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USMSC Minutes

Towson University

April 7, 1999

Meeting began at approximately 12:00 p.m.

Introductions and Welcome

Meeting began with a welcome by Towson University representatives Kristen Neville and Marty Jenoff. All delegates introduced themselves and noted their home institution.

In attendance were Amanda Klugh (FSU representative for 1999-2000), Tony Hayes (FSU), Jessica Aiken (FSU), LaSonia King (CSC), Lisa Reese (UB), Andy Rittler (SSU), Aprille Williams (UMES), Makia Hall (UMES' representative for 1999-2000), Mike Berlin (UMBC), Joe Tello (UMBC), Billy (UMBC), Elmus Mosby (UMCP), Kelly Newsome (UMCP), Pam Riddle (UMB), Mia Murthy (Chair), Kasey Schneider (SSU), Susan Woda (Student Regent), Joan Marionni (Chancellor's Liaison).

Officer Reports

Mia Murthy, Chair

Campus Crime

• will forward a letter regarding campus crime to Susan Woda in the near future.

Shared Governance

• plans to work with the Vice Chancellor in order to send a letter regarding shared governance to all USM Presidents.

Microsoft Update

• released a handout to the Council with highlighted points (e.g., which USM schools included students fees to help cover Microsoft costs).
• Some schools are looking to earn extra money from the Microsoft Proposal (IT support), because they wills save money by participating in the partnership.
• Susan Woda suggested that all delegates talk to their campus presidents about student costs.
• Michael Berlin (UMBC) suggested discussing the issue with the campus' IT support person.

Annual Report

• has discussed the writing of this report with Kasey Schneider, Vice-Chair, and Kelly Newsome, Secretary/Treasurer, and has proposed that the by-laws be changed to have all officers compile the report together.

Kasey Schneider, Vice-Chair

Advising Report

• asked that all delegates read the academic advising report.

Kelly Newsome, Secretary/Treasurer

Minutes

• reported that March minutes are up on the web, and available for the Council's perusal.

Advising Report

• asked to reopen the Vice-Chair report so that academic advising could be discussed. In particular, she asked for specific areas of interest that representatives should focus on/look for while reading the report.

Kasey Schneider, Vice-Chair (Continued)

• In answer, Ms. Schneider asked delegates to concentrate on the following:

1. multiple semester planning (annual planning)
2. changes to information systems (i.e. degree auditing program/on-line audits available)
3. mentor advising, and/or faculty/mentor (vs. "staff" advising)
4. participation in "faculty/mentor advising" to be considered in tenure evaluations for non-tenure faculty
5. rewards for faculty/mentor advisors, depending on campus needs

• Regents have discussed that advising should be the same as teaching; to this, Susan Woda added, "advising is just as important."

Susan Woda, Student Regent

• reported that George Marx, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, will retire on April 30, 1999. New VC will be named soon.

• shared details of the recent BoR retreat, during which regents discussed future priorities, as well as planning a new retreat before June 30, 1999.

Academic Advising

• stated that the report was deferred (to be reviewed by faculty), and that there was generally a positive response to the report.
• urged the Council to give great attention to this report, reminding delegates that these policies go into effect and will affect students.
• noted the following special points:

0. According to the report, there would be a review every five years, which would "skip a generation" of students. She suggested to have a surface review every three years, and an overhaul review at six years.
1. Advisors should receive training to be proper advisors.
2. Inclusion of students as a reference.
3. Matching students and advisors.
4. [according to the report] advising should be "timely" and "convenient" -what does this mean? Clarification is needed here.
5. Campus-directed best practices vs. campus accepting these policies stated

• stated that any concerns should be sent to her AND Kasey Schneider.

Questions/Comments from the Council

• Jess Aiken (FSU) inquired about matching advisors and students, specifically asking about students who have not identified their major area of interest. She reported on FSU's policy that when freshman enter FSU with less that 15 credits, they required to take a course that is similar to advising, which helps students narrow down their interests with a weekly "advisor" for a number of students.
• Amanda Klugh (FSU) suggested the idea of incorporation "learning communities," similar to Honors Communities, stating that advising is not limited to just teachers and students any more.
• Aprille Williams (UMES) reported that in some schools, such as UMES, there are not enough faculty members to have a one to one ratio between faculty/mentor and student. Susan Woda suggested to look into the report, regarding recommendations such as mentoring grants to help give faculty members incentive to mentor. Joan Marionni and Kelly Newsome (UMCP) suggested group adivising with older students (upperclassmen) as well as the set mentor.
• noted that advising is upon the fault of the student (i.e. meeting graduation requirements) providing that the student is given information from his/her advising.

Student Regent Bill (regarding part-time UMUC students applying for the regent position)

• stated that this bill was not amended to include other schools.
• encouraged discussion about this bill

Miscellaneous Notes

• reminded the Council that the UMD Shady Grove campus will be used to serve the growing educational community
• stated tuition/fee policy is done this summer after funding guidelines are received
• recommended that there be an arts admission requirement for college students, in order to align high school and college education. She stated that more than thirty states require arts already, and that the council should talk about this possibility.
• Performance evaluations of USM presidents are upcoming; that is on her agenda as SR.
• student regent term ends June 30, 1999.

Jessica Aiken, Federal Relations Chair

Davis Bill

• proposes that students from Washington D.C. will be able to receive grants, etc. to pay for their tuition to any school nationwide. Full tuition will NOT be given, but rather the students will receive the assistance to the school of their choice so that their tuition equals in-state, rather than out-state.
• the bill is based on the premise that D.C. students cannot receive in-state tuition for any school in the country, because they are automatically out-of-state.
• the bill proposes that the government pay for this.

Montgomery GI Bill

• The Senate has voted to increase GI benefits; spouses and children eligible for Montgomery G.I. benefits under SB4: military pay raise bill.

Medical Education Bill

• 1% tax added to insurance premium for all citizens
• taxes would be used for education of the next generation of medical practitioners.
• Natural Science Majors
• restrictions on stem cells (initial cells for organism growth)
• the purpose is to take stem cells and grow organs
• this raises moral concerns and starts discussion - people are concerned

Research Grant Funding

• Due to bombing, funding for research grants (totaling $500,000 has been held back from UMBC) is going somewhere else. This could be delayed or never returned, and money may be lost from other areas as well. Mike Berlin stated that one program may shut down due to the loss in funding.

Lisa Reese (UB)

• Senator Komenda expressed his gratitude to the Council for their help with the budget process, and he said that he is looking forward to working with the Council next year. He suggests that the Council work on "continuity and consistency," and that each rep meet their respective State Relations officer.
• Part-time regent bill: Lisa suggests that we think about what kinds of questions we should ask part-time employees

Comments on the Good of the Council

• LaSonia King (CSC) stated that the press release for Andy Miller's position as student regent will be out soon.
• Mia Murthy (Chair) stated that we've got to promote the student regent positions
• A by-laws ad-hoc committee was created, with members Susan Woda, Kasey Schneider, and Kelly Newsome.

Meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m.

Officer Elections took place.