Minutes of the University Committeee
for December 15, 1998

The Committee met at 3:40 in 262 CART. Members present were Tim Fossum, Laura Gellott, Fran Kavenik, James Kinchen, and Carol Saffioti-Hughes. Also present were Carl Buck, Larry Duetsch, John Hanson, and Andrea Simpson.

Dr. Hanson and Ms. Simpson described the Alumni Forum that is being planned for the morning of Saturday, February 20, 1999. The Alumni Association wants to assist the campus in whatever way it can in strengthening ties with the community. Faculty, staff, and members of the Alumni Association who attend will be asked to form small discussion groups for the purpose of identifying ways in which alumni can be of help in developing partnerships between the university and the community. Members of the Committee said they would be pleased to participate.

Dr. Hanson and Ms. Simpson left the meeting.

At the request of the Committee, Mr. Buck addressed pressing financial aid issues. He pointed out that it is difficult to attract a greater number of well prepared students with scholarship awards totaling only about $166,000. This amount funds 179 scholarships - an average award of just $927. We're badly in need of a larger endowment to provide more generous grants-in-aid to qualified students. Mr. Buck also explained that an unacceptably high proportion of our students have been unable to repay their student loans. Recently the default rate for our students has been above ten percent, more than twice the rate for any other UW four-year campus. Because of our high default rate, our flexibility in disbursing aid has been restricted, again making student recruitment more difficult. The financial aid office is in the process of identifying a preferred lender that will work with students to help them hold down their debt burden. The Committee agreed that these financial aid issues were very serious and asked Mr. Buck to prepare an informational report on these matters for the next meeting of the Senate. He agreed to do so.

Mr. Buck left the meeting.

Prof. Duetsch reported that Prof. McArthur has resigned from the Committee to take full advantage of her Spring 1999 sabbatical. She will be replaced for the remainder of her term (ending in August 1999) by Lee Van Dyke (Dramatic Arts), who won the honor in a coin toss with another runner-up from the last election.

The Committee agreed to meet next on January 13 at 8:00 AM and on Tuesdays at 8:00 AM during the Spring semester.

The meeting adjourned at 4:45.