Minutes of the First Year Experience Governance Committee
for March 31, 2010

 

Date of Meeting: Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Members Present: Dean Yohnk, DeAnn Possehl, Mark Gurtman, Damien Evans, Christine Tutlewski, Edward Wallen, Zhemin Wang, Matthew Smanski, Michael Seredycz

Members Excused: Susan Hawkins-Wilding, Suzanne Swiderski

Guest: Kim Kelley

The meeting began at approximately 8:31 a.m.

Order of Business

1. Discussion of UW System Report of Freshman – Tabled

2. Update of FYE coordinator position search – Possehl informed the committee that the PAR was undergoing a title review in HR since the title had been changed back to a coordinator and will be supervised by the Student Success Center Director. Possehl indicated that the search likely will not begin before the end of April.

3. Update on Title III Grant and search – Wallen reported there were three candidates for the position of Director of the Student Success Center and that all were scheduled for interviews during the week of 12 April. He noted that an itinerary for each candidate’s visit would be provided once finalized. The committee requested an opportunity to meet with the candidates. Possehl added that whomever is hired in this position will replace her on the committee.

4. Report on PASS (Parkside Academic Success System) – A brief update was given on the continuing development of PASS (Parkside Academic Success System) early alert system. Yohnk will schedule Terry Brown to come to the next committee meeting on 28 April. He will also request to talk to Faculty Senate about PASS at their meeting on 13 April.

5. Enrollment Management Report – Possehl reported that there has been a lot of effort, but not a lot of progress. There has been little focus or support put into the Pre-College programming. Recruitment needs to be very targeted to ensure that we can provide the support each applicant needs. Some goals for the campus are to improve retention rates and to improve graduation rates. Possehl has been meeting with departments to help people understand not just the structure, but the philosophy that recruitment is not separate from retention. The committee discussed ways to utilize UW-P alumni and improve relationships with administrators at the high schools.

6. Ranger Welcome Update –- Possehl indicated that the Ranger Welcome format has been restructured. There was a concern from the Chancellor that there was too much crammed in the day. The focus has been shifted to building relationships by being more interactive. Yohnk noted that Swiderski will contact the departments to meet with students with the purpose being to look for ways to engage students and demonstrate the value of involvement (research/community-based projects/volunteering).

7. Ranger Read Update – The brochure has been revised and is ready for distribution. The Ranger Read Committee is very eager to develop the programming for this book. The books are here, and the committee will be asking for volunteers to facilitate. There was a discussion on the length of time needed for the Ranger Read segment. The committee collectively agreed that the Ranger Read should be held on day two with an assignment.

8. Other

a. There was a discussion of the UW System Informational Memorandum – The New Freshman Class: 2009 document. It was noted that UW-P ranks high on all of the negative numbers. Yohnk stated that the discussion will be continued at the next meeting.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:55a.m.