Sunday, November 9 -- A Report From NDUS Chancellor Bill Goetz

Presented at the November 6, 2008, meeting of the State Board of Higher Education
Connecting with Key Constituents
I’m very pleased to report that I now have completed all 11 regional visits
with legislators and legislative candidates. In conjunction with these visits,
I have met with economic development boards, editorial boards and many
local media representatives. I truly believe these meetings will go a long way
toward increasing understanding of the importance of the board’s 2009 budget
request and the mission of the University System.
Revitalizing the Roundtable on Higher Education
I want to thank board members, campus offi cials and faculty and student
representatives for participating in the Oct. 8 Roundtable on Higher Education
meeting. The breakout sessions generated good discussions among legislators
and representatives of the private sector, education and state agencies. These
discussions resulted in recommendations that were consistent with the board’s
annual objectives and the goals of the Interim Higher Education Committee.
We will continue to work with the committee chair in preparation for a
roundtable meeting after the 2009 Legislative Session. A formal report on the
Oct. 8 roundtable meeting will be made available at a later date.
Responding to Interim Committees
The Interim Higher Education Committee has concluded its meetings. The
committee approved a bill draft that consolidates three previously separate
budget bills and includes a revised set of accountability measures. It also
provides for continuation of the roundtable process. The committee also asked
the University System Offi ce to continue to analyze the higher education
Bill Goetz
Bill Goetz, Chancellor
North Dakota University System
701.328.2960
fi nancing system concept presented by Dennis Jones, National Center for Higher
Education Management Systems.
The Interim Workforce Committee met Oct. 7 and advanced a number of bill drafts,
including a bill that would offer tax incentives for recent college graduates to stay
in North Dakota, another bill that would provide opportunity grants to graduates of
North Dakota high schools who stay in the state to attend college and a third bill
that would provide tax incentives for businesses to conduct innovative research with
University System institutions.
Advancing Women in Higher Education
Marsha Krotseng, vice chancellor for strategic planning, was recently appointed to a
three-year term on the American Council on Education’s Network Executive Board.
This board is appointed by the ACE Offi ce of Women in Higher Education and
supports a national system of state networks for women in higher education. Board
members also mentor and nominate women who want to advance their positions in
higher education administration.
Expanding Access
I’m pleased to welcome Karen Paetz to the University System Offi ce as the director
of North Dakota’s College Access Challenge Grant Program. Karen’s position is
funded entirely though this grant, which was created to increase the number of
low-income and underrepresented students who enter and succeed in college. She
is responsible for overall coordination of grant activities in the state, including
leadership of a statewide steering committee and outreach to educational institutions
and groups. Karen has more than 10 years of experience serving underrepresented
and non-traditional students in public schools, tribal schools and community
colleges and comes to us from United Tribes Technical College where she has held
several positions, most recently USDA land grant director. Karen has a master’s
degree in education and currently is enrolled in a doctoral program in higher
education leadership.
2 A Report from Chancellor Bill Goetz Nov. 6, 2008
Celebrating the Arts and Humanities
In my September report, I mentioned the NDUS Arts and Humanities Summit
scheduled for Oct. 9 and 10. I want to thank BSC for hosting this highly successful
conference.
Extending Outreach
Also in my September report, I mentioned the work of Philip Parnell, NDUS
director of articulation and transfer. At that time, Philip was scheduled to represent
the University System at the signing of a number of articulation agreements with
Wyoming community colleges. Since then, he has been working with campuses
in Wyoming, Washington and Minnesota. I’m pleased to report that Bellingham
Technical College in Washington has signed an articulation agreement with Minot
State University, and several University System campuses have been actively
negotiating agreements with potential partners in the three states.
Providing Campus Budget Overviews
I would like to commend the campus presidents and staff members who participated
in the Offi ce of Management and Budget budget hearings that took place in
October. Each of the 11 institutions conveyed a very positive message and strong
commitment and support for the board’s 2009-11 budget request.
Strengthening Tribal College Relationships
State board and campus offi cials place great emphasis on the importance of our
relationship with the tribal colleges. I’m pleased to tell you that a joint meeting
of the North Dakota Tribal College Association and the Chancellor’s Cabinet
is scheduled for Dec. 3 at United Tribes Technical College. We look forward
to a fruitful discussion of key issues and challenges that face all of us in higher
education.
3 A Report from Chancellor Bill Goetz Nov. 6, 2008
Planning the 2010 NDUS Diversity Summit
During a recent meeting of the Chancellor’s Cabinet, we discussed the importance
of the NDUS Diversity Council and its role in improving cultural sensitivity and
human relations on the 11 campuses. Cabinet members agreed that the council is an
integral part of creating a welcoming environment on each campus, and, as a result
of this discussion, each institution now has confi rmed its participation in the group.
The council will meet next February and will lead the important task of planning the
University System’s 2010 diversity summit. I want to thank BSC President Larry
Skogen for representing the Chancellor’s Cabinet on the Diversity Council.
Communicating the SBHE Budget Message
Now that we have Election Day behind us, our focus can return to the upcoming
Legislative Session. As board members, you may have opportunities to talk about
the board’s budget request at community and civic group meetings. One tool
available for your use will be a PowerPoint presentation that summarizes the budget
request and highlights other pertinent information about the University System. That
presentation is being fi nalized in our offi ce, and a CD will be mailed to you soon.
SBHE member Jon Backes used a version of this PowerPoint presentation when he
spoke to the Minot State University Board of Regents in September.
Thank you.