CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE____________________________________
MINUTES OF MEETING 09/13/11_______ APPROVED BY COMMITTEE___________
Sub. To Exec. Comm. ____________________ Approved by Exec. Comm.______________
Sub. To Acad. Senate _____________________ Approved by Acad. Senate ______________
POLICY ITEMS ______________________________________________________________
Members Present: Ric Alviso, Michael Barrett, Sandra Chong, Barry Cleveland, James Dow,
Doris Helfer, Robert Kladifko, Jerry Schutte (Chair), Diane Stephens
Members Absent: Nazaret Dermendjian, Veda Ward
1. Call to Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 2:05 p.m.
2. Welcome and Introductions
Members each identified themselves.
3. Approval of the Agenda
The agenda was approved with no additions and/or changes.
4. Approval of Minutes from May 10, 2011 Meeting
The minutes of May 10, 2011 were approved with a minor grammatical correction on the
last part of Section 5.
5. Senate President or Designee RE: Committee Charge
Time Certain: 2:15 p.m. (Steven Stepanek)
A traditional role for each standing committee is to have a Senate Executive Committee
member attend the first meeting to discuss any issues regarding charges and go through a
checklist of various items. Greg Knotts is the representative of the Senate Executive
Committee who is assigned to review the minutes of ERC. Stepanek stated that Knotts
extends his apologies because he is unable to attend this first ERC meeting because of
other commitments.
Stepanek proceeded to offer guidance from the Senate Executive Committee for ERC.
The Committee was asked to identify any potential actual items such as resolutions or
changes that might have to come to the attention of the full Senate. Also, agendas and
minutes must be posted on the ERC website in a timely manner. Attendance is very
important and everyone should prepare ahead of time for the meetings. If the duties of
the committee are more than expected, and if a member is not able to fulfill their
commitment, they should notify the Chair of the committee and also the Senate office so
that arrangements can be made for a replacement. Also, if a member will have a
prolonged scheduling conflict, they should ask for a leave of absence or replacement.
The ERC charge is stated on every agenda, which reminds every one of the Committee’s
responsibilities. The first sentence sums up what this Committee’s responsibilities entail;
it states, “This committee shall make general policy recommendations in order to guide
the allocation of all University resources which impact educational program.”
6. Re-ratification of Satisfaction by Exam (SBE)
Because the Satisfaction by Exam was considered at the end of the 2010/2011 academic
year, there was no time for the Senate Executive Committee and the Senate to vet the
recommendation. The ERC committee voted unanimously for the recommendation and it
will be resubmitted to the Senate Executive Committee.
7. Chair’s Report
Schutte discussed suggested topics for Committee consideration this academic year. He
noted that there will be two joint ATC/ERC meetings, one in the Fall semester on Friday,
December 2, 2011during ATC’s meeting time in SQ 250A, and the second joint meeting
will be in the Spring semester on Tuesday, April 10, 2012, during ERC’s time in UN 211.
Other items on the list for consideration include Enrollment and Continuation Rates,
Virtual Technology Implementation Plan, Revenue Generating Ideas, SFR Analysis,
Facilities, etc. Schutte asked members to provide any other items they would like to
discuss.
Schutte discussed the need for information about plans and responsibilities for campus
facilities. Colin Donahue will be invited to a meeting to discuss various aspects of
facilities planning and management.
Kladifko mentioned specific concerns about parking enforcement on campus. This might
be something the Committee should discuss with parking administration.
Schutte was asked by Stepanek for recommendations for people to serve on the
Enrollment Management Committee. This committee will be active in recommending
policies for handling enrollment in the coming years. Chong, Cleveland, and Schutte
have volunteered to serve on the committee.
8. Executive Secretary’s Report
Stephens displayed two slides regarding the CSUN General Fund Budget. In 2007/08,
Fee Revenue was at 35% and State Appropriations was at 65%. Now, in 2011/12, Fee
Revenue is at 62% and State Appropriations are at 38%. This demonstrates a significant
shift in State support over a short period of time.
Stephens stated that the campus budget has not yet been distributed. After the budget is
transferred by the university, Academic Affairs will allocate funds to the colleges. There
is a possibility of midyear reductions. However, the university is planning to handle any
such reductions from central reserves. Additionally, there is a large carry-forward
balance in Academic Affairs to help with any additional cuts. The CSUN Lottery budget
was reduced by $364 thousand dollars this year, and is the CSU plans to use these funds
to help with Early Start scholarships next summer. The Lottery fund totals over $2 MM.
Currently, 230 lecture rooms are being upgraded with thin client computers in a client
server environment. By the end of May 2012, one classroom image will be driven out to
every lecture rooms on campus. Technicians will only have to manage one image, which
will reduce their workload. Also, about once a semester, the technicians on the DASC
committee will define the image and make changes if needed.
There has been construction on many classrooms and buildings over this summer:
IT has upgraded Extron controllers on campus, the boxes are now more uniform
and should be easier to use.
Two labs in Bayramian Hall, Developmental Math and the Learning Resource
Center, were upgraded with hide away tables and thin clients.
As of last week, there are 356 thin client computers in computer labs on campus,
and they are all the same model.
Two tiered classrooms were upgraded in Juniper Hall, the floors were redone, and
theater style seats provide greater room capacity.
The carpet in the large halls in Chaparral was removed and the existing concrete
was polished.
Two classrooms in Sierra Hall were made into one room to make a larger lecture
room.
The new system wide solution, Absence Management, is on its way. There will be
training sessions in early fall.
The Electronic Thesis Dissertation software was developed by the Pioneering
Technology Group, in collaboration with the Library. This software will be a time-saver
for students and faculty as the administrative parts of thesis process will now be
automated and available online. Students will save money on binding fees, costly paper,
and trips to campus.
9. Classroom Technology Survey Report
Time Certain: 2:30 p.m. (Dominic Little, Renate Wigfall, Diane Stephens)
The preliminary findings of the Classroom Technology Survey Report were previously
reported at the May 10, 2011 ERC meeting. Today, Little will go over the Key Findings,
Trends, Conclusions, and Recommendations.
Key Findings:
University-provided computer labs serve a vital role as access points for
educational-related software packages and printing.
More than seven out of ten respondents (77%) indicated they would use their own
computer, instead of campus computers, if software could be provided off-campus
at no additional cost.
More than eighty percent of respondents stated that having the ability to print on
campus was “important” to “very important”.
When asked about fee-based printing, more than half (56%) of respondents stated
“yes” to “yes, under some circumstances.”
Wireless network availability was reported as more important than additional
power outlets.
Respondents prefer affordable software (85%) over technology support and
training.
Trends:
In fact, if the past couple of years are any indication of the next decade, the rising
tide of consumer technologies and services will further displace the need for
enterprise-owned, campus-based services/tools.
In sum, the second annual study brings into sharp focus the degree to which
students have become co-innovators with campus technologists in driving change
in how learning is structured and delivered.
Conclusions:
In the final analysis, the 2011 study replicates the following findings from the 2010
study:
California State University Northridge students overwhelmingly have access to
their own personal computers and most have laptop computers. Students complete
computer-based assignments from home, but choose to work in universityprovided computer laboratories for software availability and working
environments where they can focus.
Discipline-specific software use is most important in choosing to work on campus
for students in both the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Students desire more access to printing in computer labs. Students desire more
laptop-friendly spaces, including power outlets, for completion of school
assignments. Students desire greater access to computer software for their own
computers.
Students desire more quiet study spaces on campus.
Furthermore, the 2011 study reveals a new trend, the ownership and usage of
Internet- capable handheld devices such as smartphones and eReaders, as central
to student’s academic experience on campus.
Recommendations:
As areas refresh computer labs, more stations should support student-owned
laptop and other mobile devices. Additionally, the number of general purpose
computing labs should be reduced to reflect increased remote usage of virtual
computing services. This is consistent with the goal of repurposing space to
support campus growth and student services in an environment with restricted
capital resources.
Encourage the expansion and adoption of the virtual computing and software
service projects currently being developed and deployed by IT to provide for
students’ desire for remote productivity.
To address student demands for printing the university should first develop
consistent printing policies and deploy more robust and secure printing systems.
Policies could include encouraging reduction of coursework printing
requirements. Systems should have accurate reporting capabilities to support
effective decision-making. (A subcommittee of the Academic Resources Council
has been exploring options for meeting student demand for printing in a more
cost-effective manner.)
10. Hiring Update and Budget Update
Time Certain: 3:30 p.m. (Provost Harry Hellenbrand; Penny Jennings)
Hellenbrand stated that the division and university are in a good place. The campus has
hired 97 new faculty members and is planning to hire 30 more faculty members starting
in Fall 2012. We are over target and every dollar needs to stay on campus as the State is
spending less on campuses. Hellenbrand further stated the university needs to start
developing a long term financial plan. Specifically, he stated the CSU cannot
realistically expect additional support from the Legislature each year, there will be fee
increased, and, the campus needs to identify additional financial resources as State
support declines.
Jennings stated 97 people were hired on the tenure track for 2011/12: 53 females and 44
males. Of the 97, seven are late starts, six of whom will be starting in Spring 2012, and
one will start next year. Late starts often occur because of visa issues or other
commitments. All colleges hired and following is the count of assistant professor hires
by colleges: S&BS – 20, HHD – 13, HUM – 12, AMC – 12, BUS – 11, SCI & MATH –
10, ENG & COMP SCI – 5, EDUC – 4, LIB – 2, Counseling – 2. Five Associate ranks
were hired, AMC – 2, HHD – 2, EDUC – 1. The ethnicities of those hired are: White –
67, Asian/Pacific Islander – 17, Hispanic – 12, African American – 8. It is significant to
note that 12 of the new tenure track hires were employed as lecturers at CSUN. There are
usually only two hiring workshops held, but this time five hiring workshops were
conducted by Faculty Affairs because of the volume of hires.
11. Announcements
The meeting was adjourned at 3:48 p.m.
The next meeting is on Tuesday October 11, 2011 in UN 211.