Arizona’s “hyper-competitive” environment for in-state and out-of-state students could have an impact on NAU’s enrollment and budget. Several individuals on the President’s Cabinet expressed some concern for aggressive recruiting efforts by institutions such as ASU and Grand Canyon University. Students who now enroll in NAU’s Western Undergraduate Exchange program as well as online and Extended Campus programs are highly sought. Jane Kuhn, associate vice president in Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, said student numbers for fall appear to be increasing but at a lower rate. Fred Hurst, vice president for Extended Campuses, said enrollment for online and distance sites is down but Personalized Learning continues an upward trend. Hurst said his area is expecting a 30 percent increase by fall 2014.

Summer construction projects—some major, some small—will impact auto and pedestrian traffic, mostly on central and north campus for the next several months. The Science and Health building as well as the anticipated start of the aquatic and tennis complex will have the most visible impact, as will a planned traffic light at McCreary and San Francisco. For information contact John Morris, associate vice president for Facility Services.

The state Legislature has passed a budget for FY15 and sent it to Gov. Jan Brewer for her consideration, reported Christy Farley, vice president for Government Affairs and Business Partnerships. As proposed, NAU would receive an additional $5.9 million in parity funding and another $500,000 appropriation. The Arizona Board of Regents would be tasked with divvying $3 million to the three universities for building renewal. Click here to view previous NAU budgets.

Pat Haeuser, vice president for Planning and Institutional Effectiveness, presented results and priorities from the 2014 Leadership Retreat.

The Athletics Department is planning to unveil its rebranding strategies at an invitation-only VIP event on April 25 and during the spring football game April 26 at the Skydome. The campaign, conducted mostly through social media, began in February.

Bill Grabe, vice president for Research, said NAU continues to move forward in its efforts to address ABOR’s research metrics. Grabe and other officials are working with current faculty to fund activities across campus as well has recruit additional researchers to campus.

President John Haeger announced that ABOR had approved NAU’s tuition and fee proposal during its meeting in Tucson on April 3. The next ABOR meeting will be at NAU in June. He also said the ABOR-appointed Presidential Search Committee has been meeting to discuss prospects, and an announcement of candidates could come soon.

The president and Lisa Campos, vice president for Intercollegiate Athletics, said a recent court ruling that Northwestern University’s football players could unionize should have little impact on NAU Athletics.

Laura Jones, associate vice president in Planning and Institutional Research, presented the President’s Cabinet Report that reflected an increase of $1.5 million in gifts over the same period last year. It also showed employee trend data from 2009-13.