Northern Arizona University
Graduate Student Government
General Assembly Meeting
Mar 26, 2013
4-5pm Ashurst, A109
Meet-me-line: 928-523-9997
Begin: 4:10 PM
Members Present:
Michael Cook, Ali LeGrand, Adam Lockwood & Guest, Katie Lewandowski, Mia Ryneal, Jason
Kordosky, Rachel Stevens, Dena Lane-Bonds, April Sandoval, Susan Williams, George Coulon
Michael Cook welcomed President Haeger to the meeting and provided a brief introduction.
President Haeger spoke on the upcoming ABOR meeting in which tuition is to be determined.
The President presented the proposal where graduate students would see a 4.7% increase,
undergraduates a 5% increase to the pledge tuition rate which translates to approximately 1.5%
each year, and undergraduate extended campuses a 3% increase. Although tuition would be
increasing for graduate students, the President explained that the tuition still remains
approximately a $1000.00 less than Undergraduate tuition. In terms of fees, graduate students
should expect to see a minimal 2$ increase in the technology fee in order to bring more
upgrades to the university including better wireless access and blackboard learn capabilities. The
President stated that ABOR is expected to approve 7 million dollars to the University’s operating
budget, giving the overall budget, combined with tuition, a 19 million dollar boost in new
revenue. The President also mentioned that he has recently approved 20 new tenure-track lines
to departments across campus. Graduate students should expect to see an incremental increase
in tenure-track faculty that will be replacing faculty who have retired over the last four years.
The President also mentioned that he is aware of the need for graduate fellowships and is
working towards establishing fellowships for outstanding graduate students.
The President also explained the budget as well as the logic behind partnerships with the private
sector. He explained that partnerships such as Sodexho, Hilltop Suites, and 1899 have become
sources of revenue generation for the university and such partnerships are likely to expand in
the coming years.
The President continued by stating that a primary goal is to bridge the digital divide between
faculty and students. The President noted that technology designers are increasingly becoming
in high demand and the university will expect to see more hybrid classes that integrate online
learning. The President is looking for ways to encourage faculty members to adopt these new
technologies provided in the classroom. With a greater integration of technology during
instruction, the hope is that the newer generation of undergraduate students will have a better
learning experience and performance outcomes will improve. Feedback from students indicated
that some faculty are often unwilling to adopt such technologies due to a combination of
frustration with the technology and fear they may not be needed in the classroom if online
instruction increases in popularity.
Students voiced support for the tuition increases and some students communicated to the
President that they appreciate keeping the increases incremental and lower than undergraduate
tuition. Several questions were also asked of the President and they included the following:
A student asked if summer tuition would see an increase or if there are any steps being taken to
offer graduate students a discount on summer tuition.
The President responded by noting that summer tuition is set differently and it is largely selfsupporting.
Another student asked the President why we have seen a boost in administrator positions and a
minimal boost in tenure-track faculty lines. The President explained that this is in part due to the
constraints the university faces in terms of needing staff to provide legal counsel and
accountants to manage the university’s expenditures.
A student asked about why our University faces a higher level of budgetary constraints relative
to its sister institutions. The President responded by noting that the other universities have
higher levels of foundation support as well has higher tuition that creates a greater pool of
funds.
Some students asked the President if lecturer positions would ever see an increase in pay.
Currently the compensation is at $1980.00 and it does not include a tuition waiver like a
graduate assistantship. The President acknowledged that the compensation amount sounded
familiar and recommended that the student ask Dean Mellott about how compensation is
determined and the possible steps for an increase. President Haeger recommended that
students also seek other options such as teaching a Freshmen Seminar or teaching through
extended campuses.
A student asked the President how the Graduate Student Government can gain exposure across
campus and provide a positive example of graduate activity on campus. The President
acknowledged that the organization is very new and is still in the growing pains of establishing
its identity. The President did recommend that the students hold more social events and invite
not only graduate students but faculty. He mentioned that a faculty presence will help gain
greater attention and help us in terms of getting our concerns heard across campus.
A student presented the idea of Open Access and Resources to President and asked him his
opinion on this project that Graduate Student Government may be pursuing next academic year.
The President voiced is support for the push to create greater open access and open educational
resources.
End: 5:00 PM