Minutes of the Academic Council Meeting

25 November 2003

Conference Call

Status of Changes in the Board of Higher Education

The Governor’s pending changes in the Board of Higher Education brings both challenges and opportunities. There is substantial business on the Board’s agenda over the next two months and the delay in getting new Board members appointed is a source of concern. Most viewed the change in the Board as a positive sign that the Governor is serious about higher education and may become a legacy issue for him.

Legislative Update

Gratten Kerans was unavailable for the meeting, but two topics were discussed. Signatures for placing the tax surcharge on the February ballot were due in Salem on the date of the meeting and it sounded from press releases that the groups apposing the surcharge likely had more than enough signature to qualify the initiative. Current poles indicate that voters appose the surcharge. On 21 January 2004 the legislature will convene an approval session for the new Board members so that new members will likely be installed for the February meeting.

New Program Proposal

OIT forwarded a proposal for a M.S. in Engineering Technology, Manufacturing. The program would address a need for continual quality improvement in the manufacturing of high-value products. The proposed program would be launched in the fall or 2004 with classes at the Boeing Company in Seattle and at the Portland and Klamath Falls campuses. Courses would be offered on a two-cycle with full implementation of the program by June 2006. Program would not require additional resources but would be offered through reallocation of existing resources at OIT and with direct support from Boeing. Discussion related to cautionary concerns over developing a program that was highly leveraged with outside funds. A stronger letter of support and commitment from the Boeing Company was suggested. Vice-Chancellor Clark requested that the proposal revision contain more detail on program need and justification.

An update was provided on the OSU-OHSU M.S. in Biomedical Engineering Program. A national review team was to visit both campuses within the next couple of weeks.

OUS International Exchange Programs: Status and Issues

A group has begun working on reviewing OUS International Exchange Programs. The programs at each of the campuses are self-sustaining via fees and a net balance in the number of outgoing Oregon students. In general, each institution has had more outgoing students than incoming students. One of the greatest concerns is the change in visa requirement for students coming to the U.S. New requirements and restrictions have slowed processing of exchange student visas and has placed additional burdens on exchange program personnel.

Enrollment Watch

The 4^th week enrollment numbers were just released and available at http://www.ous.edu/news/press/2003FallEnrollmentFactSheet3.doc . A Board press release (11/13/03) regarding fall enrollment is available at http://www.ous.edu/news/press/111203.htm. Fall 2003 enrollment growth at the campuses slowed to an increase of 1.9% over Fall 2002. This is compared to Fall 2002 growth of 5.7%. Some campuses experienced zero or negative growth. Changes in enrollment are attributed to tuition increases and additional declines are expected at some campus with pending tuition increase during winter term.

Respectively submitted

W. Daniel Edge

IFS Representative to Academic Council

2 December 2003