- Rick Myers, a member of the Arizona Board of Regents since January, visited NAU’s Flagstaff campus and discussed higher education issues with cabinet members. Myers, from Tucson, is in his first year of an eight-year appointment on the board. In addition to receiving a tour of campus, Myers heard from a range of campus representatives who discussed upcoming initiatives as well as challenges. “You all should be proud of your accomplishments,” Myers said. “I’m here to help you do what you are hoping to do.”
- Preliminary figures indicate that Northern Arizona University is on track to break its record for student enrollment both on the Flagstaff campus and overall. David Bousquet, vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, said fall 2010 enrollment could reach 25,000 compared to 23,600 in fall 2009. Sufficient freshman housing remains a priority, he said.
- The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 requires institutions to make available online data on more than 40 categories, ranging from FERPA policies to financial aid to student outcomes. Pat Haeuser, vice president for Institutional Effectiveness, and Laura Jones, director of Planning and Institutional Research, made presentations explaining the history and key points of the act. Data will be available beginning July 1 from the NAU home page by clicking on the left-hand side button that says, “Student Consumer Info.” It will be presented alongside the public accountability report known as “College Portrait.”
- Jane Kuhn, associate vice president of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, and Lindsay Wagner, manager of Utilities and Infrastructure, explained the upcoming infrastructure project that will provide reliable and redundant power to north campus. Work on the project has begun and is expected to be completed in October. Pedestrians and bicyclists may see trenches dug throughout the area. Meetings with building managers as well as those in disability resources office are being scheduled and a website is under development to keep faculty, staff and students aware of the progress or any changes to the plan.
- As the Arizona Board of Regents begins to look at the differentiated missions of the state universities with the four presidents in the state, President John Haeger is preparing a report for the Arizona Board of Regents on NAU’s role in university system architecture. The report will include the university’s place as a high research institution catering to undergraduate students while serving differing roles through community college agreements, NAU-Yuma and NAU-Yavapai. The university presidents also will be discussing a range of system policies.
- Fred Hurst, vice president for Extended Campuses, gave an update on NAU-Yavapai. The partnership with Yavapai College and the city of Prescott Valley is expected to have about 100 students through the next academic year, and will offer accelerated programs for three-year baccalaureate degrees. The curriculum is still being developed, though it is expected that Yavapai College faculty will teach beginning-level and general education courses and NAU faculty will teach higher level classes.
- NAU is exploring the possibility of having a Phoenix television news channel be stationed within the School of Communication. One station already has expressed interest in having its broadcast journalists working side-by-side with students and locating some broadcast equipment on campus. An RFP will be sent to all Arizona stations to solicit interest in this partnership.
- Fred Estrella, chief technology officer, presented an outline of the charter for the NAU Identity Management Committee. The committee, which will have representation from across campus, is charged with improving processes and management of various electronic identity issues at the university, such as ID numbers, user IDs, passwords and directory information.
