March 28 2002
University of the Pacific
Institutional Priorities Committee
Minutes
March 28, 2002
Taylor Conference Room, Library
IPC Members Present: Gilbertson (Chair), Benedetti, Brock, Hewitt, KruegerDevine (at noon), King, Meer, Oppenheimer, Spreer, and Stark
Guests: Lynn Fox, Tom Rajala
The meeting was convened by the Chair at 11:10 a.m.
The minutes of the March 21 meeting were approved with one minor correction (the spelling of Rob Brodnick’s name).
Information Items
It was noted by the Chair that the Senior Survey Results would be addressed by Rob Brodnick at the April 11th meeting. At that same meeting, Vice President Cavanaugh would comment on Facilities Review.
Role of Athletic Director on IPC
Excusing the Athletic Director, Lynn King, from the meeting, the Provost noted that the two-year pilot program (conducted in consultation with the Academic Council) to include the Athletic Director as a member of IPC was coming to an end. The Provost wondered whether he ought to try to get a consensus of the Committee on the value of having the Athletic Director continue to serve as a member of IPC or whether the specific individual comments of Committee members should be reported to appropriate individuals and groups, including President DeRosa. The tenor of the comments by Committee members was overwhelmingly positive. The Athletic Director was readmitted to the meeting and he offered his own assessment of how personally and professionally valuable his participation on IPC has been.
Enrollment Presentation
Associate Provost for Enrollment Tom Rajala previewed the third in a series of presentations he would be making to the Regents on April 5th. The presentation focused on balancing the desired “maximum” growth in quality of the student academic profile of incoming students (as measured by enhanced median SAT scores and GPAs) with “moderate” growth in the size of the student body. Mr. Rajala then reviewed Strategic Enrollment Targets for the University noting that enrollment targets by School had not yet been reviewed or approved by their respective Deans.
Pacific Leaders Scholarship
Director of Financial Aid Lynn Fox discussed the potential impact of the Pacific Leaders Scholarship program on the University’s overall financial aid program. He specifically addressed how the program, if implemented, would have a very minor impact on the University’s discount rate. Also mentioned was the positive impact the program would have on student quality indicators and retention. After Mr. Fox and Mr. Rajala were excused, the Committee reviewed the projected cost of the program, especially in the context of unfunded “continuing” budget items. The question of whether one or more academic units would benefit more proportionately than others from the program was raised but not answered. The program and its priority for funding were both widely praised and endorsed by the Committee.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:14 p.m.
Jonathan Meer
Scribe for the Day