February 17, 2009

University Planning Council

Minutes for February17, 2009

Present: Melissa Acker, Amanda Alvarez, Buffy Bagwell, Peg Downes, Becky Doyle, Jane Fernandes, Archer Gravely, Bill Haggard, Jeff Konz, Jim Kuhlman, Amy Lanou, Keya Maitra, Linda Nelms, Adrienne Oliver, Dan Pierce, John Pierce, Anne Ponder, Christine Riley, Barbara Svenson, Betsy Wilson

Absent: Bill Haas, Nick Ladd, Bill Massey

Guests: Ed Katz, Patrice Mitchell

UPC met from 3:30 to 5:08 in HU 235.

1. Dr. Wilson convened the meeting by welcoming Dr. Peg Downes as a new member replacing Dr. Ashburn.

2. In a budget update, Chancellor Ponder reported that there has been no change in our current budget instructions which specify that we will only receive 94% of our original budget and reserve an additional 1% in preparation for a possible additional cut. She stated that the state economy and tax revenues continue to decline but our principles of reducing travel, purchasing, not filling vacancies, and reducing temporary wages are on track. If we continue to be very frugal, and if there are no further cuts, we expect to be able to manage the current fiscal without reducing permanent personnel. Additionally, she noted that the Board of Governors passed our revised tuition and fee proposal which will increase tuition by $50 and fees by $104.50 for a total increase of $154.50. This increase will create a total of $250,000 in next year’s budget if it is approved by the Legislature.

3. In reference to UNC Asheville’s new mission statement, Chancellor Ponder stated that it is important for individuals not to be left out in the expression of our mission. She has asked UNC-GA for extra time before the mission statement is forwarded to the Board of Governors. IDC and the Provost will consult further with the campus in reviewing the statement, and recommend additional changes that might arise from this review.

4. Ms. Riley distributed a revised list of strategic planning benchmarks. UPC discussed in detail the environmental and social sustainability benchmark measures. Members of UPC agreed that it is reasonable to start with the benchmarks we have, understanding that any benchmark can be changed if we find it is not working for us in the future.

5. UPC discussed the Faculty Senate resolution on enrollment growth. Our actual and projected enrollment growth is entirely consistent with the Enrollment Growth Task Force Report of 2005, as revised and updated by the same Task Force in consultation with Chancellor Ponder in 2006. The goal for undergraduate full-time headcount remains 3,500 (with flexibility for 10% in either direction). Ms. Nelms volunteered to draft a formal response to the Faculty Senate from UPC. There was a consensus that UPC should review enrollment trends, projections, and any changes to the 2005-06 task force report recommendations. Dr. Gravely will provide UPC with a report to compare our actual enrollment with the Enrollment Growth task force recommendations.

6. Dr. Wilson reported on her meeting with Chancellor Ponder to develop a process for assessing administrative units. The Vice Chancellors have agreed to have one-half of administrative units complete a self-assessment by June 2009 and the remaining half by the end of 2009. The assessment process will be based on the UNC Asheville Biennial Institutional Effectiveness Template (http://www.unca.edu/ir/ie/index.html).