President’s Advisory Team
Minutes
February 17, 2005
President’s Advisory Team Members in attendance:
David Buchanan, Provost
Judith Fischer for Alice Bahr, Dean, Libraries and Instructional Resources
Kevin Carreathers, Assistant to the Vice President of Academic Affairs for Institutional Diversity
Richard Culver, Director, Media Relations
Jane Dané, Dean, Enrollment Management
Byron Hughes, President, University Forum
Donna Keener, Director, Human Resources
Tom Jones, Dean, Henson School of Science and Technology
Greig Mitchell, Vice President of Administration and Finance
Denise Rotundo for William Moore, Dean, Perdue School of Business
Michael O’Loughlin, President, Faculty Senate
Connie Richards for Timothy O’Rourke, Dean, Fulton School of Liberal Arts
Dennis Pataniczek, Dean, Seidel School of Education and Professional Studies
R. Bryan Price, Director, Institutional Research, Assessment and Accountability
Rosemary Thomas, Vice President, Institutional Advancement
Laura Thorpe, Director of Admissions
Jerry Waldron, Chief Information Officer
Carol Williamson, Vice President, Student Affairs
Ellen Zinner, Assistant to the President
1.
Minutes from November 4, 2004 meeting:
o
2.
There was a correction to the minutes from the November 4, 2004 meeting. Under the
section “Focus on Diversity,” the NCORE conference was referred to as EMCORE.
This change was noted.
Budget Update – Greig Mitchell:
o
Greig Mitchell noted that, on the revenue side, the 4.2% increase in state appropriations
has netted an approximate $1 million extra in SU’s budget. The tuition increase adds
approximately $1 million extra. There will be an increase in other student fees that
involve rates, such as building fees, athletic fees, and the technology fee. There will also
be an expansion in the fees paid by part-time and graduate students.
On the expenditure side, the noted above net gain will be used to complete necessary
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February 17, 2005
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upgrades and repairs to the campus infrastructure, fund the 2% COLA, fund the
anticipated 2-1/2% merit increase, and begin to fund the conversion of Contingent II
employees to non-exempt positions.
Most importantly, almost one third of the generated revenue from the tuition increase
will be reallocated to financial aid and scholarship funds.
o
3.
The President presented testimony to the Maryland House of Delegates Education &
Economic Development Subcommittee on Thursday, February 17. The testimony is
available on the SU website. Ellen Zinner will send a hard copy to PAT members.
Enrollment Update – Jane Dané/Bryan Price:
o
Bryan Price and Jane Dané distributed handouts with charts concerning Winter
2005/Spring 2005/Fall 2005 student enrollment:
-
Out-of-state enrollment has decreased. Higher tuition at SU and better in-state
plans in home states are cited causes for this decline. There is a need to remain
competitive in the out-of-state market, and this will be a topic at the April 20
Board of Regents’ retreat. Jane Dané commented that SU admissions
counselors are targeting high school guidance counselor fairs to attract
potential out-of-state applicants. They have added southwestern Connecticut,
an area from which SU has attracted applicants in the past, but not recently.
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Dr. Buchanan noted his concern with the decrease in graduate enrollment.
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Generally, freshman applications are up for fall 2005 by 4%, and all minority
applications are up by 24%. The goals for fall 2005 are to have 960 enrolled
freshman and 740 enrolled transfer students.
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There has been a healthy increase in the number of students taking winter and
summer classes. David Buchanan noted that this is a good trend, since the
Board of Regents has mandated that, beginning fall 2005, students will need
to obtain at least 12 credit hours in non-traditional ways. Other examples
would be earning credits by studying abroad, taking on-line courses, or
earning credits through service learning programs or internships. Dr.
Buchanan noted that faculty are being offered training for developing on-line
courses.
-
There was discussion on the ramifications of students enrolling for 18-24
credits and then withdrawing from a course or two early in the semester. More
study is needed to see if this is preventing other students from taking courses
needed to graduate.
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4.
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With the larger influx of transfer students, entrance requirements are being
examined. More stringent and precisely stated requirements may be
implemented.
SU Day at the Legislature was a huge success. Approximately 90 SU students, faculty,
staff, alumni, and Foundation members went to the General Assembly on January 25 to
meet and greet each delegate and senator. Individualized district maps, produced by SU
Department of Geography students, were hand-delivered to each legislative office. The
Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art had hand carved artwork on display at Government
House and tours were provided. In the afternoon, PACE awarded the fourth annual John
R. Hargreaves Distinguished Legislative Fellow award to Senator J. Lowell Stoltzfus in
recognition of his distinguished career in public service.
Preventing Sexual Harassment Training Update:
o
6.
Long term enrollment projections for SU are following the low-growth model
based on current resources and capacity. This model will continue to be
followed until more space is available, especially the opening of a TETC
building.
Government Relations Committee Update:
o
5.
-
Salisbury University is currently employing an interactive on-line training program to
help all employees and students be aware of effective ways to prevent and respond to
incidents of sexual harassment by examining current laws, providing examples, and
explaining SU’s Sexual and Discriminatory Harassment Policy and Procedures. While
it is not considered mandatory, everyone is urged to take the on-line test. Deans and
directors will be made aware of the numbers of people who have taken the test in their
area and will be encouraging their respective areas to view the on-line program.
Student Housing Issues – 4:2, New Student Housing Projects:
o
The City of Salisbury’s “4 to 2” housing initiative is in the process of changing.
Highlights of some of these changes are:
i. Creation of a Neighborhood Preservation District overlay to accommodate the
neighborhoods most affected by the conversion of homes to rentals.
ii. A Grandfather clause that permits, upon the passage of this legislation, current
rentals to rent up to four unrelated individuals in a property until ownership of the
property changes, at which time, the property will be limited to renting to only two
unrelated individuals.
o
Greig Mitchell would like to dispel the rumor that SU hasn’t done anything about the
need for more student housing. In recent years, the enrollment has changed by an
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increase of 800 students, yet new student focused housing has increased by 1500 beds.
There remains a need for more student housing, but the shortage is not severe and is
becoming smaller as more and more student focused housing is built.
7.
Other Items of Interest:
o
The next meeting of the University Forum is March 1, 2005, in room HH103.
o
The Faculty Senate supports the “Freshman Reader Program,” proposed by the New
Student Experience Leadership Team, as a pilot program for fall of 2005. This program
would require incoming freshman to read a designated book before the beginning of the
fall semester and discussions, possibly with the author, would take place during the
semester.
o
“Savor the Symphony” will take place Saturday, February 19, with a silent auction and
dinner.
o
In Office of Advancement news, Amy Waters has accepted the position of Director of
Giving, and Paul Ohanian will be leaving SU to pursue other interests. His last day will
be February 25.
o
The new Teacher Education and Technology Complex has been moved back a year, to
fiscal year 2007, in the Governor’s capital budget. Recent changes in how capital funds
are appropriated now require institutions to pick up any escalation costs that may occur
from the original award amount. Information Technology will also be affected by this
new directive. IT is currently working with the Foundation on securing funding for
equipment.
o
Blackwell Library borrowing privileges are now updated automatically each semester.
The library will have a permanent display in the memory of A.K. Talbot. On March 9
at 2:30 p.m., in Blackwell Library, there will be a card catalog retirement party.
o
There will be a University community dialogue on March 2 at 7:00 p.m. in the Worcester
Room. The President’s Partners for Progress update will be shared with the campus and
local communities.
o
The first Sea Gull Symposium will be held on February 23 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the
Great Hall. Faculty members who recently attended a diversity conference will share
with the campus community exciting ideas and information.
o
A new student run radio station, WXSU, will be on the air after spring break.
o
SU has been selected to be in the next issue of Princeton Review’s Best Colleges and
Universities. Student comments are now being edited more carefully.
o
Donna Keener reported on the following:
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i. A new Safety Committee, composed of faculty and staff, has formed on campus
and has already made recommendations on snow and ice removal.
ii. There have been open roundtable discussions with exempt supervisors concerning
their interests in further training. Responses will be brought to the Administrative
Council Meeting on February 28.
iii. New Hire Orientation is being revised and sessions will be held more frequently.
iv. There continues to be on-going negotiations with MCEA concerning non-exempt
employees, with meetings occurring twice monthly.
8.
Next Meeting:
o
The next meeting will be Tuesday, March 8, 2005, at 10:00 am in the PCR.
Recorder: Tracy Hajir