Extended Campuses to launch new efforts to increase enrollment
Northern Arizona University is doubling efforts across the state to bolster statewide enrollment, said Fred Hurst, senior vice president for Extended Campuses. Extended Campuses uses centralized advising, allowing other staff to concentrate on recruitment. Additionally, it is exploring new offerings in the Yuma area, where local leaders are seeking more programs. Hurst also said NAU is “aggressively moving forward” with a personalized learning initiative, which would allow students to take assessment tests to demonstrate their competency and take courses at their own pace. Hurst said NAU hopes to launch the initiative in January.
The state Legislature has ended its session, and NAU has received some additional funding in Arizona’s budget, said Christy Farley, vice president for Government Affairs and Business Partnerships. Additionally, the state will return to a 50/50 employee-employer contribution for state retirement fund members. The contribution will be retroactive to July 1. Notable bills that failed to pass this year include mandatory tuition contribution and guns on campus.
President John Haeger said that now that the state has finalized university budgets, NAU must decide how it will invest its funds. The president said NAU is considering increasing investments in technology and, if possible, salary increases for faculty and staff. He also said NAU is planning on increasing the number of international students and reducing the subsidy to Athletics, which can be replaced with other funding. Haeger discussed these issues during his campus-wide forum in April.
Laura Jones, a director in Planning and Institutional Research, said “accepts and admits” for fall 2012 should increase in all areas. Pat Haeuser, vice president for Planning, Budget and Institutional Effectiveness, showed results from the AAUP Faculty Compensation Survey. NAU showed a small improvement in compensation. Click here for the full cabinet report.
A search committee for a new women’s head basketball coach has been formed, said Lisa Campos, vice president for Intercollegiate Athletics. She also said that she expects NAU to fare well when the NCAA announces its APR and GPA rankings.