Colleagues
It has been another wonderful and eventful semester at Eastern Michigan University. Congratulations on arriving at its successful conclusion, and thank you for everything you did for our students throughout the year.
Have a wonderful summer!
Kim Schatzel, Ph.D.
Provost and Executive Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs
Internal Research Awards Update
The award process for 2013-2014 is completed, and I am very happy to report that the number of applications for FY14 internal research awards increased from 71 applications to 131 applications, or 85%. Also, the number of FY14 internal research awards increased from 40 awards to 83 awards, a 108% increase. You may be aware that changes were made to the internal research awards as a result of negotiations between EMU and the AAUP. The purpose of these changes was to increase the number of applications and provide more support of research, with the long-term goal of increasing the amount of externally-funded grant proposals and awards. The results above indicate that these changes are having the desired effect as far as internal research.
Search Updates
Of the now 39 faculty searches underway, 26 are successfully closed with offers accepted. Another 7 are still open, all but 1 with offers pending. 37 searches were initially approved, but one additional search was added for accreditation needs in the Physician's Assistant Program, and a second was approved as an opportunity hire.
Student Success, Life and Well-Being
An update on student success metrics and planning was presented at the April 2013 Board of Regents meeting. Key factors affecting retention and graduation were presented, along with results of a gap analysis of retention activities, and a summary of the current status of retention factors. Next steps include creating a straw man proposal to be presented to the campus for faculty, staff and student input in the fall.
Enrollment
Strategic enrollment initiatives continue to yield success. As of May 7, 2013, credit hour count for current students registered for fall 2013 is + 7.96%. Registered FTIAC'S are up 30% compared to last year. FTIAC housing deposits are +300, and fast track reservations are + 450. We also have a 10% gain in registered students (FTIAC) of color. The academic quality of our freshmen class continues to make significant gains. With over 2,000 fast track registrations, the average ACT composite for this group is 22.20.
Programs & Academic Support
The Physician Assistant program accreditation site visit was conducted in April and feedback from the review team was extremely positive. Work continues on staffing the program and working out the details of renovating the Rackham building to house labs, classrooms, and offices for the program.
Facilities & Technology
Eighteen campus buildings now have Expanded Wi-Fi service installed and operational: Alexander, Boone, Convocation Center, Halle, Fletcher, Mark-Jefferson, Marshall, McKenny, Owen, Pierce, Porter, Pray-Harrold, Quirk, Roosevelt, Sherzer, Sill, Strong, Student Center. Ford and Snow will be operational soon.
Events & Recognition
Four distinguished faculty/lecturers were honored at the 26th annual Academic Awards Celebration during the Week of Excellence in March. Doris Fields (professor, Communication, Media and Theater Arts) received the Teaching II Award; Vijaykumar Mannari (professor, Polymers and Coatings) received the Research II Award; Joel Shoenhals (professor of Piano, Music and Dance) received the Creative Activity Award. Kelly Victor-Burke (Lecturer, Geography and Geology) received the Lecturers' Outstanding Teaching Award.
Research & Grants
In recognition of remarkable progress made, the Michigan Department of Education has granted one renewal award and two new awards to the EMU 21st Century Community Learning Centers Bright Futures Program, for a total of $2,024,725. .
Noteworthy
The 33rd annual Undergraduate Symposium experienced 20% growth this year, featuring a total of 365 research projects that were nominated to present through either oral presentations, poster displays or Design Expo exhibits.
The event has grown from an initial 17 presenters and 19 faculty sponsors, to 430 students presenting under the mentorship of 226 faculty sponsors.
To date over 5,000 EMU students have taken the opportunity to present at the Undergraduate Symposium.
Led by the EMU Foundation, advancement initiatives continued this year and netted $200,000 in donations and pledges in support of student participation in the Symposium. In just a little over a decade, advancement initiatives have successfully endowed 18 undergraduate scholarships that are linked to Symposium student participation.
