February 27 2007
University of the Pacific
Minutes, February 27, 2007
Taylor Conference Room
Call to Order: 2:12 p.m.
Present: Brodnick, Byl, Cavanaugh, Cox, Dobbs, Dodson, Frederick, Gilbertson, Lackey, Lynn, Perrot, Schmidt, Speers
Not Present: Ellison, Ensign, Griego, Fries, Leland, King, Spreer
Special Guests: Murta
Minutes: Minutes of the February 27th meeting were reviewed and approved.
Standing Reports:
Current Agenda Items:
Law School Budget Presentation
Murta presented the Law School’s budget for FY08. CALPAC contract expires this June 30, 2007. This is a major planning contingency issue for the school and is very significant to their overall revenue. There may be an extension on the current contract until they receive a RFP. The President and Board had requested the Law School to have a contingency budget plan in place should we not be able to renew with CALPAC. Murta then presented two scenarios based on whether or not we will have that contract. Murta and Lackey are very optimistic of renewing the contract. A few key points were:
- Student applications are down 9%-10% compared to last year.
- Improving existing programs and creating new ones.
- Expanding part time students courses on the day side. This will allow a few more students to attend since we are down by 5% in registration this coming year.
- Tuition rates - proposing a 5% increase compared to the 5.5% increase last year. This will keep us in the competitive market.
Aging Faculty and recruiting new faculty. - Currently active with the Capital Campaign for the upcoming years.
Discussion of Budget Recommendations
Gilbertson commended Perrot with the amount of information that is compressed into the document. It is the signal most vital piece of information for all to have a better understanding of the universities financial situation.
Today’s focus is to discuss, bring forward suggestions or questions regarding FY08. Feedback will come back before it goes to the President for review.
Questions came up pertaining to:
- One-time reversals were clarified. It was noted that some cross culture issues has been overlooked. With the hopes of hiring a new Diversity Officer these issues will be reviewed and addressed. Cavanaugh stressed that this budget is the incremental new dollars to the budget.
- SF and SAC distribute their tuition comparison chart and it was felt that we should do the same with Stockton. Gilbertson explained that the table is sensitive, but he and Cavanaugh would not mind sharing information so others may be more aware of the universities financial situation. Cavanaugh will put the chart into the Stockton Campus Budget to be consistent with the other two schools.
- Discussions of tuition increases came up again. The impression with the public is to increase rates and be at least one of the top five schools. If a school is inexpensive, the consumer believes that school is not good enough. Gilbertson believes this needs to be addressed accordingly in the Budget Assumptions. Suggestions for phrasing are also welcomed to explain to the Regents the needs of Pacific. Gilbertson noted that current media publications show higher education to be too aggressive in their tuition increases which are exceeding the cost of living. We need to break that norm and show that we can provide higher education at a reasonable price and we will have to continue to be creative with our budget issues.
Goal is to finalize and send out to the university community by Thursday, March 9th
Next meeting: Tuesday, March 6, 2007, 2 - 4 p.m. in the Library Community Room.
Meeting adjourned at 3:40 p.m.