I.  Call to Order.  Chancellor Cohen called the meeting to order reviewing the sequence of the agenda and activities for the meeting.

II.  Student Services Mission/Programming.  Vice Chancellor for Student Services and Dean of Students Leo Bryant, together with Student Services directors or representatives, presented an overview of each area of student services to gain awareness of each other’s departments, roles.  Dr. Bryant said the mission of student services is to support the learning enterprise with the goal of setting an environment conducive to learning. 

Paul McGuinness presented an overview of the Enrollment Services Center  (ESC), an integrated, cross-trained department that has been streamlined to be a one-stop service.  The ESC has received the IBM Best Practices Award and has been visited by representatives of other universities from around the country.

Roy Hamilton presented an overview of the Educational Opportunities Program whose mission is to commit to providing educational opportunity for all Americans regardless of race, ethnic background or economic circumstance.  This department is federally funded by a grant proposal that is very competitive due to shrinking dollars available.  This grant brings $1.4 million to PUC and includes the programs of Upward Bound, Educational Talent Search, Student Support Services (TRIO Programs), and the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program.  The McNair Program shows a retention rate of 97% with the six-year graduation rate at 90%.  A comprehensive brochure about these programs was distributed; Vice Chancellor Bryant reminded department heads to watch and become familiar with what is being accomplished by these programs and be aware that the directors are professional grant writers and assist other departments in writing proposals. 

Rick Riddering presented an overview of The Center for Career & Leadership Development department and the Student Success Center.  This department is a reorganization that includes the previous offices of Career Services and Student Leadership Development.  R. Riddering stated and reviewed the four value statements of the Student Success Center:  building diverse relationships, cultivating leadership, providing EEO for success with integrity, and providing spirited services.

Larry Crawford presented an overview of the Counseling Center and its part in the Student Services mission and objectives to assist students identification and define academic goals with achievement of academic success.  L. Crawford defined the Counseling Center as an assist to students with issues that may be getting in the way of their success, to achieve self-direction and be successful in their roles as students.  Areas which the Center may assist may include issues that may affect them academically, time management, goal setting, setting priorities, or personal issues that may be affecting their student life.  The Center may also assist students in selecting a major area of study or career plan; assist in areas of temporary crisis; referral to agencies where students may need extensive assistance.

Rob Jensen presented an overview of the department of Fitness, Wellness and Sports stating that the Fitness Center is in its fifteenth year with 1200 student members and provides opportunity for students to serve as interns.  He reported working on making the valuable employee wellness program available to students.  R. Jensen reported the area of sports having both men’s and women’s basketball teams and working with student groups to encourage co-sponsoring of games.  He stated that all students are eligible to participate in he intramural programs.  He said the Club Sports are considered in-between intramural and intercollegiate and that competition is with other schools.  Questioned to Rob was whether there may be a goal for an intercollegiate program; Rob stated that they will need to look at where they set in relation to the strategic plan.

Sarah Howard reported on the Dean of Students office being the chief judicial office and its role in enforcing the student code of conduct.  S. Howard stated the department is bound to upholding academic integrity; enforcing the student bill of rights; is designed for solving enrollment services problems; consultant to faculty for student behavior and for student absentee policy; and ombudsman for students with problems.  D. Barbour complimented the office of the Dean of Students for all their assistance in providing resolution with student/faculty problems.  S. Lerner stated that the PWL website contains information on brochures available for download in conjunction with the Dean of Students office.

L. Bryant stated the top three priorities of the office of the Vice Chancellor Student Services strategic plan address the needs of students.  Chancellor Cohen said the inspirational range of student services addressing our goals should be captured and taken back and awareness made to your department staff; that student services needs to be informed of problems not being addressed; have conversations with your staff; address the services and needs and carry through our organization.

III.  Personnel Evaluations and Salary Allocations.  Chancellor Cohen gave a reminder of not putting anything in personnel files that you won’t be using, that anything you keep should be something you will include in evaluation, on paper as well as electronic files.

III.  Interactive Session - Discussion and Planning for the Future.  A questionnaire sheet was distributed on the annual personnel evaluation and salary allocation process used within units that was completed and discussed within each roundtable.  Chancellor Cohen invited those departments with written statements on the evaluation process to be sent to his office.  A compilation of responses will be addressed at the next monthly meeting.

IV.  Announcements, Q & A.  Chancellor Cohen presented the newly printed color brochure of PUC’s Strategic Plan and said they are available from his office for communication within and outside the university.  Just phone Lori at x-2204 for additional copies you may need.

Chancellor Cohen said the budget process will certainly contain a loss of dollars and that he would have more information at the next meeting.  For now, it is clear that one month, or 1/12 will come out of our existing funds for 2002 without clear knowledge of getting it back.  He said the technology dollars are now absent and to prepare for tightening of budgets.

Doug Sharp announced that the administrative services Customer Satisfaction Survey e-mailed to all is web-based for easy completion and return by December 15 would be appreciated.

Sandy Czekaj reported for the absent Registrar that early registration ends December 7, final exams are scheduled the week of December 10, and final grades are due Noon, December 19.  Commencement is scheduled at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 18, at the Star Plaza Theatre, Merrillville.

Maryann Bishel announced Kevin Popa joining the Office of Financial Aid and Student Accounts as Associate Director.

Chancellor Cohen announced that an e-mail invitation will be sent out soon of a holiday and appreciation reception for all staffs scheduled for Thursday, December 13, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., at The Center.

V.  Adjournment.  He thanked everyone for their cooperation and information throughout the semester and adjourned the meeting.

Next meeting January 7, 2002