Alumni Council
Mike reported that the Alumni Council had not met since the last meeting of the Black Alumni Society board of directors. The next Council meeting is Saturday, September 9, in conjunction with the Ball State versus IU football game. Mike noted that the Council received an email recommendation for the reappointment of Tom DeWeese as trustee from the executive committee. The board discussed DeWeese's tenure and reappointment. It was decided that Mike would support the reappointment of DeWeese on behalf of the board.  The board also discussed their lack of acquaintance and interaction with current and potential Board of Trustee members. Keith suggested that invitations be extended to the Board of Trustees to attend a future alumni society meeting. Allen noted that an ideal time to meet and greet the trustees is at Homecoming.

Board membership
Ben, Fred, Nancy, Dori and Connie have terms expiring in 2006.  Ben proposed that all members with expiring terms stay on until after the 2007 reunion. Ben, Fred, Nancy and Dori agreed to this. Connie will be sent a letter to determine her interest. Linda suggested that all members with extended terms be sent a letter just to have the documentation.

Charmaine mentioned that Carl Radford is very interested in serving on the Black Alumni Society board of directors. However, there are currently no openings on the board. At this time, a procedure was recommended for individuals who express an interest in serving on the board. Potential members must submit a letter of interest to the board and then they will be extended an invitation to attend a future meeting. With planning for the 2007 reunion underway, there are numerous opportunities for involvement until official board openings are available.

Reunion
Reunion Co-chairs: Pam Morris and Keith Robinson
Awards: Phil Anderson, Mike Chisley, Joyce Jamerson, Teresa Jeter and Sue Taylor
Decorations: ALL – headed up by Joyce Jamerson, Jenell Joiner, Nancy Price and Connie
Winfrey
Entertainment: Phil Anderson and Fred Cox
Hospitality: Al Williams and Foster Stephens
Menu: Fred Cox, Pam Morris, Nancy Price, Sue Taylor and Linda Wilson
Programs: Fred will work on programs and the keynote. Mike Chisley will MC
Publicity: ALL - headed up by Fred Cox, Anthony Head, Charmaine Powell, Keith Robinson and Sue Taylor

Linda requested that photos be placed on all promotions for the 2007 reunion – particularly those with younger alumni on them. It was suggested that a small postcard with print on one side be sent soon along with a holiday card in December. Both pieces would be primarily "save the date."

There were several suggestions for potential Outstanding Black Alumni Award recipients.  In order to officially nominate an alumnus for the highest honor the society gives, please send the information to Sue and the awards committee. A list of award criteria, an online nomination form and a list of previous recipients are available at http://www.bsu.edu/alumni/article/0,1384,27446-4329-9097,00.html

Ben requested that the board determine a theme or issue for a reunion panel discussion. In addition, the board may need to find a facilitator for the panel. Keith noted that Bill Cosby's comments were a very hot topic at the time and that the board may wish to wait and see if something comes up in the news that would resonate. Ben said there must be plenty of time for the panel to prepare. Ben would like to start the dialogue and see the president, the society and alumni discuss why there are not more minorities at the top of the Ball State administration. He noted that for this panel the board would also need an alumnus knowledgeable in state policy. Dori noted that the reunion is a short time period, is primarily a social event and might not be the appropriate venue for such a lengthy and difficult discussion where there probably would not be a resolution.  Another venue might be a better option.  Joyce suggested that the topic might turn very negative and expressed concern that it might turn off some alumni, particularly those who were attending the reunion for the first time or were recent graduates.  Joyce and Dori said that they had very good experiences with BSU. There are challenges but they think this topic would turn people off and not engage them. Because of the late hour, the panel theme will be revisited at a future meeting.

Past Events
ICE Lounge After Work Matinee
Sue reported that 82 alumni and friends attended the July event at ICE Lounge and that it was the first alumni activity for many. Linda said that she was very pleased with the event and was glad to see enthusiastic young alumni. She congratulated the committee for a nice, well organized event that met the needs of some alumni the group is trying to engage. Pam, Charmaine, Jenell, Dori, Mike and Joyce all agreed that it was a great event and that feedback was very positive.

There was much discussion about an activity like this becoming an annual event during Expo. Linda and Joyce suggested a larger, less narrow venue with better lighting where it would be easier to interact. Joyce suggested that the board rethink agreeing to a bar guarantee. She mentioned that the alumni society was providing free publicity for the ICE Lounge with constituents. Sue noted that the BSUAA does not ordinarily guarantee such expenses but it had been agreed to by the committee. Jenell and Linda suggested that the board look into different hors d'oeuvres in the future because expenses were high and sushi is an acquired taste. Joyce expressed her disappointment with the DJ. There was a lot of song repetition and not a lot of new music. She noted that people stayed after the event because a new DJ came in.

Charmaine and Allen questioned holding the event on Thursday versus Friday. Allen stated that Thursday was prohibitive for him and others he had spoken with who had to drive a greater distance. Fred noted that Friday conflicted with a lot of Expo activity and that Ken's availability had been limited on Friday.

Mike noted that whether the event was held at ICE Lounge or varied from year to year the crowds would continue to grow as awareness grows. Allen agreed that 82 is a great number for a first time event and pointed out that he had watched other regional events grow each year. Keith said that reunion attendance will be up because of the ICE Lounge event. Charmaine mentioned that she liked holding the event at a place owned by an alumnus. Dori suggested the board consider an event at Ball State's Indy Center. She noted that the Indy Center has a wonderful downtown location at 50 South Meridian.  Sue said the Indy Center is available for meetings but she is not sure about space and serving alcohol. During the discussion, it was decided that the summer event needs to be held as close to Expo as possible because individuals are already downtown and many would already be parked there.

The financial report for the ICE Lounge event was unanimously approved following a move by Fred and a second from Keith.

Expo
Mike reported that the United Way Minority Recognition Breakfast at Expo was also a great event, nicely attended and that the society's table was represented really well. Fred said that the society is about support and that the group did just that at the breakfast. The breakfast honors individuals serving the community and it was good to be a part of this. Linda requested that the Expo breakfast be put on the society's webpage as it will be an annual event. Pam asked that the board send a banner next year to hang in the breakfast area. It is $500 to be a sponsor and have a banner. She would also like to see some of the BSU administration at the table next year. This participation at the breakfast is an important recruiting tool. University administrators will be contacted on behalf of the board to request their attendance next time.

Members of the board noted that they were unable to find the Ball State booth at Expo. Charmaine said the table was near the high schools and was one aisle over from IU. Dori noted that IU had a diversity policy administrator at their table. In addition, there were administrators and alumni greeting potential students, alumni and friends. IU had an alumni reception following the day's events. Pam stated that Purdue does something very similar. She said their reception is a social for black alumni and is similar to the ICE Lounge reception. She said Purdue has a room in the convention center where they serve drinks and hors d'oeuvres at 6:00 p.m. This reception is a main avenue for Purdue to engage all black alumni because they do not have an alumni society. Fred questioned if this might be a better event than something like ICE Lounge? Pam will check into costs, etc. with Purdue and Dori will do so with IU.

New Business
Campus News
Dr. Taiping Ho is no longer the director of the Diversity Policy Institute. Former interim director Charles Payne is the new director. Charles reported that if the board had comments, questions, or concerns to please let him know. If they are interested in statistics or university information, please let him know ahead of time so that he has time to research their questions before a meeting. Charles reported the death of Dr. Linda Keys to the board. He also said that there was an account in her name at First Merchants Bank. He thought it might be for her children – one is in high school and one is a student at Ball State.

Allen reported that Dr. Larry Waters will be retiring as dean of Admissions in June of 2007. Discussion about the impact of Dr. Waters' retirement, diversity statistics and issues regarding the campus community and climate followed.  Per a request from Ben, Sue will check with Charles Payne (who was not present at this time) regarding the diversity policy for the university. Joyce and Allen remarked that there are gains to be made and that there have been advances in the diversity of newer faculty.  Greater opportunities for individuals pursuing upper level administrative positions at BSU will result from more minorities entering the teaching profession.

Joyce said that there was an opportunity for the board to work with potential students through the Gear Up program. She reported that the program has counselors who introduce kids to the school or the community. The programs are a week at a time during the summer.  She suggested that the board could visit, hold a professional panel, a skate night, a movie night, etc. Dori was a counselor for the middle school session and there is another session for high school students (sophomores).  Mike said that Charles Haynes would like to work with the alumni society and this might be a good means to do so.

Scholarships
Linda wondered if there is a scholarship underway in Linda Keys' name. At this time, it is not believed to be in the works. There was some discussion about the creation of a scholarship for minority students in the name of a deceased alumnus, professor or in the name of the Black Alumni Constituent Society. Some board members have contributed to a minority scholarship that the board wishes to establish. Those monies are being held in the Black Alumni Society foundation account until the scholarship is endowed.  It takes $25,000 to endow a scholarship. Sue was asked to obtain more information about this opportunity so that this scholarship can get off the ground.

Next Meeting
The meeting was adjourned at 2:25 p.m. The next meeting will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2006 at noon (Muncie time) in the Ball State University Alumni Center.