Service Professional
Advisory Council
SPAC Minutes
October 15, 2015
8:30am – 10:00am
True Blue, Extended Campuses –
Hosted by: Kathleen Carpenter
Present: Paul Wagner, Suzanne Siler, Kathleen Carpenter; Mark Young; Kim Knowles; MaryLynn Quartaroli, Shari Miller, Andrea Graves, Angela
Miller, Dylan Rust, Tina Sutton, Stephanie McCarthy, Steve Montague
By Collaborate: Elizabeth Wilkinson, Jessica
Absent: Alicia Krzyczkowski, Cassie Petit
8:30 am
Call to Order & Introductions
Called to order by Dylan Rust and introductions were made by those in the room.
Dylan Rust, Chair
8:35 - 8:55 am
Student and Academic Services Building: “One-Stop Shop”: Matt Tantau, Director

Our own Andrea Graves, Manager. There will be 4 student service specialists (classified staff, exempt positions)

Scheduled for move in early December and a February 16 soft opening

Matt passed around the floor plan of the building
o First floor, Student Service center and Admissions
o 2nd- Lumberjack Math center
o 3rd – faculty offices and student services offices- attached to the San Francisco offices.

Will house: Financial Aid, Registrar, Admissions, front line operations combined into one area to answer front line questions. Also a call
center with 100 plus students which is going live at the end of October.

This helps students to get necessary admissions services in one place. Modeled off of the University of Minnesota. For now, will have
initial functions and services, but will be evolving over the years

Admissions is currently in Sechrist Hall but has outgrown it. (Tour groups, admissions counselors, etc. which they are already outgrowing
the space.

Students will still get help if they go to Gammage and it will still be open for a couple of years
o All of the back house offices will remain in Gammage including financial aid.
o Financial Aid has a lot of back office financial aid packaging that they do.

Will begin light marketing to students to use the Student Services center to pre-enroll for Fall 2016. The big push will be in August, 2016.

Will also have 10 student employees for light questions. There will also be a student self-help section to be able to check their Louie and
pay their bills, etc.
Sales Force – is the new customer relations management system to be able to track all of our touch points for communication and interactions with
students (phone, emails, etc. will be tracked in Sales Force) as well as case management.

Is integrated with PeopleSoft.

Will start with financial aid and Admissions and then roll out with Admissions.

We are loading in data for easy access of student info.

Currently Black Board handles financial aid operations. That will go away.

In the USB, first floor there is a large phone center. Admissions has a phone center, but will be expanding that role. NAU employees will be
handling NAU students and prospecting.

Matt and Andrea are currently located in the Union.

Andrea is a great point of contact if you have any questions. Also email or call me.

Q&A:

Q 1: How do we handle sound in that building from the garage?
o Matt: Can’t enter from the parking garage into the building due to fire code. Must go around.

Q 2: Dylan- What is the main entrance?
o Matt: the North entrance (south of the bookstore) there is a concrete ramp.
Another entrance (west side of the building) is off of the bus spine that will drop you into the first floor with a large stairwell to
the Lumberjack math center. This is one of the largest bus drop-offs. There is a really nice welcoming patio on the Southside,
where admissions is.

Q 3: Shari- Are there any gender neutral bathrooms?
o Matt: There are. Don’t have that floor plan showing the GN bathrooms. We also added two in the Union. Will double check
and get back to you.
Service Professional
Advisory Council
8:55 – 9:00 am
HR Update
Diane Verkest, not able to attend

HR is switching over to an automated report of injury, supervisor form is now automated.

Open Enrollment will open the end of this week.
o Look on the HR website.
9:00 – 9:30 am
Strategic Visioning Process
Eva Putzova, Director, University Policy Initiatives

NAU hasn’t had a vision statement before, we are trying to develop the first vision statement. It is quite difficult because all of the
stakeholders involved. Should be distinctive.

A vision is an image of a better future that reflects the institutional values and it changes every 5-10 years as the environment and
administration changes.

Should be different and distinctive and address:
o What is our purpose?
o What do we do?
o What are we all about?
o What do you envision NAU to be in 10 years?

Strategic Planning and Budget council put together a process that started in the summer reaching out to external stakeholders (JulyAugust).

We are now in Sept.-Oct timeframe of gathering input by site visits and survey

In November, we will work with a small group of writers and process the input.

We want the writers to see the input in its entirety.

In December, I hope to come back to all of the groups with a vision statement and get their feedback.

In Spring, the writers will refresh our mission statement to reflect what we are currently doing.
Discussion phase: Eva:

If you want to include your area, it’s ok to include this.
o What kind of institution will we be?
o What kind of students will we attract?
o What do you envision NAU to be?
















Dylan- a diverse campus. We’re in a global economy. We’re in a great place where we can get students to be able to be.
Angela- Global learning to create global citizens.
Andrea Graves -Maintain our accessibility
Marylynn- I came to NAU in 1977 because NAU was really committed to high quality teaching. As we get bigger and bigger, that becomes
more and more difficult. We need to think about alternative pathways to success for transfer, non-traditional students (who access us in a
variety of ways), first gen students.
Mark: How do you define success?
Mary- we just did a giant discussion on what we mean by success. It’s not just academic success, but the idea about students really need to
develop who they are, their personal goals. It’s been an on-going conversation. It’s really everything, social, academic, and psychology.
As we grow, one of the huge things was that we have small classes, and that’s probably going to be one of the things of the past,
In the past when we were smaller, students could have a relationship with their faculty….especially first gen college students. As we grow,
(part-time faculty is not fair to the faculty or the students). If we can have a commitment to the faculty, they are going to give a
commitment to the institution and the students.
The bottom line needs to be that we create an atmosphere where students get what they need. Its’ really (as service professionals) we do
that too. It’s like hey, this student needs some help. The One stop shop is a great start. I think we need to feel like we’re the one stop
shop.
Tina Sutton- This was the foundational aspect of NAU. Our mission was to cater to a diverse group of undergraduates and incoming
students.
Paul Wagner – Innovation in teaching is important to maintain and grow.
Dylan- we need to value sustainability. We have sustainable buildings that we can market and continue to innovate through technology.
Kathleen Carpenter- We do need to maintain online education focus.
Eva- About 50% of our students take online courses. It’s increasingly becoming more and more of our online portfolio. How do you
balance the growth on which we depend because of the financial environment and our limits with infrastructure?
We have international students who are completely online. How do we keep them engaged and connected in an innovative way? I want
our graduate students to increase also. We need to somehow to bring them into the fold and I think innovation is the key to that.
Steve Montague- Talk to the students to figure out why are they here at the University. We have different things. We need to focus on
what the students want out of this.
Service Professional
Advisory Council









Eva- we have been tracking why they come to NAU. That is fairly well understood. What happens when they get here is different. Their
expectations adjusts after they get here.
Stephanie McCarthy- I think we are a divided campus. I want to see a university that stands as one—regardless of what programs or
students we take. Coming together, and supporting every program at the university as equal.
Eva Putzova – If you think of anything else, please email me by the end of October.
Please complete the survey email. Feel free to send me your notes and thoughts from this group and I will incorporate it. We are looking
forward common themes that are so compelling that they rise to the top. That will be the base from which the group of writers will write
from.
? Inclusivity, sustainability, commitment to Native Americans, global competencies, access, One NAU has been stated. This is one common
idea being expressed by many.
We have non-traditional, adult students that need to feel connected to the university.
Eva- A little more research has been mentioned from external stakeholders. There has been less emphasis on research. I have not yet
reviewed the faculty input, but I suspect faculty will provide input on research.
Vision is internally important, but there has to be external appeal because it determines what kind of faculty we are going to attract.
Accreditation is now an on-going process and this process will serve as a good practice in planning, and strategic marketing, and we have
some accountability to the accreditation body for good practices.
Eva will plan on reporting something in December or January.
9:15 – 10:00 am
SPAC Business
Motion to approve the minutes.
September minutes approved.
SPAC Committees

Lunch Break: Angela: upcoming sessions for Fall: Nov 20, You’re not going to eat that, are you? All scheduled for entire year.

Publicity (Newsletter/Website): Andrea: No updates

SPAC Ambassadors: Kathleen: We split a list of 30, Cheryl is getting us a new employee list.
o We are a welcome team that gives welcome cards and introducing them to SPAC and encourage them to get involved.
o Q: Have we had this program in the past? Has it been effective?
o A: We have sent out 30 cards. Mark- most of the people I reached out to did not know about SPAC.
o Dylan- I definitely think it’s worth it for the welcoming.

Service Projects: Kim Knowles: We picked two trails to clean:
o Lonetree trail – Pine Knoll drive to I-40. It’s half a mile. We’re looking at Nov. 21st or Oct. 31st. We have to work around the bulk
pick up’s schedule to pick up the trash.
o The other trail option - East Jen Drive to Payton way—close to campus. It’s about ½ miles long. Both are on the bulk pick-up
route.
o Preference is the Lonetree trail.
o Start at 9:00 am and it usually takes an hour.
o Cassie: Adopt a Family- Cassie sent in the application for it. We will get a family at the beginning of November. December
meeting is always our gift wrapping meeting for the gifts for the family.

Annual Meeting/Mixer: Mark: Haven’t met yet, will start in December.

Leadership Award: Trevor: No report
University Committees

President’s Cabinet:. https://www4.nau.edu/pair/CabinetReports/Cabinetindex2014.htm Dylan
o President was discussing with the VPs regarding on campus salaries. She wants to increase salaries, which is difficult due to budget
cuts.
o ABOR meeting went well. ABOR agreed to ask the Legislature for increased funding—to get some funding back.
o Requested a growth model funding, which needs to be approved by the legislature.
o BCBS- Jennus Burton discussed at our last meeting.
o Enrollment- is up
o Major Campus initiatives
South Dining – Dubois expansion will be this summer. Dining will be closed.

The American Campus Communities that builds the Hilltop & Suites will be building

President’s Strategic Planning & Budget Council: http://nau.edu/Strategic-Planning/Planning-Council/
o No report

Academic Standards Committee:. http://nau.edu/Provost/OCLDAA/Academic-Standards-Committee/ Andrea
o ACE Alternative Credit –They discussed elective credits.
o ADD/Drop date mismatched (earlier than the administrative add/drop date).
Service Professional
Advisory Council








Employee Development Day Conference: Cheryl
o Too early to start
Classified Staff Advisory Council: Mary-Kate Wolter
o Warm Clothing Drive boxes are in the buildings. They will be out until the Friday before Thanksgiving.
o We had an active shooter presentation on the Thursday before the shooting.
o Any department that would like to have a presentation can have a presentation about active shooters.
o Eva attended our meeting.
Commission on Ethnic Diversity: http://www.nau.edu/ced/ Kathleen
o Gerald Wood and Valeria Chase are the Chairs.
o They reviewed the CED history
o They had Latino Heritage month flyer to send out.
o Dylan sent out the Latino Heritage flyer to ALL Service Professionals.
o Campus Climate Survey: Students feel supported
o Minority and Gender Identity student’s responses were less positive.
o Kathleen can email the power-point. It is public information.
o Margo presented it. I will check it. Dylan can post it with the minutes.
Commission on the Status of Women: no report. http://nau.edu/csw/ Marilynn Quartaroli
o Anyone is welcomed to join (don’t have to be a woman).
o 4 Subcommittees:

gender and salary

childcare

women’s’ health

strategic planning and collaboration
o A new one is the non-tenure track issue because the large portion of non-tenure track are women.
o Focus on family medical leave discussion with Jennus Burton. There will a significant financial cost if they include paternity leave.
o They are looking into more flexible interpretations on what family medical leave could be. Researching other universities.
o Every department has a different definition of Family medical leave. Trying to get something more consistent. Supervisors don’t know
all the ways that it can be flexed.
o This is especially an issue for faculty because they don’t’ have leave like staff. It’s a big issue.
Faculty Senate: http://nau.edu/faculty-senate/ Shari
o President reported that

ITS reorg is in the works

Shared Services model to address redundancies – this could mean departments merging.

Considering an Honors College
o The Senate reviewed and discussed the following:

Liberal Studies Committee Capstone Proposal by Jason DeBruhn

Bylaws Committee Proposed Changes to the Senate Bylaws and Constitution by Eric Yordy

United Way presentation by Matt Tantau

CIE Search Consultants: seeking input from faculty on desirable traits for the new Vice Provost of CIE

Exemplary Employee Program Update was presented by Dan Kain
Benefits: no report. http://nau.edu/Human-Resources/Benefits/ ? No report
Commission on Disability Access and Design: https://www5.nau.edu/diversity/commission/LeadershipAward.aspx Trevor: No report
Parking and Shuttle Services Advisory Committee: http://nau.edu/parking-shuttle-services/ Mark
o Title is now “Parking and Shuttle Services Advisory Committee”
o They have a new map. The International pavilion (#50A) along with new buildings are now included. They put up a lot of new signs
and want your feedback. They changed all the colors.
o They want your feedback on the maps.
o Permit Sales update- Employees can also use payroll deduction. Non-benefit employees and students can now get on a pay plan to
pay over four payments.
o Over the last 4-5 years, permit sales have gone down, but shuttle usage has gone up.
o They have an Enterprise Car share. Currently have two cars and looking to get one more. They have 102 participants. One is parked
at the Pavilion. You can rent a car for a low price for short-term (hourly) rental.
o Q: Do they have a 25 year old limit? No.
o Electric charging stations are on campus.

17 in the San Francisco garage. Not being used as much. Will cover.

2 at the Union

2 more on campus
o Number of spaces total 8,114 spaces on campus. They never overbook. If they ever reached capacity, they would not oversell.
o 36% of students buy permits.
Service Professional
Advisory Council
o
o
o
o
For the first time, you can get a refund if you transfer out or stop going to school. They will pro-rate.
Main question that came up is why do you have to cite people and why are they so expensive.
Citations to keep from others using spots that are paid for.
Prices- based on how much they cite to sustain the whole parking effort. They get no funding from the university and they repair all of
the roads and structures. A structure costs $1.4 million. There has been no increase in the last three years.

There was an exception—the violation for parking meters increased by $10.
o Minutes of the meeting will be posted to the parking website around November 1st.
o They removed one of the cross-walks in front of the Library.
o Shari- They have a car service to assist those with mobility challenges.
o The two intersections with the highest accident rate are San Francisco and McConnell (bikes and skateboards).
o Knoles & University is the second highest accident intersection.

Portal Steering Committee: Justin: no report

LGBTQIA - http://nau.edu/lgbtqa/ Cassie
o Oct. 5-9 events had a great turn-out.
o Queering careers workshop
o Housing and Res Life to include application to be more inclusive
o Campus Health has a new procedure for Hormone therapy
o Coming out Monologues caused a lot of discussion
Good of the order: Paul Wagner - Look on the Main Front page on the City of Flagstaff for Make a Difference Day on the morning of October 24th.
Meeting concluded: Mark moved to adjourn meeting. Shari Miller seconded the motion at 10: 03 am.