October 26 1999
University of the Pacific
Institutional Priorities Committee
Minutes
October 26, 1999
Taylor Conference Room
IPC Members Present: Benedetti, Borlik, Brock, Cavanaugh, Chambers,
Fletcher, Gilbertson (Chair), Gluskin, KruegerDevine, Stein
Absent: Fox, Myers, Oppenheimer
Guests: Doug Smith and Vivian Snyder, Educational Resource Center
Cavanaugh convened the meeting.
Announcements: None
Minutes: The October 19 meeting minutes were distributed and approved without correction.
Reports: Cavanaugh provided a report to the President regarding Physical Plant projects that were pending. The Cabinet will review the report.
Gilbertson will present provisional recommendations for the Academic budget, as asked, on the 9th of November but will need an opportunity to come back to IPC with a more definitive budget once Academic Council and the Council of Deans have finished approving any recommended changes. He will also provide additional information on ESB when he presents the Academic budget.
The following questions were presented to Smith and Snyder as the fundamental information needed to assess the ERC: To what degree does our investment in students who need academic support pay off? Is it more prudent to invest in expanding out tutorial program or expanded coursework to offer supplemental classes?
Smith and Snyder then presented their current findings on the Educational Resource Center and student performance. The following points and clarifications were highlighted:
The students enrolled in the Basic Skills Courses showed significant increases in each area of basic skills (Reading, Writing and Math). Additionally, this increase in performance carried over to other courses that the students took.
The profile of basic skills for incoming students has not changed in over 10 years. 20% still need reading assistance and 30-35% need help in basic math.
The attrition/retention rate is related only to those first year students in their retention to the second year.
In summary, both Smith and Snyder believe that investing in the basic skills course should remain at priority, followed by expanding tutoring and then supplemental courses.
Budget Allocations- Institutional Advancement
Stein presented the proposed budget for Institutional Advancement for the next three years. At this time, additional funds are not being requested. However, it is noted that the Chief Officer in this area has not yet been hired and this budget may need to be adjusted under new leadership. The following aspects of the budget were explained:
Duplicating/copy: The duplicating/mailing budget relies on recovery charges. Outsourcing is being explored and proposals are being solicited due to the high cost of employees needed to run this area, and at minimum the need to invest $750,000 in new equipment to address the duplicating and copy needs of the campus.
KUOP: This budget relies heavily on gifts and grants, which have dropped off and required the University to provide additional funding. It is anticipated that there will be growing support for the station as we are back to early 1990’s listening audience and our peak time listening has increased. However, the costs to NPR and to include formatted programming have also increased.
The President has requested a program review to look at KUOP’s format and the role it plays in supporting the academic mission of the University in serving student needs. To what extent can KUOP promote the mission of the university- is it worth our subvention?
Stein presented Public Safety’s budget. The following clarifications were provided:
Under Strategic Indicators, #4 should state that the goal is to reduce student alcohol offenders and the performance should indicate that the # 46 refers to the number of student alcohol crimes not cases.
Discussion continued regarding the satisfaction rate of Public Safety and it’s role in service to the community. Work continues and needs to continue in changing the culture of the officers to address the welfare work on campus. One program that has been implemented and addresses some issues of satisfaction is the "Adopt-a-Cop" program in which officers are assigned to various residential areas to do regular walk throughs and meet with the Residential Life and Housing staff and students in the area on an informal basis. Officers are also required to be out of their cars and walking or biking through campus more often.
Fire Alarms: New monies for this area are being requested to update the fire alarm system in the Computer Center. The money needed for addressing fire alarm upgrades in the residential areas comes from Residential Life and Housing. In other facilities the money will be included in each project budget.
Bike Racks: Additional Bike Racks and improved bike racks have been requested throughout the campus. Bike thefts also continue to be a problem. Who is responsible? A campus plan is needed to address these issues.
Meeting adjourned 4:30