Nelms to have outsiders review NCCU

New chancellor wants seven areas examined

DURHAM -- N.C. Central University Chancellor Charlie Nelms brought a fresh set of eyes to the university when he arrived from Indiana last month.

It appears he is not content, however, to rely solely on his own observations. Nelms, who has three decades in higher education under his belt, is tapping into his network of contacts. A group of administrators from universities across the nation will soon descend on Durham to give NCCU a fresh examination.

"This is pretty traditional in some university environments," Nelms said Wednesday, explaining the initiative to university trustees. "We'll have a set of fresh eyes come in and look at the university."

Nelms said he is bringing in colleagues from Howard University, the universities of Wisconsin and Indiana, the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville and the State University of New York-Albany. They will work with NCCU officials to examine seven areas in hopes of making NCCU more efficient and effective and to reduce duplication of work and other resources.

Those areas are:

* Undergraduate excellence. Nelms wants the visitors to determine the extent to which NCCU assesses the success of undergrads.

* Student services and enrollment. The team will look at how NCCU can better attract and retain students and make sure they graduate, as well as determine the distinguishing characteristics of the NCCU student experience.

* Academic programs. Does NCCU have the proper mix and quality of academic programs, and are there any notable gaps? Should NCCU be offering a program that it isn't?

* Faculty research. How can the university better help faculty members conduct their research? Are more resources needed? Is there enough collaboration among faculty members?

* Quality service. Do students receive adequate customer service from administrators and support staff?

* Budgeting and planning. Nelms said he wants greater transparency and streamlining in the budgeting and planning processes.

* Economic development. Does NCCU have the proper plan for acquiring property for campus development?

The team is expected to report to Nelms in the spring, he said.