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USMSC Minutes: Fall Retreat
September 12, 1998
University System of Maryland Office

Introductions and Welcome

The USMSC Fall 1998 Retreat began with words from Chair, Mya Murthy. Murthy welcomed all delegates and congratulated them on being selected as representatives from their respective institutions.

She noted the presence of Dr. George L. Marx, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Senator Frank Komenda, Associate Vice Chancellor for State Relations, and Joe F. Vivona, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance, and encouraged all delegates to take a moment to meet all three speakers. Murthy also introduced Susan E. Woda, Student Regent.

The delegates took a moment to introduce themselves and note their home institution.

Campus Updates

None given.

Reports on the System

Susan Woda, Student Regent, provided an introduction to the University System of Maryland, utilizing a PowerPoint presentation that was distributed in hard copy form. The presentation gave a basic knowledge of structure and organization of the System, institutions within the System, role of the Student Regent, importance of the Board of Regents, Office of the Chancellor, Office of Academic Affairs, Office of Administration and Finance, Office of Advancement, System-wide advisory councils, and shared governance.

George Marx, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, began his presentation by strongly encouraging shared governance. Marx also discussed the decision-making process in the academic areas. Marx presented the Council with a tentative agenda for Committee on Education Policy. He reported on issues such as creating and realizing strategies for the Implementation of Propositions 5 and 6 of Pathways to Perpetual Learning (Action) and improving minority achievement and retention rates. Other topics on the agenda included institutional plans to address alcohol abuse in the USM, distance education reports, the anticipated Report from the Teacher Education Council on Performance Assessment Tools and their use in the USM, the K-16 Initiative relationship to public school systems to improve education of all students. Lastly, he mentioned briefly a potential academic advising task force and enrollment policy issues, and, in closing, he stressed the significance of Council involvement.

Joe Vivona, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance, began with words of encouragement, urging the Council to work hard and do well in their positions. He presented the Council with a packet of information, reviewed the distribution of the State budget, concentrating on (1) the fact that Maryland as an educational community does not get enough money and (2) the State's allocation of resources. He also reviewed the budget process, total funds for FY 2000, how the USM average tuition rates compare to other institutions, and tuition caps.

A question was raised about TU's new "mandatory" fees, which have caused uproar at TU; while the question did not receive a direct answer, Vivona said that the situation is being investigated. UMCP asked about what type of measures are taken to measure quality and to determine if a "quality" education is being achieved. Vivona explained, in summary, that the quality of a school turns into loyalty to the institution shown by alumni; the schools with the most loyal alumni are often the recipients of a "quality" education. USMSC Chair asked Vivona how the Council is of use to him and his office; he answered that we are to update his office on how schools show that they have received financial resources, perhaps by information technology improvements. Vivona assured SSU that the situation in which budget requests from academic departments were denied and, hence, classes were shut down at the last minute would be investigated.

In closing, Vivona asked the Council to participate in and/or support a super blood drive in their area. He'd like to research how to get campuses involved and how to make this region a major blood exporter.

John Martin, Vice Chancellor for Advancement, discussed plans in the USM to raise 700 million dollars for use as scholarships and faculty pay. He discussed the major issues for Advancement, to include campaigning, importance of alumni support, estate planning, and creating and using a database for all alumni.

Martin talked about USM public relations, economic development, and the campaign for 700 million at the end of 7 years (in 2002), "Making a Lasting Impression". He told the Council how students could fit in: by communication for years to come, students may have an incentive to contribute; hence, they encourage student involvement early and handed out a packet as a sample of alumni activities. He also said that students should recognize how excellent the value of their education is, and that the more they contribute, the more valuable their degree will be.

Frank Komenda, Associate Vice Chancellor for State Relations, explained the make-up of the MGA and the budget process (including defending the budget and how education is "the deep pocket"). Komenda stressed student involvement in the following ways: (1) holding a position on the State Relations Council (he needs a representative, and meetings are on Fridays at 9:00 a.m.); (2) meeting him for a personal tour of Annapolis; (3) ATTENDING ANNAPOLIS 101; (4) lobbying, (5) student testimony before legislative committees; (6) student meetings with their legislators; and (7) student invitations to their legislators to tour their campus.

Lastly, Komenda urged students to participate in the voting process because students have such a powerful influence over elections, and he invited any student or student group to meet with him anytime to "talk politics."

Lunch with Chancellor Langenberg

Donald Langenberg, Chancellor, USM, discussed a proposal for a deal with Microsoft Corporation in which schools would be automatically given Microsoft software on every computer. We discussed the pros and cons of this idea; in summary, comments are as follows:

Pros: provides all students with software and free upgrades, could save students the money used to by the software privately, there would be a compatible system student-wide, the deal may attract other companies to make attractive offers, the software is applicable on one's home computer (not just on campus)

Cons: mandatory yearly fee from all students of $14, some students have software already, some students don't have computers.

Council Introductions & Games

All Council members introduced themselves. Those in attendance were Pam Riddle (UMB), Sabastian Niles (UMCP), Kelly Newsome (UMCP), Stephen Moglia (UB), Tony Savia (UMUC), Andrew Rittler (SSU), Kasey Schneider (SSU), Michelle Dachille (TU), Sowmya Murthy, Chair, Susan Woda, Student Regent, and Joan Marionni, Chancellor's Liaison.

After introductions, the Council played a game with the objective of building a car. Each council member had to say what part of the car they were; see Mya Murthy for the complete listing of Council members and their respective "car parts."

Old Business

None Reported

New Business

Attendance Policy

Kasey Schneider (SSU), Vice-Chair, stressed the importance of attendance and reviewed attendance rules and procedures as stated in the most recent bylaws. She assured the Council that she would enforce participation and attendance with letters, phone calls, and possible personal meetings with the presidents of underrepresented institutions. She stressed the importance of being one of only two representatives of your campus to an advisory board to the Chancellor and Board of Regents.

USMSC Structure

Mya Murthy, Chair, praised current Student Regent Susan Woda for her work as Chair of the Council during the 1997-1998 academic school year. In effort to maintain the demanding standards required of the USMSC Chair, Murthy announced that she has many ideas for the upcoming year.

One idea was for the Council to use a method of organizational delegation where Council duties could be dispersed among delegates on various committees; for example, Andy (SSU) and Kasey (SSU) could both be on different committees and, hence, handle different duties at their institution. The committees include the following: (1) Academic Affairs; (2) Advancement; (3) State Relations; (4) Administration & Finance; (5) Student Affairs. All Council members signed up for their first and second choice committees.

Format of Meetings

Kelly Newsome (UMCP), Secretary/Treasurer, reviewed meeting format: (1) Introductions & Welcome; (2) Campus Updates; (3) Officer Reports; (4) Old Business; (5) New Business; (6) Comments for the Good of the Council. Newsome made several comments about campus updates, most notably that updates are simply a way for the Council to share the most recent occurrences on each of the campuses, and that representatives should remember that the time allotted for campus updates should be used to give a report on what students on a particular campus care most about so that we can all work together to either try to improve a bad situation or praise a good one.

Commitment & Involvement

Susan Woda reviewed the Student Regent selection as very important, and referred the Council to the sheet on the selection process found in their USMSC binders. Mya Murthy, Chair, reminded the Council of their duties in between meetings, including e-mail correspondence, talking to the presidents or vice-presidents of the university or college, contacting the school student government of advisory board to stay abreast of the most current student issues, and periodically visiting the USM webpage (which will be updated soon).

Comments for the Good of the Council

Kelly Newsome (UMCP) reminded all delegates of how important it is to use your position; each delegate has valuable resources available, leaving endless possibilities for recommendation letters, contacts for your campus (and career!), and a wealth of knowledge about issues that concern the students that the Council represents.

Tony Savia (UMUC) agreed with Newsome's comments, and, as an employer, emphasized the importance of making contacts.

Sabastian Niles (UMCP) inquired about receiving more information about the Microsoft Corporation idea; Joan Marionni, Chancellor's Liaison said she would send an e-mail.

Susan Woda, Student Regent, told the Council that she's busy investigating issues and communicating with the BoR. She's excited about relaying information if you have any. She also discussed the new mandatory fees at TU, and Michelle Dachille (TU) stressed the lack of communication to students. Susan said she will continue to work on crime reporting, student involvement, and advancement (fundraising--you may be called upon!). She'll e-mail you about the quality of T.A.'s, G.A.'s, and professors at your respective institutions. She'll need your opinion for upcoming discussion about quality teaching. She highlighted the importance of communication within the council; stay in touch with her!!! She'd like to return to all campuses for visits--more about that later. Lastly, she challenges the Council to think about and see the "big picture" and for delegates to think of themselves as representatives for the State as well as the Council.

Meeting adjourned at approximately 4:00 p.m.

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