University Planning and Quality Council

Minutes

October 5, 2006

Members Present: Provost Paul Hosier, Ms. Pat Leonard, Dr. Ron Core, Mr. Stephen Demski, Dr. Debra Saunders-White, Dr. Carol Chase Thomas (for Dr. Cathy Barlow), Dr. Robert Roer, Dr. Michael Walker, Dr. Mark Spaulding, Dr. Sue McCaffray, Dr. Richard Dillaman, Dr. Robert Burrus, Mr. William Fleming, Mr. Bob Russell, and Mr. Brian DesRoches (for Ms. Katie Gurgainus).

Others Attending: Mr. Max Allen, Ms. Lisa Castellino, Mr. Mark Lanier, Ms. Cindy Lawson, and Dr. Kenneth Spackman.

Provost Hosier called the meeting to order at 3:30 pm.

The minutes of the September 6 meeting were approved as posted on the Web.

Provost Hosier reminded the Planning Council about the UNC-GA directive that constituent institutions propose annual goals for retention and graduation rates. The Council approved annual targets at the September 6 meeting for freshman retention rates, traditional four-year graduation rates, and six-year graduation rates, but the recently received official instructions also require proposed annual goals for “full-time, four-year graduation rates.” The latter is defined as the proportion of students who graduate from UNCW within four years, among those first-time, full-time, degree-seeking freshmen who register full-time (at least 12 hours) for each of their first eight semesters. Dr. Spackman presented suggested annual targets for this measure, based on recently updated persistence data provided by Institutional Research. After considerable discussion, the Council agreed to these annual targets:

	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12
Four-year graduation rate (full-time four-year)	69%	69%	70%	71%	71%

At the November meeting of the Council, there will be a presentation of the comprehensive plan to achieve UNCW’s annual retention and graduation goals.

Provost Hosier explained the purpose of setting annual strategic priorities: to highlight major concrete efforts to move the Strategic Plan forward this academic year, and to serve as a framework to report accomplishments in support of the Strategic Plan at the end of the year. Dr. Spackman explained that other universities with active planning bodies do this sort of thing, and used the Web to show various approaches, including Murray State’s three “strategic goals for 2006-07,” UNC-Greensboro’s “high priority goal clusters for 2006-07,” Bowling Green’s “annual imperatives,” Western Illinois’ “AY 06-07 plans,” and James Madison’s characteristics and “annual initiatives.” Extended discussion elicited the points that a) this year can serve as a pilot year for establishing annual priorities, and lessons learned can improve procedures and timing for establishing priorities for 2007-08; and b) because it is already late in the year, this year’s selected priorities should address things that we have already started this year. The Council agreed to a draft of five priorities, subject to a period of editing by e-mail. After editing, the following strategic priorities were transmitted as a recommendation to the Chancellor.

UNCW Strategic Priorities for 2006-07

· Improve the first year experience in order to promote retention and graduation. (Supports Goal I, Objectives 1, 5 and 8)

· Revise the basic studies program, increase student-faculty interaction, and strengthen procedures to assess student learning. (Supports Goal I, Objectives 2 and 4)

· Strive for fair and competitive salaries and improved benefits for all UNCW employees. (Supports Goal II, Objectives 1 and 2)

· Through a strengthened Diversity Council, evaluate results of a campus diversity climate survey and make specific recommendations for enhancing diversity throughout the university. (Supports Goal III, all objectives)

· Implement the quiet phase of the comprehensive campaign. (Supports Goal VII, Objectives 3, 4 and 6)

The meeting was adjourned at 5:17 pm.

Future Meetings (All meetings at 3:30-5:00 pm in AL 215)

	Fall 2006
Wednesday	November 8
Thursday	December 7
	Spring 2007
Monday	January 22
Thursday	February 22
Wednesday	March 28
Monday	April 23
Wednesday	May 9

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Last Updated: October 31, 2006