President’s Cabinet Report
L. Jones presented the report and reviewed the contents. With regard to advancement data, L. Huenneke noted that the state is pulling out GEAR UP funding, including funds that have already been expended. Doesn’t know how that will be handled.
EAW Report
D. Verkest noted that funding for the Employee Assistance and Wellness office (EAW) comes from the Blue Cross/Blue Shield contract. However, they have lost ADOA funding and have cut their budget by seven percent. B. Kerr described the services offered by her office. She noted that the last year or so has been quite difficult. They are seeing increases in stress, anxiety, and depression. They have been providing increased departmental support. Her recommendations for the Cabinet include: continue to invest in supervisors including transition management skills and workload management, provide support for those left behind, and clear communication.
ACTION: M. Chopin asked for a similar report from student services.
Legislative Update
C. Farley reported that the legislature was in special session to consider getting authorization to sue the federal government for passage of the health care reform bill. This will detract somewhat from committee meetings. She said promotions for Proposition 100 should be in the market. She reviewed some bills of interest to the universities. She is working with students on revising the bill calling for a common course numbering system. She expects the bill to be heard next week.
ABOR and the Budget Crisis
The president noted that at the last Board meeting, the Board president announced that the universities would have to reduce their salary lines by 2.75 percent. The president thought the other presidents had agreed to discuss options for this cut later under two scenarios: one assuming the passage of Prop 100 and one assuming Prop 100 does not pass.
FY11 Budget Plans
P. Haeuser reported that the local budget process was under way. The state budget process will start later. Contracts will go out in May with six and six language for administrators and service professionals and the possibility of furlough language. The president said that he is confident that we know what needs to be done for 2011 but 2012 is the real issue. There will be additional stimulus money coming in 2011. The president does not want to use furloughs in 2011.
ePlanning Program
F. Estrella reported that the ePlanning Program is intended to improve student services in the areas of degree progression and advising via an online self-service web interface. This will take two years to implement and will require maintenance which could be paid for with a small increase in retention. The project will include a new look for the My NAU portal, redesign of the catalog, and additional portal services.
ITS survey
F. Estrella reported on the results of the survey. In general is was very positive but he and his staff see opportunities to improve communication, improve support for Apple users, improve support for Business Objects reporting from the data warehouse, improve training for Advantage, improve system performance, and shorten the survey. A student survey will be conducted in the fall.
Athletics Report
J. Fallis reviewed the results of an evaluation of current operations conducted by a group of outside consultants. The consultants concluded: that the athletic program is very competitive within the Big Sky Conference and within the Western Athletic Conference (for women’s swimming and diving), that the university is getting a good return on investment on the compensation it provides to coaches and the athletic director, and that the performance of student-athletes in academics, discipline, and community service is a positive feature of the athletic program. A number of recommendations were made. A number of the recommendations had to do with improved promotion of the programs on campus, in the local community, and throughout the state.
Other The president announced the appointment of Jennus Burton as vice president for Finance and Administration. He will start the first of June.
K. Appleby informed the Cabinet that Marj Lacy will be retiring in July.
M. Vincent noted that the performance of The Magic Flute opens Friday night and invited the Cabinet to attend.
C. Childrey said she was working with the Office of Public Affairs and would soon be making an announcement about the partnership between the library and Coconino Community College. The partnership will be effective July 1.
D. Bousquet noted that this is the time when many prospective students and their families are visiting campus. He encouraged Cabinet members to help them feel welcome.
R. Lei announced that the Faculty has invited Howard Bunsis to speak about “Universities in Tight Budgetary Times” on April 8 at 4 p.m. in room 200 of the Cline Library.
M. Munger said she would soon be contacting departments about participation in the annual Independence Day parade which will be held on July 3 this year.