SUMMARY
Board of Trustees
Academic Affairs Committee
May 3, 2012
Members Present: Dr. L. Garnet Lewis, Chair, Mr. Jon LaSalle, Mr. Richard Popp, Dr. H. Sook
Wilkinson
Other Members Present: Mr. Stephen Gulis, Mr. Brian Cloyd, Dr. Paul Lang, Dr. Les Wong, ex officio
The Academic Affairs Committee meeting was called to order at 1:12 p.m.
Academic Senate Update
Dr. David Boe, Chair of the Academic Senate, provided a summary of Senate activities and ongoing efforts to improve and assess NMU’s general education curriculum. The Liberal Studies Committee’s proposal was voted down by the Academic Senate; however, discussions were very positive. Instead of proposing a new general education program, the Liberal Studies Committee is now charged with assessing the current program.
Charter School Contract Authorization: South Pointe Scholars Charter Academy
Mr. William Pistulka, Charter Schools Officer, presented a proposal for approval to authorize the charter for South Pointe Scholars Charter Academy for a five-year period July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2017.
After motion duly made and seconded the Committee recommends to the Board of Trustees the approval of the charter. This motion is part of the formal recommendations.
Charter School Board Member New Appointments
Mr. William Pistulka, Charter Schools Officer, proposed new board member appointments for South Pointe Scholars Charter Academy and Walton Charter Academy.
After motion duly made and seconded the Committee recommends to the Board of Trustees the approval of the board member appointments. This motion is part of the formal recommendations.
Learning Resources Division Update
Mr. Eric Smith, Director of Broadcast & Audio Visual Services and Dr. Chuck Ganzert, Communication & Performance Studies, discussed the three phases involved in the conversion from analog to digital production. The digital conversion has created additional production and hands-on experiences for students and created many partnerships on and off campus.
Sam M. Cohodas Professor Update
Dr. Tawni Ferrarini, Sam M. Cohodas Professor, discussed recent projects including compiling data from county reports, businesses, and federal and state agencies for the 15 counties of the Upper Peninsula. Local units of government and individuals are using this data to develop business plans. Dr. Ferrarini has also completed, for the third consecutive year, a list of NMU community and economic assets and is currently finalizing the NMU socio-economic impact study.
Retention & Enrollment Update
Mr. William Bernard, Associate Provost for Student Services and Enrollment and Dr. Paul Duby, Associate Vice President for Institutional Research, provided a preliminary fall 2012 enrollment update and discussed on-going recruitment and retention initiatives. Challenges include shrinking recruitment markets, especially in the Upper Peninsula and large graduating classes in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Retention efforts are focused on developing strategies to enhance student success, identifying patterns and researching best practices.
New Program – Doctorate of Nursing Practice
Dr. Elmer Moisio, Interim Associate Dean, School of Nursing, presented a proposal for a new Doctorate of Nursing Practice program. The Provost recommended approval of this program.
After motion duly made and seconded the Committee recommends to the Board of Trustees the approval of the program. This motion is part of the formal recommendations.
Faculty Work Subcommittee
Mr. Richard Popp provided a summary of the Subcommittee’s work. It is the consensus of the Subcommittee that there are no major internal concerns regarding faculty work and the infrastructure is in place to take care of potential issues. However, substantive external concerns were expressed by some stakeholders about declining revenues to the University and how it negatively impacts faculty work. The Subcommittee also recommends including a focus discussion on faculty work periodically as part of the regular Board meetings.
Road Map Update
Dr. Lewis reminded the Committee that the Academic Affairs Road Map update is available in the electronic Board materials.
Good of the Order
Dr. Paul Lang, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, introduced Dr. Brian Cherry, the newly appointed Assistant Provost for Graduate Education and Research.
Dr. Lewis thanked the Committee and the meeting was adjourned at 2:45 p.m.