Henry Brown, Committee Chair, called meeting to order at 1:30 P.M. on Sunday, October 13, 2002.

Welcome and Introductions

Attendance: Gregory Ardrey, Lindsay Bagnall, Ernest Banks (ex-officio), Valentino Bates, Mary Bird, Henry Brown, Harvest Collier, Mark Crawford, Arlan DeKock, Jessica duMaine, Lawrence George, Jay Goff, Floyd Harris, Latrecia Kea, Gregory McClain, Alexandria Merritt, Robert Mitchell, James Nicks (ex-officio), Macduff Okuom, Walter Reed, Debra Robinson, Lee Saperstein, Y.T. Shah, Randy Shed (ex-officio), Lynn Stichnote, Margaret Stockdale, Gary Thomas, Claudia Tutt, Christian Washington, and Henry Wiebe.

There was a motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on February 16, 2002. There was a second and the motion passed.

Sub-Committee assignments were announced by Chair Brown (asterisk denotes chair) as follows:

Status of the Campus

Chancellor Thomas discussed the impact on UMR of Governor Bob Holden's 10% cut to the state's 2003 budget for higher education. There was a $5.3 million reduction in state appropriations for UMR from the FY2002 base of $52.2 million. (This followed a $7.7 million "holdback" in the 2002 budget.) To offset the $5.3 million shortfall, student fees were raised 8.4% plus a $9 per credit hour surcharge, salaries were frozen, maintenance and repairs were cut back by ¼%, and faculty and staff positions were left unfilled.

Thomas stressed the importance of UMR taking control of its future by changing those things that UMR can control, namely, Enrollment, Private Giving, and Sponsored Programs and Research.

Enrollment has increased by 7.3% to 5240 students for the Fall 2002 Semester. The number of first-time freshmen has increased to 815 (14% increase), transfer students have increased to 261 (13% increase), and new graduate students have increased to 469 (18.7% increase). However, growth in enrollment needs to be supported by improving student retention rates. Thomas presented several slides, showing the retention over the years for males, females and African-American students. The retention rate for females at UMR is higher than for males. The retention rates for African-American students who enrolled at UMR in 1996 and 1997 were 53% and 67%, respectively. Of those enrolled in 1996, 42% have received degrees and 11% are still enrolled and 46% of those enrolled in 1997 have gotten degrees while 21% are still students.

Private Giving is increasing as UMR prepares to begin a new Campaign.

Research is also growing; from FY 2001 to FY2002, Indirect Cost Recovery has increased by 24% to over $6.8 million. The Net Indirect income goes to campus general revenue, match account, and SRI distribution.

Thomas announced several administrative changes on campus. David Saphian has been named the new director of Institutional Research and Andrew Stewart has been named the new director of the Library. A search is underway for a Chief Information Officer. The search for the Vice Chancellor for University Advancement has been narrowed to three candidates. Wendell Ogrosky, Vice Chancellor for Student and International Affairs has decided to take early retirement.

U.S. News and World Report has ranked UMR in the Top 50 among all engineering schools and in the Top 14 among all public engineering schools.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Havener Center, to be located on the southeast corner of 14th Street and Bishop Avenue, was held on October 11, 2002. The Board of Curators has approved plans for a new Residential College to be located on the northwest corner of 14th Street and Bishop Avenue.

Student Representative Report

Christian Washington presented information about "Gold Rush", a recruiting program that utilizes the efforts of student leaders on campus. UMR students accompany the professional recruiting staff to Career Fairs and high school visits, speaking from a student perspective. The students will also host "Miner For A Day," where high school students visit the campus and shadow a UMR student.

Alexandria Merritt spoke about the NSBE Pre-College Initiative (PCI) in February 2003. The proposed budget for the event totals nearly $5500. The Office of Admissions has agreed to donate the cost of transportation. The committee pledged to collect at least $2400 to support the PCI Weekend, with the School of Engineering pledging to match the committee's contribution.

Campus Update

Office of the Provost

Provost Y.T. Shah announced that Paula Lutz was named as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Shah discussed potential changes in academics to control the destiny of UMR by noting that the College of Arts and Sciences is a vital part of a technological university.

Shah wants UMR to be recognized as a research university. Attainment of this goal will improve UMR's national and international reputation and help recruitment. This goal includes $50 million in sponsored research with $10 million in indirect costs and $20 million in federal research. Currently UMR brings in $26 million in research. Fort Leonard Wood (FLW) is important to our research and the new FLW/UMR liaison officer should be in place by January 1, 2003.

Admissions / Recruitment

Jay Goff discussed recruiting efforts at UMR.

A new scholarship program will go into effect next year.

Lynn Stichnote, an employee since 1989, was named Director of Admissions. Stichnote presented a list of specific recruitment initiatives for minority students including targeted telecounseling, the Emerson Program for transfer students, and assisting MEP with scholarship mailing. Prospective African-American students have risen from 580 last year to 790 this year. Three prospects applied and were admitted during Fall Semester 2002. For Fall Semester 2003, 22 prospects have applied and 14 have been admitted.

Distance Education

Henry Wiebe reported that four degree programs and six certificate programs are currently available over the Internet with one program and three certificate programs in development. There are four video production studios operating from 8 A.M. to 10 P.M. Enrollment is increasing.

Undergraduate Studies

Harvest Collier reported on the focus of Undergraduate Studies. UMR is committed to student success and retention. Several strategies are being developed to help improve learning and student involvement.

School of Management and Information Systems (MIS)

Dean Arlan DeKock reported on the newest school at UMR. MIS is a 40-year project, bringing diversity to campus. MIS boasts an enrollment of 15% non-white and 30% female students. DeKock wants to assist UMR with student retention by creating an environment of "other than engineering". The department of Economics will be moving into the new school.

School of Engineering

Dean Robert Mitchell reported on topics of interest in the School of Engineering. Currently the School has an astronaut in space, an Oscar winner and The Bachelor. The School is ranked in the Top 50 Engineering Schools by U.S. News and World Report, has the fastest growing research, a Solar House, and a new Mechanical Engineering building is in the works.

Minority Engineering Program (MEP)

Floyd Harris spoke about summer programs and the K-12 effort. MEP offered $4000 scholarships to 22 students who maintain a 3.0 GPA. Women in Engineering offered "Summer Solutions," a two-day campus visit. MEP entertained 150 students in five summer programs. Since the key to retention is to recruit prepared students by concentrating on K-12, MEP has started MESA (Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement).

School of Mines and Metallurgy (M&M)

Dean Lee Saperstein reported that M&M is working on revamping its image, organization, efficiency and performance. Seventy of the 106 Jackling Summer Institute students have applied for admission. M&M also offered a Nuclear Camp during the summer.

Student Affairs

Debra Robinson reported that Toni Scott has left UMR to attend a Master Divinity Program. Kandy Elder has assumed the responsibilities of the Student Services Coordinator in International & Cultural Affairs.

Upcoming Meetings

February 15, 2003

October 12, 2003

Meeting Adjourned.