The spring, 2004 University Council meeting was convened at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, May 3, 2004 in the Memorial Union Ballroom. President Charles Kupchella presided.

President Kupchella gave an overview of the Strategic Plan, "Building on Excellence: A Flexible, Light Framework for Creating and Sustaining Conditions for Success."

President Kupchella gave a brief summary of the report to the Legislative Higher Education Committee.

President Kupchella highlighted UND's annual budget for 2004-05. He then opened the floor for questions. There was a question about the capital projects list. President Kupchella replied that the State Board of Higher Education will vote on the list at the end of June and it will then go to the Legislature in January.

There was a question regarding the accreditation visit and whether there was a planning committee for follow-up on recommendations. President Kupchella answered that these recommendations get included in the Strategic Plan. The accreditation team will come back in 2007 to see how we are doing regarding academic assessments, since this was an area they felt needed improvement.

There was a request for an update on the extended Provost search. President Kupchella responded that the new search committee would meet next week to consider changes in the advertisement/job description and whether we need more search committee members. Ads will go in the Chronicle now and early next fall.

President Kupchella introduced Walter Tschacher, chair of the 2003-04 University Senate, and turned the meeting over to him. Mr. Tschacher began the University Senate status report by thanking the numerous Senate committee members, the members of the Senate and the Office of the Registrar staff for their hard work and support of University Senate. The members present at the meeting were recognized.

Mr. Tschacher highlighted several issues approved by University Senate during 2003-04: changes to the undergraduate academic probation/suspension/dismissal policy, revised copyright policy, change to the Scholarly Activities Committee and Conflict of Interest Committee membership, a textbook policy, and revisions to the Senate bylaws and standing rules.

Mr. Tschacher reviewed the business items pending for the last Senate meeting of the academic year on May 6. He then asked for additions to the list of Senate accomplishments or questions from the floor. There were none.

President Kupchella encouraged everyone to take a direct hand in shaping this institution, and stated that this will be a stronger institution if we are contributing to something we believe in. He said that things will not get easier in these tight economic times and it does not seem likely that we will get enough legislative funding to take us where we want to go. We will need to develop additional external funding to obtain our goals. The President announced that the Council will meet early in the fall and he will update our progress in this area then.

The President thanked the Council for attending and adjourned the meeting at 4:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Krogh, Council Secretary