BOARD OF VISITORS Academic Affairs Committee Meeting New Student Center, Suite 301 September 2, 2011

Transcription

1 BOARD OF VISITORS New Student Center, Suite Establish Quorum/Call to Order MINUTES Mr. Wade W. Perry, Jr., Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 8:02 a.m. Roll call indicated that the following Committee members were in attendance and that a quorum was present. Committee Members Present: Mr. Wade W. Perry, Jr., Chairperson Mr. Peter G. Decker, Jr. Mrs. Christel L. Lewis Other Board Members Present: Mr. Edward L. Hamm, Jr., Rector Mr. Henry D. Light Mr. Lloyd Banks, Jr. Mr. Thomas N. Chewning Mr. Stanley Green, Jr. Mr. Willie L. Brown Mr. Howard P. Kern Members of NSU Staff Present: Dr. Tony Atwater, President of the University Dr. Kim Luckes, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Dr. Deborah C. Fontaine, Chief of Staff Ms. Paula Gentius, Assistant to the NSU Board of Visitors and to the President Dr. Sandra J. DeLoatch, Interim Provost Dr. Clarence D. Coleman, Vice Provost, Academic Affairs Dr. Mildred Fuller, Interim Vice Provost & Dean, Graduate School Ms. Pamela F. Boston, University Counsel Dr. William E. Ward, Legislative Liaison Ms. Paula C. Thompson, Legislative and Community Liaison Mrs. Regina V.K. Williams, Interim Vice President, Finance and Administration Mr. Phillip D. Adams, Vice President, University Advancement Mrs. Sharon B. Lowe, Vice President, Student Affairs Dr. Joseph C. Hall, Vice President, Research & Economic Development Dr. Jean P. Braxton, Dean, School of Education Dr. Dorothy C. Browne, Dean, School of Social Work Dr. Steven D. Papamarcos, Dean, School of Business Dr. Page Laws, Dean, Honors College Dr. Oladipupo, Chief Information Officer and Director, Office of Information Technology

2 Page 2 Dr. Archie W. Earl, Faculty Senate President Mrs. Terricita E. Sass, Interim Executive Director, Enrollment Management Mr. Lonnie C. Bonham, Executive Assistant to the Provost Mrs. April T. Allbritton, Office Manager/Board Liaison, Office of the President Mr. Obie Smith, Operations Manager, OIT Ms. Mary Weaver, Finance and Administration Dr. Donna Dabney, Associate Dean, School of Education Ms. Michelle D. Marable, Director, Customer Care, Enrollment Management Mrs. Regina Bynum, Registrar Dr. Arletha J. McSwain, Associate Dean, School of Extended Learning Dr. Dennis Montgomery, Virginia Beach Higher Education Dr. Leroy Hamilton, First Year Experience Mr. Ron West, Department of Psychology Ms. Paula Shaw, Office of Sponsored Programs Dr. Geoffroy de Laforcade, History Department, College of Liberal Arts Mr. Marty Miller, Athletics Director Mr. Chinedu Okala, Chair, Fine Arts Department, College of Liberal Arts Ms. Danielle E. Williams, Community College Liaison, Enrollment Management Mr. Kevin Burns, Financial Aid Mr. Michael Carpenter, Enrollment Management Ms. Bethany Cartwright, Managing Editor, Spartan Echo 2. Approval of May 6, 2011 Academic Affairs Minutes Mr. Perry stated that the Committee agenda is being modified to remove the discussion and action item on Honorary Degrees. The administration has decided to pursue the high profile candidates for Honorary Degree individually, as the need arises. Mrs. Lewis motioned, seconded by Mr. Decker and unanimously voted to approve the Academic Affairs Committee minutes for May 6, Discussion Items Mr. Perry asked Dr. DeLoatch go immediately into the discussion items. a. Academic Affairs Update Post Tenure Review Dr. DeLoatch stated that they had been working diligently to iron out differences between the administration and faculty. It is believed that they are almost there with a policy. A draft policy is in the Board Book. A meeting is to be held with the Faculty Senate in the next week or so. A meeting is scheduled with the entire group for September 29, The review will require a trigger. The faculty will be subject to review every five years. Additionally, two consecutive or three non consecutive annual

3 Page 3 evaluations with ratings of improvement required will also trigger Post Tenure Review. The procedure would include a four-person committee including the college or school s associate dean that will conduct the review. The faculty member undergoing review would get to select one member of the committee. Satisfactory performance would be achieved if three committee members approve the plan identified by the faculty member. A negative review will result in a corrective plan of action for that faculty member. The corrective action must be completed within two years by the faculty member. The plan is to start with the most senior faculty members (persons that have been here twenty years or more). Subsequent groups to follow because there are more than 300 faculty members and it would be impossible to conduct reviews for all at the same time. The review must cover a period of five years. There are many retention initiatives underway. Dr. Earl interjected to ask if he may make just one comment. Mr. Perry responded by asking Dr. Earl to save his comments toward the end of the presentation. Dr. DeLoatch chose two retention programs to highlight: Summer Bridge Program Highlights Science, Engineering and Technology program continues to be very successful. Students who come into the program are subjected to an intense four-week workshop where they are in math classes, science classes, studying skills, and a variety of activities. This year we have 46 participants. These numbers are small; however, we do have the funding now from the state for the new STEM initiative that will provide for up to 150 students. The funds did not come until after this year s program had started. ACCESS Summer Bridge Program This program is also successful. This summer we had 107 participants. The freshman retention rate continues to outperform those of the general university population. We will be looking at the fall 2010 group to see how many of them returned for the fall 2011 semester and the information will be provided at the December Board meeting. Academic Affairs had a great year. Grant funding continues to increase substantially. We are up 16% over The College of Science, Engineering and Technology was awarded $11.9 million in grant funding in This is 30% above the amount received in The faculty is doing wonderful things in a very challenging environment. A few of them have been highlighted in your Board book.

4 Page 4 Dr. Frances Williams, Associate Professor of Engineering and Center for Materials Research, was granted a patent (#7,784,346) for Amicromachined acoustic sensor for monitoring electrochemical deposition. This technology is important to the semiconductor industry. Dr. Dorothy Jones, Professor of Business, was the recipient of a 2011 Blackboard Catalyst Award for Exemplary Course Design for significant achievements accomplished using Blackboard. This award honors individuals who use Blackboard tools to enhance the student learning experience and faculty pedagogy. There are many programs this year that we sponsored: NSU hosted the second of seven annual sessions of the Virginia Sesquicentennial Civil War Commission's 2010 Conference, Race, Slavery and the Civil War: The Tough Stuff of American History and Memory, on September 24, History faculty members, Dr. Cassandra Newby-Alexander and Dr. Charles Ford, co-chaired this event. The School of Education hosted the 2010 Elaine P. Witty Symposium, October 7-8, Conference presentations focused on how physical and mental health impact educational achievement for students in grades K-12. Judge Glenda Hatchett of the Judge Hatchett Show provided the keynote address. The School of Business launched an Entrepreneur-in-Residence Program housed in the Hodge Center for Entrepreneurship. This is the first EIRP at an HBCU. The first Entrepreneur-in-Residence was the President of the Urban League of Hampton Roads, Mrs. Edith White. We continued with our outreach programs. The College of Science, Engineering and Technology had 240 students on campus this summer (elementary, middle, and high school) The Honors College had a book published in collaboration with its partners. The Honors College, in cooperation with partners at the University of Siegen in Germany, published its first collective book. It is entitled Transculturality and Perceptions of the Immigrant Other: From Heroes and Come Heroes in Virginia and North Rhine-Westphalia. Eds. Cathy Waegner, Page Laws (NSU), Geoffroy de Laforcade (NSU). Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2011 The School of Extended Learning created with the U.S. Navy a new distance learning initiative that allows sailors enroll in courses at NSU while assigned to a ship.

5 Page 5 The School of Extended Learning spearheaded the establishment of a new and historic partnership with the U.S. Navy s Navy College Program Distance Learning Partnership (NCPDLP). NSU is the first and only historically black college/university to be accepted in this kind of partnership with the Navy. The partnership provides sailors the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. Navy personnel from all over the world can earn this degree while still serving our country. Faculty/Student Ratios The Fall 2010 student-faculty ratio is 20:1; no change from the 2009 ratio of 20:1. Over the last three years this ratio is increasing. This ratio will be updated for the December Board meeting. This ratio was calculated using the following formula and values: Student FTE = Full-time students + Part-time students/3 Faculty FTE = Full-time faculty + Part-time faculty /3 FT students 5,506 PT students 1,458 FT faculty 269 PT faculty 110 For the head count from the last data available, overall among HBCU s, Norfolk State is number nine. Mr. Perry thanked Dr. DeLoatch for the report and asked Mrs. Sass to present the enrollment management update. b. Enrollment Management Update Mrs. Sass discussed the SCHEV Six-Year Plan and the new legislative agenda. The new plans are comprised of enrollment projections, and academic plan and a financial plan that support achievement of the Commonwealth and University goals. All components of the plan were submitted by the due dates. The plan addresses the needs of the Commonwealth while building on Norfolk State University s strength. It is strategic, responsible and sustainable growth estimates. It builds on capacity; capacity of faculty, capacity of the institution, classroom sizes. Substantial increases in retention and graduation rates are expected. The University must be careful on how we manage tuition and fee increases and ensure that capital funding requests are in alignment with our Six-Year plan. The estimated headcount is moving from about 7,000 from fall 2010 to about 8,500; a 21 percent increase and the full-time equivalent (FTE) is an annual number which is the fall, spring, and summer enrollment. The full-time equivalent would move from approximately 5,500 to about 8,000 and that

6 Page 6 is 23 percent growth for New freshmen growth projected at an 18 percent increase and may be modified depending on actual enrollments during the next two weeks. We anticipate tremendous growth in transfer students, doubling our graduate students enrollment and increases in the number of degrees. The primary fuel driver for degree production is STEM. We are looking at a little over 100 percent in our STEM graduates. Degree production in health care -- this is nursing and allied health which is identified as STEM-H and there are high expectations for our programs. The academic plan focused on Dr. Atwater s APIE- academic excellence, partnership, institutional advancement and enrollment. The Plan addresses TJ21 the legislative agenda for what are the top jobs going into In summary format the agenda addresses STEM, financial aid, retention and graduation initiatives, a transfer center, different segments of the population including African American males and a Filipino outreach with a particular emphasis on the military, etc. The Plan addresses a comprehensive program review utilizing our space, expanding undergraduate research, strategic planning, faculty workloads, etc. The final component of the plan is the financial component. The template was restrictive and problematic to adequately address university needs. One concern was that this planning document could be a public document and would include many items that would artificially inflate tuition looking to 25 to 35 percent increases and how we would have to explain that to the public. We did make a caveat to say that these are for planning purposes only; that Norfolk State did not intend to raise its tuition at this point beyond 12 or 14 percent. Another point that we found problematic was that we were only asked for data for one biennium. We had planned for three bienniums but they did not ask for any cost estimates. The plan outlined our waivers and discounts; talked about the academic common market (for the new board members the academic common market allows Norfolk State University to offer programs to students in other states where they do not have those programs. The students may come to Norfolk State University but pay in-state rates. Institutional graduate aid and unfunded scholarships were also a part of the financial plan. Mrs. Sass stated that on August 25, 2011 she, Dr. Kim Luckes, Dr. Deborah Fontaine, Dr. William Ward, Dr. Sandra DeLoatch, and Mrs. Regina Williams accompanied Dr. Tony Atwater on a visit to SCHEV. Dr. DeLoatch and Dr. Atwater made the presentation. NSU s visit was with people from the House Appropriations Committee. One of the things identified was that the SCHEV financial plan template required revisions. A new template is to be provided that will categorize all of the dollars. All institutions are being asked to prioritize the initiatives and the dollars. We were also

7 Page 7 asked to be ready to identify what things that we could cut if in fact we do not want those tied on tuition or receive any additional money from the State. One of the things mentioned was students at the junior and senior level who had to drop out because they do not have enough money to finish school. We were asked to revisit this issue and ask the State for money to help those Virginia students to get the degree. We were asked to include salary increases that Norfolk State could absorb, reexamine the revenue and enrollment trends to make sure that we were appropriately projecting out tuition and revenue that we would be receiving over this period of time. Mrs. Sass shared the viewing of a video advertisement that was used as part of the presentation on their trip. Cox Cable was commended for their assistance in making the video. In the next steps we go back to the State on September 1, 2011 and give an update on the template. Once received, we have to incorporate their feedback; any feedback that we receive from the Board of Visitors and resubmit the approved Plan by the Board by October 1, We will be meeting to discuss some of the changes as early as next Wednesday morning. During Q&A Mr. Hamm asked if the University met the July 1st date. Mrs. Sass responded, yes. Mr. Hamm stated for the new Board members, one of the things that I learned in the presentation that Pam Boston did was the Board Bylaws is charged to ensure that the six-year plan is submitted in five years by July 1. Mrs. Sass responded yes and that we did receive communication from SCHEV that the plan needed to be submitted did not have to be approved by Boards as the current legislation is outlined. Other institutions indicated that their Boards were not meeting in the summer; and that these are draft plans. Our plan was submitted on time and now what they want to make sure of is that it is Board approved by October 1. Mr. Hamm asked Mrs. Sass if she could clear up a little more as to what the situation was that had caused people to believe that we have a 25 percent tuition increase. Mrs. Sass stated that several iterations of the goal was to get it down to about 12 to 14 percent for the first biennium. The Plan assumes some help from the state hoping that they would pick some of the initiatives. We made it very clear to them that we had no expectations that we were going to impose high double-digit increases on our students. Dr. DeLoatch stated that we plan to couple the proposal mentioned by Mrs. Sass with additional grants and contracts to help keep the tuition down. Mr. Hamm stated that he just wants the Board members to know that the State develops two-year budgets and these guys did a great job. The 14 percent increase really is six to seven percent increases per year. We need budgets for six years (the next three budgets).

8 Page 8 Mr. Perry stated that he too, thanks the committee and although there were some seasoned veterans on the committee, in particular we had a new president, we had a new interim provost, and we had a lot of individuals who have come to NSU recently and they all did a wonderful job. Mr. Perry went on to say that on behalf of the Academic Affairs Committee, I commend you, congratulate you, and this is the caliber of work that we have come to expect and to know and we thank you for all of your hard work. Mrs. Sass stated that the Fall Enrollment Target is at 7,001 and 5,716 FTE. Current headcount is 7,113 approximately two percent ahead of where we were about this same time last year. Our FTE is 5,960 about one percent ahead of where we were about this same time last year and the freshman fall-to-fall retention is at an all-time record high of 73 percent or a nine percent increase over this same time last year. This is preliminary non census data. Verification is in process. Our target for freshmen was 1,100. In the spring we revised the model and that gave us a 989 count for spring. That number is based upon applications, number of students who were paying, and the profile of those students. We had 987 students to actually register and we had a large summer melt this year that went down from 987 to 934. Acceptances were up and our below profile admits were at 9.77 percent or 265 students. The admissions criteria of 800 SAT and 2.3 GPA was reviewed and it was stressed particularly for new Board members that students that do not meet one of the admissions standards is considered below profile. We are working on a new enrollment management plan to address these challenges and factors. Transfer students enrollment has been positive for the fall. We had a target of 518 and actually registered 639. Our applications were up less than one percent but our acceptances were up and we are doing very well with the transfer students. Mr. Hamm stated that it was a great job and that he was pleased that the retention rates had improved as the state is interested in graduation rates. Mr. Perry stated that we have to credit faculty for their hard work with retention. Mr. Perry offered thanks to the faculty and deans for their leadership; it makes a difference; it does matter -- and of course, our President and our Provost, who ultimately are the captains of the ship. We thank you captain and commander. 4. Action Items: Mr. Perry stated that he and the Rector met yesterday and he was reminded of how many things take precedence in between Board meetings that require the work of the Board and the work of the Rector.

9 Page 9 Mr. Perry asked for a motion to approve the action items. He stated that the Committee will bring this to the full Board and since these are Academic Affairs items we should as a Committee be supporting this and bringing it to the full Board. Mr. Decker motioned, seconded by Mrs. Lewis and unanimously voted by the Academic Committee to approve the following items: o Ratify the Approval of the Resolution and Policy on Awarding of College Credit for International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement Courses. o Ratify the Approval of the Resolution and Policy on Tuition Relief, Refund and Reinstatement for Sudden Deployment and/or Prolonged Absence of Active Duty Military Personnel. o Ratify Tenure for Dr. Albin, Professor of Engineering. SCHEV Six-Year Plan Approval Mr. Perry stated that a few slides ago we saw that this plan needs to be approved by the Board by October 1, As part of our Academic Affairs Committee, we need to approve the initial Six-Year Plan that was initially presented and then as a Committee would request to the full Board this afternoon for the Rector and the Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee to act on behalf of the full Board to provide the final approval of the plan after we receive the feedback and any potential that we might receive from SCHEV. We want to incorporate those into the document and we of course at the full Board meeting in December, would then come back and ratify those actions. Mr. Perry asked for a motion to approve the initial Six- Year Plan. Mr. Decker motioned, seconded by Mrs. Lewis and unanimously voted by the Academic Affairs Committee to approve the initial Six-Year Plan and further request that the full Board to authorize the Rector and the Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee to act on behalf of the full Board to provide the final approval of the plan after we receive the feedback and any potential that we might receive from the SCHEV. Mr. Perry stated that with that approval, he would bring the matter forward at the full Board meeting. 5. Information Items (other Reports) Mr. Perry commended the Faculty Senate and the faculty. In addition, he commended the leadership of the Office of the Provost and the Office of the President. He stated that we have been wrestling with the Post Tenure Review Policy for quite some time. We

10 Page 10 were a million miles apart over the years and now we are within six inches. We are close. We are really there and to make sure we dot an I and literally cross a T, that s about it. Mr. Perry stated that we want to also have some things presented September 29 for the full Faculty meeting but we are going to not be addressing the policy at this particular moment. We will come back and probably with a special working group get this policy approved. Mr. Perry stated that Dr. Earl, you and the Faculty Senate, I commend you. He added, Mr. President, madam Provost, your leadership in this has been exemplary and we are there. We are right there knocking on the door and I want to thank you. Mr. Perry informed Mr. Decker that the items he referred to would be discussed in the Closed Session of the Board under personnel. Dr. Earl asked Mr. Perry if he could speak for a minute. Mr. Perry stated that the Committee was pressed for time and he does not know if Dr. Earl would stick to the one minute. Mr. Perry stated that I know we are close. He stated that he knows Dr. Earl has a few issues, but this is what we are going to address in the next day or two. Dr. Earl responded thank you. Mr. Perry stated that he would come and meet with Dr. Earl and the Provost if needed because we are close. You all have gotten on board with the administration. Keep going forward. We are not going backward, we are going forward. Dr. Earl responded thank you. Mr. Perry offered a thank you to Dr. Coleman because Coleman was very instrumental in getting us to this point. Mr. Perry stated that we are going to keep the positive momentum and the synergy going. He asked the Rector if he would like to comment before he adjourned the meeting. Mr. Hamm stated that there is still some unreadiness on his part on the Post Tenure Review Policy. Mr. Perry stated that we are close, Mr. Rector. He stated that in conversations with Mr. Hamm and conversations with the Provost the gap is being closed. Mr. Perry again stated that we are six inches away and asked Dr. DeLoatch if he was misstating.

11 Page 11 Dr. DeLoatch responded that Mr. Perry was not misstating. 6. Adjournment Mr. Perry asked for a motion to adjourn. Mrs. Lewis motioned, seconded by Mr. Decker and unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Dr. Sandra J. DeLoatch, Interim Provost Wade W. Perry, Jr., Chairperson