Breadcrumb
HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY Academic Senate Minutes September 24, 2002
Chair MacConnie called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. on Tuesday, September 24, 2002, in Nelson Hall East, Room 102 (Goodwin Forum).
Members Present: Bicknell, Cheyne, Dalsant, Derden, Dunk, Fonseca, Fulgham, Gill, Goodman, Klein, Knox, MacConnie, Marshall (Staff Council), Mortazavi, Moyer, Novotney, Oliver, O'Rourke-Andrews, Paselk, Paynton, Richmond, Sanford, Schwab, Shellhase, Snyder, Stokes, Thobaben, Travis, Varkey
Members Absent: Adkins, Coffey, Kinney, Little, Martin
Proxies: Cranston for Yarnall; Paynton for Meiggs
Guests: S. Butler, Student Affairs; J. Howard, College of Natural Resources & Sciences; R. Maggiore, Enrollment Management; Steve Smith, College of Natural Resources & Sciences; R. Vrem, Undergraduate Studies
1. Approval of Minutes
It was moved and seconded (Fulgham/Klein) to approve the submitted minutes for the September 10, 2002 meeting. Voting occurred and MOTION PASSED.
2. Announcements and Communications
Chair MacConnie distributed a handout listing announcements and communications including: 1) a call for proposals for the CSU Fullerton Assessment Conference has been received; 2) a call for nominations for the Academic Senate CSU Faculty Trustee has been received; and 3) pamphlets for the CSU International Opportunity for Faculty to serve as resident directors in other countries have been received. Web-site addresses for the first two items also were listed on the handout. The above materials will be available for review in the senate office.
3. Committee, State Senate and Other Reports
President's Office - President Richmond read an excerpt from a letter he received from a parent complimenting the personal involvement of Humboldt's faculty and staff in working with her son. President Richmond extended his appreciation to the faculty of Cal Poly Humboldt on behalf of all students and parents.
The Board of Trustees voted to delegate to the campus presidents the responsibility for determining a campus policy on smoking, and asked that the presidents consult with the faculty, staff and students on this issue. President Richmond would like a recommendation from the Academic Senate on how to proceed.
A handout on Proposition 47, the bond issue that will be on the November 5 ballot, was distributed. Current California polling suggests that support for this issue is falling. If passed, the proposition would bring $80 million to Cal Poly Humboldt and $88 million to Humboldt County. It is important that all voters be educated about this issue If the proposition does not pass, the Behavioral & Social Sciences Building will not be built and the renovation of Forbes Complex will be delayed significantly.
The idea of the creation of an office of responsible economic development is under discussion. This office would be designed to facilitate interaction between the university and the community, particularly in the economic development areas. A formal proposition will be forthcoming.
President Richmond expressed his appreciation to all senators for their assistance in achieving a new enrollment high this term.
Statewide Senate - Senator Snyder announced that the Board of Trustees voted to change the enrollment management policy, including the formation of an enrollment management advisory group. Senator Thobaben reported on Chancellor Reed's comments regarding the status of the current budget, which is still unknown. Reed expressed concern regarding the effect the trailer bills are having on the budget, and the effect of decisions not being made until after the election. He believes that we are experiencing a very unhealthy "political gridlock," and cited possible reasons for this current state of affairs including: (1) the fact that many who are preparing a budget this year have never prepared a budget before; (2) the need to obtain a 2/3 vote on the budget; and (3) the redistricting of the State. If a Special Session is held in December, it will not be any easier to decide budget items than it was in September. The 2003/04 budget is being built on a base without knowing what the base is. As shown in the budget item contained in the agenda packet, nonfaculty compensation adjustment for parity with faculty agreement is a 2.46 percent increase and general compensation is a 1 percent increase. Other budget items, which probably will not be funded, include the 3 percent compensation and the ACR 73 first year cost requirement.
OAA - Work on the budget continues. The committee continues its work conducting 25 position searches, which is difficult during this time of budget reductions; and reviewing class scheduling procedures.
Educational Policies - The Committee has worked on the 4CSU Proposal, which is on today's agenda.
Associated Students - Several items are under discussion or review including: financial aid; cal grants; youth vote; racial privacy initiative; tracking of remediation, retention and graduation rates; financial accountability; protection of student fees; efforts to ensure that any enrollment management policies reflect Humboldt's issues; and student representation on statewide committees.
Faculty Affairs - The Committee is working on the RTP process, and a discussion on blackboard will be occurring over the next several weeks so that all faculty may be involved in the discussion.
CFA - Senators were reminded that Friday, September 27, the Cal Poly Humboldt Labor Council is hosting a luncheon for President Richmond. Susan Meisenhelder, CFA President, and Lil Taiz, CFA Vice President, will be on campus Monday, September 30 to discuss the importance of PERS elections and will provide some campaign information, including support for the election of George Diehr.
Regarding the budget, Humboldt Chapter President Travis stated that during bargaining CFA took a risk on the compensation package by holding out as long as it did. As a result, the 2.46 percent nonfaculty compensation adjustment noted on the budget item was intended to send a message to CFA that CFA should not be so visible in its opposition to bargaining negotiations. CFA members are disappointed that there is this 2.46 percent increase for nonfaculty, yet do not begrudge their colleagues from getting well deserved pay raises. However, the fact that the decision was not achieved through the bargaining process is of concern because it is viewed as another attempt by the trustees and the chancellor to divide the unions in the CSU. The cost behind ACR 73, as indicated by the Chancellor's budget figures, is approximately three times what it will actually cost. There are so many retirements in the CSU now that there are sizeable salary savings all over the state and such savings are not being factored into the cost. The impression being given is that all faculty hires will be new money, which is not accurate. This is seen as an attempt by Reed to renege on contractual obligations to the CFA by publicizing extraordinary costs. As reflected on the budget information sheet, nonfaculty will receive a 3.46 percent increase; MPP positions are not included. The intention was for the CSU and the unions to go before the legislature and request a 4 percent salary increase. However, it was clear from the Governor's office that he would only propose a 1 percent raise. The Compensation category is listed on the budget information sheet in the event that the health of the state budget is resurrected, and there is sufficient funding to cover this additional 3 percent increase since the Governor is committed in principle to a 4 percent raise.
General Faculty - The General Faculty President and the Academic Senate Chair are serving on the Institutional Identity Committee, which has been working on a logo, a slogan and there has been discussion regarding a wordmark. The ad hoc committee on optical scanning of course evaluations and grade reports will be providing its final report to the Joint Council regarding the use of the optical scanning process for student evaluations and grade entry. Tomorrow the ad hoc bylaws committee will meet. Any changes or revisions to the Bylaws and Constitution of the Faculty Handbook may be forwarded to General Faculty President Fulgham.
UCC - The Committee has been discussing how to initiate a discussion of general education this year, and the idea is to initiate this discussion in connection with the strategic plan and offer alternatives to the present system.
4. Resolution to Add the Vice President for Student Affairs to the Academic Senate of Cal Poly Humboldt (#02-02/03-EX)
Chair MacConnie provided background on this resolution stating that the intent is to include all vice presidents as ex officio, nonvoting members of the Academic Senate, and the bylaws and constitution of the senate have not been updated to include the Vice President for Student Affairs.
It was moved and seconded (Thobaben/Bicknell) to place the resolution on the floor.
WHEREAS: The Academic Senate of Cal Poly Humboldt currently includes the President, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the Vice President for Development and Administrative Services as ex officio, nonvoting members; and
WHEREAS: The position of Vice President for Student Affairs was created in 1984; and
WHEREAS: It is the intention of the Academic Senate of Cal Poly Humboldt to include all vice presidents of the university; and
WHEREAS: The Constitution of the General Faculty of Humboldt (Appendix E of the Faculty Handbook) and the Bylaws and Rules of Procedure of the Academic Senate of Cal Poly Humboldt (Appendix F of the Faculty Handbook) have not been revised to reflect the Vice President for Student Affairs title; therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate recommend that in the Spring 2003 election the faculty vote on whether to add the Vice President for Student Affairs as an ex officio, nonvoting member to the Academic Senate of Cal Poly Humboldt, and if approved, that all references to Academic Senate membership in the Faculty Handbook (including Chapter IV, Section 403; Appendix E, Article VI, Section 71; and Appendix F, Article III, Section 5) be revised to reflect this change; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate of Cal Poly Humboldt invite the Vice President for Students Affairs to join this body as an ex officio, nonvoting participant effective immediately.
After limited discussion, voting occurred and MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
It was moved and seconded (Fulgham/Snyder) to make this an emergency item for immediate transmittal to the President. Voting occurred and MOTION PASSED.
5. Report on Recommendations and Comments Regarding the 4CSU Proposal [B. Cheyne] and Modification of Upper-Division Admission Requirements [R. Snyder]
Senator Cheyne provided background on the 4CSU Proposal stating the this issue was given to the Educational Policies Committee this past summer, and it was discussed this fall. The date for response to this item is October 1, 2002. The Committee developed the memorandum contained in today's packet, which delineates comments, concerns and recommendations of the committee, and asks for clarification on some points such as advising, communication and resources. This item is now before the senate for discussion and comment.
Discussion comments included the following:
Appreciation was expressed to the Committee for its hard work. One issue that could be added to the first bullet on page 1 is that some students need advising regarding lower division major specific GE requirements, as well as lower division major courses.
One problem with articulating with the community colleges, particularly in the physical science areas, is that if all GE requirements are met at the lower division level, transfer students will come into the CSU system about one year behind which may add another year to their program. Students need to be told at the community college level that it may be better for them to take major requirements and put off the GE courses for later years.
The question was raised as to why the Committee did not bring a resolution to postpone moving forward with this item until the questions are resolved and the master plan is adopted. [This strategy was not suggested during the Committee's deliberations so it was not discussed.] [One of the reasons that this document is before this body is for input; if a resolution to postpone seems to be the best course of action, then a resolution could be offered now.]
A joint development of an academic plan means that Humboldt advisors have to be in contact with someone at a community college campus and jointly develop an academic plan for students at that campus. This would be problematic for Humboldt given the geographic location and the distance to most community colleges.
This program is supported and needed by students, and the information surrounding this issue must be provided to them. It is important that work on this program continue because it is most beneficial to students. Students' support of this idea is evidenced by their willingness to sacrifice financially for it.
The CSU and community college system signed an agreement which carries with it a dual admissions policy. The fact that this item is coming from the Dual Admissions Implementation Committee seems to indicate that the perception is such that a policy has been mandated and now the question is one of implementation. If the statewide senators are asked to halt implementation steps until questions are answered, then such action can be pursued. It is important to pay attention to the advising component of this plan. Sixty transferrable units will be required and the advising for these sixty units occurs on the community college campus, not on the CSU campus. Unfortunately, the community college campuses are not always able to provide the proper and most useful advising to students. Another problem with this policy is that no additional resources are being offered to help implement the requirements.
This project is saying that if a student wants to transfer to the CSU and declares such an intention, then 60 units is required; however, students not part of this dual admissions program will be transferring with 56 units. Concern was expressed regarding the impact this program would have on Humboldt and on certain established programs. [Over the last ten years the number of students admitted as upper division transfer students with at least 56 units, but less than 60 units, ranges from 28 to 117 students. The average for the last 3 years is approximately 50 students. This policy will not be in effect until 2005; if this is the case, then Humboldt can handle the 50 students. Another effect of this policy is that students probably will need one more term before they can matriculate.]
Humboldt often is not considered by many community college campus advisors as a possibility for their advisees, and concern was expressed that the 4CSU Programs will perpetuate the practice of directing students toward the most local connection. This is problematic for Humboldt since there is only one connection in this area. This differs from many of the other CSU campuses. [It may be that this program will serve Humboldt since many of the CSU campuses in southern California are not doing much recruiting and they may appreciate information coming from Humboldt about the many programs that are offered on this campus.]
The impetus for this program was driven by impacted institutions because this program keeps students at the community college longer.
Regarding the first bullet in the memorandum and the reference to 48 units of GE, the maximum number of lower division GE units that may be transferred is 39; the preferred number is at least 30 units.
Since the last bullet addresses the issue of the timing of this proposal, perhaps this section could be strengthened and the suggestion made that the process be slowed down somewhat until there is time for the academic senates and students to have more opportunity for discussion since it does propose some serious changes.
It was moved and seconded (Bicknell/Thobaben) that the Academic Senate of Cal Poly Humboldt receive this report from the Educational Policies Committee and request the Educational Policies Committee revise it as discussed at today's meeting and forward it on behalf of the senate as Humboldt's response to the 4CSU Proposal.
Discussion on the motion included:
The logistics of Humboldt faculty jointly advising students from distant community college campuses must be addressed.
The last bullet on page 2 sets a higher standard for this category of students than the general standards and should be removed if we want to remain consistent with the standards that are in effect. However, since there are some majors that do have minimum requirements for general education course grades relative to their majors, then part of this bullet needs to be retained. [There are some requirements that cannot be changed; for example, those set by CTC for teacher education. It is important that the language indicate that some students may be held to different criteria that are not negotiable because of professional standards. The language must be clear that advising is going to be carefully managed, and advisors must be knowledgeable about any impending problems stemming from articulation and substitution limitations.
Voting occurred and MOTION PASSED WITH ONE ABSTENTION.
Modification of Upper-Division Admission Requirements
Senator Snyder - This item is contained in the packet because it addresses the change in unit requirement so that students must complete 60 transferable semester units, instead of the current 56 transferable semester units, to establish eligibility for admission as an upper division transfer student. It appears to be an enrollment management tool. There are some benefits; the concern is that it not impede time to degree for students. Comments may be forwarded to Senator Snyder. [Students receiving financial aid have a unit cap so this may be problematic for them.] [It would be helpful to add a provision permitting the CSU campuses to issue a waiver for those community college students who do not have 60 GE major units to fulfill so they could be admitted without the 60 units. Senator Snyder will pursue this.]
6. TIME CERTAIN 5:15 P.M.
Report on Enrollment [R. Maggiore]
Ron Maggiore, Dean for Enrollment Management, stated that he had three major points to make.
College Year FTE/FTES Enrollment - A handout was distributed depicting the enrollment history during the last 10 to 15 years. College year refers to an average of fall and spring; with summer session included, it refers to fall, spring and summer divided by 2. Admissions were much lower in 1993/94, but then increased over the next few years to the status level, which is approximately 7000 FTE. The projected target for 2008 has been modified substantially; such projection was based largely on anticipated summer enrollment and the enrollment numbers for summer are not that high. There is a chance that Humboldt will reach its enrollment target next year. The current enrollment profile shows that for the 2002/03 academic year Humboldt will be short by 211 FTES or 2.8 percent, which is an improvement over last year's figure of 350 or 4.7 percent.
Enrollment Profile as of September 24, 2002 - Some of the important points include: the Admissions sections shows that the number of first-time applicants is up 28 percent from last year (the systemwide rate of increase is 14 percent); transfer numbers are up by 10 percent; in total, Humboldt is up 20 percent in applications and admissions. The number of new students registering is up 15 percent over last year; transfer students are up by 8 percent and graduate students are up by 13 percent. The continuing undergraduate students are down by 1.4 percent; research shows that this is related to the summer session. The graduate students are up by 12 percent. Average unit load is down by .4 percent and this continues to be an issue. In 1997 the average unit load was 14.16, which equates to approximately 150 FTE. It is believed that one significant factor behind the drop in unit load may be connected to students' ability to get classes; if classes are not available, then students take fewer classes. It is hoped that the SANE (Space Availability Notification by Email) system, which notifies interested students of vacancies in certain classes, may have a positive effect on the average unit load. Overall, the enrollment picture is more positive than it has been in the last few years.
Discussion comments included:
The SANE system will have the ability to generate unmet demand data so that deans and department chairs can know what the real demand is for particular classes.
Analysis has shown that this campus is a 9 to 2 campus and this is not necessarily a faculty issue; students are more inclined to stay up late in the evening and get going late in the morning.
Impediments Document - It is important to look at a university's program mix and the currency of the programs offered. This document is being discussed by the Enrollment Management Advisory Committee.
Dean Maggiore expressed his appreciation to all who helped increase the enrollment figures this year.
Discussion comments included:
There was general agreement that a location for first-time visitors to campus is most important and it also should be a one-stop shop for students. The committee is looking to provide students and parents with a positive first impression of campus.
The large dip in enrollment in 1992/93 is a function of the last budget crisis. The chancellor is talking about a 5 percent cut, and plans have been developed around a 2 percent cut. If another 3 percent cut is taken, and it is taken during one term, the picture will be similar.
Recruiters are aware of Humboldt's diverse array of programs and its uniqueness. The current focus on business is because that is what students want. It is important that Humboldt have the right program, complete with any specialties needed. [The business program at Humboldt is limited by the fact that there is only one finance professor, one marketing professor, and one management professor. Not many specialty courses can be taught with so few instructors.] [Highlighting business was just to suggest that it be reviewed, not necessarily changed. If there is a specialty course that would draw a large number of students, then the addition of that course may be worth pursuing and we need to determine how to support such a program.]
Another factor behind the enrollment dip in the 90's was the increase in student fees; rather than pay more money, students opted to not attend. It is important that student fees not be raised again.
It was suggested that prepared handouts be made available to staff so that during encounters with new students or parents of new students, such information can be provided.
The number of redirected applications that Humboldt has received has increased over the years; last year there were 250 redirected applications. The yield on such applications is still small however.
Efforts will be made to reach the target; if Humboldt can come within 1 percent of the figure, President Richmond believes we would not be in a payback situation.
Perhaps GE courses could be integrated more than they are now and such a change could be included in the review of the strategic plan.
The area of scholarships is a major concern for Humboldt. There have been significant decreases in financial aid, and the number and quality of scholarship students needs to be increased in order to increase the attractiveness of Humboldt by being able to offer scholarship dollars.
There was general agreement that the policy cancelling student schedules when a student's current balance exceeds $15 should be examined.
It was moved and seconded (Fulgham/Bicknell) to adjourn the meeting.
Meeting adjourned 6:06 p.m.