Executive Council/Cabinet Meeting Notes January 26, 2021

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL/CABINET MEETING NOTES
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
10:30 a.m.  -   Zoom
RUSO Conference Room, A110

Members in Attendance: Steve Turner, Debbie Landry, Jerrid Freeman, Christy Landsaw, Dan Mabery, Camerin James, Peggy Glenn, Matt Cochran, Ron Cambiano, Renee Cambiano, Red Walker, James Bell

Members Absent:  None

The cabinet meeting began at 10:30 a.m.

President Turner welcomed the group and reminded them to disperse information from this meeting to their constituents. 

The Griffon (Military)
Mr. Mabery informed the group about marketing efforts with the Griffon. This magazine reaches 40,000 individuals. Will start in the March issue and the target is to reach those in officer positions to offer online opportunities. This is not a member subscription, only military. 

Graphic Design Workshop - Feb. 19
Mr. Mabery informed the group about the graphic design workshop on Feb. 19. They will help areas who create their own flyers, and teach them the ins and outs of doing them. 

Use of Website Features
Mr. Mabery informed the group that they are in a place now to add more to website features. 
He also informed them that in order to add events to the university calendar, all that is needed is to click submit once the details are entered. Our process will drop news categories onto your webpage. It will keep refreshing with new info. We have a few things yet to clear up – always in progress. It is nice to have these opportunities at our disposal. 

Tahlequah – My Neighbors
We are doing weekly ads.  Educational Experts – every quarter we will have a column listed. 
Ron Cambiano asked if they are doing specific advertising targeting as some students do not know which major falls under which college.  Mr. Mabery replied they did do this with commercials.  Mr. Mabery also stated that there are tiers:  NSU – inclusive, Colleges – by college, and Program.  NSU total – gets them in our info.  Creating awareness may involve digital platforms. Specific campaigns require funding from the college to do. 

NCAA & MIAA Updates
Matt Cochran provided updates about the NCAA. He said they are continuing basketball. We have played 12 of 13 games. Makeup games in February. 10 games left in 5 weeks with one week – 3 games. He also updated the group on the MIAA.  He stated that it has been a struggle. 
2 weeks out – all 10 sports going. Going to be interesting and a lot of testing. Spring – soccer and football - reduced season in spring. We have scrimmages set. Soccer – will have a season, no conference champions. Will have opportunities to see who would have been the best team. 
Spring sports will have all of their games, protocols to follow.  Each will have risk levels. MIAA 0 if travelling all must test.  Low risk – only some tested each week.  Hopefully numbers will come down and more will be able to play, patience will be a must. Mr. Cochran provided updates on athletic academics. He said that overall student athletes want to get back in classes face to face. Mr. Cochran and President Turner also updated the group on current conversations about Name, Image, and Likeness.  It will be open to all athletes.  Mr. Mabery asked if there were marketing aspects involved.  Matt answered, yes, with certain parameters.  Guidance will be needed as there are very structured aspects.

Alumni/Foundation Updates
Peggy Glenn updated the group on events that are coming up:  

Outstanding Seniors Nomination Deadline - Friday, January 29, at 5:00 pm. Ms. Glen informed the group about the outstanding senior nomination deadline. It is Friday, January 29 at 5:00 p.m. She mentioned the guidelines for the nominations and the process. 

FANFund goal to raise $2,500 - matched by the NSU Foundation - Ms. Glen informed the group about FANFund. Last year it was selected the softball pitching machine. They are going to begin raising $2,500 and the foundation will match the amount. 

Larry Adair Lecture - Wednesday, February 24th - 2:00 pm, Webb Auditorium or by Zoom
(sign up required)  MS. Glen informed the group about the Larry Adair Lecture on Wednesday, February 24th at 2:00 pm in the Webb Auditorium or by Zoom. There will be sign up required. Brittney K Barnett will talk about racial injustice, her book is called, “A Knock at Midnight.”
They will have a limited luncheon. 
Jerrid asked when they email would come out. Peggy replied this week. 
Dr. Turner encouraged all to read the book. 

Meal Voucher Program- Addressing Food Insecurity on Campus 
Camerin James addressed food insecurity on campus. In a survey, 200 students were polled and 200 responded. NSGA has purchased vouchers and students can get them. Camerin provided an 

NSGA Update
Camerin informed the group that the NSGA Senate is meeting weekly on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. and welcomed them to join them at any time.

W-2's
VP Landsaw provided the group and update regarding W-2 distribution.  They are available electronically this year through goNSU as well as being mailed.
 
Wilson Hall Update
VP Landsaw informed the group that the fence is up and sitework has started.

Seminary Hall Update
VP Landsaw informed the group that there are two separate projects ongoing in Seminary Hall. We are in the design phase of the Admin area and we are finalizing with the insurance company on the flood repair project.  Rena Cambiano asked what classrooms will be in SH when completed.  President Turner replied that there will be 13 classrooms and we may add a student lounge on the 2nd floor.  Camerin James asked what the plan is for the Administration Building.  President Turner stated that it will be given back to Student Affairs for student needs.

Enrollment/Retention
Provost Landry and VP Freeman provided an update about enrollment and retention. At census we are at -4.9% in Head Count and -5.5 in Credit Hours Produced.  The numbers ended better than last week.  There was a lot of work that played into this and we wish it could be better numbers. We are at 77.7% Retention and the Graduate College enrollment is up 22.8% in CH.  Concurrent enrollment is also down at -34% along with International enrollment at -16.5%.  News around the states is also telling us that other institutions are down as well.  It was reported that the largest drop was in Freshmen and Sophomore enrollment.  They have reported they prefer face-to-face classes.  Ron Cambiano asked about concurrent enrollment numbers.  Dr. Freeman reported that with COVID this recruitment was tuff.  A lot of schools were closed making it impossible.  Events were changed and even cancelled.  We had great reaction to the call night efforts. Rene Cambiano stated that schools are have a lot of issues with teachers having COVID and are closing.

Disc Golf Course
VP Freeman updated the group about the disc golf course.  The final layout has been approved.  He provided a copy of a map showing the layout. He added that this is an exciting addition for students and the community.

UC Signage
VP Freeman updated the group about the UC signage. They are putting up mall type designed sign to show what we have to offer.  He feels it will be useful and will look nice.

Housing Update
VP Freeman updated the group about housing. He stated that in our housing world, we have made changes to ensure the safety of students.  We are scheduling engaging events to balance the needs, plus keeping all safe. The goal is to meet the needs as well as wants of all students.  He was asked if the numbers had dropped.  He stated that they have dropped at about the same rate as enrollment.

Legislative Update
President Turner provided the group with a legislative update.  He stated that the deadline for filing bills has passed. They are up 500 from 2018 numbers.  He stated that some will be rescinded and some will not pass committee.  He updated them specifically on HB1942 and SB1034.  He explained what a Joint Resolution is and its controls.

Budget Forecast
Dr. Turner provided the group with a budget forecast. He stated that NSU is okay!  We are not expecting any revenue failures.  The economy should start ticking up now as we are seeing a decline in COVID cases.  He stated that for 2021, gross revenues are down 3.89% which equates to 520 million.  Corporation is up 14.6% while oil and gas is down 38.6%.  He added that the expected 631 million in new revenue was inaccurate.  The fact is that the state is still down.  The ripple effect of declines may be behind by 2 years.

COVID-19 Update
President Turner provided the group with a COVID-19 update.  Our numbers have declined.  Last week we were at 12 students and 8 employees.  This week our numbers are showing 7 students and 3 employees.  He encouraged all to continue to be diligent in our efforts to reduce the spread of COVID.

Optometry Project
President Turner provided the group with an update on the optometry new building project. Their meetings are ongoing, and they need to raise $15-18 million. The location has been determined.  It will be located at the corner of Cedar and Crafton.

The meeting adjourned at 11:55 a.m.
Notes submitted by Robin Hutchins