Crookston updates (January 2016)

Smooth start to spring term 
Spring semester began on January 11 with the usual increase in student traffic; no offices reporting any critical system issues, but staff are very busy with the start of the term activities.

UMC meets all criteria for accreditation
The Office of Academic Affairs has received the final report from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) team that conducted the Comprehensive Quality Review visit in November. According to that document, UMC meets all criteria for accreditation. The team also found that UMC is fully compliant with federal requirements addressed in the site visit.

Crookston Organizational Structure changes
Crookston Chancellor Fred Wood has announced the following changes this month:

• The Center for Adult Learning and the present Office of Admissions will be unified under a single office. This unification will be completed before beginning a national search for a new director of admissions. It is driven by a desire to improve effectiveness in a time of substantially increasing competition on the admissions front.
• To facilitate continuous improvement in retention efforts, Crookston will reintegrate Student Affairs and Academic Affairs. Effective January 1, 2016, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Peter Phaiah now formally reports to Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs Barbara Keinath. In recognition of the importance of Student Affairs to the success of UMC and the life of UMC students, Associate Vice Chancellor Phaiah will continue to serve as a member of the Chancellor’s Administrative Cabinet.
• With these changes the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships,will continue to report to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, Peter Phaiah, but now Peter will report to the Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs Barbara Keinath. The Registrar’s Office will continue to report to Barbara Keinath.  

Admissions Director Search
Representatives from the search firm Spellman Johnson will be leading a nationwide search for the new admissions director and will be on campus January 26-27 to meet with various constituents.

Comings and goings

• OTR has hired Cyndi Wentz to join the team! Cyndi has been working as an Administrative Assistant in the Math, Science & Technology Department. She is also a graduate of the University of Minnesota Crookston. She started her new duties on Tuesday, January 19. Welcome Cyndi!!
• Crookston Business Office: New Business Office cashier Dana Grunewald has been hired as a student services specialist/executive operations in the UMC Business Affairs Office. Dana will be replacing Peggy Chaput who moved over to Accounts Payable. She began her responsibilities at UMC on December 7, 2015. Dana is a lifelong resident of the Crookston area.