OUS Provosts’ Council Meeting
The OUS Provosts’ Council met at Portland State University January 6, 2005 from 9:00 AM – 12:15 PM.
Attendees: Lorraine Davis, Chair, UO; John Miller (via telephone), EOU; John Moseley, UO; Earl Potter, SOU; Sabah Randhawa, OSU; Michael Reardon, PSU; Jem Spectar, WOU; Dave Woodall, OIT; Sam Connell, OHSU (for Lesley Hallick); Maureen Sevigny, IFS; Susan Weeks (via telephone) and Helen Stampe, OUS.
Lorraine Davis introduced Maureen Sevigny as the new IFS representative and said she appreciated IFS’ presence and participation.
1) Proposals for new or modified programs
a) New BFA in Art proposed by WOU
i) Proposal was described as faculty driven intended to serve student interest and the local community, modest in size (no need for additional resources at present) with limited growth expected (~15% in 5 years). Unique features of the program included a requirement for service learning or study abroad.
ii) Concerns expressed included the size of the faculty and possible effects on program quality, whether the program would seek accreditation (“not in the short term”), and whether it truly was a fifth year of study beyond the BA/BS degree or “something beyond a 4-year degree.”
iii) Jem Spectar agreed to make minor revisions in the proposal to clarify the points raised and re-submit to the members of the Provosts’ Council via e-mail with no need for further formal review by the Provosts’ Council
b) Name change from MA/MS in Correctional Administration to MA/MS in Criminal Justice proposed by WOU
i) After brief discussion including a mention by Jem Spectar that no other institution offers a degree in Correctional Administration, the Provosts’ Council granted permission to proceed.
c) Delivery of a BS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Science in Shanghai, China proposed by PSU
i) Michael Reardon explained that the degree would be delivered on-line to Shanghai. PSU faculty have visited the Shanghai site to ensure proper laboratory facilities exist. Faculty would continue to visit the site periodically.
ii) Concerns expressed included the small budget (“not a problem because it is self-support”), the need to continue to ensure quality faculty and facilities on site (“an oversight group has been formed and it has already made 3 visits; the program generates enough money to support this”).
iii) Further discussion followed about other possible joint ventures abroad and the need to engage the State Board about international education. Lorraine Davis suggested that the Provosts’ Council set an agenda item for the next meeting and invite Director Kirby Dyess (who chairs the Academic Excellence and Economic Development (AEED) working group).
iv) Provosts’ Council approved delivery with the clarification that this is a BS in Science degree.
2) Dual degree/accelerated courses
a) Lorraine Davis explained that this arose from a discussion item at the Excellence in Delivery and Productivity (aka “More, better, faster” or “MBF”) working group regarding dual high school/college credit. OUS apparently may have a competitive advantage vis a vis community colleges since OUS institutions are less restrictive regarding who is eligible to teach such courses at the high school level.
b) Discussion followed including examples of institutions delivering courses to local high schools (EOU, OIT) but not looking to compete with local community colleges in this.
i) OIT has been in discussion with KCC and EOU has had discussions with BMCC and TVCC regarding ways to meet high school students’ needs, finding “niches” but not looking to “take over” the region.
c) Discussion turned to the concern that HS teachers may lack credentials specified in the OARs and OUS institutions could be of assistance in getting HS teachers qualified to teach college courses.
d) Funding is another concern, especially from the K-12 perspective.
i) Earl Potter noted that bills have come up in previous legislative sessions to allow HS students to take college credit but the funding would also transfer to the higher education institution.
ii) Lorraine Davis mentioned that Susan Castillo has been looking for “dual funding for dual credit.”
e) Following Earl Potter’s request that the Provosts’ Council form a small working group to discuss credentialing of HS teachers, it was agreed that Earl Potter and Sabah Randhawa would be the Provosts’ Council representatives to a small working group to help determine the role for four-year institutions in the delivery or facilitation of the delivery of college courses in the high schools. The working group would report to Dave McDonald, OUS staff.
3) Update on the Articulation and Transfer Conference (December 10, 2004)
a) Leading into the discussion, Lorraine Davis announced that the MBF workgroup will meet on January 21, 2005 although no agenda has been distributed yet. She said the Oregon Transfer Module (OTM) will be “dealt with” [by campus faculty senates] by then.
b) Lorraine Davis reported that the conference went “very well” and had a “great turnout.”
c) The session on the OTM was productive. There will be a lot of “nitty gritty” issues to deal with regarding the OTM and JBAC will be putting together a set of FAQs regarding implementation.
d) Jem Spectar said that he made a presentation at the conference regarding retention and it was well-received.
e) Lorraine Davis encouraged continued discussion regarding articulation of majors that most frequently transfer. She emphasized that these discussions need to be at the department level.
4) Performance targets
a) Lorraine Davis and Susan Weeks discussed meetings with key legislators regarding the appropriate primary and secondary performance indicators for OUS and this opened discussion about specific indicators including what they measure and whether they are appropriate indicators of institutional and system-wide performance.
5) Discussion on the upcoming legislative session
a) Susan Weeks reported that the fact books are being produced now and the legislator notebook is in the final stages. There will be a legislative briefing Jan. 25-27th. Legislators will be focusing on performance outcomes.
b) Susan Weeks will provide a template to each institution regarding faculty recruiting and retention.
6) Admission requirements for 2006-2007
a) Proposed admission requirements for each institution were reviewed. It was agreed that each institution would provide final numbers to Lorraine Davis by January 18th.
7) Workforce development grant proposal
a) OUS is proposing a $25,000 match for the state’s $50,000.
8) Faculty diversity funds
a) Each Provost should make a request for funds with the expectation that an end-of-year report would be required.
9) EOU name changes and reorganization
a) The School of Arts and Sciences is being renamed to the College of Arts and Sciences is effective January 1, 2005
b) The School of Education and Business is being split into two colleges – the College of Business and the College of Education, effective January 1, 2005.
1. A search for a new Dean of Business will occur.
10) Discussion on tuition
a) Tuition increases of 5-7% or more are needed to fund faculty salaries, provide more student aid, and prevent erosion of quality.
b) Program fees, plateau elimination (where the plateau still exists) and a rollback of discounts for classes taught at less popular times of day may also be considered by different campuses.
c) OUS will need to show the effects of reductions in the Governor’s budget in 2% increments such as which programs would be reduced/eliminated.
d) OHSU will be increasing tuition including raising resident tuition in the dentistry program to match non-resident tuition.
11) Other
a) The IT transition needs to be discussed especially in light of Banner being down for several days right before winter term classes began.