Dean reported that he has heard from some police officers that they have an interest in a
management degree. We may want to market our MPA program to those employed in public
safety.
Agenda item:
BB/IT CHANGES (Jayne Dissette)
Discussion:
Several major changes in University IT infrastructure will effect teachers and students
1.
2.
3.
Prior to the start of Spring semester, Blackboard 6 will be upgraded to Blackboard NG. The new version
can be previewed at bbtest.gvsu.edu. Note: Do NOT build content on bbtest. You can build content on your
current Bb sites, which will be migrated into the new version. If you want to see what it will look like, you
can ask Jayne to put your Bb site into bbtest. Because NG is so different, faculty members should consider
attending a training seminar (see http://www.gvsu.edu/seminar/) Note that the Blackboard System goes
down 2 pm, April 28; and Blackbord NG System goes live 8 am, May 1.
Bb NG will need recent browsers (Firefox 3 or IE 7) to work properly.
Students will be assigned GMAIL accounts rather than the Novel Groupwise accounts.
Agenda item:
PI ALPHA ALPHA RECEPTION
Handout:
SPRING CELEBRATION
PHI ALPHA ALPHA INDUCTION
KIMBALL SCHOLARSHIP SIGNING
Date:
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Time:
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Location:
Meijer Regency Room
Expected #
Invited 100
Guest List:
Tom Haas, Kurt Kimball, SPNA students and alumni, Community members
Equipment
Needs:
Nametags, Podium and microphone, Scholarship document, pens, Remarks binder
Agenda:
5:00 pm
Official start time
5:30 pm
Welcome (Mark Hoffman)
 Thank you for coming, etc., etc.
 Intro Bill Weitzel
5:35 pm
Remarks (Bill Weitzel)
 Congratulate Kurt on retirement
 Recognize Eric DeLong and Dan Balfour
 Give brief history of how scholarship was established
 Talk about Kurt’s involvement with students
 Introduce Haas
5:38 pm
Remarks (Pres. Haas)
 Congratulate Kurt
 Importance of access in the future of West Michigan and the state
 Introduce George Grant
5:40 pm
Signing (Bill Weitzel)
 Ask George Grant, Kurt and Haas to come forward
 Sign scholarship/pictures
 Ask Kurt to say a few words before turn it over to Kimoto
5:50 pm
Induct new Pi Alpha Alpha honory member, President Haas
 General Honor Society intro by Diane Kimoto
 Introduction of Tom Haas (Mike Msst)
 Remarks by Haas
6:10 pm
Induct new Pi Alpha Alpha student members
 Call up by Diane Kimoto
 Corded by Dean Grant
 Diane introduces Dan Balfour
6:20 pm
Best Paper Award (Balfour)
6:25 pm
Closing Remarks (Balfour)
7:00 pm
Event ends
2
Agenda item:
RECRUITMENT PLAN
Handout:
SPNA RECRUITMENT SURVEY
Based on a limited number of responses to my questions these notes summarize the results.
GOAL IDEAS
5% annual growth –
increase quality of students (higher GPA) – more applications for same number of slots – no growth
increase urban / regional policy and planning students
increase local government students
increase inservice-to-preservice ratio
target clergy / ministry directors
increase diversity
keep balance of full time and part time students
We should seek to increase applications with the goal of a higher quality and more diverse student body,
including international students, at or slightly lower than current enrollment levels. In other words, our goal for
more than a decade was focused on growth. Now may be the time to consolidate those gains and focus on
higher quality, assuming we can get enough applications (how many is that?). Focusing our resources along
the model of the Poland program (apply it to domestic applicants) can help guarantee high quality recruits.
For example, we could name 3 or so of our remaining assistantships, and scholarships, and target them at
specific institutions or groups of students and award them to the strongest applicants. We can still seek out
funding and assistantships for those not selected. Perhaps the Johnson Center could let us do that with one of
their assistantships.
I think we have a moral and civic obligation as a public service institution to provide both quality and quantity.
Since outside stakeholders vastly outnumber insiders and prospects, we need to be careful about too much
preening about quality. And, I think we need to be very careful about simply "sustaining" growth. I see
nothing wrong with a slow percentage of continuous growth. We did not get to our current "pleasant"
circumstances by pre-determining, controlling and severely restricting the incoming numbers. Nor, I assume,
did MSU and U of M, etc. get to their present status by shutting off the inflow.
We need to do the best we can to offer the best we can to those who want to come here. We should be
selective on background preparation, GPA, outcomes etc. but doing much more by way of restriction is
pompous thinking on our part. Should we, as a hypothetical example, curtail MHA enrollment simply because
we think there isn't that much opportunity out there for the graduates? I don't think so. We should make the
applicants aware of whatever predictions there are regarding opportunities and then let them bear the risk. I
think our recruitment goal ought to continue to be about the same as it has been. It seems to me we've not
been overly proactive and our classes are still over filled.
We're not established to have increasingly lighter workloads and higher salaries. We have a public service to
provide and ours is different than a division one school. We should remember that.
=========================
10 MOST FAQ
What is the job placement rate for pre-career students.
What kind of job can I get?
How long does it take to complete? What is the minimum/maximum number of classes I can take in a
semester?
Can I tailor the program to my specific interests?
What are the internship opportunities/requirements?
Can I take electives in other programs?
Is there a study abroad option?
Is there a Nonprofit Major?
3
Are there online courses?
Can the degree be earned through distance learning?
What is the difference between the MHA and the MPA with the Health concentration?
Do I have to do an internship? How do I find an internship?
How many credits do students take who work full-time?
What kind of financial aid is available for graduate students?
How do I get a graduate assistantship?
1. Can I still get in if ...
... I missed the May 1 deadline.
... I am a ___________ major?
... I do not meet the minimum GPA of a 3.0.
... I did not take the GRE
2. I need help with my application ...
... What is a "professional writing sample"?
... What should I talk about in my application essay? how long should it be?
... Do I need a special forms for the letters of recommendation? Who
should I ask to write a letter?
3. Can I reduce the courses I'll need by ...
... doing an independent research project.
... transferring previously taken courses into the program?
... getting credit for my work experience
... getting advanced placement for my undergraduate PA degree?
... counting my previous master's degree
===================================
10 BEST REASONS TO COME TO SPNA
Focused curriculum (local/regional govt, NPs, health, CJ)
High quality faculty that is active in the community
Lots of internship opportunities/connection with the community
Schedule that accommodates working students – late afternoon, evening and Saturday classes
NASPAA Accredited program
Best MPA in Michigan
Johnson Center partnerships
Practitioner emphasis
We are Grand Valley (We are the Best in west MI)
New facilities in exciting location in downtown GR
National Leader in nonprofit education; access to Johnson Center and endowed Johnson Collection
Low cost
Excellent career development resources and graduate placement record
Diverse student body with wide range of interests and backgrounds
Customized plan of study with 5 concentrations and 3 additional electives
Discussion:
For goals, there was near consensus on
-
a 1% growth rate (for all graduate programs combined)
maintaining a balance between in-service and pre-service students
targeting in-service safety personnel and clergy / administrators
4