University/general policies
Name of proposed new unit, OR Title of submission:
University/general policies
175 University_General_Policies.pdf
Name of contact person for this proposal: Kevin Lansey
Contact person title: Professor and Head, CEEM
Contact Address:
Dept. of Civil Eng and Eng. Mechanics
CE206
The University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ
Contact Phone: 520-621-6564
Responses from President and Provost
Response #1> Back to List of White Papers
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Comments
The African American Advisory Council would want to insure that Transformations processes including consolidations and workforce reductions would not erode The University of Arizona's efforts to recruit and retain diverse faculty, students, and staff.
The UA President’s Hispanic Advisory Council (HAC) is pleased to provide its evaluation of this White Paper/Proposal, with the specific goal of relating it to the joint UA/HAC goals concerning diversity and inclusion, recruitment, retention and graduation of Hispanic students and faculty, and on meeting the UA goal of becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution by 2012. Additional criteria used when reviewing this proposal include the following: UA’s land grant institution status and thus its location in the southwest and the changing demographics of this area; innovative program design, including instruction methodologies; and whether the proposal realistically addresses the UA’s business needs. HAC’s mission it to strengthen relationships between the UA and the diverse communities within the State of Arizona by serving as a communications conduit and developing mutually beneficial partnerships.
HAC has reviewed this proposal and while we find the idea for community service has merit, our overall rating is as follows:
Revamp – this proposal does not sufficiently address the Hispanic Advisory Council criteria and should be revamped
Regarding class sizes, the UA already has the largest Foundations English Composition class sizes in the Pac-10 and in peer institutions. In addition, the class sizes in English Composition are much higher than those recommended by the professional organizations such as the National Council of Teachers of English and Teachers of English as a Second Language. If you are interested in retention, the last thing you want to do is raise class sizes in the Foundations courses.
I agree that we should take a look at executive administration. During budget cuts, staff are generally the first to go, but eliminating one executive administrative position would save 3-6 staff positions. As we know, staff are the ones who are most directly involved in ensuring students get the resources and services they need.
Admission standards, and the raising of said, would do wonders for the University, and the State of Arizona. We want better? Arizona can help form an educational infrastructure to create the better students we want. The one question I don't see answered is to whom do we lose 20% of an incoming Freshman Class. Probably impossible to answer, but I would not be surprised if a lot of those students are using the community colleges to fulfill GenEd and Foundations requirements before transferring to the University of Arizona. Which brings up a problem I have yet to see addressed, that od a GenEd restructuring. Not making more of what it is, but making GenEd requirements less restrictive to students pursuing a degree (not only Gen Ed courses, but language and math requirements as well). Does every undergraduate degree need two years of a language? What type of math skills are appropriate for a Business major? An Artist? An Astrophysics major? Letting some of those required units at the foundations/GenEd level go, and allowing them to be used in creating 4 unit courses for earlier graduation, or more interdisciplinary course combinations seems a much better use of money.
Finally, Executive Administration? Yes, it definitely should be looked at, pruned, and pruned again. Only one look at these salaries is enough to show what a savings can be made. Maybe some quantitative reasoning as to the exact nature of each Executive Administrator, and find ways of combining their work expectations (what they cover, who they report to, and how do they demonstrate their worth within a financially strapped system). Bravo for bringing that up!
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