Welcome
Each attendee introduced herself or himself, and there was special applause for those new to their positions.
College Update
Dean Rob Davis gave a quick update based on the Twelve Days of Christmas (but did not sing), including eight things we do well: Research funding, undergraduate student recruiting, program innovation, faculty evaluations, hands-on learning, corporate engagement, student diversity, and fiscal management. He also noted that the Sustainability, Energy and Environment Complex will be completed in February 2016, ground breaking on the 5th wing of the Biotechnology Building is to take place that same month, and we’ll know by May 2016 if the Aerospace Building will receive state support in FY17. Doug Smith said that that the renovation of the Engineering Center Environmental Sustainability wing will start this coming spring, as soon as the occupants move to SEEC or temporary locations. Proposals for use of the renovated space are due at the end of January.
Fall 2016 Admissions Outlook
Amanda Parker noted that undergraduate applications are up 16% over the same time last year, with diversity measures also up and quality measures steady. There have also been more visits to campus, and more admissions fairs, names bought and other efforts by campus admissions.
Engineering Recognition Ceremony and Greetings
Mary Steiner with help from Keith Molenaar demonstrated the signal to be used by students at the Engineering Recognition Ceremony, if they wished not to shake hands.
ABET and ARPAC Timing
Rob Davis reminded all that the next ABET visit is Fall 2017, with self-studies due June 2017. Objectives, outcomes, and means of measurement, feedback and improvement need to be in place now, so that the effectiveness of the cycle can be demonstrated prior to the visit. The next ARPAC (academic review and planning advisory committee) visits will be Spring 2018, with self-studies due in December 2017.
Program Updates
Dan Moorer stated that EMP is increasing its undergraduate offerings, with 700 enrollments this year and plans for a minor. David Reed noted that ITP now has three tracks and is embarking on a fundraising effort with a $10 million goal of which over half has been committed. Scott Summers noted that 20 EVEN faculty along with their students will be moving to SEEC next month. Scot Douglass gave statistics on the very high grades and persistence rates of Engineering Honors students, even when compared with students of similar academic qualifications and that students who applied but were not selected for the program have also performed well. Diane Sieber further noted that the only significant contributors to the campus goal of students returning to the dorms for a second year are our Andrews and Global RAPs and GoldShirt Program. Karey Sabol stated that international students are increasing in representation (now 10% of our undergraduates and 38% of our graduate students) and that there is an expected 50% increase this year in our students studying abroad – Karey will be leaving us in January as her family moves back to CA. Leland Giovannelli said that the Herbst Program is continuing to expand, with a search for two additional faculty members, and is piloting sections for ESL students. Chris Koehler gave an update on the Colorado Space Grant Consortium and the large numbers of students and institutions participating. Penny Axelrad noted that the AES department has the highest number of BS/MS students on campus and is taking the lead on a campus-wide Space Minor. Bev Louie reported on efforts by BOLD to increase tutoring, GoldShirt, and faculty diversity.
Closing
Rob completed the Twelve Days of Christmas theme with four things for us to work on: student advising and peer encouragement, faculty diversity, career assistance for students, and shared research facilities.