Minutes

President's Advisory Council

Wednesday, January 31, 2007
8:30 a.m. – Barge 412

Present: Jerilyn McIntyre, Dave Soltz, Rich Corona, Charlotte Tullos, Paul Baker, Libby Street

Guests: John Drinkwater, Joanne Hillemann, Richard DeShields, Bill Vertrees

I. At 8:30 a.m.: Margaret Smith re: Fund Raising & the Use of University Facilities

Cabinet members gave several scenarios and Ms. Smith commented on what is appropriate and allowed within state law. The agreements between the university and the Foundation and the university and the Alumni Association will be reviewed to see if they need to be updated to take care of some of these issues.

II. At 9:00 a.m.: Joanne Hillemann, Richard DeShields, & John
Drinkwater re: Housing Master Plan Presentation

Mr. DeShields began by giving some background on the Comprehensive Housing Master Plan for University Housing at CWU. The master plan study began in 2004 to review facilities needs in University Housing. Hanbury, Evans, Wright, Vlattas, and Company, and Anderson Stickler, LLC coordinated the study. The plan proposes a full renovation and construction plan through the year 2021. Timelines were reviewed and discussed. The group will come back again in April to meet with Cabinet to talk more about the financials associated with this project. They are currently in discussions regarding bonding rating and financial feasibility of the plan on the current housing market and occupancy. Mr. Corona added that this plan is set up very well because it allows for adjustments along the way. It can be very flexible. Dr. McIntyre thanked the group for the presentation and asked that they provide a business plan to her and the Board of Trustees prior to the March board meeting.

III. Discussion Items

1. Legislative update and planning – Dr. McIntyre
Dr. McIntyre explained that she wants to have a better plan for responding to the legislative questions that are coming up. She added that it would be best to keep up on the major issues and not get sidetracked by the items that won't make it past the first few weeks of session. Dr. Street distributed an update on our federal legislative agenda. Tim Peckinpaugh, our federal legislative consultant, was on campus last Friday, January 26 to discuss our agenda. We will be going forward with our three proposals: Wine Education Program, Cogeneration, and the Child and Family Learning Center.

2. Communication issues – Dr. McIntyre
Dr. McIntyre reminded the group that we should be prepared with a communication plan for emergency and crises situations.

3. BOT Agenda – Dr. McIntyre
The group reviewed the agenda for Friday's Board of Trustees meeting.

4. Email request from an alum – Dr. McIntyre
Dr. McIntyre explained that she received an email from a former student asking for information on how to get involved in groups on campus. The group agreed that this request should be forwarded to the ASCWU BOD/Clubs and Organizations for a response. Ms. Dawson will forward the information to Tony Aronica.

5. Delay in some internal invoices – Dr. Street
Dr. Street explained that this issue had been resolved for the time being.

6. Issues with the "Offer of Admissions" letters – Dr. Street
Dr. Street explained that the “offer of admissions” letters go out to incoming students on Office of the President letterhead and are mailed in Office of the President envelopes, but with the Admissions Office mail stop. This is causing issues with the United States Postal Service. If a letter is undeliverable and needs to be returned to sender, the letter is returned to the name on the envelope, not the mail stop and then the office on the envelope is charged the return charges as well. Dr. McIntyre asked if it was beneficial for these letters to be mailed on Office of the President letterhead. Dr. Tullos will follow up with her admissions folks to see what their opinions are. She will report back soon.

7. Travel Policy Update – Dr. Soltz
Dr. Soltz brought up a concern that came up regarding the recent travel policy that was recently approved by PAC. It was recently approved that in state, one-day travel, no longer requires a travel authorization. This could cause a great deal of problems for divisions that have a lot of employees traveling. Mr. Corona will convene a group to discuss all of the issues. He will report back after the meeting takes place.

IV. Executive Reports

Provost/Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs:
Dr. Soltz reported that he attended the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) meeting last week. The accountability measures were approved. He added that Ann Daley is the new Executive Director and Bill Grinstein is the new chair of the board.

Vice President for Business & Financial Affairs:
Mr. Corona reported that his division tracks all legislative bills that come to them. They prepare a summary and send it to Ann Anderson weekly. He will share this report with the rest of the group. Mr. Corona and Dr. Tullos will talk with Cabinet soon about the financials relating to the Housing Master Plan.

Vice President for University Relations:
Dr. Baker distributed the final mark up of the new CWU license plate for review. Last week's Foundation Board meeting went very well. The ideas and enthusiasm from the group was excellent.

Vice President for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management:
Dr. Tullos reported that the Washington Achiever Scholars will be on campus again this year. Final numbers for this quarter will be available soon.

Executive Assistant for Policy and Planning:
Dr. Street reminded the vice presidents to ask their staff members to test the Resource Directory. She would like to open it up to the community soon.

President:
Dr. McIntyre reported that she recently attended Alumni and Development gatherings in Arizona. She added that she received many compliments on our publications from attendees at these events.

V. At 11:30 a.m.: Ann Anderson (phone call) regarding legislative update

Ms. Anderson joined the group by phone to give a legislative update for the week. She reported that Tony Aronica and Steve DuPont testified at the Senate Higher Education Committee meeting today for the tuition waiver bill and did an excellent job. They will testify again at the House Higher Education Committee meeting on Monday at 1:30 p.m. Ms. Anderson asked Dr. Soltz to follow up on the bill regarding adjunct faculty. Our Board of Trustees confirmations will be coming up soon.

VI. Progress Reports

No progress reports for this week.

VII. Cabinet reports on community events and meetings attended

Cabinet adjourned prior to getting to this item.