September 28 2004
University of the Pacific
Minutes, September 28, 2004
Taylor Conference Room
Call to Order: 3:07
Present: Brodnick, Dugoni, Fries, Gilbertson, Hoverstad, Jacobson, King, Lackey, Meer, Miller, Perro, Richmond, Sexton
Not Present: Cavanaugh, Chi, Ensign, Sina
Minutes: Minutes of the September 14 meeting were reviewed, revised, and approved.
Standing Reports:
Brodnick briefed the Committee on enrollment. Friday, 10/1 is the freeze, and there are 880 freshmen registered.
Lackey updated enrollment for the Law School. Currently, they are at 255 new daytime students and 106 evening students.
Current Agenda Items:
Discussion of the Classics Major
Gilbertson distributed the Program Review Decision for the Department of Classics. The recommendations of the task force were as follows:
- Elimination of the major in Classics
- Establishment of the Department of Religious and Classical Studies
- Initiation of a search for Bible scholar for the new Department of Religious and Classical Studies
- Examination of the Philosophy curriculum in light of the Task Force recommendations.
Classics has shown a significant decrease in enrolled majors and degrees awarded since fall 1998.
Peer Study and Comparison Framework & US News Data Review
The following are key points from US News presented by Brodnick.
- Pacific maintained its position in the top tier of national universities.
- Student selectivity has improved. SAT scores show a 14 point gain and the acceptance rate continues to decline.
- Faculty compensation is increasing, the merit increase will continue to be applied.
- While the freshman persistence rate is stable, the graduation rate headed toward 70%.
- Pacific is still rated as a "Best Value".
- Pacific is in the top 40 regarding diversity.
Gilbertson informed the Committee that the Dental School is part of a national effort to avoid being ranked by US News.
Brodnick presented results of the Peer Study. Some findings were as follows:
- A method for determining institutional similarity was established.
- Four primary factors were identified, academic quality, small private, location in California, and size.
- Graphics showing the relationship among 30 pairs of variables were explored during the presentation.
- The study resulted in two peer groups, the top seven most similar, and the top 18.
- There are plans to extend the study to the 250 "national universities" peer group.
For a more comprehensive look at the study, go to: http://iris.pacific.edu, click on Research Reports; Pacific Peers Study.
At the conclusion of the meeting, adjustments to the agenda were made for upcoming meetings.
Next meeting: October 12, 2004, 3-5pm
Meeting adjourned at 4:28