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Subject: Annual Evaluation Date: Thursday, June 13, 2013 7:24:41 PM Central Daylight Time From: To: CC: Shirvani, Hamid Coston, DC Espegard, Duaine

Dr. D.C. Coston, In accordance with SBHE Policy 604.1, below is my evaluation of your progress for the goals that you submitted for July 1, 2012 June 30, 2013. Goal One - Restoring the reputation of Dickinson State University Your efforts, and those of your colleagues, have been nothing short of remarkable. This includes the corrective changes you instituted in personnel, policies, and procedures; the report you submitted to the Higher Learning Commission in anticipation of their on notice visit to the campus; the reassurances you and the faculty have communicated to students, parents, and the public in general; your marketing through the media to reaffirm the quality of DSU to your many stakeholders; and the several presentations at AACRAO meetings of the measures you and your staff have taken to rebuild the institutions reputation. I know from talking with Lisa Johnson on our staff that the work the campus has undertaken to restore its reputation has been monumental. Goal Two - DSU will develop a strategic enrollment plan

I have no doubt that this goal, which follows an in depth examination of the institutions footprint, both regionally and nationally, will produce the objectives you seek. The gathering of demographic data, the assessment of your program strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats ( SWOT analysis), should provide you and your faculty and staff with the information needed to strengthen DSUs reputation among its many supportersboth local and national. By targeting areas of potential growth, enhancing student preparedness, expanding on-line education, emphasizing participation in intercollegiate athletics, and avoiding the pitfalls previously incurred with your international student recruitment, and building on the Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program, you have come a long way in the realization of your plan. I was pleased to learn that you taught a leadership development class for your TR Scholars. My congratulations for stepping into the classroom. Too few administrators take advantage of that opportunity. Goal Three - Fund Raising

Although we did not have an opportunity to discuss your fundraising goals and strategies for the year, I was please to see that the DSU Foundation doubled its funding from the previous year; that you secured scholarship funding in lieu of what had formerly been part of the tuition-waiver support base; that you are taking advantage of the tax credit laws to expand your list of potential donors; and that both the Foundation and the Alumni Association are well into their plans for a capital campaign associated with DSUs centennial. I note with some dismay that neither the Board nor the Office of the Chancellor has been actively involved in decisions regarding intercollegiate athletics programs within the NDUS. Admittedly, there is currently nothing in state statute or in Board policy that prohibits or otherwise provides guidance or oversight of campus decisions that utilize state general fund appropriations, tuition revenues, mandatory student fees, or other private funds in support of athletics. In the past, campuses have added and removed athletic programs; unilaterally changed conferences and divisional affiliations that have

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and removed athletic programs; unilaterally changed conferences and divisional affiliations that have had direct financial impact on the campus as well as sister institutions; used public and private monies that might otherwise have been directed to academic programs and other essential services; used conference or divisional affiliations to force changes in or additions to capital facilities; and shifted institutional fund sources for the institutions intercollegiate athletic programall done without Board or Chancellor consultation, approval, or oversight.

Historically, the responsibility for policy, decision-making, and oversight of athletics has resided with the individual colleges and universities, a situation which not only is highly unusual but, from a riskmanagement point of view, sets a potentially dangerous precedent. I understand that in 2010 there had been some discussion regarding the establishment of a policy giving the Board authority and oversight of Intercollegiate Athletic Programs. To date, however, no policy or procedure has been approved. It is worthy of note that the mannergood or badin which an individual campus conducts its intercollegiate athletics program ultimately reflects on both the institution and the community.

I would hope that this situation will change in the near future. Specifically, the Board should direct the Chancellor to obtain from each of the NDUS colleges and universities historical information as well as current planning regarding their respective athletic programs and funding thereof. I would also urge the Board to consider an annual reporting mechanism be established that would require all the institutions to report on their plans regarding athletics. Goal Four - Meet the implementation deadlines of the Pathways to Student Success Plan

I am pleased to note that you have made significant progress in implementing sections of the Pathways plan. This includes your admissions index, the reduction in tuition waivers, partnership with BSC for helping students in need of developmental/remedial coursework, taking steps to implement the per credit hour pricing of courses, and realigning your dual credit courses. Goal Five - Work with the high schools to ensure that all dual credit courses meet the established criteria.

I appreciate also the efforts you have taken to implement the guidelines outlined in my agreement with the Department of Public Instruction regarding dual credit course offerings. I understand that all your dual course syllabi have been reviewed; the minimum standards for instructors enforced; that each course now be completed within the timeframe of a semester; and that meetings are taking place with area high schools to keep them abreast of the full implementation of Pathways. Overview: Over the past year I have been impressed with your leadership, the connections you have made to the local community, and your attention to the details of the recent HLC visit. You have been successful in building a positive relationship between the campus and the community, much of which had been lost due to the embarrassing revelations regarding its international students. I am also appreciative of the public support you have given to the Pathways concept and plan.

Most importantly, I am impressed with your efforts to enact standards, your choice of staffing and leadership changes, and the good working relationship you have with your provost. Dr. Pemberton was an excellent choice and one that reflects positively on your leadership. To your credit, you have surrounded yourself with good people. For your leadership and overall strong management of DSU I am recommending a salary increase of 4% and continuing appointment.
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Thank you.

H. A. Shirvani, Ph.D. Chancellor North Dakota University System 600 E Boulevard Ave, Dept 215 Bismarck ND 58505-0230 Ph: 701.328.2974 Fax: 701.328.2961 Email: ham.shirvani@ndus.edu Web: ndus.edu

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