August 27, 2009

University Planning Council

Minutes for August 27, 2009

Present: Becky Doyle, Archer Gravely, Bill Haas, Bill Haggard, Jeff Konz, Jim Kuhlman, Amy Lanou, Keya Maitra, Ted Meigs, Cortland Mercer, Patrice Mitchell, Kevin Moorhead, Linda Nelms, Dan Pierce, John Pierce, Anne Ponder, Christine Riley

Absent: Buffy Bagwell, Jane Fernandes, Vic Foster, Bill Massey, Adrienne Oliver, Louise Thompson

UPC met from 3:30 to 4:25 in HU 224.

1. In a budget update, Chancellor Ponder reported that the spending freeze has been lifted and we now have operating guidelines to define authorized expenditures. Chancellor Ponder indicated that she did not know when we would be asked to resubmit capital project priorities but UPC would have the opportunity to provide input. Mr. John Pierce distributed a statement on Key Financial Policies 2009-10. He reported that the Office of State Management and Budget has lifted the tight reporting and approval requirements implemented last year. Travel rules and authorizations now reside within each Vice Chancellor area. For 2010-11, the UNC system is expecting a net budget cut of 9.7%. In response to questions about the economy improving, Mr. Pierce noted that given the current NC unemployment rate of 11.4%, there is not much optimism on the state economy. In a discussion of enrollment, it was noted that our overall FTE, headcount, and new student goals have been met. After being under enrolled the last few years compared to the budgeted FTE, we expect to slightly exceed our target this year. Chancellor Ponder congratulated Patrice Mitchell for her good admissions work, as well as the work of Student Affairs and One Stop Center. Additionally, our preliminary figures indicate that our new freshmen first-year retention rate for the Fall 2008 cohort will be the highest ever at approximately 82%.

2. Ms. Nelms led a discussion of the list of 22 suggestions for cost reduction and improved efficiency submitted by the campus. UPC will continue this discussion in our next meeting on September 24.

3. The topic of reaccreditation was postponed until the September meeting.