UAAC Meeting Minutes - January 15, 2015

UAAC MEETING NOTES

January 15, 2015

 Present:  Teri Clawson, Bradley Merrill (Admissions); Zachary Franzoni (Architecture and Planning); Nevon Bruschke (Art and Art History); Colby Vranes, Erik Weierholt, Brandon Gorman (Athletics); Jason Barkemeyer, Amanda Miller (Business); Rick Ernst (Chemistry); Alexi Crabb (Civil Engineering); Travis Ciaramella, Laneta Fitisemanu (Communication); Vicki Jackson (Computing); Janet Goff (Continuing Education); Katie Cartee (Dean of Students’ Office); Megan Hruby (Economics); Arlene Arenaz (Electrical and Computer Engineering); Shawn Adrian (English); Jenny Stout, Wendy Smith (Family and Consumer Studies); Liz Leckie (Fine Arts); Judy Martinez (Geology and Geophysics); Shari Lindsey (Health); Erica Rojas, Michelle Taliaferro, Aaron Reynolds (Honors); Taunya Dressler (Humanities); Lisa Hutton (Languages and Literature); Liz Kociolek (Learning Abroad); Kacey Campbell (Linguistics); Mark Mun, Joy Velarde (Mechanical Engineering); Mary Ann Dresher (Music); Nomani Satuala (New Student and Family Programs); Ana Nelson (Political Science); Emily Johnson, Mike Santarosa, Zach Klc (Registrar’s Office); Bobbi Davis (Social and Behavioral Science); Lam Nguyen (Social Work); Kristen Lindsay, Sara Hatch (Teacher Education); Maria Baldwin (TRIO); Lyndi Duff (Undergraduate Studies); Sharon Aiken-Wisniewski, Leslie Park, David Eisen, John Nilsson, Martina Stewart, Steve Hadley, Tammy Mabey, Tammy Nguyen, Heather Crum, Terese Pratt, Jen Wozab, Kelsey Nicholson (Academic Advising Center); Lena May-Fraser, Kira Jones, Brett Runnion (Academic Advising Center / Fine Arts); Angie Gardiner (Academic Advising Center / Mathematics), Tamara Young (Academic Advising Center / Physics and Astronomy.    Total:  61

Ed Barbanell presented information about the National Student Exchange (and distributed the Student Guide for 2015-16).  The program allows exchanges between some 200 institutions in the US (including Puerto Rico) and Canada; students can attend for one semester or one year.  (This semester, there are about ten students from other institutions attending the University, with the same number of native University students attending other institutions.)  Participants must be full-time students, with at least 24 completed credit hours.  The program can be a way to augment one’s major, or perhaps delve into a specialty not offered at the University.  Students have some options regarding tuition.  Applications are due by February 20; there is a nonrefundable $250 application fee.  The website is http://nse.utah.edu/. 

Lori McDonald addressed the timely subject of sexual violence on campuses (a brochure was distributed).  There has been some recent criticism that higher education institutions have not been transparent in this area, and/or are not handling situations appropriately.  Those present were asked to help educate University staff (and faculty, when opportune) that we have an obligation to report (to our Office of Equal Opportunity) when we hear of a potential case that involves sexual harassment.  If a student discloses to an advisor that they have been sexually assaulted in the past (regardless of how long previous), we are now obligated to report this.

Admissions – Brad Merrill

• The Office of Admissions has admitted approximately 7,300 students, and denied roughly 330.

Registrar’s Office – Emily Johnson, Mike Santarosa, and Zach Klc

• Undergraduate enrollment is down 66 from last semester, as of now.
• Dates/deadlines:
• January 19 – last day to add classes without a permission code
• January 21 – last day to drop/delete classes (semester-length and first half)
• January 26 – tuition due; last day to add, elect CR/NC, or audit (semester-length and first half)
• There was a recent meeting with some of the college coordinators, which yielded the following recommendations and/or action items:
• A list of petition contacts for each college will be distributed
• There was a request to have some type of mechanism for students to drop the designations for a major that they’re no longer interested in (this will most likely be a form)
• Some advisors have asked for a way for permission codes to override only course prerequisites (and not time conflicts, departmental consent designations, etc.) – this is not possible at the present time, but may be in the future
• Diplomas are now being ordered weekly, through an outside vendor.  The same provider will be used for certificates.
• Students will soon be seeing a notice that reminds them to opt in (or out) for campus alerts.
• Fee match drop:  many students aren’t automatically dropped for nonpayment, due to a financial aid application.  These students can go directly to Financial Aid to seek remedy, for a 12-month period.  (They will be given forms which will require instructor signatures.)
• A new graduation supervisor has been hired; graduation questions should still be directed to graduation@utah.edu.  Graduation evaluations are 98% complete; 1,089 undergraduate degrees have been awarded for fall (141 students were denied).  (Evaluations for graduate students are 99% complete).

Financial Aid – no report

Scholarships

• Processes are running fairly smoothly.  Improvements are being made to the process for selecting incoming freshmen (merit scholarships).

Curriculum Administration – Lyndi Duff

• The deadline for curriculum changes is January 20.  (This includes any new courses, changes to courses or prerequisites, etc.).  Website:  curriculum.utah.edu. 

DARS/GPS – Tammy Nguyen

• A reminder:  send DARS-related questions to dars@sa.utah.edu.
• A DARS purge will take place on January 30; be sure to make copies of any needed reports, before then (a reminder e-mail will be sent).

Advisor Education and Development – Leslie Park

• Upcoming events:
• January 27 – advisor tech training
• February 11 – advising basics training

RSVP’s should be sent to Lpark@uc.utah.edu.

• The campuswide advising conference is scheduled for March 27; proposals are still being accepted.
• Upcoming campus inservices will feature (as  topics) the Lassonde Institute (February) and undergraduate research (March).

Orientation

• Orientation registration is now open for those entering in spring and summer.

Transfer Student Issues – no report

Committee Reports

Mandatory Advising Program – Martina Stewart

• Second-year students were e-mailed in November, and informed that they needed to meet with an advisor by February 27.  On February 2, undeclared students (those with at least two prior terms of enrollment, and at least 60 credit hours) will be e-mailed; on March 5, new (first-year) students will be e-mailed.

Advisor Awards – Angie Gardiner

• The committee will be reviewing and finalizing nomination packets, and expects to get those out on February 2.  NACADA and UAA award nominations are coming along; those advisors are working on their statements and advising philosophies.  Nominations for the Perlman Award are due by January 30.

Marketing and PR for Advising – Taunya Dressler

• The committee hasn’t met since last month’s UAAC meeting, but did meet yesterday with the University’s Marketing and Communications office.  The date for the final faculty focus group is February 19; advisor suggestions are welcome as to possible invitees (10 – 14 are needed). One idea that has been discussed is inviting marketing specialists to help create a strategic plan.

The Advisor Position – John Nilsson

• The committee met today, and has identified three different sets of information that they will attempt to obtain; one involves asking UAAC listserv members to describe their positions, duties, etc.  Information will also be gathered from Human Resources, as well as some smaller subgroups in UAAC.

Assessment of Advising – no report

Appreciative Advising – Liz Leckie

• As previously announced, the “Disarm” phase of the advising challenge is ongoing, and will last until February 19.  Identified best practices will be discussed at a future UAAC meeting, and this will lead into the next phase.  Submissions are encouraged.

Continuing and New Business

Plan to Finish:  Sharon Aiken-Wisniewski noted that the completion agenda continues to be a discussion, both nationally and locally; it’s very important for advisors to keep this in mind.  The ideal is for each student to be taking at least 15 credits, but each individual’s situation must be taken into account.

Advisors have been asked to submit four-year plans for publication in the Acalog (they will appear in GPS as well).  It is becoming increasingly apparent that these plans will become more important locally and nationally.

Math prerequisite change:  Angie Gardiner reminded those present to inform students that their test scores do expire after two years; and also to encourage them to complete their math requirement early on.  Beginning in Fall 2015, the prerequisite for MATH 1060 is changing to MATH 1050.  (Students can take 1050 and 1060 together, this spring and summer.)  MATH 1080 covers college algebra and trigonometry in one semester, which can be a good option for some students.  (Students must have a solid “B” grade in 1010 in order to take 1080.) 

Learning Abroad Fair:  Liz Kociolek distributed information about the event to be held on February 3.  (www.learningabroad.utah.edu)

New UAAC co-chair:  Shari Lindsay noted that her term as co-chair will expire in June; all UAAC attendees are encouraged to think about taking over this role.  (Sharon will continue on for another year.)

Tip of the Month:    Sophomores and juniors should be strongly encouraged to engage with Career Services, which offers a number of services to assist students with employment (career fairs, workshops, internships, one-on-one counseling, etc.).  Website:  https://careers.utah.edu; information on career fairs can be found at https://careers.utah.edu/career-fairs/. 

 

THE Next UAAC meeting IS SCHEDULED FOR

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19 at 2:00pm IN AEB, ROOM 320

 

 

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Information Items

• Jan. 17 - 23:  MLK Activities and Celebration  http://diversity.utah.edu/events/martin-luther-king
• Jan. 28 – MUSE Lecture by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor at Huntsman Center (Need Ticket)
• February 3 – Learning Abroad Fair (11 – 2 in Union)
• February 5 – Summer Job Fair (10 – 2 in Union)
• February 10 – Spring Career Fair (9 – 3 PM in Union)
• February 26 – Proposals Due for 2015 NACADA Annual Conference - http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Events-Programs/Events/Annual-Conference.aspx
• March 6-12:  Women’s Week http://diversity.utah.edu/events/womens-week
• March 11 – 13:  NACADA Region Ten Conference in Boulder, CO
• March 27 - U of U Advising Conference
• May 7 & 8 - University Commencement & Convocation Exercises
• May 20-21 – Utah Advising Assn., St. George, UT

Spring 2015 Academic Calendar Available at:  http://registrar.utah.edu/academic-calendars/spring2015.php

U of U Academic Advising Mantra/Creed/Philosophy

As educators and problem solvers, we advocate for students as they navigate their personal journey of higher education and attain their academic goals. Through inclusion and connection, we open doors to new opportunities for self-awareness and growth, empowering students to define their roles as citizens within local and global communities.

Academic Advising Tagline

*Academic Advising: Planning with Purpose