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 PRESIDENT’S CABINET

May 3, 2001
9 a.m.

Members present:  President Suzuki, Dr. Ambroson, Dr. Barnes, Dr. Berman, Ms. Farris,  Mr. Fremont,  Ms. Martin,  Dr. Ochoa, Dr. Ollenburger, Dr. Tillman, Mr. Storey,  Ms. Thomas, Dr. Turk

The architects from Sasaki Associates presented the schematic design for Phase I of  the Student Housing Project which will contain 400 beds.  During the presentation, President Suzuki indicated that security issues should be of major importance in the development of this housing project.  The architects responded that security, i.e., lighting and access, had been taken into consideration.  The President also suggested that direct access to the Technology Park would be helpful.

Donna Tillman noted her objection to this project due to the loss of parking spaces that will occur.  It was explained that, with the addition of Parking Lot B and other measures, there will be sufficient parking until the year 2003.  Following that date until the parking structure is completed in 2005, the campus will experience a shortage of parking spaces with the Parking and Traffic Committee will need to address.

The matter of increasing parking fees to accommodate the parking structure was discussed.  The Parking and Traffic Committee is working on the issue and the target date for fee increases is  January 2002.

After receiving the input from the Cabinet,  the President approved the schematic design for the Student Housing Project.

Pat Farris and Chris McAlary presented a proposed Energy Conservation Incentive Program which was approved by the Energy Conservation Task Force.  Following discussion with regard to the removal or replacement of space heaters, refrigerators and microwaves, it was decided that the draft proposal should be corrected to make it clear that this is strictly a voluntary incentive program and that refrigerators and microwaves would be removed or replaced only voluntarily. The incentive program will be financed by savings realized by energy conservation measures.

The President expressed his concern that the campus community does not realize how serious the energy crisis is and that the coming summer will be far worse than that which we have experienced thus far and hoped that the incentive program would produce good results.

Pat Farris asked the Cabinet members to e-mail her, Chris or Ed Barnes with suggestions for changes to the draft plan.  Discussion will begin immediately regarding the required implementation steps for the plan. 

Campus Climate Survey Student Survey

Steve Frieze and Marisol Arredondo presented some of the results from the student survey portion of the Campus Climate Survey.  Detailed results are available in the “Insights” publication produced by Institutional Research and Planning.  Some of the findings:

1. Most students have neutral or somewhat favorable perceptions of the campus climate at Cal Poly Pomona.  Also, they have more favorable perceptions about their department or college than the University as a whole.
   
   
2. The most frequently observed disparaging comments, behaviors or gestures are directed toward people who speak with an accent or who are gay, lesbian or bisexual.
   
   
3. The majority of students do not personally encounter harassment or discrimination at Cal Poly Pomona; however, 14.3 percent of female respondents reported they had been harassed or discriminated against occasionally or frequently because of their gender, 29.4% of the gay, lesbian or bisexual students because of their sexual orientation, 20% of the disabled students because of their disability, 23.3% of the African American students because of their race/ethnicity; and 17.8% of the students whose first language is not English because of their language and/or accent.

The following recommendations have been proposed and endorsed by the Campus Climate Survey Committee:

1. Continue the process of on-going self-assessment and critical evaluation of the campus climate.
   
   
2. Create a welcoming, validating and safe environment for all students.
   
   
3. Build school spirit and enhance sense of campus community.  (During the discussion of this recommendation, it was suggested that we look at ways other than the traditional sports-related “school spirit” to enhance the sense of community on the campus.)
   
   
4. Continue to support diversity and utilize it to enhance learning experiences for all students.

President Suzuki asked if there was a way in which we could compare our campus to other campuses in the system and nationwide.  Since ACT uses a survey nationwide, it would be good for us to review national averages to see how we compare.  The current survey will serve as a baseline for future surveys which we hope will improve with group initiatives in some of the areas that clearly need more work.

Jane Ollenburger presented this information item by providing a power point presentation. The need for a position of Associate Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research without creating any additional MPP positions necessitated a reorganization of the Academic Affairs area. The first phase of the restructuring includes the addition of faculty associates for Faculty Affairs and for General Education and Advising.  These positions will report to Debra Brum. The second phase will provide enhanced support for Graduate Studies and Research and Sponsored Programs by creating the new AVP position.  The third phase will provide enhanced support for Budget, Institutional Research and Resource Management with Bob Charles responsible for the office of Academic Resources and Institutional Research.  Other related changes include:  (1) the CalStateTEACH program will report to the Dean of the College of Education and Integrative Studies, and (2) the International Center will report to the Dean of the Extended University.  While there are costs associated with the restructuring, the amount is far less than the creation of a new AVP position and staff-related expenses.

Ron Fremont distributed the newest issue of “Panorama,” the campus community outreach publication, and announced that the first ever “Great Outdoors Power Pizza with the Presidents” is scheduled for May 17 at noon in the University Quad.

Christine Thomas reported that she has received many inquiries concerning the energy crisis and whether the campus would return to a 4/10 work week during the Summer Quarter.   The President reported that with the move to increase Summer Quarter enrollments, we need to maintain the same level of service in the summer as we do throughout the other three quarters.  In addition, electrical power must be maintained in many of the campus buildings and, as a result, the amount of energy conserved is minimal.

Donna Tillman reported that the “Mesters” Committee has completed its work and the information will be placed on the web by Friday, May 4.  An e-mail will be sent to the campus community notifying them of the web site.

Michael Berman reported that the viability of our voice response system has become unreliable and, as a result, will be replaced this summer.  A program called Web Ticker has been purchased which will automatically notify the user of any campus emergencies. In order to test this program, any Cabinet member with Windows capability can request that it be loaded onto his or her computer by calling Mike Berman’s office.

The next meeting of the Cabinet will be held on Tuesday, June 5, 2001 at 9 a.m.

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