College Council Meeting Minutes - March 5, 2024

1. Call to Order, Confirmation of a Quorum

Peninah Wolpo called to order at 10:05 a.m.

Grace Willerton took minutes.

2. Council Members Present

Peninah Wolpo (Zoom)

Grace Willerton

Ivette Jimenez (Zoom)

Kristian Godt

Cindy Budge (Zoom)

Irina Alvestad

3. Routine Business - Council Action Items

a. Approval of College Council meeting minutes- February 6, 2024. Motion made by Peninah Wolpo to approve the minutes. Motion passed.

4. Announcements

a. Follow up on recommendations and/or changes implemented from Online Student Success Committee report (Cindy and Peninah)

1. Cindy Budge identified increased faculty support in directing students to seek help from Kevin Rosenberger. Council was asked to share the
subcommittee’s recommendations again, so departments can prepare to report on their activities at the April Council meeting.

2. Kevin Rosenberger reported that he has seen more faculty referrals. He encourages all faculty present to keep sending students to him. He is also working on an updated course template in Canvas that instructors can use for new online courses

5. New Business (addressed here because of timing)

a. Sabrina Ezzell, Chancellor, UNM-Gallup (Zoom)

1. Dr. Ezzell joined by Zoom to share about our fellow branch campus. She shared a brief campus history; facilities and expansions; demographics; and summary of programs, including health fields, teacher education, career/technical programs, and two dual credit programs. UNM-Gallup is the largest of the branches, both in facility footprint and in student headcount. The campus offers TRiO, Upward Bound, and other support programs for students. The campus also offers a daycare, available to students and community members. The campus is seeking a $4M GO Bond for maintenance and renovations. Their student population has grown significantly this year, including approximately 1,000 online-only students. Their cultural breakdown includes 17% Hispanic and 68% Native American.

2. UNM-Gallup offers 17 associate degrees, 19 certificate programs, and 1 bachelor’s degree in Nursing.

3. New programs and initiatives at UNM-Gallup include alternative licensure certificates for teacher education, LPN certificate, and an AA and certificate in Fire Science in person. A Workforce Development non-credit program is returning to serve training needs of local employers. Improvements to student support services include a Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institute Grant to address students’ social, cultural, and academic needs. Gallup has also adopted I-BEST instruction for Nursing and EMS programs.

4. Peninah Wolpo asked Dr. Ezzell about how they broadened their community connections and buy-in. Dr. Ezzell described her participation in a local leaders’ organization that helped her build relationships and maintain communication with these organizations and the local public schools. Gallup’s dean is also invested in the community and works closely with the school district.

5. Kristian Godt asked about Gallup’s strategies to engage student involvement on campus. Dr. Ezzell shared that they just hired a new Student Activities Director, who is tasked with getting student organizations up and running again.

6. Brittany Carpenter asked about possible reasons for the large increase in student enrollment this spring. Dr. Ezzell believes that the increase is likely both from the growth of their dual credit programs and the many UNM-Albuquerque students taking online classes at branches.

7. Kathryn Vigil asked about any potential changes for dual credit programs that may come from the state’s new emphasis on career/technical pathways. Dr. Ezzell and Gallup’s dean are working with the public schools in crafting appropriate programs, such as a health track. 

6. Other Announcements

a. Bob Harmon shared an update on Building 2 renovations: new paint will start this Thursday, March 7. New vinyl floors will be installed over Spring Break throughout the Student Center and former ASC space. Carpet for room 230 and other classrooms is delayed by 6 weeks and will be installed when it arrives. The building will be locked this Thursday through Spring Break.

b. Grace Willerton shared that UNM-LA and the LA Chamber of Commerce are planning another community job fair for April 4, which will be held on campus again. She is hosting a second resume workshop this Thursday, open to the community.

c. Peninah Wolpo mentioned that a Liberal Arts cohort meeting is confirmed for April 23, 11:30-1:30 for student advising and career development.

d. Peninah also described the Arts Show that has been scheduled for May 1. This year, participation is open to students, staff, and faculty.

e. Lori Tepley reported that the annual UNM-LA Commencement ceremony will be held at Crossroads Church on May 6, 6:00pm

f. Kristian Godt announced that Student Government is hosting a Finish Strong Fair on March 21, 10:00-2:30, to give students a boost of fun and energy and encourage them to finish the semester well.

g. Cindy Budge shared that the Pre-Professional Health Sciences cohort will also have a meeting, March 26, 10:00-11:00, in room 203, with a guest speaker, Richard Skolnik.

h. Kathryn Vigil reminded us that Mike Holtzclaw strongly encourages everyone to submit the Employee Engagement Survey. Each of us should have received an email from Gallup (the research organization, not the branch campus) with a link to the survey. Cindy Leyba stated that this survey should be taken by faculty, too.

7. Celebrations

a. None shared at this time

8. New Business, continued

a. Proposed changes to bylaws regarding adjunct faculty representation and process for amendments to bylaws (Cindy and Peninah)

1. Peninah stated that this issue is no longer relevant at this time.

2. Cindy Budge elaborated that, according to the UNM union, adjunct faculty are not required to serve on committees. However, their increased participation on campus is welcome and encouraged, particularly at these Council meetings. An item will be added to the April Council agenda to request ideas for boosting adjunct engagement.

9. Council Requests for April Agenda Items

a. UNM-Valencia presentation (Valencia)

b. Online Student Success Committee Recommendation Updates (various)

c. Explanation of UNM 2040 (Mike)

d. Strategic Planning Working Groups (TBD)

10. Next Meeting

April 2, 2024, 10:00 am- 11:30 am, UNM-LA Lecture Hall, Building 2, and Zoom

11. Adjournment

10:50 a.m.