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October 18, 2012 - UAAC Meeting Minutes

UAAC MEETING NOTES

October 18, 2012

Present: Megan Ludlow (Accounting); Suzanne Wayment (Admissions); Christine Daoust, Jason Barkemeyer, Kari Dockendorff, Anna Adams, Jess Taverna (Business); Kathy Leslie (Career Services); Rick Ernst (Chemistry); Hilda Bravo (Communication); Janet Goff, Candace Krukiel (Continuing Education); Jill Wilson (Economics); Arlene Arenaz (Electrical and Computer Engineering); Danielle Marble, Rachel Bonnett (Exercise and Sport Science); Liz Leckie (Fine Arts); Judy Martinez (Geology and Geophysics); Shari Lindsey (Health); Taunya Dressler (Humanities); Brandon Patterson (International Center); Lisa Hutton (Languages and Literature); Angie Gardiner (Mathematics); Bonnie Ogden, Mark Mun (Mechanical Engineering); Carrie Radmall (Nursing); Trisha Jensen (Orientation); Betsy Cook (Parks, Recreation, and Tourism); Samantha Brodey (Political Science); Emily Johnson, Dallin Cowles (Registrar’s Office); Maria Baldwin, Donna Jordan-Allen (Student Support Services); Becki Owen, Kristen Lindsay (Teacher Education); Ed Barbenell, Liz Taylor, Dylan Mace (Undergraduate Studies); Sharon Aiken-Wisniewski, Jency Brown, David Eisen, Terese Pratt, Richelle Warr, Shelley Nicholson, Martina Stewart, John Nilsson, Marilyn Hoffman, Natalie Brown, Steve Hadley (Academic Advising Center); Lena May-Fraser, Kira Jones (Academic Advising Center / Fine Arts). Total: 50

Sharon Aiken-Wisniewski spoke at today’s meeting of the Council of Academic Deans, about last spring’s advising survey and other advising initiatives.   She will present information to UAAC on this topic in November. Students have reported a high level of satisfaction with their advising experiences.

BlockU Program: Ed Barbanell distributed and presented information about this pilot cohort program. Highlights:

  • Courses are organized in “blocks” around a particular topic, allowing students two to finish their General Education requirements in two semesters. Current topics are: Sustainability; Creativity & Community; and Global Citizenship. Fifteen credit hours in each block.
  • Students will register in Spring 2013, with the first courses being offered in Fall 2013. Enrollment in each block will be capped at 10-20. Students will get course codes at the Sill Center.
  • Students’ textbooks for the courses will be paid for (providing they complete the entire core).
  • Thematic / integrated minors are being considered for the future.
  • Currently, BlockU is being “marketed” primarily through advisors.

 Admissions – Suzanne Wayment

  • Deadlines:
  • Residency application for tuition purposes (Spring): November 1
  • Spring 2013 undergraduate application deadline: November 1; all required documentation must be in by November 15 (the late fee applies after November 1).
  • First freshman application completion deadline for Fall 2013 (complete file): December 1. (The transfer admission process will continue to be “rolling”.)

Registrar’s Office – Dallin Cowles, Emily Johnson

  • Current enrollment is 32,710 students (up about 2% from last year).
  • Deadlines and dates:
  • October 19 – withdrawal from semester-length courses
  • October 22 (and beyond) – late fee applies to students who apply for fall graduation
  • October 24 – drop/delete second-half courses
  • October 29 -- Add / elect Credit/No Credit / Audit second-half courses
  • November 1 -- Spring 2013 registration begins; graduation applications are due. Students applying for summer or fall graduation should be encouraged to wait and apply later.
    • “Graduation Candidate by Major” report: some advisors have requested that an e-mail notification be sent out before access to the most recent report is discontinued. Right now, Summer 2012, Fall 2012, and Spring 2013 are visible; Summer 2012 will no longer be visible as of the first day of Spring 2013.
    • The campuswide unified calendar is an excellent source for reminders of important dates / deadlines.                                    

Learn more at: http://ugs.utah.edu/ucal/index.php [BROKEN LINK]

Financial Aid – no report

Curriculum Administration – Ed Barbanell

  • Declared majors in a class: there is a new function available in Campus Information Systems (“Employee” tab) that allows one to see – for each section of a course in a particular semester – the enrolled students, listed by major. (See reverse of today’s meeting agenda, as well as the distributed screen shot.)
  • Lyndi Duff will be visiting the campus with her new baby, on October 25 in Sill Center large conference room.

DARS/GPS – Richelle Warr

  • The next DARS / GPS training will take place on October 31.
  • Thanks for everyone’s help with GPS. On November 21, an e-mail will be sent to second-year students, encouraging them to explore this tool. Currently, 5,854 students are using it, with a total of 6,481 plans created.

 Advisor Education and Development – Sharon Aiken-Wisniewski

  • Advisor Basics training – October 23 (RSVP by October 19, advisorevents@uc.utah.edu).
  • Advising roundtable – October 24, 1:30pm in the LNCO lounge. Topic: computer-enforced prerequisites.
  • PeopleSoft training (for advisors) – November 7 (submit security authorization by October 19).

Orientation – Trisha Jensen

  • Applications are currently being accepted (electronically) for undergraduate orientation leader positions; this closes tomorrow. Interviews will be conducted over the next couple of weeks. Thanks, advisors, for your “recruitment” efforts.
  • College coordinators do have dates and times for advising for spring orientations (also available on the website).
  • Three full-day orientations will be offered (students will not be permitted to attend just the first half):
  • November 26 – transfers only
  • December 13 – transfer and first-year
  • January 4 – transfer and first-year/
    • Please do not tell students about online orientation; the Orientation office will communicate this information to them if and when appropriate.
    • Orientation now “expires” after an academic year (this is a new change).

 Transfer Student Issues – Terese Pratt

  • The next meeting of the Transfer Coordinating Council will take place on December 11 (information distributed). This is an important forum for exchange of helpful information and ideas on a range of transfer-related issues.
Mandatory Advising Program – Martina Stewart
  • Thanks to those who attended last month’s kickoff event. Martina has sent a followup to those individuals with links to the NACADA clearinghouse website, which has resources for developing an advising syllabus.
  • A total of 3,533 students were selected for the first-year program; about half have already been advised. This year, students who still have holds are being e-mailed every couple of weeks, reminding them that they need to meet with an advisor.
  • November 5 – first-year students will get early registration (for 1000- and 2000-level courses) starting early in the morning.
  • November 14 – second-year students will be selected.
  • November 19 (approximately) – undeclared students with 45 or more credit hours will be e-mailed to notify them of the requirement to meet with an advisor (or take other prescribed action) to avoid a registration hold in February.

 Major Expo – Steve Hadley

  • The recent Expo attendance was estimated at 1,350 (or more) – the highest number to date. (A variety of comments from participants were read.)
  • Awards for displays:
  • 3rd place – ASUU Money Mgmt Center
  • 2nd place – Music
  • 1stplace – Chemical Engineering
    • College of Engineering day, November 3: meant primarily for high-school students. All departments in the College will be represented (and all advisors will be there); it will feature lab tours, demonstrations, table information, etc.

New and Continuing Business

 Subcommittees / Task Forces: Sharon Aiken-Wisniewski noted that the response to last month’s discussion of reviving UAAC subcommittees and task forces was quite positive. It’s been decided that standing subcommittees will be formed, and this year’s focuses will included:

  • Advisor awards (Perlman, NACADA, etc.)
  • Marketing and public relations for advising
  • The Advisor Position (what’s happening n our campus as well as other Pac-12 institutions; professional development; responsibilities and qualifications, etc.)

Advisors are asked to reflect on this information and what’s planned; at the next UAAC meeting, be prepared to fill out a form indicating which subcommittee is of interest to you.

 Community Engagement Day: The back of today’s meeting agenda lists information about the October 23 celebration (which occurs during the week of President Pershing’s inauguration).   Website: www.admin.utah.edu/office_of_the_president/community-engagement-day. Participants are encouraged to wear red.

 MATH 990 hybrid course: Janet Goff announced that Section 6 of this course, in Spring 2013, will be taught as a “hybrid”. Students will watch 1.5 hours of lecture online each week and homework will be done online (but all tests will be in class). This offering might be a good opportunity for students who perhaps just missed being placed in to 1010. No book purchase will be necessary (although there will be a $50 cost for a homework bank).

 Student Success and Empowerment Initiative: Sharon reported that one thing learned from the advising survey (and others) is that our students feel like they aren’t necessarily able to understand all the opportunities and resources available on campus. The Initiative is seen as a compliment to the students’ academic and other experiences. It will make use of student advocates (professional staff, uniquely attired) who will roam across campus, talking to students about their experiences and thoughts. This particular group of staff will be working closely with the advising community.

 This program will be piloted for Spring 2013. One question: where should the program be housed?   Another: is this related to MUSE? (MUSE is about creating an extraordinary experience; the Initiative is more about understanding the entire campus.)

 (Discussion of the Initiative followed)

 Change in religious service rules: The LDS Church has recently announced changes in the age at which young men and women are eligible to complete a church mission. This is expected to have potentially large implications for the University; the Credits and Admissions Committee is currently discussing it. The need is seen for some type of official deferral policy; this is being discussed by the State Board of Regents. Deferral of scholarships is another topic that will need to be looked at.

 Currently, information on student Leaves of Absence can be found in the Student Handbook. It’s crucial for advisors to be aware of the current policies and processes, as well as to remain abreast of any changes that may develop and the implications for advising. Angie Gardiner noted that this will be an opportunity to remind students about the MATH boot camp courses (which would be an excellent option for some students, upon their return from leave). She also clarified that once a student’s Advance Placement scores have expired, they don’t have to take the Accuplacer; they are just placed one course “back” from where they were before (but must still request a permission code).

 Advising Tip of the Month: Student enrollment appointments are generated through a process in PeopleSoft, based on the total credits accumulated by a student. It’s important to let students know that this is not actually an appointment to meet with a person, but rather a time and date that the student can initiate registration for the upcoming semester.

 UC (Academic Advising Center) Courses: The UC 1010 course will be discontinued for the general student population (Fall 2012 is the last semester); it will still be made available for some specific populations. As an alternative, students can take ED PS 2600 or enroll in LEAP. Academic Advising Center will continue to offer a major exploration course (UC 1050); courses focusing on medical school admissions (UC 1020) and dental school admissions (UC 1030); and preparation for law school admissions (UC 1060).

 Several information items and upcoming dates are included on the agenda distributed for today’s meeting.

 

NEXT REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING WILL BE ON

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15 IN AEB 320

Last Updated: 8/21/23