Initial Study Group Meeting Minutes
7 am, April 24, 2002
Northrim Bank Building 5th Floor Conference Room
Jon Kumin and Steve Reiger, co-chairs

Format: The agenda for this meeting is in regular text. The minutes are added as notations in italics. They are intended to represent the general nature of the discussion, rather than be complete, detailed minutes. Clarifications are welcomed – please email any to Duane Heyman at Duane@commonwealthnorth.org.

Introductions – Co-chairs, participants and staff support. Please briefly state any areas of special interest and/or conflicts of interest. Those present included:

Jon Kumin, Steve Reiger, Joe Beedle, Steven Boyd, Milton Byrd, Jim Chapman, Betty Emerick, Mark Foster, Jan Fredericks, Alice Galvin, Lee Gorsuch, Ky Holland, Grant Hunter, Dave Kester, Nancy King, Jim Knapp, David Rees, Stephen Sheaffer, Niel Thomas, Mead Treadwell, Tim Weipking, Bill Dann , Brian Davies.

Meeting Plans and Ground-rules - Weekly meetings are proposed; Wednesdays at 7am, same location unless prior notice is given. Given the large group, every effort will made to allow input from all parties while respecting each participant’s time. In general, the proposed times are fine. Specific meetings may be shifted to fit the circumstances.

Review of Study Group Charge – The charge was developed with significant input from the Commonwealth North Board. The study group will respond to the charge to the best of our collective abilities. There was discussion about issues like - why are we asking these questions? Is there a feeling that the roles & responsibilities are not defined, or whether they are defined and they aren't being met? There was some sense people need to clarify our purpose of meeting weekly for six months.

Work Plan Overview – The plan is to wrap the study up in approximately 6 months, or by the end of October. Three broad phases are envisioned – research, debate, and conclusions. There was extensive discussion about developing the best process. Points made included: (note this is a sampling only, you had to be there……)

• Whether there would be subcommittees / task forces on specific issues
• Would be a good idea to have a series of 4-5 meetings to outline the statewide perspectives during the research phase?
• What is unique about the CWN perspective?
• Before a campus by campus report, there is a wish to know more about the big picture – such as the University's economics.
• We should benchmark - look at other institutions for similarities and differences
• Should we educate ourselves in advance of the meetings with the experts?
• Most people have a perspective from other universities that gives a place to start.
• Joseph Beedle gave offered material on the UA system, and offered President Hamilton for the next meeting.
• Why isn't there an outcry when the legislature cuts funding?
• There is not a clear understanding by Alaskans of the UA and it’s mission.
• Rhetorical question- do you anticipate the university to impact your family or Alaskans?
• We need a student perspective to help identify needs.

It was agreed that it would be a good start if President Hamilton could address the group next week.

Communications Procedures – The CWN website and e-mail will be primary communication tools. Communications should be routed through the CWN office as a central clearinghouse to assure thorough dissemination. Study group members were asked if anyone objected to having their contact information such as email address distributed around the group. No objections were heard.

Confirm next meeting and adjourn by 8 am – The intent is to keep meetings to one hour. Circumstances may encourage stretching that to 1:15 on rare occasion. Past that, we turn into pumpkins. President Hamilton has a conflict with next Wednesday. Tuesday and Thursday were discussed and Thursday tentatively identified. The meeting adjourned promptly at 8 am. Since the meeting, President Hamilton has been confirmed for 7 am, Tuesday, April 30.