Minutes of the University Planning Council
for March 28, 2001

WYLL 363, 12:00 noon

Present: D. Baldwin, D. Cress, A. Crist, L. Gellott, B. Greenebaum, F. Kavenik, J. Keating, Co-Chair, R. Kirby, L. Klaver, E. Letven, P. Lyter, S. McLaughlin, S. Norton, J. Ostheimer, T. Peischl, B. Piazza, H. Pitts, C. Rugzie, R. Singer, Co-Chair, B. Streeter, L. Vines, M. Wafa, S. Wallner. Guest: L. Duetsch, M. Jensen, R. McCready, J. Melke, N. Smith

The meeting was called to order at noon.

I Minutes: The minutes of the February 26th meeting were approved

II Introductions-

A. New member Luella Vines was introduced and welcomed
B. New Director of Financial Aid and Scholarship Randy McCready was introduced and welcomed.
C. New Director of Admissions Matt Jensen was introduced and welcomed.

III ACT Alumni Survey: L. Duetsch, Chair of our NCA Accreditation Steering Committee reviewed the results of a ACT survey of UWP alumni. In general the survey revealed that UWP alumni feel very positive about their educational experience at UWP and provides some evidence of improvement over the results of the 1996 ACT survey. A. Crist has the complete survey for those interested. It was suggested that this information should get to our local media, and that another meeting with editorial staff might highlight the results of this survey.

IV Title III Grant Proposal: D. Baldwin and N. Smith reported on the Title III grant proposal that was submitted in March. The proposal seeks funding to improve our student information system to help improve retention. This is the third consecutive year that we have submitted a grant proposal, and those working on it felt that there are significant improvements in the current proposal.

V WEB Committee: L. Klaver reported on the progress of the committee. The home page and next level will be revised with the help of a web designer who will be hired on a short-term basis. Portels will be the next step in improving our web presence.

VI Other business:
A. WEPCO money: J. Keating reviewed the uses to date of the $340,000 received from WEPCO for an easement on University property. Areas receiving funds included theater lighting, University web page improvement, baseball field improvements, new language laboratory, international student initiative, electronic message board. About 40% of the funds will be kept as a reserve for future projects.
B. Fine Arts Addition: the fine arts project has been delayed so that a complete buildings use plan space study can be completed. This will be done, and a revised proposal will be submitted in February, 2002.
C. University Police: J. Keating made it clear that there are no plans to reduce the police force. While grant funding has ended, the campus is committed to fund all current police positions.
D. Food Service: Fine Host will be providing food service when the current contract ends on June 1. They are planning renovations to the hard hat and coffee cart areas. Fine Host will have personnel on campus beginning on April 16th.
E. State Budget: The budget process continues. The Joint Finance Committee will be holding hearings on campus on April 10th.
F. UW Day: The campus was represented at UW day in Madison on March 7th.
G. Prairie burn: In the future, an announcement will be made in advance of the campus prairie burn.

Adjournment: 1:30 pm.