- President John Haeger discussed the “significant change in political atmosphere” that Northern Arizona University will face following the Nov. 2 election. Christy Farley, vice president for Government Affairs, anticipates the university most likely will be participating in difficult discussions about university policy issues and the NAU budget, especially in light of an anticipated $1.3 billion state deficit.
- The president will discuss budget issues at a Dec. 1 campus-wide forum in the High Country Conference Center.
- Jennus Burton, vice president for Finance and Administration, said BlueCross BlueShield will begin enforcing “medical necessity” for chiropractic care beginning in January. Burton pointed out that the change comes from BCBS, not the university.
- Open enrollment continues through Nov. 19.
- Cathy Snow, assistant director of Human Resources, demonstrated HR’s new Hire Xpress, a web-based system that allows new NAU hires to fill out their required forms online and much more efficiently. The system allows for speedier processing in a secure environment. Hire Xpress has saved 546 staff hours and 28,000 sheets of paper—half a tree—Snow reported. She also said a new automated PAR will undergo final testing in December
- to be rolled out January through June.
- A new ROA policy regarding work-related travel is in effect. ROAs for business absences are no longer required.
- An e-mail from a supervisor to the employee approving the business absence is all that is necessary. The new
- ROA forms will be on the Human Resources website.
- The President’s Cabinet Report, presented by Laura Jones of the Office of Planning and Institutional Research, discussed donations to University Advancement for the year to date as of Nov. 2. Other student data included applications, offers and accepts for spring 2011 and first-year retention for the cohort in four programs within the College of Health and Human Services. Liz Grobsmith, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, and some other cabinet members questioned the value of the data, since some of the students who left the college remained at NAU in other programs and may not have even been enrolled in the health program. Read the full report here.
- Southern Utah University and the University of North Dakota have joined the Big Sky Conference as full members while Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and the University of California, Davis, have joined the Big Sky for football only. President Haeger and Athletics Director Jim Fallis discussed the recruiting benefits that could come with an expanded conference, especially in California. The Big Sky also will begin a marketing campaign, the president said.
- Next Family Weekend is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 24, 2011, while Homecoming is tentatively set for Oct. 22, 2011.
- Following nearly 60 calls to NAUPD regarding dogs on campus, Jennus Burton asked cabinet members for input regarding the need for a university policy toward having dogs and other pets on campus. No decisions were made, but future discussions are planned.
