Minutes:
Bruce Miller moved to accept the minutes of April 19. The motion, seconded by Derek Mason, was passed.

Announcements:
The next FSEC Brown Bag lunch with President Hall will be held Wednesday, September 8, at noon in Champ Hall.

Committee Reports:
EPC Business
Joyce Kinkead presented EPC Business. There were two items of business to come forward: 1) revision to code policy manual regarding membership of curriculum subcommittee and 2) dual major task force. There was some confusion among departments on the difference between a dual major and composite major. Dale Blahna moved to place EPC Business on the Consent Agenda. The motion, seconded by David Luthy, passed.

Joyce Kinkead presented the EPC Annual report. The Academic Standards Committee was proactive this year in cleaning up practices and policies. Bruce Miller moved to place the EPC Annual Report on the Consent Agenda. The motion, seconded by John Kras, passed.

Graduate Council Report
Larry Smith presented the Graduate Council Report. Total graduate student funding is up 17% from last year. Graduate council was busy making changes to existing programs and considering new proposals for graduate programs. The Graduate Office will be launching its new website in the next couple of weeks. Goal is to direct students to the website and be more aggressive in recruitment. Stephen Bialkowski moved to place the Graduate Council Report on the Consent Agenda. The motion, seconded by Kevin Doyle, passed. Janis Boettinger suggested that Larry attend Faculty Senate to introduce himself and to discuss faculty involvement and recruitment efforts. Stephen Bialkowski moved to place the Interim Dean of Graduate Studies, Larry Smith as an information item. The motion, seconded by Bruce Miller, passed. Stan Albrecht mentioned that a search is underway to replace Tom Kent. Noelle Cockett is serving as chair.

Enrollment and Curriculum Management
Joyce Kinkead presented the following information on enrollment management. There are 1,100 connection students on campus. There are 2300 freshman enrolled for Fall 2004. The average ACT score is 24; highest is 36, average GPA 3.58. Denials are still slim: there were 5,000 applications, about 400 of those were denied. Transfer students are 1100, stabilizing over last year. In 2001 retention was 66%. The goal of 75% retention was in three years instead of the projected five years.
Joyce introduced Gary Straquadine, Associate Vice Provost. Gary has been charged with managing curriculum and Evening and Summer School transition from Continuing Education to the Provost’s office. Continuing Education will continue, it will be offered through the Center for Independent and Distance Learning (CIDL) and will serve non-tradition/time bound students. Curriculum goals include eliminating bottleneck courses, general education process, graduation rate process, new program possibilities. There will be a proposal request process based on “guiding principles”. The Provost’s office will work directly with Department Heads instead of individual faculty members for requests. Stephen Bialkowski moved to place Enrollment and Curriculum Management as an information item. The motion, seconded by Rob Morrison, passed.

Constitutional Amendment No. 3
Senator Lyle Hillyard talked about the timing of how and when issues are brought to the legislature. He talked about the sensitivity and political issue of Amendment No. 3. Senator Hillyard’s concern is the image it gives to Utah higher education’s priorities when the #1 priority of Higher Education is supposedly salary. President Hall raised the question of if and when do we want to ride this issue? Janis Boettinger reiterated that timing could be important for certain issue and the #1 priority for USU is salaries. Faculty at Utah State should be educated on what is on the ballot. For example, a “yes” vote on Amendment No.2 can significantly increase potential revenues to USU.

University Business
President Hall and Provost Albrecht are working on a draft budget for 2005-2006. Elements include compensation, operating budget, library, and fuel and power. They plan on presenting to students some aggressive tuition increases. The State’s financial position needs 4% growth to fund what it currently has in place. The State is going to be increasingly behind in revenues unless it changes it tax policy. The tuition rate at USU is one of the lowest in the country. Students are critical to our future.

There are currently four searches underway: 1) Vice President for University Advancement (this position will be housed down in SLC to capitalize on Alumni in the Wasatch Front), 2) Vice President for Information Technology, 3) Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, 4) Dean of the College of Education and Human Services.

Fredrick Champ Drive is closed and will remain permanently closed. The new Living Learning Center is under construction. Parking spots were lost due to the construction. There will be a parking deck down by the old steam plant, but will not be finished until next year.

Provost Albrecht talked briefly about a multi stage strategy for capital facility development for USU that will address a series of issues: 1) move some Agriculture facilities from the north of campus to south farm, 2) create Innovation Campus expansion opportunities, 3) Merrill Library comes down, and 4) build a new facility that will house current activity of the Ag Science Peterson Building and also look at other needs; it will be a multipurpose, high-tech building. Funding of $10.5 million is proposed.

Key Issues & Action Items
Sydney Peterson announced that there will be a December commencement. In 2002, 950 students met graduation requirements; 2003, 1,634; and in 2004, 1,987 students are eligible. The advantages of having a December commencement are that recent graduates are in the area and would have the opportunity to participate, and it would also relieve some pressure from Spring commencement. The Commencement Committee, with the support of students and the President, recommends implementing a December Commencement ceremony, with a trial ceremony in December 2004 at which graduates will receive a certificate of commencement.

Adjourn:
Stephen Bialkowski called for adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 4:35 pm.