Addendum #2

SUMMARY

Board of Trustees

Academic Affairs Committee

September 29, 2011

Members Present:  Dr. L. Garnet Lewis, Chair, Mr. Jon LaSalle, Dr. H. Sook Wilkinson, Mr. Stephen Gulis, Mr. Brian Cloyd, Dr. Paul Lang,

Dr. Les Wong, ex officio

The Academic Affairs Committee meeting was called to order at 1:07 p.m.

Academic Senate Update

Dr. David Boe, Chair of the Academic Senate, provided a summary of Senate activities including the ongoing discussion regarding Liberal Studies reform.  The Liberal Studies Committee has been charged with developing a template specific to NMU that will be compared to the current Liberal Studies program.  He also announced that the Senate standing committee final reports will be aligned with the Road Map to 2015. 

Charter Schools Update

Mr. William Pistulka, Charter Schools Officer, updated the Board on official student counts for fall 2011, the Walton School of Excellence ceremony held on September 9, 2011 and the status of opening a new charter school in 2012.  A recommendation to consider adding a new charter school will be submitted to the Board at the December meeting.   

Online Education Update

Professor Darlene Walch, Dean of Academic Information Services, discussed the various types of   online courses at NMU:  face-to-face/web enhanced which follows the traditional schedule; hybrid/blended which is a mix of face-to-face and online; and online where the students and instructor are physically in different locations.  Professor Walch said online web offerings have increased over the past five years especially during the summer semesters.  She also indicated that faculty have many options available to assist them with online course development and delivery.  Other factors to consider when planning for continued growth include quality of our online programming and student learning outcomes. 

Enrollment & Retention Update

Dr. Paul Duby, Associate Vice President of Institutional Research, provided an update on fall 2011 enrollment data, projected high school graduation numbers, academic credentials for incoming freshman, and retention rates for regular and restricted new freshmen admits.  Dr. Duby also discussed retention enhancement initiatives within the Academic Affairs Division.

Cuba Report

Dr. Marcelo Siles, Dean of International Programs, introduced Ms. Natasha Gallagher, undergraduate student, who participated in NMU’s cooperative agreement with the University of Matanzas, which provides opportunities for NMU students to attend classes in Cuba.  Ms. Gallagher discussed many aspects of her experience including academic courses, the economy, living arrangements, military presence/safety, and the medical system.  She said it was a wonderful experience and is very appreciative of the opportunity to participate in the cooperative agreement with the University of Matanzas.

Faculty Work Subcommittee Report

Mr. Jon LaSalle reported on the meetings held on August 19, September 12 and September 29, 2011.  The Faculty Work Subcommittee heard presentations from the Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the AAUP and NMUFA union leadership, and the University’s General Counsel. 

Good of the Order

Dr. Paul Lang, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, introduced Dr. Susy Ziegler, Head of the Department of Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences.       

Dr. Lewis thanked the Committee and the meeting was adjourned at 3:05 p.m.