More changing faces on the Board of Trustees

Another Board of Trustees Member Arnold H. Park is gone and a new trustee Dr. Grace Dawson fills one of several vacancies as the Board tackled several big issues at its June 6 meeting. The Board also remembered the contributions of former Trustee Margaret Laurino and the late Trustee James Barushok who passed away last spring.

Issues discussed and voted on at the meeting included the fact that NEIU's budget is held up in the gridlock of the State Legislature's budget battle, the implementation of the Campus Green Fee, the University Statement of Values, student satisfaction and retention studies and advising.

The Board passed the Campus Green Fee of $3.00 per semester for all students regardless of credit load. Trustees Walter W. Dudycz praised students for the taking initiative leading to a vote in favor by 75% of the vote in the recent SGA elections. The measure passed unanimously. Referring to possible long-term savings for the university Trustee Dr. Carlos Azcoitia said, "Hopefully the fees will be transferred to items for students."

Chair Nancy Masterson announced Park's departure saying that he had to devote more time to his family's business and would not have as much time to devote to NEIU. Park served on the Board since Governor Blagojevich appointed him on Aug 25, 2003. He occupied one of the democratic seats on the Board.

Of the recent departures from the Board Barushok, Laurino and Park have all been Democrats. Recent appointees to the Board Dawson and Dr. Carlos Azcoitia are both Democrats.

State rules state that the political party of the Governor (Democratic) gets one more seat than the minority. Trustees Edward Dykla, Carole Balzekas and Chair Nancy Masterson are all Republicans whose terms have ended, according to state law they stay in place on the board until the Governor names replacements.

The Board is awaiting approval of the university's fiscal year 2008 budget. The proposed budget has a 0.9% increase over FY 2007 budget. President Hahs said it would be a "Challenging budget year."

President Hahs also introduced a preliminary 1st draft 2009 budget request that will be sent to the Illinois Board of Higher Education for approval before engaging in the rest of the long budget approval process.

President Hahs introduced her Statement of Values to the Board. Trustees raised questions of implementation. "Will all departments have a plan?" asked Dr. Azcoitia.

"Not exactly" replied President Hahs, "The values drive the action, not the action driving the values.

Trustee Dr. Grace Dawson reflected on similar initiatives at the Chicago Public Schools saying that it "never trickled down to the people," and that people should "continue to practice what they preach."

Hahs and the Board also discussed the results of a 2005 student satisfaction study. Hahs said that areas of dissatisfaction among students included course offerings, financial aid and advising. Students complained about "getting the runaround" when dealing with the bureaucracy of the school. Dr. Azcoitia mentioned the need for a more "customer service" based approach to the bureaucracy.

Out going Student Trustee Peter Michalczyk said, "The biggest disappointment is advising," and suggested more general frames to tell students when to take what class.

Trustee Dr. Dawson said that an "urban student is different."

Hahs said that 5 new advisors have been hired and two of those will be going to the satellite campuses of El Centro and CCICS. Hahs also said that Financial Aid has been grouped together under enrolment services to help streamline that process.

Dr. Azcoitia requested more information on students enrolled for 4 years. Dr. Hahs reviewed more information on time to degree stating that the average full time student takes 4.8 years to graduate and part time students 10 years. She said that 18.5% of students are on a 6-year plan and 40% of students are part time

Other items approved at the meeting included approval for resurfacing of parking lots H and J at a cost of $115,000. CCICS will have an upgraded fire alarm system installed that hasn't renovated since 1972. CCICS will also have brickwork done to the north side of the façade at a cost of $610,000. Computer support for the payroll systems will be updated at a cost of $150,000 and the student information system called "CARS" will be upgraded at a cost of $302,000. Ensemble Espanol is getting floor renovations to the building J at a cost of $128,000. The bid was the only one submitted of 9 vendors who expressed an interest in the project. The board passed all of the measures.

Mark Dunn, the board council, reported that he had concluded negotiations with the Fraternal Order of Police (representing the NEIU Police Officers) and that it had reached "a very favorable outcome."