Trustees attended five committee meetings to discuss COVID-19's impact on the university, updates on summer construction projects and faculty opinions on the HyFlex teaching model.

The board will vote to approve at its virtual formal meeting 8:30 a.m. Sept. 24.

Enterprise Risk

The enterprise risk committee discussed plans for their risk management protocol regarding COVID-19 and potential situations that could occur during the rest of the fall semester and the spring semester.

Trustees were updated on the COVID-19 response and how the university was able to keep things afloat from the beginning of the year up until now.

"Cleaning has been expanded, we did all this in an environment where our budgets were cut," said Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services Nick Long. "Our numbers are down, and we are increasing testing and surveillance testing."

Committee members asked President Bob Davies how long the university would be able to last without revenue if something were to happen where tuition refunds were necessary.

"Last time I checked, I believe it was around four to five months if not six," Davies said. "Last time we were up to six, so I'm assuming right now we are at four, give or take."

Academic and Student Affairs

CMU’s aggressiveness toward upgrading policies in regard to transfer students was first in the state. The Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Offices awarded CMU the 2020 Outstanding Transfer Award. CMU will be up for an award at the national level.

“One of the ways that we are trying to address retention, and to be more strategic with our scheduling and offering of learning experiences, is multi-semester registration,” Provost Mary Schutten said.

Schutten applauded the academic advising team for working closely with new students to schedule classes despite COVID-19’s impact upon their orientation. Schutten believed that the steps CMU has taken, such as multi-semester scheduling, has led to an increase in retention rates.

Fall 2021 recruitment goals include meeting a 9.52 percent increase in first time in college students (FTIAC), 24.84 percent increase in transfer students and 18.94 percent increase for graduate students. Rebecca Dingus from the College of Business Administration will help admissions staff incorporate sales tactics into admissions tactics.

Finance and Facilities

Associate Vice President of Facilities Management Jonathan Webb gave an update on summer construction projects at CMU. Over the summer, $75 million worth of projects were completed -- Carey Residence Hall, Culinary Nutrition Center, Chippewa Champion Center and the Indoor Athletic Complex Track.

The $4.8 million renovations made to Carey Residence Hall entailed a new apartment concept design. Carey Residence Hall room assignments for the Fall 2020 semester were filled in one day.

Webb said he was proud that these projects were finished for students to enjoy despite the constraints COVID-19 had upon the construction process.

Grant supported projects that were completed include: CMU South and North storm water improvements, CMU 911 Center upgrades and new pavement for the interlocal pathway of West Campus Drive.

Trustees-Faculty Liaison

Faculty members Lisa Gandy, chairperson for the computer science department, and Tracy Galarowicz, chairperson of the department of biology, presented their experiences with teaching HyFlex to the committee.

The faculty said there are advantages with the HyFlex environment, liket he ability to automatically record and publish videos, keeping students and faculty safe, the ability to connect from anywhere, the ability to work in small groups and a high online attendance.

The list of challenges laid out by both Galarowicz and Gandy as well as other faculty members in attendance grew throughout the meeting. The most common challenge was having little to no in-person attendance.

Other challenges faculty face are reduced mobility, doubled preparation time, fewer networking opportunities for students, difficulty adapting material to the online format, students having continued technology issues and difficulty connecting with students.

Trustees-Student Liaison

The Resident Hall Association (RHA) is experiencing increased resistance to their guest policy restrictions. Right now, restrictions limit visitors to only students living in their own residential area.

The side doors of residence halls have been locked at night to prevent visitors from coming in. This has lead to students permitted others into the building without authorization. There have also been several cases of students pushing out their windows to let people into their dorms.

RHA is making goody bags for students who will be quarantined in Wheeler Hall. Bags include informational pamphlets for student involvement, puzzles, crossword books, cards, candy, popcorn and hot chocolate packets.

The Student Government Association is celebrating 100 years of SGA on Nov. 11. They are moving forward with their campaign "CMU supports CMU" in an effort to reach out and engage students on their mental health and those who do not have access to technology.

To help with student engagement, SGA created the director of equity and inclusion position this year to continue working with the Center of Inclusion and Diversity.