January 2009

01.09.01
Subject - Tuition rates for CWU Employees, Spouses and Children

My suggestion is to offer a reduced tuition rate to spouses/children of CWU employees. We have been told that it is encouraged for CWU employees to take classes as it increases FTE, and therefore the amount of money we receive from the state. I know that when it comes to the time where my family is contemplating where to go to college, my husband and I would definitely move to a school where this was offered as a benefit not only to employees but their families as well. By doing this we would gain two things: 1. An increase in FTE 2. More qualified/talented individuals relocating to work at CWU in order to receive this benefit for their families.

Forwarded to - John Swiney, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management

Response - Current state rule under RCW 28B.15.558 does not allow any University to use waivers for spouses/children of state employees. CWU does allow waivers for all of the groups that are currently listed in the RCW. While this is a good suggestion, the University or any other Washington state University does not have the authority to allow this waiver. Only the Legislature could change the current RCW. It has been suggested to the Legislature in the past but is currently not an item that is being considered by the Legislature.

01.09.02
Subject - Parking pass for carpools

Is it possible for carpooling commuters to only purchase one parking pass that will work for both drivers cars?

Forwarded to - Tim Stowe, Public Safety and Police Services

Response - Currently we do not have a policy at Central Washington University that addresses Carpool parking. Parking Services along with the Parking Advisory Committee are in the process of drafting a policy for Carpools/Vanpools. We have been talking with other state institutions to see how they initiated and regulate their carpool/vanpool programs. Once the policy is put in place, perhaps as earlier as Spring Quarter 2009, we will notify the campus community of the policy and how to go about signing up for carpool/vanpool. Thank you for your suggestion and it will be conveyed to the Parking Advisory Committee.

01.09.03
Subject - Policy regardging illness and absences

There are many CWU students who spend time in the local schools per requirements for their college classes. As a parent and teacher I would like to know if there is a policy about these students coming to our classrooms when they are sick. More than once I have had to deal with a coughing and contagious CWU student who is spreading their germs because they are not allowed absent days. Is there a policy on this? While we appreciate the help, it isn't worth it if the student is coming and passing illness after illness.

Response - I can only reply for Student Teaching and Pre-Autumn students...

We do tell students to not miss classes if it is absolutely unnecessary to do so, but if they are ill, then of course they are permitted absences. It may mean longer in the classroom during fall quarter for Pre-Autumn if they haven't met all of the objectives because of illness, or it may mean extending their student teaching if that is possible (due to district calendar and/or teacher willingness to continue to host after the university quarter has ended).

01.09.04
Subject - Education Department's Student & Faculty forum

The Education program has recently implemented a regularly scheduled forum time on Tuesday afternoons where students are able to come in and ask professors ANY questions they may have. Just wanted to say how great this is, I was already able to take advantage of this opportunity and have been reccommending it to several fellow education majors. Thanks to those professors who are showing their dedication by making this happen.

Forwarded to - Connie Lambert, Dean, College of Education and Professional Studies

Response - My understanding from the Department Chair is that two professors from the Department of Education are holding weekly advising sessions with students. The professors are from two of the larger programs in the department and determined that this is a way to respond to questions or concerns in a large and structured way.

01.09.05
Subject - Additional Lap Swim Hours

Suggestion #1: Is there any way that lap swim hours could be offered in the afternoon in addition to or rather than in the morning or evening hours that are currently offered? Or could there be less free swim hours be offered and more lap swim hours offered?

Suggestion #2: Is there any way that additional hours for lap swim can be added, maybe lessen the hours of "free swim" as it seems most swimmers present are there for lap swim and are disrupted by the fewer swimmers there to mess around?

Forwarded to - Debbie Nethery, Pool Supervisor, HHPN

Response - Yes, we will definitely look into have an additional lap swim in the afternoon. If that isn't feasible then we will review the evening time situation and try and find a more appropriate balance.

01.09.06
Subject - Wildcat Shop Discounts

Why doesn't the book store have a 20% off coupon in the coupon books any longer? Many students put them to use.

Forwarded to - Steve Wenger, Wildcat Shop Director

Response - The Wildcat Shop has changed our marketing strategy with the student marketing club coupon book. We did not even receive the coupon book fall quarter and they came to us a week late winter quarter. Our ad in the book now refers customers to our web site where they can see what the current promotion is. We are changing them weekly and are trying to encourage our customers to come in more often for each new special that we offer. Most of them are for the same discount, we are just varying the products that it applies to, and to encourage more customers to come into the store for the sale.

01.09.07
Subject - Intramural Rules

There needs to be consistency for intramural rules. It isn't fair when some people have to show their ID cards so they can play and some people don't have to. My team had to have people not play because they didn't have cards and then I saw other teams be able to ignore the rules this happens in lots of the sports it just depends on who your ref is and who you are friends with. Everybody pays the same fee and follows the same rule is a good policy.

Forwarded to - Eric W. Scott , Coordinator, Intramural Sports & Special Events

Response - Please contact Eric Scott, Coordinator of Intramural Sports regarding this concern. He can be reached by phone at 509-963-3511 or by email: scotter@cwu.edu

01.09.08
Subject - Black History Month

Why isn't the University doing anything to celebrate Black History Month?

Forwarded to - Charlotte E. Tullos, Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management

Response - Actually we have quite a few things going on for this month celebrating Black History and bringing awareness:

Center for the Dream and ESC VP Keith James is looking into displaying period artifacts and documents reflecting civil rights era and earlier. They are looking to make sure before display that all liability can be assessed.

February 19th – Hip-hop artist Talib Kweli and journalist Jeff Chang will be here to discuss the influence of hip-hop on this generations outlook on race, gender, globalization, multiculturalization, history, and much more. Both will be speaking in Africana and Black Diaspora classes.

February 24-25: speed RACEing, an interactive student experience exploring race and identity through inter-group dialog. 60 minutes of intense 3 minute Q & A's where everyone's questions are answered with no embarrassment or shame and all education and intent on learning. The next day is a 20 plus student panel of diverse backgrounds to answer in more depth anonymously submitted questions (we have 2 trained multicultural counseling faculty on site).

We end it on March 6 (space was the issue) with our signature Showtime at the McConnell.

01.09.09
Subject - Budget Reports

Let's get our financial system into the 21st Century and have budget reports within a month of year end, instead of six months later. Perhaps our new president can take action to change the budget office's outdated and costly systems.

Forwarded to - Kevin Kimball, CPA, AVP for Financial Affairs & Shelly Johnson, Director, Budget and Planning.

Response - At the beginning of each year, budget amounts included in the monthly financial reports can be delayed and modified for a number of reasons. Monthly financial reports are always available within 14 day after month end except for the June 30th, year end report. We provide a preliminary June 30th report within 28 days after the year end. As part of the closing and auditing process, adjustments can be posted to accounts for up to about 90 days as we identify and post payables and receivables, analyze accounts, and make adjustments. Regardless of the accounting system that we use, the closing process takes about 90 days before we can make final adjustments and provide final year end reports. The Budget office is hoping to have the budget posted earlier in the year when we fully implement the new Position Mgt/Budget Base Module of PeopleSoft.