Members Present: Amy Bradburn, Suzie Huber, Bonnie Johnston, Jackie Johnston, Marla Kurtz, Mike Landram, Barbara Norrick, Rae Ann O’Neill, Alice Spangler, Sharon Stephen, Sue Taylor, Linda Wallace, and Diane Williams.

President Linda Wallace hosted the meeting at Red Gold Inc., and provided a tour.  She called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m.

Linda asked for corrections or additions to the minutes of the February 3, 2003 meeting.  Jackie Johnston made a motion to approve the minutes as written, Suzie Huber seconded the motion, and the minutes were approved by voice vote.

ALUMNI COUNCIL UPDATE

Jackie reported that the Alumni Council had a meeting February 8, 2003 and that the 2003 BSUAA budget of $529,000 was approved.  As a means of covering the budget, funding sources include the BSU Foundation and revenue from BSUAA service programs such as the Cardinal License Plate, affinity credit card, and Cardinal Corner, Inc.  Also, the BSU Federal Credit Union partnership has been renewed.

The Alumni Involvement Index review indicates that in 2002 there were 46,558 alumni who were involved in one or more activities with the Association.  Our e-mail addresses continued to grow and the Ball State Alumnus reaches 129,000 alumni through 114,000 households.

Fifty recipients were selected to receive Legacy Scholarships of $1,600 each.  Fred Cox commented that 37 of the 50 recipients have a 3.8 or higher GPA and 35 of the students have 1200 or higher SAT scores.  Cox added that 72 of the 167 applicants this year were in the top 20 percent of their respective classes. 

The next Alumni Council meeting is June 14, 2003, in conjunction with Alumni College.

DEPARTMENT UPDATE

Alice Spangler reported that the department is part of a collaborative school/community project called Operation Wellness.  Its purpose is to increase physical activity and improve eating habits among residents of all ages in the rural east central Indiana community of Bluffton.  Long-term funding for the project will come from a combination of sources, including continued funding from the Caylor-Nickel Foundation and other funding partners.

Two new graduate programs are now offered in Residential Property Management.

OLD BUSINESS

E-Mentoring Program—Sue Taylor stated that there are no known responses from the 12 student/alumni matches.  There was discussion regarding whether or not to continue with the program.  It was suggested to create a feedback survey and Rae Ann O’Neill said she has a sample to forward to Sue.  It was also suggested that credit could be given to students for participation in the program.  The board agreed to target the senior class for Spring 2004 to determine mentoring interest.  Alice will check into the prospect and report back to the board.  Suzie Huber and Bonnie Johnston volunteered to speak to the class.  If there is no interest then the program will be discontinued in 2004 and the alumni mentors will be contacted and thanked, accordingly.

FCS Symposium & Awards Event Review—Following discussion regarding the awards presentation in conjunction with the department symposium on a weekday it was agreed that Sue will try to schedule the next FCS Awards event for the third weekend of April, 2005.

FCS Awards Criteria—Jackie said that the terminology on the awards nomination form states that all nominees must be alumni but that the Award of Distinction originally did not require the nominee to be an alumnus.  Nominees must be active in their respective area and contributing to the department.  Following discussion it was agreed to delete the line “All nominees must be an alumnus” from all forms.

FCS Award Presentation—Angela Ahrendts, recipient of the 2003 FCS Award of Achievement could not be present to accept her award, it was agreed to invite her here for an event (Homecoming Alumni Awards Dinner on Friday, October 17, 2003; or FCS Career Mentoring Day, Thursday, November 20, 2003) and make the presentation to her.  Also Sue is directed to invite Angela to be the Keynote speaker for Career Mentoring Day.

2003 Outstanding Senior Award—Sharon Stephen took care of engraving two portfolios and presented them to the recipients, Amanda Dues and Kristi Hamilton at the April 11, 2003 department awards program.

FCS History Committee—Alice reported that the committee is interested in doing a timeline piece and the data is being compiled.  Also, a letter of solicitation for funding is being planned for the fall.

Communique Newsletter—It was reported that the Fall 2003 issue of the newsletter will focus on 2003 FCS awards recipients, alumni events, and department news.  There was discussion regarding having a printed newsletter versus an electronic newsletter.  The board preferred to continue to see a printed version.

NEW BUSINESS

Office of Secretary—Due to the passing of Pat Barnes, former secretary, the office of secretary is open.  Following discussion, Suzie Huber nominated Sharon Stephen as secretary.  Rae Ann O’Neill seconded the nomination and Sharon was elected.  Jackie Johnston will assist when Sharon cannot be present.

2002 FCS Career Mentoring Day Review—Marla Kurtz distributed the evaluation tabulations for review and discussion.  The 2003 CMD planning committee will consider the evaluation recommendations for improvements.  Sue will email names to board members who will make contacts.

There was discussion regarding the planning of a future alumni social event.  Suzie Huber will check on information from White River Park about a visit to the Indianapolis Zoo and the Tea Room at the Indiana State Museum.

Sue will present a Foundation report on Account #3905, FCS Alumni Fund, at the next meeting.

The next board meeting will be Thursday, November 20, 2003, following Career Mentoring Day.

There being no further business, made a motion to adjourn, seconded the motion and the meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.