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.
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Members of the committee include: Kathleen Mainardi, Brittany Williams, Rick
Brown, Beth Walkely and Babs Varano.
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Units that have undergone the zero-based budget exercise will be reviewed. There are
about 65 units to be reviewed.
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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
When verification 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 included themes 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 but there 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 of timetable, 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 enrolling in-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.