University Council Minutes
Wednesday, October 7th, 2020
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Via Webex
Printable Minutes
Members:
Waded Cruzado, Daniel Adams, Kenning Arlitsch, Sreekala Bajwa, Janelle Booth, Michael
Brody, Matt Caires, Jason Carter, Leon Costello, Chris Dobbs, Ariel Donohue, Tracy
Ellig, Chris Fastnow, Stephanie Gray, Jeannette Grey-Gilbert, Rolf Groseth, Brett
Gunnink, Alison Harmon, Deborah Haynes, Robert Hawks, Whitney Hinshaw, Yves Idzerda,
Chris Kearns, Greg Kegel, Chere LeClair, Ilse-Mari Lee, Terry Leist, Bob Mokwa, Chris
Murray, Kim Obbink, Craig Ogilvie, Kellie Peterson, Mark Ranalli, Sarah Shannon, Royce
Smith, Emily Stark, Dan Stevenson, Cody Stone, Michael Trotter, Michael Vasquez, Amber
Vestal, Susan Wolff
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- Call to Order
President Waded Cruzado
President Cruzado called meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. - Approval of Minutes for September 2, 2020
Terry Leist moved to approve minutes; Jason Carter seconded the motion and the minutes were approved unanimously. - University Wide Information/Announcements
President Cruzado shared seven weeks from today our fall semester will conclude. We are in the middle of midterms this week. This has been an incredible effort from every single unit at Montana State.
Rolf Groseth shared City College was recently awarded a TRIO grant. Additionally, the International Studies office received a grant to encourage more study abroad opportunities.
Susan Wolff shared Great Falls College MSU is in the last week of their first block of 8 weeks. They have two interim directors appointed – Mandy Wright and Tami Hickey. The trades programs have embraced project-based learning.
Greg Kegel shared they are working on an initiative to increase retention at MSU Northern. Tutoring is increasing communication – retention numbers are up in every category. They are happy to report that they are moving the needle up. The rodeo took place over the weekend and that went very well.
President Cruzado is so proud of our affiliate campuses and their tremendous work with protocols and public health as we navigate. We are dedicated to our communities we serve as well as our students. - Public Comment
There was no public comment - New Item
A. Conflict of Interest Policy Revisions
Kellie Peterson, Legal Counsel
The revisions are being led by office of research compliance and will be posted for a first reading and open for comment. They have updated the conflict of commitment and defined what that means.
Jason Carter clarified this has been updated from APLU meetings in recent years. Disclosure is important in today’s age and it’s good to disclose.
President Cruzado encouraged Deans and Department Heads to visit with their units over the next month to have ample discussions. - Informational Items
A. Establishing an MSU Diversity Council
Ariel Donohue, Senior Diversity and Inclusion Officer
Ariel shared in 2016-2017 President Cruzado dedicated a year to diversity and inclusion. There were deep conversations and thoughtful feedback. In 2017, the diversity and inclusion framework report was released and incorporated into the Strategic Plan.
The MSU Diversity Council will report to the Senior Diversity and Inclusion Officer position. There will be three standing committees: Campus Climate, Education and Scholarship, and Access and Success.
The goal is to launch the newly formed committee in January 2021.
B. Strategic Plan Update: Choosing Promise, Goal 3.3: MSU Community Culture
Ian Godwin, Associate Director, Office of Planning & Analysis
Ian Godwin shared the following metrics in GOAL 3.3: Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement and individual growth. Montana State University and its students, faculty, and staff engage in a reciprocal relationship that values each member and improves the university environment.
1. Montana State University will improve and increase collaborations between curricular and co-curricular unit to support student success.
2. Montana State University will increase the number of collaborative grant applications and awards
with investigators across curricular, co-curricular, the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station, Extension and other units.
3. Montana State University will increase the average faculty and staff compensation to the representative peer market average by 2024.
4. Montana State University will increase faculty and staff participation in health and wellness, personal, management and professional development opportunities.
5. Montana State University will make and annually monitor progress on the 2017 MSU Diversity & Inclusion Framework themes (Campus Climate and Intergroup Relations, Education and Scholarship, Access and Success, Leadership and Accountability, Communication).
6. Montana State University will develop a comprehensive sustainability plan by 2020 with measurement and annual progress reports to campus. - Updates
Provost Bob Mokwa shared an update regarding Snowmester Nov. 30, 2020 – Jan. 8, 2021.
Chris Dobbs shared folklore installations from the College of Arts and Architecture were loaned to Museum of the Rockies.
Dean Matt Caires shared a Parent Family virtual event will be held on October 8, 2020
Tracy Ellig shared Royce Smith’s video with his oncologist about the importance of wearing masks.
Dean Yves Idzerda shared the Nobel Prize winning team in Physics and black hole formation.
NOTE: The next University Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, 2020, from 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM via WebEx.