Alumni Council
Alumni Council met on September 10, 2005. Mike reported that $11.3 of the $12 million goal for the football stadium had been raised (footnote: the goal was reached by Homecoming).  Mike noted that the BSUAA was on stable financial ground, 52,000 alumni are involved with Ball State University in some capacity, more than 1,800 alumni hold BSUAA credit card accounts and 58 merchants participate in the Alumni C.A.R.D. program.  In addition, Fred had detailed the group's activities and the 2005 reunion for council.

Also discussed at the meeting was the new Ball State iConnect lifetime e-mail account (http://www.bsu.edu/alumni/media/pdf/iconnectflyer.pdf ) that is available to alumni.  Mike likes giving friends one permanent e-mail address instead of notifying everyone anytime he changes service providers. He also likes the connection to Ball State. Allen encouraged the board to also consider the Ball State credit card to promote the university as well. He added that a percentage of purchases made help out the Alumni Association. The next council meeting is scheduled for January 21.

Board membership
Mike, Anthony, Jenell, Foster and Linda all agreed to extend their expiring terms through 12/31/08.

Foster requested a committee be formed so that active individuals can work their way on to the board and keep involved.  It was decided that Sue would send a letter discussing membership requirements and opportunities to two prospects. In addition, they would be extended an invitation to the next meeting. There was much discussion on finding a student representative and an alternate.  Allen will look into students previously active with BSU and talk to Derrick Virgil about potential student representatives.

Reunion Recap   – "Embracing the Past – Steppin' Into the Future"
The board discussed the August reunion. An inquiry was made about purchasing wine or taking samples home after the wine tasting. Due to law changes, it is not possible at this time. Jenell noted that she still does not know how to "step". The board agreed to look into impromptu lessons after the Saturday lunch for the next reunion.  There was some discussion about changing the reunion date due to family reunion and other summer conflicts but the board agreed that a consistent date helps individuals keep the reunion on their calendar.   Keith and Joyce noted that many first time attendees from the '90s had a great time and were very excited about the next reunion. 

Homecoming
Mike and Allen suggested that the board become more involved in Homecoming festivities. Allen said that many recruits, perspective students, alumni and their children attend Homecoming each year and persons of color are underrepresented. Connie agreed.

Anthony and Joyce suggested that the board consider participating in the Homecoming parade as well as having a gathering at the pre-game luncheon. The board agreed.  Foster asked if a social activity at CJs or the Student Center that evening might be a nice draw. Mike noted that a concert usually brings many back at Purdue. Phil suggested that the board get in touch with students and ask them to join the group's festivities or join in some of their festivities on campus.

Mike, Allen, Joyce, Connie and Charmaine will serve on the Homecoming committee. They will work on the parade entry, the pre-game table/tent promotion and maybe a social activity for the evening. Charles P. has a car the group can use for the parade – weather permitting.

Summer Alumni Events
Black Expo is July 6-16, 2006.  Anthony has previously staffed the Admissions table with Derrick Virgil and suggested that it might be an opportunity again. Ben asked Anthony to check with Dr. Virgil to see how the board can work with him. He suggested that each board member spend a day at the Admissions table if they are available. Anthony will chair the Expo presence. Mike asked Anthony to get in touch with Fred, who might be of assistance. Joyce suggested that Homecoming activities be promoted.

Pam chairs the United Way breakfast at Expo. She said it would be nice if the society could get a table there. She will e-mail costs to the board or bring it to the next meeting.

Summer Activity. Anthony, Pam, Fred, Charmaine and Sue will co-chair a committee to find an additional summer alumni event.

Promotion
There was much discussion on increasing the society's presence on campus and with students. Allen noted that involved students are more likely to be involved alumni. The board agreed. Mike said that students today don't seem to be interacting as much as when they were students. Ben and Jenell noted that kids are not that different today. Jenell said that it is to be expected that interest in the group would increase after students have left Ball State and matured, etc. Mike agreed but asked the board what they were doing to encourage students to think about this alumni society in the future.  Allen agreed that the group needs to be more visible to students through activities like Parent Weekend, Unity Week and Multicultural Center end of the year awards. Anthony added that the annual picnic was a great opportunity to meet students and that he met Allen there. Ben suggested that the board revisit their Greek organizations as well.

Foster said that if events were identified and advance notice given, board members could ride together or bring a friend to show support for student activities. Joyce agreed to contact Derrick Virgil about upcoming activities. She will attend as many as she can and will have a calendar of events for the next meeting. Charles P. will help. In addition, Joyce will send an activity list for the Alumni Association to forward to the board. Keith requested that the board "reply to all" if they are attending one of the events. This way, the board will know who is going and can maybe arrange rides as well.   Allen noted that it only takes 2-3 people at an event to make a tremendous impact on the students.

Pam asked if the board had a brochure they could pass out at activities or use to tell others about the society.  Currently, one does not exist but can be created with the assistance of the Alumnus staff. Pam also requested plastic nametags for all board members so that they are easily identified at an event. Laura will make some for the next meeting.

Discussion
Charles P. is the interim director for the Diversity Policy Institute (http://www.bsu.edu/diversity/)  at Ball State. He noted that in regard to recruitment of students and faculty that "word of mouth" is one of the best tools. He is looking into the administration of a survey for minority students about their attitudes towards BSU, their time here, etc. In addition, he reminded the board that Dean Weaver, Teachers College, forwards vacancies in the college to the Alumni Association, which forwards them to the board to use or pass on to others.  Jenell asked Charles to tell Dean Weaver that more scholarships and better scholarships were needed to enhance recruitment.

Jenell was approached by a concerned parent about harassment incidents on campus last fall directed at minority students. She believes that this perception of being unsafe and fear of harassment was very discouraging to students and potential students. Charles and Joyce noted that this was addressed strongly by President Gora. In addition the University Police were investigating and offered to escort students on campus to ease fears. While the individuals were not caught, the incidents have stopped.  It is believed they were conducted by local residents and not Ball State students.

Allen suggested the board put together "Someone You Should Know" promotional materials. This would include profiles of alumni that could be distributed at Expo, the Multicultural Center, etc. Joyce asked if it could be put on the alumni society's website. Sue requested that the board put together what they wanted and the Alumni Association could place it online.

Ben congratulated Pam on her new position at Purdue University. Pam is the assistant dean of Diversity Programs in the College of Agriculture. She is the first female dean in the college and the first African-American to hold an academic dean position at Purdue. The board congratulated Pam on her well deserved position.

Next meeting
The meeting was adjourned at 3:25 p.m. The next meeting will be held on Saturday, May 13, at 10:00 a.m. (Muncie time) in the Alumni Center.