1. gorod sought the sage words of an acquaintance who has served on the faculty and administration of an "099" university.  Here's some of an e-mail gorod recently forwarded to the mill from the sage..

"One of the things you are going to notice in the 'transition' to open admissions is a shift in the student body's selection of desired major.  Some colleges will gain, while others will fall off some ...... at the same time, shifts in desires within colleges will occur.  These changes aren't terribly drastic (usually), but can give less-than-astute admininstrators at the departmental and college level fits at times . . . Given my administrative experience in such a transition, I would certainly be willing to make funds available for faculty development (in terms of teaching/instruction) during the transition, and I would also be willing to assist with instructional grants where possible.  Assuming your president cares about the quality of instruction, I would think this would be done......It will be absolutely essential that good executive staff exists at the departmental level (and sometimes the college level).  Open admissions students will need their services more often that you currently see there, so make sure you keep good staff happy if you can. . . As far as campus life is concerned, expect more of a 'suitcase' situation.  I don't know your current situation intimately, but if you already have that mentality there, it will become more prominent. . .Greek life on your campus will be more difficult to maintain (in terms of any appreciable presence).  If your admininstration has had problems with Greeks in the past, and is looking for a chance to minimize that sector, this type of transition will certainly help its cause in that area.  Of course, with 'suitcase' situations comes lower student attendance at athletics events and other on-campus events, especially on weekends.  So, expect that trend to grow further.. . . If the open admissions process truly takes over the institution, you might see the administration create a new (non degree-granting) college within the university structure, complete with a Dean, Assistant Dean, etc., to handle all of the remedial-type coursework the students will need to get prepared for their chosen major later on.. . . . . . . . .As an interesting sidebar, after you've made the transition, don't expect to maintain anywhere near the level of private support (endowments, large/medium-sized gifts, etc.) that you have been used to.  You aren't going to be graduating the type of student that will give (later on) at rates or amounts you might be accustomed, and your current donors aren't going to speak highly of the transition with their own dollars....."

Thanks gorod.  The e-mail has a few other tidbits that may be shared with readers of future mills.

2. Today's HA contains a snipet (just inside front page) on USM's contracts.  Lisa Mader indicates that contracts should be ready for distribution to USM faculty late next week.  The hold up has been the merit raise process, at least according to Mader.

3. Still awaiting reports from operatives on the fallout from today's PUC meeting.  Of course, the mill would welcome being "scooped" by discussion on the board tonight.