Vice-President Kathy Hutson called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m. and asked for any corrections or additions to the minutes of the August 28, 2007 Nursing Alumni Society board of directors meeting.  Jo Ann Johnston made a motion to approve the minutes as presented.  Susan Alvis seconded the motion, and the minutes were approved by voice vote.

Pinning Ceremonies – The next pinning ceremony will be Friday, December 14, 2007 at Emens Auditorium.  Pinning practice will be held the day before on Thursday, December 13, at 2 p.m.  Board assignments are as follows: Mary Buckley to order flowers. Susan Alvis to help present scissors and flowers along with Mary.  Mary and Susan will attend pinning practice. Phyllis Chapin will arrange for students to pass out the programs. Julie Johnson will work with Kathy Harrold on the pinning programs, with additions/corrections to Julie no later than November 1. Mary and Susan will check on equipment and services needed from Emens (8' skirted table, podium, chairs for distinguished guests, and risers).

Community Project Update – Barbara Heffner accepted the duty of preceptor for the Children's  Museum community project. A teaching plan for the students is still in progress.  Kathy Hutson will get photos to Ernie Krug so that he can put them on the Nursing Alumni Board Web site.  Vicky, the coordinator from the Children's Museum, has done a very good job setting up the project.

Committee Assignments – Committee assignments are as follows:
Scholarship Selection– Susan Alvis, Mario Contreraz, Doreen Johnson, Janet Noel, Brandy Renz, Outstanding Nursing Alumni Award Recommendations – Phyllis Chapin, DeLisa Flynn, Jo Ann Johnston, Connie McIntosh
Nursing Alumni Banquet – Mary Buckley, Pam Cole, Kathy Hutson, Jo Ann Johnston, Linda Siktberg

Scholarship Review – The board looked over scholarship applications.  Changes include itemizing the financial portion of the application to help better determine financial status.  Itemizations include: housing, food, income, tuition, and support.  Krug and Julie Johnson will make the changes to the application and send 50 adjusted copies to Kathy in the School of Nursing.

Review Outstanding Nursing Alumni Award Nomination Forms – Discussion was held to add an award for 1980s and '90s graduates, but other members felt it would exclude too many people and cause confusion. After discussion, Krug suggested that the narrative to the criteria could possibly be changed to accommodate the concerns.

Department Update – A proposal to commission a new doctorate program in nursing practice, comparable to a PhD or EdD,  has been sent to President Jo Ann Gora, Provost Terry King and VP of Business Affairs Thomas Morrsion for review.  Ball State would offer the course online as a 90 or 91- hour course.  Admission would be to post graduates of the baccalaureate program.  Pam Cole feels that since the program is online it has the potential to be successful. 
In other news,there were 93 letters sent out for 2008 admission.  We accepted 85 of those who had a GPA of 3.0 or higher to qualify for the program.  The transition from requiring a GPA of 2.75 to 3.0 took place the Fall Semester.  The Admission Progression Committee looks for academics, attitude, and aptitude.  The Simulation Center is almost complete and the Nursing Alumni board of directors has been invited to host their December meeting at the center, as well as take a tour of the lab.
Worchester University in England will send three students to study at Ball State from January through mid-February 2008.

Upcoming Dates – Future board meeting dates are as follows:
December 13, 2007 Pinning practice at 2 p.m.
December 13, 2007, Board Meeting at 5 p.m. in School of Nursing, Room CN 215, second floor.  Dinner to follow at 6:15 p.m. at Kimbler's Landing (formerly Vince's at the Airport).

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,
Julie Johnson, Communications Assistant