PRESIDENT’S CABINET

July 18, 2001
9 a.m.

HIGHLIGHTS

Members present: President Suzuki, Dr. Barnes, Dr. Berman, Dr. Brum, Mr. Coson, Dr. Dhingra, Ms. Farris, Ms. Martin, Dr. Morehouse, Dr. Ochoa, Dr. Soriano, Mr. Storey, Ms. Thomas, Dr. Turk

Members absent: Mr. Fremont, Dr. Miles, Dr. Ollenburger

Guests present: Mr. Robert Charles

Update on 2001 Fall Conference

In Dr. Ollenburger's absence, Bob Charles reported on plans for the 2001 Fall Conference. The theme for this year's conference will be "In Pursuit of Excellence: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow." The key objective of the conference will be to showcase the excellence exhibited in our programs and activities that bring the community together - crossing divisional lines and bringing faculty, staff and students together.

Because the Jewish holiday, Rosh Hashanah, falls on Tuesday, September 18, Fall Conference will be held on Monday, September 17 and Wednesday, September 19. No official Fall Conference activities will be held on Tuesday.

Challenges this year include the reduction of space, such as the University Union and the University Theatre. For this reason, all activities must be scheduled with the Fall Conference Program Committee by August 1.

Report of the CSU Board of Trustees Meeting

The President reported on the July 10-11 Board of Trustees meeting:

1. A presentation was made to the Educational Policy Committee on a new project known as MERLOT (Multimedia Educational Resources for Learning and Online Teaching). It was designed to both improve the quality of learning materials available and to help institutions avoid duplication of effort. It is a continually growing collection of materials and support resources to help faculty enhance their instruction of students. For additional information, the website is www.merlot.org.
   
   
2. There was an update on the 2001-02 Support Budget. The only change from the May Revise was the "Workforce Preparation and Economic Development" item which was restored by half of its original request from the Board of Trustees (from $10,000,000 to $5,000,000). This funding is for high cost programs such as engineering, architecture, and computer science so it is important to Cal Poly Pomona. We are awaiting the final approval of the budget which the Chancellor believes will take place by the end of the month.
   
   
3. The President distributed a 2001 Status Report on all Active CSU Capital Projects. Cal Poly Pomona appears to have more projects in terms of dollars than all of the other campuses.
   
   
4. The new Residence Hall project was approved. The project will start in the Fall of 2002.
   
   
5. There was an energy conservation presentation. A settlement has been reach with Enron Energy Services that will extend their contract for two years and return both the CSU and the UC to direct access service from Enron.
   
   Dr. Ochoa asked if the decrease in energy costs will have implications for the 1% one-time reduction in base budgets this year to cover the cost of utilities. Pat Farris reported that it is not known at this time. The decision that is finally reached between Enron and the CSU and UC systems will play a big role in determining future budgets.
   
   We are still exploring the possibility of entering into a partnership to try to extract more power from the methane gas coming out of the Spadra Landfill by installing a gas turbine which would be large enough to meet the needs of this campus as well as Mt. SAC.
   
   We need to provide more incentives for people who rideshare and who ride the buses and MetroLink. We need to extend tram service as well. Funding for ride share incentives are derived from fines and forfeitures. Consultation need to take place with students, faculty and staff regarding ways in which we can provide more incentives to use public transportation. Pat Farris reported that the rideshare program has eliminated over 1,000 cars parking on campus per day.
   
   
6. A legislative hearing was held on the independent Ed.D degree which went very well. We need to generate support from the school districts and community colleges for this degree program. This is a two-year bill and will not come to a head until next year. At this time there is strong support for the program.

Update on PeopleSoft Project

Michael Berman reported tremendous success with regard to the PeopleSoft conversion. There have been minor glitches but no major problems. Finance is up and running but Human Resources is a little slower in rolling out.

We have a Web access tool that will permit a view of any budget accounts for any area on campus. It is anticipated that an Ethics Committee will be developed to consider the appropriate use of the information provided by the PeopleSoft program.

The President asked if the Foundation will convert to PeopleSoft and Paul Storey reported that it is still under consideration; however, the cost is prohibitive. There may need to be a systemwide response.

With regard to the student model, the pilot campuses are Sonoma and Fresno. The plan is for them to cut over in 2002. There may be two different student models from which other campuses may choose. A campus discussion needs to take place with regard to our schedule for the student model.

Parking Issues

Laraine Turk presented an update on the various parking issues. The highlights of the report follow:

1. The issue of Foothill Transit and the roadway repair is ongoing. Funding from the legislature to repair our roads is problematic at this time. The campus supports public transportation, but we need to find ways in which to provide more incentives.
   
   
2. The recent audit by the Trustees Audit Staff requires us to enforce parking around the clock. Some previous policies for Summer Quarter parking for faculty not teaching will have to be changed due to this audit requirement.
   
   
3. The Parking and Traffic Committee is a part of the four-part Campus Planning Committee that makes recommendations to the Cabinet. Currently, the group meets three to four times a year. Dr. Tomas Morales will become the chair of this committee when he takes over on July 30.
   
   
4. The policy of issuing service loading parking permits was reviewed again this year. The list of individuals receiving service loading parking permits has been cut from 250 to less than 100.
   
   
5. A Dual Admission Program parking fee reduction will be instituted for those students taking classes at both Cal Poly Pomona and Mt. SAC.
   
   
6. Parking Lot B will be completed by the end of July and will open into Lot K.
   
   
7. With regard to a parking structure, the Parking and Traffic Committee is working on a parking fee increase which will be required for the construction of a structure. Various protocols will have to be followed with regard to a fee increase for faculty, staff and students. It would be advantageous for us to have an increase that begins in January 2002. The committee is recommending that the parking fees increase from $12 a month to $30 a month. This is a large increase but it has been 13 years since parking fees were last raised on this campus. The net gain of parking spaces above displacement would be approximately 1000 spaces. Christine Thomas indicated that during a systemwide bargaining meeting, a list of campuses proposing increased parking fees did not include Cal Poly Pomona. Pat Farris indicated she would check into this immediately.
   
   Roger Morehouse voiced concern about the potential danger of delivery trucks parking in the red zone at the crosswalk in front of Building One.

Streaming Video Presentation

Michael Berman presented a demonstration on video streaming using an updated technology that provides a very high quality picture. The technology will be presented to the campus community during Fall Conference.

The President asked how much distance education is being used on campus. Dr. Berman indicated there are a lot of academic-related issues that don't involve technology that need to be considered before on line education is increased.

One Minute Items/Announcements

Christine Thomas thanked the President for the decision made to cancel the contract with Varsity Contractors. The President indicated that hiring our own janitors will insure that we have employees who are loyal to the University, who are happy in their jobs, who are accountable to the university and who are being treated well.

Pat Farris announced that Ray Inge had been appointed as the new Associate Vice President for Human Resources and Risk Programs.

Debra Brum announced that the new Director of Research and Sponsored Programs is Dr. Kenneth Gruber. He will start at the beginning of Fall Quarter.

Allen Coson announced that the ASI Senate will hold its first meeting on August 2nd, and all Cabinet members are invited. Allen's office is in Building 26, room 110, should anyone wish to visit with him.

Vinita Dhingra indicated she was looking forward to working with the Cabinet as Acting Executive Director of Diversity and Compliance Programs.

The President announced that campus grown corn is available at the Farm Store for the next two weeks.

He also thanked Laraine Turk for her work as Acting Vice President for Student Affairs. She will return to her previous position effective July 30.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Cabinet will be held on Thursday, September 27, 2001 at 3 p.m.

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