President’s Cabinet Meeting
Tuesday, April 21, 2008
2:00 p.m.
 
 
Minutes
   
Attendees:  President Ivory V. Nelson, Vice President Howard E. Merlin, Vice President Michael B. Hill, Vice President Grant D. Venerable, Dean Jerryl Briggs for Vice President William B. Bynum and Ms. Diane M. Brown. Attending for portion of meeting: Mr. John Thompson, Director of Physical Plant
 
MINUTES
 
Cabinet minutes of April 16, 2008, were approved.
 
 
PHYSICAL PLANT
 
Mr. Thompson reported that the Library and Science Building projects are going well.  The ICC building project is progressing with no concerns to date.  Mr. Thompson is hopeful that the certificate of occupancy for the SUB may be secured as early as next week.
 
The kick-off meeting for the Vail roofing project is scheduled for April 24th.
 
The decision was made to keep the small modular in place until October to ensure that all space needs are met prior to releasing the unit.
 
Vice President Hill cited Mr. Thompson and Ms. Ursula Graves for their efforts in the success of the ICC Groundbreaking Ceremony held Saturday, April 19.
 
 
PRESIDENT
 
The vice presidents were asked to provide the President with any specific notations they feel should be included in Lincoln University’s response to the Middle States Review Report.  While the final report has not yet been received, comments can be formulated based on the suggestions and recommendations stated by the Review Team during the exit interview.  Lincoln’s response is due to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education by May 14, 2008.
 
In follow-up to the recommendations of the Middle States Review Team, President Nelson presented Cabinet with a draft “Institutional Assessment Plan.”   The plan included (1) items to be addressed, (2) start date, (3) action to be taken, (4) deadline date, and (5) responsible party.
 
The recommendation relating to systemic student assessment must be addressed by/in conjunction with the faculty.  President Nelson spoke to the faculty concerning this issue during the “Assessment Day” opening session earlier in the day.
 
Cabinet also discussed a three-prong plan on achieving academic excellence.  Elements of the plan include (1) admitting students with higher GPA’s, (2) work on raising retention, and (3) “Brand the Outcome” (marketing the University by highlighting the accomplishments and success of our students/graduates).  Achievement of these three strategic items over time will assist in repositioning the university as an institution of excellence among its constituents and those seeking a quality higher education.
 
In line with the University strategic plan goals, President Nelson authorized the creation of a Barnes Advisory Board for the Barnes Center of Excellence.  Immediate steps will be taken to establish the Advisory Board.
 
In an April 18, 2008 article, The Chronicle of Higher Education reported that “U.S. House Approves Bill to Head Off a Potential Crisis in Student Lending.”  Lincoln continues to monitor the student loan crisis and its probable impact on our students.
 
FISCAL AFFAIRS
 
Capital Budget discussion document and Expenditure Plan FY ’09 were provided to those in attendance.  Vice President Merlin indicated that capital budget requests had not been received from the areas of development, academic affairs or student affairs and enrollment management, but assumed that any capital needs in those areas had been included in the requests from physical plant and information technology.  Vice President Hill asked that $45,000 be added to the capital budget for development.  His request is to be followed up with a utilization plan for these funds.
 
A complete 2008-2009 budget review will be on the Cabinet agenda for the first meeting following Commencement.
 
 
STUDENT AFFAIRS & ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT
 
Admission Statistics for fall 2008 (as of April 18, 2008)
# Undergraduate applications received for fall 2008………………………..    4884
# Undergraduate applications received for fall 2007………………………..    4968
 
# Undergraduate students admitted for fall 2008……………………………    1331
# Undergraduate students admitted for fall 2007……………………………    1607
 
# Undergraduate deposits paid for fall 2008………………………………….      44
# Undergraduate deposits paid for fall 2007………………………………….    128
 
# Graduate applications received for fall 2008……………………………....        54*
# Graduate applications received for fall 2007……………………………….      142
 
# Graduate students admitted for fall 2008……………………..……………        51
# Graduate students admitted for fall 2007……………………..……………        18
 
*On-line applications direct input into new Datatel system is not quite up-to-date.
 
President Nelson asked that future admission statistical reports include brief explanations of the numbers reflected therein.
 
ADJOURNMENT
 
There being no further business, President Nelson adjourned the meeting at 4:00 p.m.
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