Institutional Planning Council
November 18th, 2003
Members present: K. Barber, D. Ahearn, L. Pinkerman,
M. Sauter, L. McMullen, L. Buchanan, D. Rowe, S. Gulley, J. Simmons, Q. Brown,
J. Herring, S. Smith, B. McCoy, B. Boozer, M. Pirrman, W. Paschal, S.
Harrington, L. McDaniel.
President Gulley welcomed two new members of the IPC, representing the Staff Council. These representatives are Laurel McDaniel and Shirley Harrington. He shared remarks from the Methodist Council on Higher Education visit, which concluded earlier in the day. The minutes of the October meeting were approved by common consent of all present.
Dr. Boozer updated the development
of goals and objectives for the newly adopted strategic initiatives.
Kim Myrick leads the group developing
the goals for the enrollment initiative.
This group met on November 6th, suggesting items to identify
academically strengthened students for recruitment purposes. These students will shape our student body
to respond well to our curriculum and overall program and lead to having active
alumni.
Dean Simmons reported on the
curriculum goal. He stated that the
faculty has met once and another meeting is planned this Thursday. Student outcomes, undergraduate research, and
faculty scholarship will be discussed at the meeting on Thursday, and again in
December. The goals of this initiative
will germinate from these meetings.
Rev. Rowe discussed the
Learning Center initiative. He shared a
Campaign Timeline for fundraising activities, which are already underway. A staff member, Mr. John Riley, has been
hired and updates to policies are being reviewed. The silent phase of the campaign has started and will continue
until 80% of the target is secured.
Ground breaking for the construction will not be held until we reach
100% of the target. We are working
with a consultant to assist in the hiring of an architect. Conceptual drawings will be available in the
spring, hopefully. The goal of the
fundraising effort is increase to include all anticipated expenses, including
the costs of the fundraising project.
Dr. Boozer asked the
committee to review the meeting schedule as distributed at the beginning
of the meeting. He highlighted some
dates, as they are important for budget deadlines and IPC budget approval. Further, the strategic initiative goal
fine-tuning is scheduled to take place at the Feb. 17th
meeting. Endorsement of the Strategic
Plan will take place at the April meeting.
Dr. Boozer proposed a request
for review of Institutional Effective reports by the IPC. The membership discussed the content of
these reports and asked for guidance in determining the criteria for the
reports. It was suggested that a
smaller group should address review of the reports, preferably reviewing
reports from similar areas (academic units reviewing academic units). Dr. Boozer stated that he will digest the
comments and email a proposal for consideration prior to the next meeting.
Mr. Pirrman informed the
group that budget packages have been mailed to Division Chairs and are
due to their respective VP’s by December 15th. A timeline for the budget process is
included on the IPC meeting schedule.
Respectfully submitted,
Shirley Harrington