|
|
| |
Robert Davies Named CMU's 15th President
Dr. Robert Davies
has been appointed by Central Michigan University's Board of Trustees as the
institution's 15th President, effective Sep. 1. President Davies previously served as President of Murray State University and Eastern Oregon University, as well as Vice President for University Relations at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. President Davies earned his Ph.D. in higher education administration from The State University of New York at Buffalo, his MBA in finance and marketing from the University of Oregon, and a Bachelor of Science in management from University of Nevada, Reno. He succeeds former President George E. Ross, who retired after serving eight years as CMU's President.
|
MASU Launches Statewide Marketing Campaign
Following months of planning, MASU has launched
a marketing campaign aimed at boosting enrollments at the state's public universities and to generate greater visibility among the public and state lawmakers of the value of a four-year college degree. The theme of the campaign is "Make the Difference," which aims to convey the incredible opportunities earning a four-year degree provides graduates in making a real impact on their lives, in their communities, and in the wider world.
The primary audiences of the campaign are high school students and their parents, as well as state lawmakers, legislative staff, and state agency officials. The marketing campaign is being executed via several mediums, including cable TV, radio, and social media, with the emphasis on the latter. Among the social media channels being utilized are Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat. A primary intent is to drive individuals to the campaign's website, GetMIDegree.org, where visitors can learn more about the value of a college degree, receive assistance in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and be directed to the admissions and application websites of Michigan's public universities. A 30-second student peer-to-peer video and parent peer-to-peer video are among the creative strategies used to drive traffic to the website. A new aspect of the campaign is the promotion on social media of short testimonials from students representing all of the state universities. Some early examples of these testimonials can be viewed here: NMU, LSSU, and MTU. Another component of the marketing effort is a social media campaign directly geared toward state lawmakers and others in the Lansing-area policy arena. Data and anecdotes that speak to the demand for higher levels of educational attainment are the focus of this aspect of the campaign.
MASU is teaming up with other groups to facilitate the campaign and to specifically boost FAFSA completion rates. Partners include the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) and the Detroit Regional Chamber. While this two-year promotional effort will take time to generate tangible results on campus, initial analytics from the campaign are reason for optimism. Among the metrics: 16.5 million digital (social media) impressions, 3.6 million radio and cable TV impressions, 2.2 million complete viewings of the aforementioned 30-second videos, and more than 51,000 visitors to the website. The campaign is being directed by Lansing-based Martin Waymire, with additional support from Birmingham, Michigan-based Brogan & Partners. A slideshow that provides an overview of the campaign can be viewed here.
|
Education, Relationship-Building Agenda Underway with Newly-elected Governor, Lawmakers
The installation of a new Michigan Governor and dozens of new members of the Michigan Senate and House of Representatives requires a comprehensive effort to build relationships with these state lawmakers and educate them on the state universities' policy priorities. To that end, the MASU staff are working with the State Relations Officers (SRO) Committee to facilitate an education and relations-building campaign. The MASU Board had two opportunities to meet with Gretchen Whitmer prior to her election as Governor to hear her priorities for higher education. Several members of her transition team have connections with state universities in Michigan. Throughout the summer and fall, the SROs have been meeting with legislative candidates, getting an early start on establishing relations and conveying institutional and higher education priorities. MASU sent all legislative primary winners copies of the association's
legislative priorities and
Public Policy Agenda. MASU staff have already been involved and will continue to be involved in several legislator education events to introduce new lawmakers to the key issues affecting higher education in Michigan and to communicate priorities, among which will be state funding and college affordability.
However, this 99th session of the Michigan legislature is not officially over until December 31st. A busy legislative "lame duck" session is underway. Governor Snyder and many outgoing legislators have measures that they would like to see passed prior to the session's end. Among the issues that may see action are new fees to help fund the removal of PFAS chemicals from Michigan waters; paid sick time, the minimum wage, and campaign finance. Given strong state revenue receipts, a supplemental appropriations spending bill is also likely, and one which may present opportunities for capital outlay projects at the state universities and additional (supplemental) state operating support for the universities. The university SROs and MASU staff are working diligently in the remaining weeks of the legislative session to ensure that the priorities of the universities are entwined in discussions of state policy and state investment.
|
New MASU Committees Established: Accreditation Liaison Officers and Chief Librarians
At their regularly scheduled meeting in November, the MASU Board of Directors approved the establishment of two new association committees: the Accreditation Liaison Officers (ALOs) and the Chief Librarians (CLs). The ALOs were convened in June at the request of the Academic Affairs Officers, and found value in continuing to meet as a formal group. They will share best practices and discuss various issues related to accreditation, including: practical advice for dealing with site visits, defining and providing evidence for faculty qualifications, and incorporating accreditation planning and work into the overall strategic planning process. Meanwhile, the CLs have met for forty years under the banner of the Council of Library Directors and requested to become an official MASU committee. The CLs will continue to meet twice a year to explore common challenges such as funding, facilities, and the shift to electronic resources. They will continue their collaboration to advance topics like shared collections and open educational resources.
|
MASU Releases 2018-2019 Tuition and Fees Report and Fall 2018 Enrollment Report
The association has released its annual report of tuition and fees at the state universities of Michigan. All past annual reports can be viewed
here; the FY 2018-2019 report can be viewed
here. Assembled by MASU's Robyn Cline and the association's
Institutional Research and Planning Directors Committee, the report provides a detailed year-over-year summary of several data points. These include tuition and fee rates by upper and lower class division, for residents and non-residents, undergraduate and graduate, and part-time and full-time enrollment status. The association's Enrollment Report for Fall 2018 semester is also complete and can be viewed
here. All past annual reports can be viewed
here. The report provides a comparison between current total student enrollment and the previous year, total student headcount, first time freshman headcount, total undergraduate headcount, total graduate headcount, headcount by student level and fiscal year equated students. Full year equated students are holding nearly constant from last fall, with only a 0.88% drop. Over the last ten years, enrollment at public Michigan universities is up 1%. By comparison, enrollments over the last decade in Michigan are down 24% at community colleges and 31% at private colleges.
|
Progress on Statewide Student Transfer Agenda
This fall, faculty members from across the state convened in a series of summits to identify required, recommended, optional and appropriate courses that meet bachelor's degree program requirements in major-specific courses and strategic electives necessary for the establishment of multi-institution, cross-sector articulation agreements called MiTransfer Pathways. This activity has focused on students who intend to earn a bachelor's degree. Representatives from all 15 public universities, 10 independent colleges and all 28 community colleges throughout Michigan participated in the summits. Ultimately, building transfer pathways from community colleges to universities will make the transfer process easier to understand, more efficient, and simpler for students to navigate.
The Transfer Pathways Summits are coordinated by the
Transfer Steering Committee
(TSC). In the fall of 2016, Michigan community colleges and universities established the TSC with representatives from more than 30 colleges and universities to guide this work. The TSC also includes members from the
Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (MACRAO). The TSC has formed a committee for the purpose of creating an articulation agreement, and the articulation agreement signing ceremony for institutions participating in the first four set of MiTransfer pathway programs is expected to take place next spring. In the interim, institutions will make adjustments necessary to facilitate their participation in the statewide agreements.
The TSC has determined 12 majors for the development of MiTransfer Pathways, to be developed in three phases:
Phase I: Biology, Business, Criminal Justice, and Psychology
Phase II: Communication, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Social Work
Phase III: Art, English, Exercise Science/Kinesiology, and Public Health
The Transfer Pathways initiative is being funded by an appropriation signed into the FY 2018 state budget. This work is part of a cross-sector, multi-institutional effort being conducted by the Michigan Association of State Universities (MASU) and the Michigan Community College Association (MCCA). The Michigan Independent Colleges and Universities (MICU) Association is also facilitating the MiTransfer Pathways agenda on behalf of its member institutions. All materials involving the MiTransfer Pathways are available on the
MiTransfer website
.
Other related transfer initiatives include:
- Replacing the Michigan Transfer Network
- Right Math at the Right Time
- Increasing awards of academic credit for military experience
- Spotlighting best practices to improve transfer student success
- Producing and utilizing data on transfer student outcomes
A comprehensive overview of transfer initiatives in Michigan can be found at mitransfer.net.
|
State University Student Art Unveiled, On Display in State Legislative Office Buildings
On October 17th, MASU was pleased to join the Michigan State Senate and House of Representatives in hosting the 14th annual Student Art in the Legislature program. State Senator Rebekah Warren joined MASU CEO Dan Hurley in emceeing this year's reception at the Binsfeld Senate Office Building. This year, 39 different art displays featuring 46 individual pieces of art, created by students at 14 of the state universities, were unveiled. The art displays will hang in the Senate Binsfeld Office Building and the House Anderson Office Building for the year ahead, and afterward will be returned to the student-artists. Among the benefits of this unique program are aesthetic enhancements to the heavily-visited legislative office buildings and the ability to provide visibility of the creative talents of our state university students. All of the student artwork can be viewed
online. Special thanks go to MASU's Robyn Cline for taking a lead role in coordinating this annual program.
MASU CEO Dan Hurley and State Sen. Rebekah Warren are joined by student artists at this year's reception for the annual Art in the Legislature Program on October 17th.
|
MASU Committee Meetings Calendar
Upcoming Meetings
Admissions Directors
, Dec. 6, 2018, Conference Call
State Relations Officers
, Dec. 12, 2018, Dykema Lansing
Legal Affairs Officers
, Jan. 10, 2019, MASU
Academic Affairs Officers
, Jan 11, 2018, MASU
Chief Diversity Officers
, Feb. 21, 2019, MASU
Board of Directors
, Feb. 27, 2019, Dykema Lansing Offices
MASU Legislative Reception,
Feb. 27, 2019, Dykema Lansing
Previously Held MASU Committee Meetings
State Relations Officers
, bi-weekly, Oct-Dec., MASU
Academic Affairs Officers
,Oct. 12, 2018, MASU
Extended Education and Professional Development Directors
, Oct. 19, 2018, MASU
Institutional Research & Planning Directors
, Oct. 22, 2018, MASU
Student Affairs Officers
, Oct. 26, 2018, MASU
Board of Directors
, Nov. 7, 2018, MASU
Communications Directors
, Nov. 9, 2018, MASU
Career Services Directors
, Nov. 14, 2018, MASU
Financial Aid Officers
, Nov. 20, 2018, MASU
Business Affairs Officers
, Nov. 20, 2019, Conference Call
|
Happy Holidays from the MASU Staff
It is a privilege to work with so many wonderful people at the state universities of Michigan who are dedicated to advancing the success of students, and to their communities and the broader world around us. We wish you all a restful, safe, and happy Holiday Season.
Dan, Robyn, Bob, and Will
|
|
| |
|
