Senators in Attendance: Kim Benton, Kaye Biddy, V.P.A.A. Phil Buckhiester, Noel Campbell, Carl Cavalli, Elizabeth Combier, Barry Friedman, Robert Fuller, Anne Gaillard, Ahmad Ghafarian, President Nathaniel Hansford, Kristi Hislope, Scot Irwin, Aaron Lu, D. Brian Mann, C. Michael Powell, Lindsey Reeves, Harriette Richard, Andy Schaffer, Jeff Sommers, Ann Stucke, Sally Weidmann, C.E.O. Jimmy Woods
Senators Excused: Jack Broman
Senators Absent: Dlynn Armstrong-Williams, Chris Dare, Georgia Mann, Bud Reiselt, Alice Sampson, Ann Sumners, Dan Thompson
Guests: Linda Roberts-Betsch
November 14, 2002 Minutes
The President mentioned the new budget first, stating that we know very little about it for the time being. With the legislative session still to begin, there is no information forthcoming from the Congress of the University System. Information will apparently come out next week.
Hansford then continued with the next item; that the Georgia Military Scholarship and the R.O.T.C. grant would apparently be cut by 5% because they are funded by the general fund, not the lottery. Despite earlier being told that we were recommended and that shortfalls would probably be made up for, the cut now appears inevitable. The President then explained that the GMS is given to students with the proper academic qualifications and significant leadership potential. There are 36 of these scholarships per year, and require a service commitment to the National Guard of 6 years. On the bright side, said Hansford, despite the current shortfall of $20,000, he believes that activations and call-ups for advance training may free up enough money to cover our students.
On the other hand, he elaborated, the R.O.T.C. grant gives $750 per semester for expenses. Although we have our funds for the fall, the funding cut will have its impact this spring. We are, apparently, underfunded even without the 5% cut, and no money from a budget supplement is foreseen. The shortfall this spring could amount to $500 (of the $750) per student. Our representatives are currently trying to cover the shortfall in congress, as we’re the only college in the state that gets these scholarships. He then concluded by saying that we had received a request from OPD to find out how much we need to cover our deficit, which he sees as a good sign.
More good news, The President continued, is that we have the first enrollment figures, which indicate that graduate enrollment is up 11% over last spring and undergraduate enrollment is up 8%. Such increases, he explained, are easier to cover in spring semesters, and will serve to remediate our budget cuts.
Our special leadership initiative is moving forward, he went on, to the tune of $50,000 worth of grants. There have been numerous creative ideas, including a course on seeking & writing grants. The initiative will also be bringing in leadership speakers this semester. On the student side, there is a leadership class being planned, and there is a“leadershape” program that NGCSU will host, whose aim is to help develop student leaders.
Hansford then mentioned the Women in Leadership Conference, and the fact that this will be a banner year. It's the 130th anniversary of NGCSU (the first public university institution in Georgia to accept women), and the 125th anniversary of its first female graduate. Frances Hesselbein will be the keynote speaker.
C.E.O.’s Report: Dr. Jimmy Woods
Woods acknowledged the 130th & 125th anniversaries, noting that indeed it is nothing new for students to need five years in order to graduate. He then welcomed incoming Senator Chris Dare, who replaces the departed Bill Shaw, and Senator Elizabeth Combier, who is replacing Donna Gessell. He then stated that the process of elections for next year's senators must be put quickly underway. In order for standing committee appointments and chairmanships to be implemented properly, he explained, nominations and elections mus follow a given order and that Department Senators must elected this month. This purpose of this timeline furnishes the Committee on Committees with a Senate-elected chair as well as the proper representation prepared to make the proper choices.
Announcements and Adjournment:
Barry Friedman, longtime co-chair of the Family Day Committee explained that due to a precipitous drop in interest in the Day, he has moved off the committee. An effort, said Friedman, was nevertheless underway to reevaluate the activities in hopes of resuscitating the event.
Dr. Linda Roberts-Betsch asked senators to encourage people to attend the upcoming discussion on plagiarism, which, due to good interest and turnout, is being repeated from last semester. Harriette Richard acknowledged this, adding that it was useful that the announcement came out before Christmas break. In lieu of further announcements, Woods then adjourned the meeting at 12:50 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,