Members Present:  Jeannine Browning, Mike Garringer, Sharon Gunyon, Michelle Harrell, Ernie Krug, David McIntosh, Phil Metcalf, Doug Siebert, Roy Weaver, Kate Webber, and Steve Yager

Guests Present:   David Dixon, Felicia Dixon, Megan Allen and Michael Blackman

Vice President Mike Garringer called the meeting to order at 9:40 a.m. 

Minutes
After a review of the September 20, 2003 minutes, Phil Metcalf made a motion to accept, seconded by Doug Siebert.  The minutes were approved by voice vote.

Nominations
Mike Garringer reported there are three vacancies on the Board.  Cathy Palmer, Lynn Ross and Lynne Weisenbach will be leaving the board.

Ernie Krug listed the criteria for new board members.  They must:

• Be Teachers College alumni
• Have backgrounds in elementary or secondary education, counseling or administration
• Live in East-Central Indiana

Nominations should be given to Dean Weaver by March 26, 2004.

Student Presentation
David Dixon reported that the first semester for student teaching in Germany went well.  Wetzel Elementary and Baumbolder High School are the two schools where Ball State Students are able to teach.  All five of the students taught at the elementary school fall 2003 semester.  Seven students are in Germany for the spring 2004 semester.

The children attending the schools are all dependents of American military personnel.  The Ball State students' participation has helped change the structure of the schools on the base.  There is a full-time BSU faculty member on the base.   Housing and transportation are the two biggest issues for the program.

Felicia Dixon mentioned that the teachers were very helpful to the student teachers both in and out of the school.  The students proved to be good problem solvers in and out of school as well.

Megan Allen and Michael Blackman reported on their experience student teaching in Germany.  They both stated the teachers were very helpful both in and outside the classroom.  Both students were not prepared for the stress level of the children.  Being on a military base the children had different types of stress than most children.  There is a crisis management team available to help the students, teachers, and other children when incidents happen such as a parent being killed in action.

Faculty members worked with the student teachers from fall 2003 to help the new student coming to teach the next semester.

The Baumholder community was very helpful to the students.  Both English and German are spoken and students can use both American and European currencies.

Both students reported they had an opportunity to work with diverse children in their experience in Germany.  They also felt emotionally close to the children and teachers due to the base environment.  Allen stated the base school system provided ways to deal with emotional issues with the students in class.  They were able to handle issues themselves rather than having to send the children to the counselors.

Dean Weaver reported that Ball State student teachers have built a good reputation, so more are wanted at the base.  A $15,000 gift from an alumnus helped to fund this year's program.  It takes $50,000 annually to support the program.

Possible Day Trips

IndianapolisChildren's Museum
Kate Webber reported on a proposed outing to the Indianapolis Children's Museum.  The museum suggested holding the outing on the first Thursday of a month as the museum is open to the public and admission is free.  Rental for the new dining room will be $350.  The room will seat 150 people.  Table and chairs are included in the rental fee.  In the summer, space is at a premium with various camps and classes.  The staff can check availability of dates.   Rental fees include tables, chairs, and basic white table linens.

Ernie Krug recommended having Charlie Cardinal at the event.  A volunteer could wear the Cardinal suit and pose with children for parents to take pictures.  This works well at the Science Central event hosted by the Northeastern Alumni Club.

Conner Prairie
Michelle Harrell reported on a potential outing at Conner Prairie.  The cost for a group of 100 people (50 adults and 50 children) to tour the historic areas and have a hamburger and hotdog buffet would be $3,209.80.  The cost includes group admission rate, food, shelter rental and set up fees.

Conner Prairie hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 9:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. and Sunday, 11:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.

The board agreed to plan an alumni event at the Indianapolis Children's Museum for 2005.  David McIntosh, Dean Weaver, Kate Webber and Jeannine Browning volunteered to be on the committee for this outing.

Symphony on the Prairie
Ernie Krug reported that Indianapolis Alumni Club will select a date for the Symphony on the Prairie outing at their March 11 meeting.  The club would like the Teachers College Alumni Board to co-sponsor the event. Mike Garringer and Phil Metcalf volunteered to be at the event.

Churchill Downs  
May 15, 2004 is the date for the Churchill Downs outing.  The event cost is $75 per person which includes admission, reserved suite seat, race day program, catered buffet, and host bar.  Gates open at 11: 30 a.m. 

Dean's Report
Dean Weaver reported that Tuesday Tidbits are now on-line.  Continuing efforts are being made to move some of the clinics into the Muncie community.  David McIntosh added that the clinics enhance the training program but also help parents and children in the community.  The program will not be operational for another two years.

Two new doctoral programs this semester are in Educational Psychology and Educational Studies.

The new Center for Technology Education will be ready for the 2004 fall semester.  The center will be a point of contact for students within the Teachers College.

Next Board Meeting
The next board meeting is Wednesday, June 9, 2004 at 9:00 a.m. at the Alumni Center.  Lunch will follow the meeting.

On the agenda for the next meeting:

• Innovative Education Grant, Outstanding Alumni Award and Teachers College Scholarship
• Indianapolis Children's Museum
• Mentoring Program will be on the agenda for the fall meeting
  
  Adjournment
  The meeting adjourned at 11:40 a.m., and lunch followed.