Priorities of the Provost/VPAA Office for 2015-2016: Senate

ForumUpdate: November 12, 2015

Thomas M. DiLorenzoProvost and VP for Academic

Affairs

Priorities of the Provost and Deans

• Implementing the new budget model (MIRA)

Implementing the new budget model(MIRA) – Past and Current

• Deans’ Working Group Assembled– Reviewed revenue calculations in detail and presented model statements for 4 colleges– Presented to Dean’s Council and working with Deans to present at each college– Developing tools for academic divisions to use as reference guides for MIRA– Developing guiding principles for allocation of resources at the college-level

• Working with University Senate Leadership on Joint Communications– Budget 102– Website– Regular Updates to Various Stakeholders– MIRA presentations to subcommittees of University Senate

• Advisory Committees Established– Executive– Space Allocation– Support Services

Implementing the new budget model(MIRA) – Upcoming Activities

• Model Statements for Primary Units and Support Units– Model statements with current assumptions distributed for review and validation– MIRA Team to review current assumptions (levers) and make recommendations to

leadership for changes based on FY12-FY15 actual data (if any)– Revised model statements distributed with lever adjustments (if any)

• Training– MIRA team and University Senate developing Budget 102, Budget 103 to be presented

throughout spring semester– MIRA Team will be available to meet with Primary Unit teams for question and answer

sessions• MIRA Communication

– Website launched with FAQs– Regular communication through university senate and its subcommittees on MIRA

progress• Clarification of hold-harmless year and budget planning for FY 2016-17 defined and

communicated

Implementing the new budget model (MIRA) – other universities

From the University of Arizona (http://rcm.arizona.edu/faq-page#n398)• Many universities, both private (e.g., Harvard, Duke, Johns Hopkins, Syracuse) and public

(e.g., the University of Michigan, University of Delaware, University of New Hampshire) use some form of RCM. The UA plans to adapt RCM to fit our distinctive qualities, culture, organizational elements and mix of mission-related goals.

• RCM was developed and has evolved over some 35 years with the University of Pennsylvania being the first higher education institution to implement RCM in 1974. A 2011 Inside Higher Ed survey indicated “interest in responsibility center management among public universities is soaring, with more than 21 percent of public doctoral institutions reporting that they use the RCM model."

• Lessons learned, from which we will benefit, include:• Making the transition to RCM can be challenging, but it is considered the best approach

and solution for collaborative and responsible financial management going forward.• Implementing RCM requires ongoing conversations between academic and administrative

units to manage changes, take advantage of opportunities, and ensure commitment to core mission and values.

• While the general intent of RCM implementation is to empower academic units, the institutions that have derived the greatest benefits have also learned that they require trust, collaboration and a common sense of purpose among all units in order to be successful.

Priorities of the Provost and Deans

• Implementing the new budget model (MIRA)• Continuation of PTE work

Promotion, Tenure, and Evaluation (PTE)

1. Annual process (continuous implementation)– VPAA guidance; timeline; communications; webpage; dossier

preparation & submission

2. Implementation of Essential Elements (in process, on track)– All departmental guidelines reviewed, approved, aligned with

elements identified in 2008 faculty-led review

3. PTE Working Group (in process, on track)– Representatives of all eight colleges/schools review; recommend

clear, consistent, fair PTE policies, procedures informed by quality, best practices, peer & aspirant institutions, UND- and discipline-specific information

PTE Working Group Update• Four meetings so far this academic year (in process)

– Philosophy statement for promotion & tenure– Procedures, including roles & responsibilities of candidate, chair, committees– Academic titles, ranks, and responsibilities– Dossier format & template– Standard hiring letter, contract template

• Beginning to envision how all of this can be used to make a recommendation about a revised Faculty Handbook section on PTE (in process)

• Communications plan (implemented, continuous)– University Letter after each meeting; webpage; email updates; University Senate

sessions; topic-specific open forums or focus groups– Complete information, regular updates on the web at:

Academic Affairs -> VPAA Initiatives -> Promotion, Tenure, and Evaluation

Priorities of the Provost and Deans

• Implementing the new budget model (MIRA)• Continuation of PTE work• Search for a Dean for the School of Graduate

Studies

Search for a Dean for the School of Graduate Studies

• Co-chairs – Debbie Storrs and Gwen Halaas• Completed focus groups and forums this fall

designed to discussed future ideas for the School of Graduate Studies and qualities for the new Dean

• Culminated in a selection process for committee members

• Started the actual search process • Selected a Search firm and underway

Examples of SBHE/Chancellor Priorities

• Master Planning Process (draft due in February)

Master Planning Process• SBHE requires a Physical Master Plan by February. To ensure

that UND develops the plan in a thoughtful and inclusive manner, the current focus is on classrooms and office spaces. (with research space discussions occurring between the Provost, VP of Research and ED, and others)

• The focus of the study is to evaluate current utilization of classrooms and office spaces, assess condition of existing buildings, and prioritize where funding should be targeted during the current biennium.

• Over the next year, the needs for research spaces, auxiliary spaces, and ancillary spaces will be assessed with faculty and others, and the master plan will be updated accordingly.

Examples of SBHE/Chancellor Priorities

• Master Planning Process (draft due in February)

• Open Educational Resources

Open Source Education (OER)• 11 Faculty and Staff members trained by the NDUS Open

Source Book Training in Oct at Valley City State University.• Committee has been formed to ensure best practices in

implementation of Open Education Resources---Members include: Dean of Libraries and Information Resources (co-chair), Associate Provost (co-chair), UND faculty members, Vice-Chair of the University Senate, Students, Director of the Center for Instructional and Technology and her course design personnel and Director of the Office of Extended Learning and her administrative staff.

• No faculty will be required to use Open Source Textbooks---Participation is Voluntary. Focus will begin with instructors who teach large enrollment classes to ensure larger savings for students.

Open Source Education (OER)• Faculty engaged in use of OER will have the financial,

technical and editorial supports. The focus will be on shared expertise and peer-based learning to disseminate curricula and support a learner-centric approach to education.

• Multiple major research universities have been creating and using Open Source Materials including MIT, U of MN, U of Oregon, U of Utah, SUNY and Georgia System.

• This movement is in response to the rising costs of textbooks at double the cost of inflation (NY Times).

• Stephanie Walker and Thomasine Heitkamp are preparing a proposal to NDUS. (please contact them if you have any questions. Stephanie.Walker@und.edu and Thomasine.Heitkamp@und.edu

Examples of SBHE/Chancellor Priorities

• Master Planning Process (draft due in February)

• Open Educational Resources • Student Success Initiatives: Retention and

Graduation

Student Success Initiatives:Retention & Graduation (SEM Comm)

• Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) Committee (implemented, continuous)– Partnership of Academic Affairs & Student Affairs– All colleges & schools; focus on undergraduates– 2014-15 focus: Course availability; four-year plans; data provision–

• SEM Committee Priorities for 2015-16 (in process)– Targeted student populations (at-risk, on-campus, online, transfer)– Academic advising process (handoff between majors, advisor

professional development, policies, Academic Advisor Council)– Information systems education, coordination & training (Starfish,

CourseLeaf, ImageNow, PAR Predictive Analytics, iDashboards)

Student Success Initiatives: Retention and Graduation (iCAN project)

• UND’s new iCAN (Integrated Coaching and Advising Network) has been established following recognition as a community member by EDUCAUSE. Recognition provided for exemplary activities in Integrated Planning and Advising Services (IPAS). Proposal submitted to EDUCASUE in summer 2015 authored by staff in my office including UND Student Body President, Matthew Kopp.

• Pilot iCAN programs established with Student Success Center and CoBPA Academic Advising.

• Access to EDUCAUSE resources will ensure best practices in using technology to conduct advisement.

• Academic advising group is reconstituted to secure faculty input.• Faculty and staff based initiative with Lisa Burger and Thomasine

Heitkamp working collaboratively following participation in EDUCAUSE training.

My Priorities• Continue communication with:

– the Senate Executive Committee, Former Chair, Current Chair and Future Chair of Senate Workgroup, and Student Government President/VP – Monthly meetings with each

– University “Letters” - 12– Provost’s webpage: we have made improvements to the website and will

continue to make progress moving forward – new page will be posted next week– Blogs – 40 blogs since July 2015– Weekly office hours – 2 hours/week: Total so far = 14– News releases on exceptional teaching and research activities of the faculty –

Currently working on this initiative– The University Senate Budget, Restructuring, and Reallocation Committee - see

next slide• Collaborative/shared governance discussions• Follow-up forums

Budget Committee – Brad MyersSenate, Budget, Restructuring and Reallocation Committee was significantly restructured this year to include representatives from students, staff, all the colleges, the Graduate Committee, the Online and Distance Education Committee and the Curriculum Committee. This increased size reflects the role the committee continues to play in fostering communication and education across campus on budget issues. The committee works with Alice Brekke, Karla Stewart, Cindy Fetsch, Odella Fuqua to provide timely and accurate information regarding the implementation of MIRA. At least three committee meetings and multiple Budget 101s this semester.

My Priorities (continued)

• Mentor the new Vice President for Research and Economic Development (Grant McGimpsey) and Dean of Libraries and Information Resources (Stephanie Walker) and support their activities and initiatives

VP McGimpsey• Within the division: • Electronic Pre- and Post-Award system acquisition and implementation.• Implement service culture in Research Division• Review of division operations to find efficiencies and budget savings, and re-align with

university priorities (e.g., IP and Tech Accelerator)

• Within the university:• Identify research strengths through discussions with faculty, departments, colleges, deans

and others and build a ‘virtual rolodex’ of faculty skill sets.• Identify major trans-disciplinary funding opportunities and match with faculty capabilities.• Establish strong relationships and meet regularly with deans and ADR’s.• Identify and leverage seed funding to drive growth in existing research strengths. Establish

faculty research advisory boards.• Work closely with Alumni Foundation, deans and faculty to develop Corporate and Foundation

relationships and funding.• Evaluate quality and quantity of current research space and advise as to needs for new or

renovated space.

VP McGimpsey• Outside the university• Work with lobbyists to gain high level access to funding agencies.• Develop relationships with federal delegation and state legislators.• Help establish a defense advisory board.• Work to integrate ND EPSCoR programs in order to improve outcomes and

to show value of these programs to state/federal legislators/supporters.

• Communications• Develop an active research marketing emphasis in the division and work

closely with Communications and Marketing• Develop a symposium series to showcase research stengths to the public,

funding agencies and peers• Provide greater input and direction to UNDDiscovery in order to showcase

our strengths and directions

VP McGimpsey• Economic Development• Engage with economic development groups in the region.• Establish an industrial research advisory board.• Develop an inventory of incubator/accelerator space and attempt to

establish umbrella management of space so as to discourage internal competition for tenants.

• Develop a new business model for tech accelerator in order to reflect our economic development goals.

Dean WalkerSelected accomplishments:

– Communications with Senate Library Committee, faculty, staff, and others have greatly improved, through a combination of “Coffee with the Deans” sessions, all-staff meetings with shared minutes, introductory meetings with all Deans and many Department Chairs, individual faculty, specific campus offices and groups, and others.

– The Library has examined all existing vacancies and its organizational structure, in light of existing and future needs, and has designed a revised organizational chart. As a result, the Library, with the support of the Senate Library Committee and the Provost, is working on promotions for 3 staff members and filling of 5 vacancies, all within existing budget.

– Dean Walker and Dr. Thomasine Heitkamp have conducted research and training on Open Educational Resources, and are co-chairing a committee to spearhead pilot initiatives at UND.

– Planning processes for Chester Fritz Library renovations have resumed, and open forums with the architects are tentatively being scheduled for early December.

Dean WalkerSelected accomplishments (continued):

– We are also working on an additional ‘mini-renovation’ test area where various models of new furnishings will be tried and evaluated by users.

– Early discussion of fundraising campaigns for the Chester Fritz Library have begun.

– A Student Library Advisory Committee has been formed. – Strategic Collections Services, a subdivision of the major library company

OCLC, has been hired to undertake a major analysis of 25 years of data on our circulating, print-based collections. In conjunction with data gathered via Google Analytics and vendor-supplied, COUNTER-compliant (standardized) usage data on electronic resources, these data will be used to do collection assessments to determine how effectively the Chester Fritz Library is serving each discipline’s collection needs.

– We have begun discussions with the High Performance Computing group, the Working Group on Digital and New Media, and others on issues such as research data management and digital humanities, and how the Libraries may support such initiatives.

My Priorities

• Mentor the new Vice President for Research and Economic Development (Grant McGimpsey) and Dean of Libraries and Information Resources (Stephanie Walker) and support their activities and initiatives

• Deans’ reviews (two year reviews for Deans Storrs and Hill and five year review for Dean El-Rewini)

Deans’ Reviews

• Deans’ reviews– Storrs’ presentation to faculty and staff today– El-Rewini’s presentation to faculty and staff

tomorrow– Hill’ presentation to faculty and staff postponed to

a later date

My Priorities

• Mentor the new Vice President for Research and Economic Development (Grant McGimpsey) and Dean of Libraries and Information Resources (Stephanie Walker) and support their activities and initiatives

• Deans’ reviews (two year reviews for Deans Storrs and Hill and five year review for Dean El-Rewini)

• Ombud’s search (chaired by Ryan Zerr and Cheri Williams) has been successful. UND hired Henok Elias as its first full-time Ombuds. Henok will start mid-January 2016.

Ombud’s search• UND has hired its first full-time Ombuds. Henok Elias was selected

from a pool of three finalists who were on campus for interviews in October.

• Henok received his Master in Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University School of Law in August 2015. He worked as an Ombuds and Mediator for the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs and as a Mediator for the Center for Conflict Resolution in the Small Claims courts of Los Angeles Superior Court.

• His office will open mid-January 2016. Details on its location, and his contact information, will be sent at a later date.

• Thanks to Chairs Ryan Zerr and Cheri Williams and the entire search committee.

Next meeting

• Discussion of priorities of others in the VPAA office– Sandra Mitchell

– Grant McGimpsey

Q&A