Executive Committee Meeting Summaries (March 12-April 9)

March 12

No meeting.

March 19

No meeting.

March 26

Lowman shared notes from a meeting with the university Policy & Planning group. An overhaul of many university policies is underway. Policies about minors on campus, weapons, and emergency management planning are among those being revised. Disaster plans throughout the university are being gathered in connection with the emergency management policy review. The national meeting of Chief Financial Officers in Higher Education (COFHE) will take place on the Rice campus the week of March 30. A recent letter to the editor of the Rice Thresher noted there has been a 135% tuition increase at Rice over the past 15 years. The university budget office presented data comparing Rice’s tuition increases to those of peer institutions.

Flannery shared notes from a recent Administrators’ Forum regarding the reorganization of Facilities, Engineering and Planning under new Associate Vice President Jim E. Alty.

The group discussed planning for participation in the university-wide job review known as Careers@Rice.

April 2

No meeting.

April 9

Guests: Joe Hatfield, Janet Thompson

Planning for first floor renovations was discussed. The library group advising on new furniture is now meeting. The renovation, scheduled for this summer, will also include carpet, paint, lighting and both electrical and data outlets. The group explored the need to dispose of old furniture and relocate some first floor collections during the renovations. A small group will be convened to plan, stage and implement such moves. A new color scheme will harmonize with the colors used in the 2008 renovation. Signage will be needed.

The group reviewed initial HR documentation for the university-wide job review, Careers@Rice.