Health and Human Services Task Force
Minutes
March 1, 2000

Vida Huber called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. in Moody Lounge. The members present were Herb Amato, David Cockley, Jean Dalton, Janet Gloeckner, and Lennie Echterling. Student Paula Neher was present as a participant observer.

Report
Vida offered a tentative overview of the Health and Human Services Task Force Report. She will be assembling the materials that the task force has developed into a rough draft of the report, which will likely be divided into four broad sections:

1. Introduction
2. Critical Factors
3. General Statement of Direction
4. Recommendations

SWOT Analysis
Vida proposed that the group discuss the SWOT data that was developed at the November Open Forum. The purpose of this discussion would be to help her translate the data into a brief narrative for possible inclusion in the report.

The Strengths, or internal positive forces, include the modular building, which will bring together many of the health and human service programs, the faculty, who are well-trained and highly motivated professionals committed to interdisciplinary approaches, and the assessment program at JMU, which offers expertise and resources for assessing outcomes.

The Weaknesses, or internal barriers, include a low endowment, limited financial resources, and no medical library support.

The Opportunities, or external positive forces, include the rural nature of our environment, the positive reputation of JMU, the long history of collaboration with other institutions, and the alumni.

The Threats, or external barriers, include the isolation that accompanies a rural setting and the highly competitive nature of the current health and human services field.

Other Discussion
The group also addressed the need for recruitment and advising across programs in order to better prepare students for the changing health and human services field. Helping students stay well informed will become even more important if the organization of health and human services will be changing significantly at JMU.

Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Health and Human Services Task Force will be Wednesday, March 15, at 4:00 p.m. in Moody Lounge.

Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 5:20 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,
Lennie Echterling