CMU 2010

Progress Report - June 2008

Digital Measures

The university continues to struggle to find effective ways of monitoring research productivity and other intellectual contributions. Teaming with the deans, Academic Affairs has launched a pilot exploration of an off-the-shelf faculty information database, Digital Measures, that will extend through the summer before a final decision is made. The vendors of this product have committed to working with our faculty and administration to create customized reports and vitae, valuable at all levels of the university.

As we explore this product and introduce more folks to its capabilities, we hope the reports that can be created will eventually be used for a variety of purposes, including program review, annual reports, internal grant submissions, and quite possibly even indicators of success in future strategic plans.

If you would like to become part of the pilot and are willing to share your CV, Academic Affairs will offer data entry assistance from six student employees over the course of this summer and will continue to provide this support into the next academic year. Please send your vita to welsb1ea@cmich.edu. We really appreciate your support and commitment to quality institutional reporting!

Spotlight on Native American Programs: North American Indigenous Summer Enrichment Camp (NAISEC)

Beginning in 2006, CMU 2010 continued to demonstrate our commitment to diversity through funding the Native American Programs: North American Indigenous Summer Enrichment Camp (NAISEC), led by Interim Director of Native American Programs, Colleen Green.

The Native American Programs (NAP) office is responsible for various activities all related to the Native American community and culture. Activities include: organizing cultural events for the CMU community, maintaining a Native American resource collection, recruiting Native American students, serving as a liaison with tribal communities, and providing support services for any CMU student, but particularly CMU Native Americans students. Annual cultural events open to the public include Native American Heritage month in November and the annual CMU Pow wow in the spring! This office exists in part because of the long standing relationship that CMU has with the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe is an active sponsor of CMU athletics, various CMU scholarships, and many cultural related activities

That said, the project idea goes hand-in-hand with one of CMU's strategies to increase diversity of our students. NAISEC is a CMU recruitment strategy aimed at connecting Native American High School students with the university. NAISEC will offer workshops on critical thinking, college preparations, financial aid, Native American cultures, and history on how Native American cultures relate to higher education to up to 20 Native American students grades 8th through 12th each year. In the past three years, they have averaged 16 students each year and anticipate 20 participants in 2008-09.

The ultimate purpose of this project is to increase the number of Native American Students at Central Michigan University, to provide information to the CMU community concerning Native American Culture. With the tribe so close in proximity, it only makes sense that CMU would do everything in our power to be sure Native American students - all students - feel welcome and safe at CMU. Through CMU 2010 funds, Colleen and her team are increasing exposure of higher education in general and the development of relationships with Tribal reservations and education departments throughout the state. So far, the program has been successful in recruiting a number of these students to CMU.

Below are some of the workshops they have planned for 2008:

2008 Workshops include:

Kevin Williams: Admissions Presentation
Dr. Benjamin Ramirez: Ojibwe language and history
Dr. Cheryl Majorski: Chemistry with Rockets
Dr. Dale Sanders: Dichotomy Workshop
Dr. Pretzer: History of One Room School House
Daniel Ramirez: Native American Art
Leadership Institute
Elijah Elk 7^th Generation Workshop
The Ziibiwing Culture Museum
George and Sid Martin: Talking Circles

Best of luck to you, Colleen, as you continue to improve the perceptions of the university for these fine, diverse students! If you have further questions about this project or its outcomes, please feel free to contact Colleen Green directly by emailing her at NAP@cmich.edu.

How to Become a Spotlight Project

Since July 2006, we have included "Spotlights" on several projects that are helping CMU 2010 move forward. Please note that we are interested in ANY project that allows CMU to realize our Vision, not only those that have been funded with CMU 2010 Vision Funds.

To share your success with the CMU community, please email CMU2010@cmich.edu. Feel free to identify the month you would like to be featured and a short summary of progress or list of highlights to be displayed. We are more than willing to assist you in documenting your spotlight, so you may provide the name of a contact person and the best way to reach this person for a short interview as an alternative. We are very grateful for those that volunteer! Thank you.