Shawnee State University

The Academic and Student Affairs Committee meeting included action items and information items. The primary action item was the presentation and recommendation for approval of Resolution ASA10-17, which concerns the revision of Policy 2.10Rev regarding Copyright, Patents, and Research for University Personnel, which subsequently outlines ownership rights and royalty distribution. Information items presented included reports on new faculty hires, executive reports from Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management & Student Affairs, and point-in-time enrollment, housing occupancy, orientation attendance, and financial aid scholarship award statistics for the upcoming Fall term.

The Board meeting covered several agenda items approved by acclamation on the Consent Agenda, including resolutions for reassigning responsibilities to the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer following reorganization, and approvals for revisions to policies concerning administrative employee compensation and employment status. The Executive Committee reported on resolutions to revise the Bylaws of the Board of Trustees, appoint a Board Secretary, and appoint a Board Treasurer. The Finance and Administration Committee recommended resolutions regarding revision of the President's authority to appoint personnel, ratification of executive appointments, and approval of tuition and E-Campus tuition rates for AY2023-24, as well as continuing university spending authority pending the FY2024 operating budget approval. The Academic and Student Affairs Committee presented reports on academic activities, including Summer 2023 enrollment statistics showing overall enrollment up 9.9%, and updates on advancement activities and Fall 2023 enrollment data. The Board elected Scott Evans as Board Chair and Eddie Edwards as Board Vice Chair. New Business included the annual report on policy enactment, amendment, rescission, and renewal, and the adoption of a resolution to recognize Dr. Jeffrey A. Bauer by naming the Geology Suite in his honor.

The Finance and Administration Committee meeting featured a presentation and discussion with Plante Moran regarding their audit of Shawnee State University's FY2018 Financials. Key action items included the resolution to accept the University's FY2018 Financial Report and the resolution to approve the FY2018 Efficiency Report. Information items covered a briefing on FY2019 cost-savings measures, an update on Cash Reserves Investment, and a Capital Projects Status Report. The document also details extensive efficiency measures undertaken by the university across procurement, operational practices, energy usage, and efforts to reduce textbook costs for students, documenting significant cost savings and investments benefiting students.

The meeting included remarks from the UFS President acknowledging the faculty's hard work as the semester closed, expressing concern over the continuing rise of Covid-19 cases and its potential impact on the spring semester. The Treasurer's Report noted no expenditures, with a remaining balance of $869. The President's administrative report detailed accomplishments during the challenging fall semester and provided an update on the university's strategic plan goals, covering academic programs, enrollment growth, student success, community partnerships, administrative processes, data usage, and fostering an inclusive climate. The President also discussed managing the rising Covid cases, plans for testing strategies for the spring semester, and the university being selected as a potential vaccination center for first responders. The Provost's report focused on strategic planning progress, noting 91% completion or ongoing status for tactics, and discussed options for the spring academic calendar concerning the continuation of in-person instruction and the disposition of spring break due to Covid concerns. The Senate floor had no announcements, and bundled curricular proposals were unanimously approved.

The meeting included committee reports covering faculty promotions, which included advancements to Professor, Associate Professor, and Assistant Professor ranks. The Academic and Student Affairs Committee also received faculty statistics, an enrollment report showing a 1.2% reduction in students from Fall 2011, an update from the Student Government Association, and a report on the process for enrolling convicted felons, noting an increase in their enrollment numbers. The Finance and Administration Committee presented several action items, including the approval of the FY12 Audit Report (Resolution F23-12), approval for an adjunct faculty stipend increase (Resolution F24-12), approval of a new Computing Operations and Infrastructure Administrator Position (Resolution F25-12), approval of a policy taxonomy for tuition and fees (Resolution F26-12), and approval to amend the Alternative Retirement Plan (Resolution F27-12). Information items included financial aid default rates, an FY13 revenue update, personnel actions, and an investment report highlighting portfolio gains and the engagement of an investment consultant firm. Capital projects updates were provided for the Administration Building, Founders Plaza Project, and 310 Chillicothe. The President reported on the Higher Education Funding Commission and the AQIP accreditation method. The session concluded with an Executive Session to discuss pending court action and property purchase.