Minutes of the University Council Meeting
The spring, 2006 University Council meeting was convened at
President Kupchella called the meeting to order and welcomed
the Council members and all others in attendance. He explained that his presentation would
include a brief snapshot of what has happened this past year and what is projected
for the upcoming year. He reported that
there has been a 25% decline in the number of high school seniors in the past
decade. He also noted that, even though
there has been a tuition rate increase, we continue to offer reasonably priced
tuition and remain slightly below national averages. The President stated that we continue to
gauge and assess student and alumni satisfaction and make changes accordingly.
President Kupchella gave a progress report for this past
year. The new admission standards were
implemented; we did see a slight drop as projected. We also began the provisional admit status
and have appeared to do quite well with retention of these new students. The area of research and patents has
increased for the seventh year in a row with the same number of faculty and
staff. The President also noted many
Facilities projects in the past year, including: the
Looking ahead, the President reported on the MGT Equity
Study, the upcoming legislative session and the NCA accreditation visit. He also reported on the NCAA logo/nickname
issue: There are ongoing meetings and
discussions with the tribes in which all facets of the issue are being looked
at, including improving our already respectful treatment of the nickname and
logo. We are currently waiting for the
basis of action NCAA took to deny our second appeal. There is a possibility of litigation against
them. We currently have three
options: 1) litigation; 2) accept NCAA’s
decision and keep the nickname with the conditions they propose; or 3) change
the nickname. President Kupchella also
reported that a group has been studying the reclassification issue and looking
at all angles surrounding it. He will
take their report under consideration and decide what course of action to take.
The President called for questions from the floor. A statement was made regarding the fact that
the NCA site visit report also made mention of the logo issue. President Kupchella then turned the meeting over
to Dr. Jeno.
Dr. Jeno gave a University Senate status report, reviewing major policy changes adopted by the Senate during the 2005-06 year, including: Guidelines for Faculty Engaged in Employment Controversies with the University; removal of IRB from Senate oversight; change in qualifications for the President’s Honor Roll; Conflict of Interest Policy; General Honors Policy; Provisional Admission Policy; Double Major and Double Degree Provisions; and S/U grading policy. Senate actions pending approval include: a change to the University Attendance Policy; the University Assessment Plan; a Student Relations Committee structure change; and changes to the Intellectual Property policy.
Dr. Jeno reported that a charge was made to all University
Senate Committees to review their functions and responsibilities. This resulted in many Senate committees now
being updated. Welcome and information
letters from the University Senate were implemented for all new faculty members
to highlight faculty governance and information resources. Dr. Jeno stated that, as policies are
approved and updated, the Faculty Handbook is updated. She also reported that the University Senate
discussed relevant topics, such as the nickname/logo issue and adopted a
resolution regarding the issue.
Dr. Jeno thanked everyone who volunteers their time and
talents to serve on the University Senate and its committees. She then asked for other matters arising and,
hearing none, thanked the Council members for their attendance. The spring,
2006 meeting of the University Council was adjourned at
Respectfully submitted,
Carmen Williams, Council Secretary