March 12, 2009 MU BOG Meeting Notes
The full agenda can be found here: http://www.marshall.edu/ill/09-BOG/mubog031209.pdf
AGENDA
Report of the President:
· Obama Omnibus bill will yield 13.5m federal funding for WV; the funding has to be used for projects and programs; the actual breakdown is forthcoming. Senator Byrd helped get the state this money.
· Admissions update: 11.3% increase over last year this time; hoping for 5% increase for fall 09; 5% growth is a healthy figure; big increase in non-resident enrolled students; core full-time resident population has decreased; still have a lot to do on retention; Dr. Ormiston is in the process of working on this with faculty and administrators.
· The Admin is looking at colleges in re: to which ones are increasing/dropping in enrollment.
· Recreation center update: April 17 dedication (1-3 p.m.)
· Legislative update: Dr. Kopp is watching several bills carefully and meeting with key legislators regarding higher education issues; Governor Manchin recently announced a 2% reduction to House and Senate (not across-the-board reduction); at this point we do not know if this will translate to reductions for MU.
· Internal budget planning has been underway; the admin is anticipating the 2% cut to provide better forecasting; the goal is also to provide long-range budget planning; this is extensive and ongoing.
· Mission critical expenditures will be reviewed; the budget process is now very open to include people from various sectors on campus; several presentations have been conducted to provide info and seek input.
· The summer school program has been revamped; over the last 4 years we have lost over 1.4m dollars instead of breaking even or making money on summer classes; we went from 6 to 4 sessions; all colleges who offer summer courses must have balanced budget; the hope is to see a net gain in revenue; high demand courses and courses required for graduation have priority.
· A building energy cost study was completed by VP Anita Lockridge and Dr. Fox; this is a comprehensive study and examines every building and its operating expenses on campus; the two most expensive buildings to operate were the Bio Tech Center and the Science Building; most expensive bldg on campus had ONE summer class taught in it; it is not zoned therefore the heating/cooling cannot be modified or turned down; WHERE we are teaching in the summer is going to be considered. Expenditures for utilities have to be reduced for the summer because AEP is projecting an 18.5% increase in costs next year so we must prepare if this passes.
Reports
Finance, Audit and Investment Committee (Mr. Perry, pages 1-17 of agenda packet)
· Action: Approve the Byrd Flexible Manufacturing Bldg action (Resolution requesting and authorizing acceptance of transfer of real property situate at 1050 Fourth Avenue from the West Virginia Board of Public Works was approved)
· Investments update and quarterly reports: The Common Fund accounts have lost ground in the same way our personal accounts and those at the national level have; for now, we are staying the course; the BOG Finance Committee will watch the accounts carefully but will authorize the BOG Executive Committee to change the asset allocation model if needed. (BOG voted to approve this action).
· Statewide Auditor Update: RFPs went out and Delloit and Touche were selected; this is the same firm MU has been using.
· FYI the university got solid assurance that none of our funds were diverted to Madoff’s firm or any other unscrupulous firms affiliated with this Ponzi scheme.
Academic Committee Report (Dr. Brook, pages 18-61)
· Program reviews will take place on April 16 and 17 in BE-5 of the Memorial Student Center; Monica is seeking reviewers from the present and past BOG and will provide documentation needed for this process.
Report of the Provost:
· Dr. Ormiston reiterated some of the items Dr. Kopp shared regarding summer school; he indicated that MUGC will offer some undergraduate summer courses (15 daytime and 6 e-courses are scheduled)
· Retention report: 21 members of university community are serving on a retention committee; their charge is to review student success and persistence rates and strategize improving these.
o 71% of our students continue to the second year; 6 year grad rate
o 45% are graduating in 6 years
o We also need to push 4-year graduation rates and improve degree completion
o A draft retention plan from the committee should be available this month
· Core foundations: the committee has provided a proposal that is being shared with the university community; the main theme of the process is critical thinking; four sessions have been conducted on campus; comments gained from this process are being discussed/considered by the committee; this is also related to recruitment and retention since one aspect is to reduce the total hours required for graduation and allow students to transfer from college-to-college easier.
Action item – Intent to Plan BS in Medical Imaging (BOG voted to approve)
· Complete report and budget items provided on page 18; Mr. Hess wanted to be sure we were not competing with local institutions in regard to attracting students; Dr. Hossler and Dr. Fisher indicated this will not be the case. Fewer than 10% of their incoming freshmen are transfer students from other institutions and they have a 90% matriculation rate.
· The College of Health Professions and St. Mary’s want to expand their AAS to a BS because the professional accrediting body affiliated with medical imaging will be requiring a minimum of a BS prior to sitting for the professional certification exam effective 2015. MU and St. Mary’s want to start accepting students into this degree program in 2009 so they can be prepare MU graduates with the appropriate education and credentials by 2013.
MUSOM Report: they submitted a proposal to acquire a virtual colonoscopy C-T scan unit which was approved by the BOG (Page 62).
The Board went into Executive Session before lunch and adjourned before 1 p.m.
