MEETING MINUTES
LOCAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE (LOC)
September 11, 1998
Present: Fred Gunnerson, Jennifer Fisher, Ann Meikle, Carol Baldwin, Toni Edwards, Dennis Allen, Leo Herman, Glenn Wilde, Mark Brainard, Connie Gomez
Chaired By: Fred Gunnerson
The first item on the agenda was the selection of a scribe and was announced that Connie Gomez would be providing this service.
Clarification on how the committee would be chaired was reviewed. The responsibility of chairing the committee will alternate each year, beginning with Fred Gunnerson acting as chair for the academic year 98-99. Ann Meikle will then act as chair for the 99-00 academic year.
A list of members names on the committee was passed out and reviewed. It was noted that Glenn Wilde=s title should read Vice Provost for Outreach and Technology and Toni Edwards= title should read Associate Registrar.
The purpose and duties of the LOC were discussed. It was mutually agreed upon that the responsibility of the committee to manage the Center for Higher Education (CHE) building goes further than just the mere physical management of the building. The committee=s responsibility includes articulation of programs and services as well.
It was determined that the frequency of meetings would be every other week during the fall 98 semester. Tuesday mornings at 8:30 Idaho Falls time was agreed upon as the meeting time, with the next meeting date was set for September 22. Everyone was encouraged to be in attendance and, if they cannot, they should consider sending a designated representative.
Fall enrollments were up at both universities. Enrollment figures for Uof I were: unduplicated students-448, an increase of 3.94% at 10th day; graduate students was 129; non-degree students was 224 and undergraduate students was 95. Enrollment figures for ISU were 2,050 up 72 or 3.5%; undergrad was 1,850 up 149 or 8% and grad was 200, down 77. FTE was 855.2 undergrad and 63 grad in 1997 and 983.3 undergrad and 56.7 grad in 1998.
It was noted that while Idaho=s enrollments are up, Utah State University and University of Utah=s enrollments are down. These universities in Utah will be initiating new continuing education programs to be offered via satellite. The understanding is that they intend to have remote sites in southeastern Idaho, and their programming will be in direct competition with ISU and Uof I.
The budget for the CHE building was reviewed. Leo Herman stated there was nothing out of the ordinary to report at this time, as the budget year was still new. The question was asked how much of the $226,990 was actually needed to keep the doors open and the lights on. The conclusion was, the full $226,990. The largest expense within the budget is for salaries for regular employee and irregular help. There is no money built into this budget for equipment replacement in the future. Any future equipment upgrades or replacements will have to be each institution=s responsibility.
Security has become more of an issue as the number of students has grown on the campus. A security audit was made last semester, and all of the issues which were raised with regard to the cashiering area, have been met. There is a need for expanded card reader services. A decision needs to be made whether or not the existing UI card reader should be expanded or to replace it with ISU=s equipment. If ISU=s equipment is used, when the student union building becomes operational everything would be compatible. Another recommendation was for installation of CCTVs. It is estimated that $20,000 would be needed to implement the needed CCTVs. Due to the cost of the CCTVs, this will not be implemented immediately. The need for crash bars on several doors and concave mirrors in hallways in both the CHE building and University Place was indicated in the audit. The cost of crash bars and concave mirrors is considerably less than the CCTVs, therefore they will be installed as quickly as possible. Additionally, it is felt that a full time security officer is needed to patrol the area from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m..
It has come to President Bowen=s attention that Freeman Park has been marked as one of the most unsafe places in Idaho Falls, by the city. Jennifer Fisher mentioned President Bowen has some real concerns for student safety because the proximity of the campus to Freeman Park. Steve Chatterton and a representative from the IF Police Department and possibly a Parks and Recreation Department employee will be asked to attend the September 22 meeting to discuss the safety issues. By inviting the IF Police Department, it is hoped that they will be willing to increase their patrol intervals of the area to ensure student safety.
The last two agenda items will be held over until the next meeting. Meeting was adjourned.