May 31 2001
University of the Pacific
Institutional Priorities Committee
May 31, 2001
Taylor Conference Room
Attending: Benedetti, Brock, Cavanaugh, Gilbertson (Chair), Kramer, KruegerDevine, Lundergan, Meyers, and Stark
Guests: Lynn Fox, Tom Rajala
The meeting was convened at 12:05 by chair Gilbertson. The minutes of May 24, 2001 were approved as distributed.
Handouts included Endowment Status and Activity for Prior Ten Months, Summary of Proposed Budget Adjustments from April Board Meeting, Draft #1 of a schedule for Stockton Campus Academic Support and Other Unit Program Reviews, and information concerning tuition and fees.
The Provost announced IPC would not meet June 7 or 21.
Rajala and Fox discussed current methods and new ideas for generating the "cost of attendance". Three main methods were outlined. 1. Factor in an average budget of general fees, not including specialized fees. 2. Include specialized fees for some sub-groups. 3. Generate a unique cost of attendance for each student. Currently Pacific uses a combination of methods one and two. Methods of dealing with some of the more expensive programs, notably engineering, were discussed. Should there be a differential tuition? Should fees be based on the cost of the class or the cost of the program? It should also be considered that textbooks for some programs are much more expensive than for others.
Pat Cavanaugh reported that the budget will stay the same as proposed, but with some adjustments. Adjustments became necessary due to the decision to outsource duplication, eliminate the gift tax and the uncertainty of the cost of utilities.
Due to the generosity of the Scott Gift, it was suggested that this would be a good time to drop the spending distribution rate to 5%. If the Scott Gift were made part of the endowment, the reduced spending distribution rate would be offset by the increase in revenue from the endowment.
It was decided to add an eighth assumption to address energy expense. In addition, it was decided after Assumption #4 to add a line reducing the Endowment spending rate from 5.5% to 5%.
In Guideline #4 Diversity, it was decided to change "learning environment " to "learning experience".
Student Surveys will be administered through the Advancement Office.
The merits of an administrative retreat in August were discussed. The Provost would like to refine and focus the Strategic Indicators. It was agreed the University community would benefit from limiting the number of indicators to no more than six. Not all agreed a retreat was necessary to accomplish that goal.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:05.