EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
November 15, 2004

Present:
Dr. Sandra Bevill
Dr. Len Frey
Carleen Marburger
Dr. Bill Roe
Dr. John Seydel
Dr. Jim Washam
Mark Young

Others:
Chris Collins

Absent:
Dean Duggar
Dr. Tina Quinn

Dr. Roe called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m.

COMMENTS FROM DR. WYATT
Dr. Roe reported on the ADC Meeting in which Dr. Wyatt attended and addressed the deans.

Retreat with Board of Trustees
Dr. Allen was to come to talk with the Deans and about the role of AA. Dr. Allen sent Rick McDaniel and Robin Hicks but Dr. Wyatt also came and made comments from the Board of Trustees retreat he attended.

Clarify some issues with the trustees relative to the directives given to the administration.

Reserves
Directive from the Board of Trustees – beginning of fiscal year – not to go into the reserves to cover operating expenses etc. We are at a $1.5 million deficit.

Budget Deficit

Athletes $1.2 million
Enterprise Computer System $250,000
Enrollment Management Consultant $50,000

Board of Trustees Response
The question was asked of the board if we could go into the reserves if necessary and it was indicated that we could and make it as minimal as possible.
Executive Committee Meeting Minutes
November 15, 2004
Page 2

Reserve Approved

Non-Academic Costs
No New Vehicles
Postponing until next year.

Postpone hiring in non-academic units
Requests had been funded and budgeted for Finance & Admin., Student Services for positions, and one other area. Will be told that they will not be allowed to recruit and hire for this fiscal year.
Asked BOT what they are to do about academic budget. Will not be any layoffs in the academic side. Downturn in enrollment, or …..?
No money left in the funds balances and must be made up in the postponements. Dr. Hanrahan asked a lot of questions – one posed along the way – if the need arises, will there be a reduction in force in those non-academic units.
No layoffs in the non-academic units.
Finance & Admin, Student Services, University Advancement – requests made, money budgeted, but now being postponed.

Enrollment – Jonesboro and Distance Sites
The board wants to support growth of enrollment at Jonesboro and distance sites.
When classes were offered in distance sites, they stated that they would anti-up money in support of these sites, but have not done so.
Enrollment Management person coming in.
The educational discounts allowance for faculty/staff costs the college $1.7 million in finances.

Capital Campaign
Dr. Wyatt wants to roll out the University Capital Campaign sooner and wants to take a more active role with the deans on this. The question was raised if this was a recommendation of the board that the President get more involved and yes it was a recommendation of the board..

Freshman Experience
Consideration being given, when they complete the departments, they will raise twin towers, that they require all freshman to live on-campus. Combined with that, programs aimed at retention, work with them in the dorms, better study habits, and academic success.

Business Executive Advisory Council Meeting Minutes
November 15, 2004
Page 3

Appointed Rick Stripling to head up an Enrollment Management plan – he would work with drawing in academic support.
University will begin a plan for university resources, ….summer camps

Faculty Handbook
Dr. Wyatt wants the deans and chairs to be very involved in developing the faculty handbook and faculty governance.

Faculty Governance
Vice Chancellor keeps reading the handbook and the deans have no hand in that. What happened to the handbook consultant?
Revamping scholarship program. Coming to each college and wanting to get input of how they can target colleges for their uniqueness.
How can scholarships be best utilized.

Mark Young – commented on summer schedule. Cut budgets by 3.5% during lunch at Piero’s. Is this leading to budget cuts during fiscal year.

Athletics is an $8.5 million year program for us.

SUMMER II
Rick McDaniel and Robin Hicks – deans not being kept informed. 5:00 p.m. Friday afternoon that prompted Dr. Wyatt to meet with the deans on the budget. Robin stated that we should know by the end of the week where we stand on Summer II.

SUMMER I SCHEDULE
Summer I Schedule due by Thursday.

Meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.

Next meeting scheduled for December 6, 2004 in the COB Conference Room BU105 at 3:30 p.m.

Submitted by:

Chris Collins