Discussion Minutes for October 19th,
2011
I.
Roll Call
·
Nicole
II.
Forum Special Session
·
Name
Change Forum (North Ballroom)
·
Gary
Pierson-Vice president of student affairs, I want to thank you for coming here
tonight and I want to let you know where we are in the conversation of a name
change. If you have any questions you can ask Jay, Teddy, or me. Our goal is to
educate and to inform you. So the process I want to let you know where we
started, Tome bur graph Brad Baca, and Jessica Young started out with
conversations of how we could propel Western into the next 100 years. Alligators
are things we deal with on a regular basis, and the spaceship is that we need
to prepare for the future. The whole idea of a name change came from an
initiative of what we can do for Western State College of Colorado we went to
the board of trustees, who are ultimately going to make a decision of the name
change, on September 16th of the idea of a name change, to start a
discussion, our next step was to reach out top faculty and staff to bring out
what were considering to get information back from campus constants, not only
about a name change but about other initiatives we can do to help retain
students, maybe getting more graduate programs, benefits for faculty and staff.
This discussion has been motivating because it has gotten faculty participation
and randomly assigns tables to those who may not know each other. We think this
is a positive thing because of the input we getting. I can talk more about
these initiatives. With student input we had 2 prior meetings, two open forums,
and unfortunately 7 students total at both forums. There will be another open
forum next Tuesday October 26th. Tanya van he sent out emails to
alumni and 82% were in favor of a change, interest of keeping Western and
State. Mayors from different communities are in favor of these changes. We are
going to the board of trustees, at an open public meeting, meeting in the
Aspinall Wilson center to let them know what they have heard from faculty and
staff, Friday October 28th. Sarah Newberry sits on this board and
represents students. In the event that we decide to go with a name change, it
has to go to Colorado Legislature for approval, which is a whole process in
it’s own. The senate eventually votes if we choose to make the name change or
not. Mesa State name change didn’t go through until April or May. Juts some
rational for a name change there are three reasons. In whatever name we go to
we would like Western, University, and Colorado. The first reason is the
national and state landscape. The landscape has changed quite bit CMC offers
4year degrees in sustainability and business. Now we have a 2year school that
can grant a four-year degree, so we want to differentiate ourselves from other two-year
universities. Western Colorado Community College, we want to differentiate from
two-year schools. Certainly, politically there are things we want to keep up
on. Metro State tried last year, but were blocked by Denver University. Nationally
there is a trend to go to University, where it once met a research institution,
private schools are making the switch, which we resemble the most.
Internationally College represents a high school degree. Certainly we don’t get
a lot of international students, if we wanted tot recruit more internationally
we need to change the name. It is about opportunity and timing. Many of you can
see a physical transformation on campus. Our foundation raised 40 million
dollars in the last 10 years; there aren’t many schools that can match what we
do as far as private donations. Taylor renovations, Boric, and Union and change
our campus quite a bit. A state representative from the WETSERN slope was given
a tour, those not been to our campus, when you see it through someone else’s
lenses, and they see the physical attributes on campus, they are blown away.
Two graduate programs that have been introduced. Take away by legislation in
the 80’s. Four years ago we were granted to get graduate programs MFA and
Master of teacher education. 30% increase in graduate school at Western,
considering of offering ether graduate programs. It is time to consider,
because of private funding, and the ability to do more with graduate students.
50% of Western State College of Colorado students are in professional programs,
which is more in line with a University, we will remain loyal to our liberal
arts background, makes each student well rounded. Other programs, like ENVS is
the fastest growing major on campus. The third thing that I want to touch on is
Western State College of Colorado plans for the future, less funding from
state, 500 million dollar deficit in state budget. Higher education is one of
the few areas that they can actually go to higher education there and there is
a lot of mandated cost that they cannot touch, and higher education is what
they went after. We want to cultivate diners and private donations. Many people
value Western, more prestige with University. PLMR great success, and started
through private donations. We look
at a name change we want to look at expectations of students. The idea is not
to publish or parish like at a large university. Many of the faculty is
involved in research, and some students get to help professors research, change
in teaching load, small classes, faculty that want to teach undergraduate
students. Every 10 years we go through a central accreditation, which is imperative
for us to function, a yearlong process, where we study everything about WSC, involvement
committee. Taking a close examination of whom we are and where ewe wants to go.
Make a campus visitation next September and opus together a report, and make recommendations
of what to do. This is important in pushing WSC as a future, and the timeline
fits in well with the name change.
o
I
was wondering how Adams and Mesa went to University, if WSC go to University
status are they bundled with Western Slope College on the decision.
§ Each group has their own governing
board, and they plan to keep this.
o
Is
there legislation priority with going to University status?
§ No
§ CU Boulder has more lobbyists and
prestige, and is funded at the highest level of the state. We are constrained
by student budgets, but we will not be locked in to anything.
o
Where
will the funds being coming from?
§ The cost associated with the name
change, the money comes out of general fund, which is state allocations, in
process of cost analysis. What they heard was Adams 100K, Mesa 400K, Mesa did
everything associated a name change. We could be more sustainable, trying to
keep Western.
o
Students
were wondering what you were going to do to know how the students feel.
§ There wasn’t very much feedback. I
would encourage you as SGA to speak with constituents. Contact Gary or any
members of the cabinet, open and willing to do that. Let us know, we want to
know more about what you think.
§ Students didn’t know where to go to
make a pull, or nothing to do once they are informed.
·
If
there is support and sentiment we can do a survey. If you think that’s
important to do.
§ Have there been other college that have
done this and seen success?
·
I
am most familiar with private schools and there have been many in the east.
It’s a reflection of the need to think of the future and graduate programs,
there is a few that completely changed their name, to position them best for
the future. Not outside of the norm, some full changes, some change just
University.
§ A lot of two-year colleges in
California have been dropping ‘community’ more nationally, and statewide.
§ There are multiple peer schools, there
are 15 schools that Western is similar too, and they all are called University.
o
Is
there any evidence that the name change makes it better?
§ Strategic decision of where they place
students and have to reflect what the school has to offer. No national study,
but individual schools have a choice.
§ One thing we have emphasized, name
change wont cure everything at Western, we presented various initiatives that
Western is pursuing, and this is just one part, more graduate programs, maybe
another academic program. These are all things we can do to strengthen us to
help improve recruitment and retention.
o
How
does the faculty feel about a name change?
§ From my observation, I haven’t heard a
lot of faculty conversations. The faculty is waiting for data, if there are any
quantities efforts.
o
Talking
about data, what measuring tool are we going to be able to look back and
measure a change?
§ Some of it will be all of the things
with the opportunity of making this change, perhaps additional enrollment, or
increased donations a measure of success. It is not just the name change it is
how we are looking to the future. What are we doing to ensure the institution
will continue?
o
How
can you use the data 82% in favor when you only emailed 6,000 alumni?
§ Go to the board by October 28th,
if we want to take this forward need to make a legislation bill, started
lobbying in Denver, we need to make a decision by January to get a sponsor.
§ We have certain windows of opportunity,
people told them that Western State College of Colorado would never get
graduate programs, and we went for it and got it. We see a window of
opportunity. How will we know it will work? Think about all the previous name
changes. The move they made in 1923 really helped us now, political realities.
We just have to get a pulse, and go with the best we got, we could spend the
next 15 years determining whether we have the correct data.
o
You
mentioned that Western is like a small private
§ What about Western is like a private
school, size, proximity, quality, facilities, and academic quality and staff?
We have students from every state, a public college usually gets students from
in state, and we have a student dynamic that is much more like a private
school. Students come from every state and every county, PhD to undergraduates.
Incredible the geographic diversity.
o
What
is the general find usually used for?
§ Operating expenses, salaries, capital,
and the money you need to run on a day-to-day basis, 75% is tied up in
salaries.
o
Reissuing
diploma’s
§ Only for alumni that request that,
haven’t thought that far.
o
Would
there be increase tuition in the name change.
§ Not really similar issues. Tuition’s
will go up no matter what because federal government is no longer funding
higher Ed.
o
Do
we want Western to expand?
§ Western can grow, 2,800 would be on the
upper end, and 2600 would really strengthen the college and the funding they
provide. Never want to be a big school, not the style.
§ Constant pressure to grow enrollment. State
legislature, community, if we don’t see increases than we are in trouble of
being cut.
o
You
made points about the great education, and history of liberal arts and the
college
§ One small part of the equation, no
decision has been made of the name change. Provide opportunities to bring in
more money. If it helps with recruitment that’s also important.
o
I’ve
met several Western State College of Colorado alumni and the love for it goes
anywhere, no matter the name.
o
Nick:
I wonder what the possible increase in graduate schools would be like?
§ We would have to go through an accreditation
process, so there would be a lot of faculty input.
o
Graduate
programs would never be sacrificed for undergraduate. All goes back into
undergraduate programs, run the programs like private enterprise. Out of 17
peer institutions 14 of them are Universities, most of them normal school,
state college, and then liberal arts, and then universities. Look ahead to
what’s the organic evolution of higher education.
o
One
of my concerns is how much will this cost, and there might be the assumption
that it will cost students; which it will not. Forum helps educate students.
o
Could
we take a poll on the Internet to get instant feedback?
§ Certainly, we would take direction from
you, and that educational piece might want to come along with it.
o
Worried
that we are doing it only because of enrollment, common misconceptions, and why
it would benefit and improve Western.
o
Thank
you for having me
III. Roll Call
Nicole
IV. Approval of Minutes
V.
Approval of
Agenda
I would like to motion to add the Native
American student council bill
VI.
Guest Speaker
VII. Action Items
VIII. Discussion Items
·
Math
Bill-I am going to introduce everyone, Emily, Jesse, Daisy, Alicia, Andy, and
Kim. Jan 27th-29th, Nebraska Lincoln. Math department 60%
women and 40% men. Need to support a growing major. Talks are at every level,
but understandable, bring it back and present the work.
o
Elijah-Where
did you get the cost of airfare?
§ It is very expensive to drive, and in
the end it is cheaper to fly, with a group rate we are trying to get. We are
flying out of Denver
o
Could
you get a better deal?
§ Prices are fluctuating; we have found
all sorts of airfare. Mix of upper class and lower class.
o
What
about upperclassmen
§ There are five upperclassmen going
o
What
fundraising have you done?
§ Department is paying $1000
§ Requesting travel, lodging and sustenance.
o
What
if your stake in this?
§ We have the ability to do a poster talk
in this conference. Other students could talk, a way to get our name out there.
o
What
days are you all looking to travel? The 27th-29th, we
would get there Friday and leave Sunday afternoon. We will be at the conference
the whole time we are there, no free time. It depends on when we can book
tickets, and get estimations from travel agency.
o
How
big is the math department? Will you be attending at all?
§ We currently have 40 declared majors
about 10 each year; we go to the other conferences each year. We also take a
group to the Mathematical association in Denver.
o
What
if we can’t allocate the funding
§ We all plan on going.
§ Most of funding is coming from the NSF
and NSA, we are an academic institution.
·
NASC
Bill-Heritage month is in November, would like to bring in guest speakers.
Speak in classes, Ute elder speaking in an anthropology class, and native
American art history class, which is coming up soon, and Friday evening to all
the students, on Ute heritage and culture. Friday November 18th,
prof. from Fort Lewis or from a Tribal judge, speaking to classes and to public
in Taylor auditorium, CALL contributed, art department, and anthropology
department, requesting $1,200 to SGA.
·
Shayna:
What fundraising have you looked into for this?
o
Anthropology,
art, went to sociology and political science.
·
Sarah
on Friday evening you said this will be open for everyone,
o
The
way the evening lectures go will have suggested donations; a film night got
generous donations.
·
Funding?
o
We’ve
secured 3 departments contributions, but only one concrete donation.
·
Do
we have a relative time frame of when they will be getting back?
o
In
touch, and hoping to hear back soon. We have a small amount, and we have to pay
the use of the ballroom, and food. What’s left in our account is $200. The art
grant is secure, and we finalized that today. Waiting on the other two.
·
Meg-You
said you finalized the $200, and the art department says they have not been
informed. CCE is not donating any
funds.
·
What
do you plan on doing if not allocated the funds?
o
More
fundraising, already in the contracts, it’s happening.
·
Maddy-
Is there anyone in the community that you can outreach to?
o
No,
that is a good idea. I will get back to you. If departments make a donation, than they will cover the rest
themselves.
o
There
is someone coming every week in the month of November. There committed to
coming up here for us. Four prominent departments that may step forward and
donate funding.
IX. Advisor Report
o
Nametags
look great. Preview day is next Friday, so it would be ice to have an SGA
table. Family weekend is the following weekend
X. Senator Reports
o
Erika:
Multicultural center is doing Haunted house Saturday 29th and Monday
31st, basement of Chieti 8-11pm
o
Colorado
Freeskier, two premiers, $ 10 or 3/$25 new movie coming out, after party at the
LoBar
o
Kayla:
Regarding the art classes, you are not allowed to take them unless you a major,
many students interested in photography and sculpture, wondering on feedback on
extended studies. Not would be included in tuition, and would not get credit
for it, pay for them out of pocket, they would try to push this through
extended studies. Other option is Gunnison Art Center. Curriculum group is
looking for a student representative; bulk of work is in the fall. Great
committee, it’s really interesting, just need one, has to be a senator with
Ginny Hays and Debra Clark, Tuesdays at 2pm.
o
Walker:
Free-cycle is now open in the basement of Ute hall; they got a couch in there
yesterday.
o
Started in the spring of last year.
People didn’t have to throw away they didn’t take home, now a space in bottom
of Ute, freshman are taking over, all on a volunteer basis. Spurred from larger
universities that would make quite a bit of money
o
You
can just donate, or just take, you don’t have to trade
o
Flu
shot at public health $20 between 2-6pm tomorrow
XI. Committee Reports
o
Blake-If
you have anything to advertise talk to Shawn and advertise things on the
screen.
o
Nick-US
pro cycle committee challenge
XII. Advisory Reports
o
Sarah-Thank
you for the excellent discussion throughout the forum. Just want to reiterate
the board of trustee meeting on October 18th, 9am. I have a report I
give if you want me to say anything. Meet with the steering committee for the
field house, architects are coming in, and hopefully they can get sketches.
o
Raleigh-Last
student forum Tuesday 6:30 pm. Push to get people to the forum.
o
Grace-
Friday Night Fright if you need volunteer hours & let Grace know. Sent an
email requesting resumes, for self-study of re-accreditation. So send Grace a
resume! Also next Thursday night is Honors s’mores night at the fire pit 7pm
Thursday the 27th.
o
Meg-Pathfinder
is a magazine that recaps last year events; submission fest is next week, artwork,
Quigley 129 tomorrow. 9pm Movie night Taylor auditorium. Convocation 12:30
tomorrow Quigley, local ceramic artist is having an art display with snacks. Top
World wants ideas and events, looking for an editor and chief. Word horde, costume
slams poetry at the wine bar. 3rd November guest speaker at Word
horde. I am trying to figure out a way to bond these departments, email me with
ideas.
o
Blake-
Friday nigh VB game, Saturday XC in Metro, football school of mines in Golden,
take them to the game if your portents are in town
o
Travis-Ping
pong league, schedule game report scores and keep standing for semester and
than 8-man tournament 26th, hockey registration.
o
Hayden-Women’s
rugby at 1pm, means rugby at 2pm against CC. Football coach might play in it
(rumor). Lacrosse has a tournament to Fort Lewis this weekend.
o
Elijah-Family
weekend MCvicker a combo comedian magician, on family weekend open to everyone.
Spoken with front room about PC and SGA, since things are being stolen and
broken to protect resources. During the day, the PC door will be open, and
locked at night
o
Noah-This
weekend we have a rock-climbing trip that is sold out. Family weekend rock-climbing
Hartman, Taylor, man biking Hartman’s and free for students and family, table
set up in union, first come first serve, provide everything else. Noon sign-up
Friday is sign-up.
o
Maddy-We
just got back from Pittsburgh, thank you for the support on going, it was a
great success.
XIII. Special Topics
XIV.
Remarks for the Good of the
Order
o
Is
everyone comfortable with putting a survey on website
o
Maybe
a table, collecting temperature
o
Online
poll would be skewed because of the order of the issue
o
A
general idea of what people are saying
o
Motion
to do a basic poll in union, a box.
§ Second, if you have office hours
tomorrow you are setting up a box.
o
Mersa
outbreak, a form of a staff infection, worse case.
XV. Late Roll Call
XVI.
Adjournment
