SUMMARY

Board of Trustees

Academic Affairs Committee

December 11, 2014

Members Present:  Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen, Chair, Dr. L. Garnet Lewis, Mr. Steven Mitchell

Other Members Present: Mr. Scott Holman, Mr. Richard Popp, Dr. H. Sook Wilkinson, Mr. Gilbert Ziegler, Dr. Fritz Erickson, ex officio

The Academic Affairs Committee meeting was called to order at 2:04 p.m.

Academic Senate Update

Professor Rachel Nye, Chair of the Academic Senate, provided a summary of Senate activities.  The Senate meets biweekly to review recommendations from standing committees and to hear academic presentations from groups across campus. 

Charter School Board Member New Appointment

Mr. William Pistulka, Charter Schools Officer, proposed a new board member appointment for North Star Academy. 

After motion duly made and seconded the Committee recommends to the Board of Trustees the approval of the board member appointment.  This motion is part of the formal recommendations.

Accreditation Update

Ms. Kim Barron, Director of Institutional Accreditation and Assessment, provided an update on our AQIP systems portfolio, results of the systems appraisal and opportunities for improvement.  The systems appraisal indicated all five Higher Learning Commission criteria had been met.   She also informed the Committee that we increased our “S” (satisfactory) ratings and decreased our “O” (improvement opportunity) ratings from 2010 to 2014.    Ms. Barron indicated that we have received favorable responses from AQIP on our current action projects.

Retention Update

Dr. Steve Neiheisel, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services, reviewed current retention initiatives including a centralized first year advising proposal, the Signals early academic assessment program, and the First Year Experience program.  Dr. Neiheisel also discussed student attainment measures which look at the various pathways students take to degree completion and non-academic factors initiatives and opportunities.

Music Department Presentation

Dr. Rob Engelhart, Department Head of Music, updated the Committee on activities in the Music Department including a new project focusing on the tradition of excellence that highlights scholarship and performance activities of students.  Another key issue is increasing the number of high school students they bring to campus each year with events such as band day, jazz festival and honors choir.  These activities have also helped to improve the relationship with high school band directors. 

Dr. Zurbuchen thanked the Committee and the meeting was adjourned at 3:09 p.m.