President's Council Meeting Summary

April 14, 2004

Present: Dene Thomas, Deb Snyder for Kathy Martin, Rob Lohrmeyer, Richard Moore, Tony Fernández, Whitney Pugh, Allen Schmook, Bert Sahlberg, Polly Blasko, Ernie Williams, Justin Coleman, Dave Taylor, Dawn Byers, Kathie Wilcox, Chet Herbst, Janis VanHook, Justin Coleman

Absent: Kathy Martin

Calendar Review

Calendars for April and May were distributed noting the administration’s travel and major campus events. A campus meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 11, at 3:00 p.m. to provide updates on strategic planning and budget actions.

President’s Report

Council of Idaho Presidents met on April 6. The meeting included discussion with Pam Ahrens, Director of the Department of Administration, and Larry Osgood, Director of the Department of Public Works, regarding improved communications with the DPW and other state agencies. The presidents also discussed unified support for higher education interaction with legislature. The legislature is not considering eliminations of sales tax exemptions and are intent on the sunset of the one percent sales tax. The upcoming legislative election will give opportunities for discussion with candidates about support for higher education and where additional funding could be generated.

President Thomas attended the mid-year meeting for state representatives of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, April 7-9, in Washington D.C. Idaho is not the only state that is recommending salary increases without funding, and many states have raised tuition rates more than Idaho.

The State Board of Education will meet in Coeur d’Alene on April 22 and 23.

The search for the Vice President for Administrative Services position is underway. Several applications have been received and the committee is striving to identify a finalist pool by mid-May.

Reorganization Task Force will be reconvened to review the institution organization with two vice presidents.

Provost

The March 25 CAAP meeting included the following discussion topics:

The Promise Scholarship remains as a two-year scholarship.

Residency definitions are being reviewed for out of state fees for full time and part time students.

NIC/UI/LCSC has had discussions with CC Benefits. CC Benefits presented census data to predict what sorts of jobs will be available by county in Idaho. The data can be correlated with zip codes as to what courses would need to be taught. They demonstrated predictions for Bonner and Kooteani counties for the next twelve years. NIC, LCSC and UI wish to secure the services of CC Benefits. NICHE funding will be utilized to provide the services.

The April 1-2 AAHE meeting was held in San Diego. Discussion topics focused on the digital age impact on higher education.

Candidates for Chair of the Nursing Division will be interviewed next week. The candidates are Susan Odom from LCSC and Mary Hassett from Fort Hays State.

FY2004 fall headcount for week 2 is 1297; FTE is 1150. Applicants who are fully admitted are up by 15%.

The Residence Halls already have a waiting list of approximately 100. Two developers have requested meetings to discuss private/public partnerships for residence hall development.

Community Programs: Dogwood Festival begins this week. The Grape and Grain is on Friday at Center for Arts and Art Under the Elms is April 23-24.

Administrative Services

With the price of steel dramatically on the rise, the State of Idaho, Division of Public Works made a request to allow the contractor of the construction project, Leone Keeble, to buy steel products now that will be used at a later time on the site. The initial steel shipments were delivered yesterday. The agreement means the temporary loss of 62 parking spaces in the lot.

Proposals for Student Technology Fees will be reviewed within the next two weeks.

Direct Reporting Units

Athletics: President Thomas and Clay Robinson attended the NAIA Annual Meeting, March 26 through 30, in Kansas City. Constitutional bylaw changes were made. President Thomas will meet with the Athletic Department staff to update them on the changes.

Information Technology: A team will be organized to implement LCWarrior Mail as the official college communications with students. August 23 is the implementation date. The policy will be publicized and opportunities will be created to educate students on using LCWarrior Mail.

Institutional Research and Planning:

Assessment chairs have met, and the assessment groups are scheduled to meet.

The Student Reaction to Instruction system has been improved.

Trial runs are being conducted of the Employee Reactions to Administration survey.

Other Reports

Professional Staff Organization officers for FY2005 nominations are for Chair Ken Clark, Vice Chair Dianne Johnson, Recording Secretary Donna Callahan, and Web Secretary Ryan Gill.

The Classified Staff Organization officers for FY2005 are for Chair Janelle Miller, Chair Elect DeeDee Arnson, Recording Secretary Jennifer Weeks, and Web Secretary Doris Miles.

Professional Development Day is scheduled for April 23.

Around The Table

Associated Student Body election debates are scheduled today. The election is April 24.

Dine with Dene is scheduled on April 15.

The institution web page is being redesigned specifically for students and potential students. Recommendations should be e-mailed to Bert Sahlberg.

Meeting Adjourned

The next President's Council will be on Wednesday, April 21, at 9:00 a.m., in the Alumni Board Room.