- Laura Jones, director of Planning and Institutional Research, presented the President’s Cabinet report, detailing a variety of metrics including the 2010 National Survey of Student Engagement. The report can be found at nau.edu/pair/CabinetReports/50.pdf.
- Wayne Fox, assistant dean in The W.A. Franke College of Business, presented a preliminary report on the economic impact of Northern Arizona University athletics on the university and the community. While the study is still incomplete, Fox pointed out that athletics and student-athletes are responsible for more than $9 million in economic activity in the area and 160 full-time positions. The final report will be presented to the Arizona Board of Regents in the coming months.
- President John Haeger announced that two additional universities will join the Big Sky Conference for football only. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and the University of California-Davis will begin competition most likely next year.
- NAU enrollment will break another record this fall. David Bousquet, senior vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, and Fred Hurst, senior vice president for Extended Campuses, presented unofficial reports showing NAU’s student population was nearing 25,000 throughout Arizona.
- The president also said he is encouraging faculty to examine the university’s delivery of academic programs. He has invited national experts to campus to meet with faculty member to discuss the sustainability of higher education.
- Fred Estrella, chief information technology officer, and Mason Gerety, vice president for Advancement, discussed NAU’s ongoing efforts to update the university’s web and digital presence. While much of the attention is being given to the new web system and design that will be unveiled at a later date, Gerety pointed out that the content of the web is by far the most important aspect of the project. The Marketing Department will soon unveil a new website that explains the project.
- The Registrar’s Office, PAIR and the Office of Public Affairs are responsible for fulfilling most requests for public records. NAU counsel Mark Neumayr explained a new, streamlined system for fulfilling requests, which often involve input from departments from across campus. If anyone has questions about public records, contact any of the offices mentioned above.
- ROAs for work-related day trips are no longer required, announced Jennus Burton, vice president of Finance and Administration. An e-mail from a supervisor to the employee approving the trip is all that is necessary.
