Minutes of the University Committee
for February 14, 2000

The Committee met at 2:10 in 262 CART. Members present were Walter Feldt, Laura Gellott, Fran Kavenik, James Kinchen, and Carol Saffioti-Hughes. Also present were Larry Duetsch and Jack Keating.

Professor Gellott told Chancellor Keating that she has kept the Committee informed about the discussion that has taken place in the Enrollment Management Task Force concerning creation of a new administrative position titled Assistant Chancellor for Enrollment Management Services. She indicated that the Committee sought this meeting because thay have been quite concerned about the changes in administrative responsibility this new position would bring, especially the proposed transfer of responsibility for the Advising Center from the Provost to this Assistant Chancellor. On this campus, advising has always been an integral part of the academic affairs unit rather than the student services unit.

Chancellor Keating said that an enrollment management model has come to be the most common administrative model on campuses across the country because it has been found to be more effective in attracting and retaining students. He indicated that although we have had some success in attracting more students, we have not yet been able to improve retention and must take steps to do so. With searches underway (or expected) for Directors of Admissions, Advising, and Financial Aid, he feels it is the right time to adopt the administative structure that works best elsewhere. The Chancellor said he expects that this new administrative structure will ensure better communication with units that directly affect enrollment and retention. He also expects that the standing faculty Committee on Advising will continue to exercise their responsibility to oversee advising practices and recommend appropriate policies.

At the conclusion of the discusssion, members of the Committee remained skeptical and the Chancellor remained confident that this change in administrative structure would serve students better. The Chancellor did assure the Committee that there would be appropriate faculty representation on the search and screen committee for the Assistant Chancellor and he reemphasized that he would settle for nothing less than an experienced person who would improve communiciation with the units involved.

The meeting adjourned at 3:20.