President’s Report

given to the University Senate on September 25, 2006

submitted by President Leland

Brown-Bag lunch Conversations with the President

President Leland invited students, faculty and staff to attend one or more of the remaining Brown-Bag lunch Conversations with the President that have been scheduled for the Fall Semester from 12:00-1:00 in the Bobcat Dining Room.

September 26      Faculty

October 24         Students

October 31         Staff

November 14     Faculty

November 28     Students

December 5        Staff

Faculty Compensation Study

President Leland thanked faculty for participating in focus groups related to the faculty compensation study being conducted by the Pappas Group.  The input received will help the consultants to refine the custom survey, which will establish much needed compensation benchmarks by rank and discipline.  The Office of the President is developing a website that will enable faculty to review the final survey and other relevant information as it becomes available.

Technology Committees

President Leland discussed plans to create a new committee structure for faculty, staff and student input and advice on matters related to instructional and information technology at Georgia College. 

This structure will include a Technology Planning Council with university-wide responsibility for developing a strategic technology plan and appropriate information technology policies and procedures. 

The Technology Planning Council will consist of representatives from the University Senate, Staff Council, SGA, faculty from each school, the library, and non-academic divisions.  The chair of the Technology Planning Council will be elected by the membership.  The CIO will serve as a resource person and advisor to the Council.  All policy recommendations will be vetted through appropriate governance processes.

Three user groups will support the work of the Technology Planning Council. 

The first user group is the Student Technology Fee Committee, which is responsible for making recommendations regarding uses of the mandatory technology fee charged to students.  A second user group, to be known as the Administrative Technology Advisory Group (ATAG), will consist of representatives from administrative areas that rely on information technology to conduct business.  A third user group, to be known as the Instructional Technology Advisory Group (ITAG), will consist of faculty who used technology to enhance teaching and learning. 

The convener or chair of each of these user groups will also serve on the Technology Planning Council.

Strategic Focusing Stakeholders Conference

President Leland encouraged Senators to attend the third Stakeholders Conference associated with the current strategic focusing initiative.  The conference will be held on Friday, September 29 from 8”30-1:30 in the University Banquet Room.  Invitations were sent several weeks ago via email and the reservation deadline is Wednesday, September 27.

The third stakeholders conference will focus on ten potential pillars of distinction for the undergraduate learning experience at Georgia College.   These ten potential pillars of distinction were developed based on survey information and focus groups conducted by the Total Student Learning Experience Workgroup. 

Senators can find additional information about this initiative at http://www.gcsu.edu/administration/sfi/default.html