Minutes of the University Council Meeting

April 23, 2008

 

The spring 2008 University Council meeting was convened at 4:10 pm on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 in the Memorial Union Ballroom.  President Charles Kupchella and Tom Petros presided.

 

Mr. Petros, Chair of the University Senate, called the meeting to order.  He welcomed the University Council members and introduced President Kupchella.

 

  • President Kupchella explained that, usually, the May University Council meeting is a State of the University address looking to the year ahead.  Due to his retirement on June 30, 2008, he indicated that this Council meeting would be a bit different. 
  • First, the President talked about what he would miss when he leaves UND.  He gave several examples including entertaining the many guests at the President’s house, the new faculty/administrator’s bus tour, graduation ceremonies, and the great campus.
  • His accomplishments, he explained, were partnership driven.  The faculty, staff, students and also the legislators and governor and others were part of that partnership. 
  • The trajectory for the years ahead is currently set on the strategic plan but could/will change.
  • The changing world will impact the future for UND, as has been true in the past:
    • The US is now a net importer of high tech.
    • 80% of middle income consumers are outside the industrialized countries
    • There were two times the physics degrees in 1956 than in 2004 in the US
    • The annual Federal dollars for research equal the increase in health care costs in just twenty days.
  • There are future opportunities in energy, environment, IT/micro and nano electronics, physical science/life science interface, and national security.  The liberal arts education will continue to be key to what ever the future holds.
  • As he completes his Presidency, there are still tasks in need of future work. Those include remodeling the Education building and the Chester Fritz Library, the Canada connection, more synergy among and between units of instruction, bringing salaries up to a competitive level, modernizing the curriculum, hiring a fellowship officer, and the logo issue. 
  • There are continuing developments that are ongoing. These include experiential learning, the capital campaign, distance delivery of education, new program development including entrepreneurship and petroleum engineering, preventive medicine and wellness, and essential studies.
  • There are great challenges and wonderful opportunities. The President thanked the Council and stated that “you will continue to make me proud.”

 

Mr. Petros gave an update on the year for the University Senate after first explaining the purpose of the University Council and its relationship to the University Senate.

 

·        There was good discussion of many matters including parking and the move to Division I athletics.

·        There was approval of language for early tenure.

·        The Senate participated in the Presidential search.

·        The Student Government proposed fall break was supported.

·        Working toward annual reporting of indirect cost expenditures was proposed.

·        A parking and preferred parking task force was created.

·        The Chairs’ Responsibility Task Force recommended changes, that included compensation, was approved.

·        The Essential Studies Task Force regularly reported to the Senate to keep the members informed.

·        University Assessment and the Higher Learning Commission reports were presented.

·        The Senate approved a maternity leave policy presented for approval by the Provost’s Maternity Benefit Task Force.

 

There were no other matters arising.

 

The University Council meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Suzanne Anderson, Council Secretary