Vice President Suzie Huber called the meeting to order at 8:07 p.m.  She thanked all present for their participation with the sixth Career Mentoring Day.

The board expressed special appreciation to Mike Landram for graciously hosting the board meeting and for the opportunity to enjoy the delicious new Pizza Hut Bistro foods.

Following a motion by Amy Bradburn to approve the November 20, 2003 meeting minutes, Jama Kirby Montgomery seconded, and the minutes were unanimously approved as written.

ALUMNI COUNCIL UPDATE

Sue Taylor reported the following highlights from the January 10, 2004 Alumni Council meeting:

• The 2004 BSUAA president is Wayne Estopinal, BAR79. Wayne is an architect and owns The Estopinal Group in Jeffersonville, IN.
• The 2004 BSUAA budget for $576,000 was approved.

Two new BSUAA initiatives include 1. Establishing a HOST (Help Our Students Travel) program, using alumni volunteers in regional areas to assist students traveling to their geographic areas for job interviews or other college-related opportunities.  Responsibilities of the HOST person could include providing or recommending lodging and transportation, serving as a reference or resource person, providing information ranging from the city's offerings to details about businesses or corporations with which the student might be interviewing.

2. The second initiative is inviting pre-BSU students to campus for a one-day enrichment program. The intent would be for the BSUAA to invite specific age ranges of children or grandchildren of alumni to campus to participate in one-day programs that might include attending classes, and engaging them in activities that would help them learn about BSU.

DEPARTMENT UPDATE

• Alice Spangler noted that Spring semester classes began yesterday.
• The department had applied for five different Lilly retention grants, and was awarded four, which total approximately $20,000. They include

        1.   A STARS program, Successful Transfers Achieving Retention Success, for student transfer to the department from other universities;

        2.  Hospitality and Food Management providing a weekend program  for tourism students in a downtown Indianapolis hotel, with behind-the-scenes tours, and  tours of area points of interest for guests, such as the RCA Dome  and other cultural offerings;

        3.  E-mentoring being approved for freshmen retention, but not for seniors as the board desires. The board will work with the department to determine how the seniors' needs will be addressed.

        4.   A family film series, with emphasis on relationships,  discussion, and Q & A as it relates to the Family and Child programs in the department.

• Spangler reported that Kathy Beals had left her position in the department to be a science consultant in a Sacramento, CA marketing firm.
• Residential Property Management has requested the addition of a tenure position. With the implementation of the new graduate program, Carla Earhart needs more staff. 
• The North Central Accreditation process begins in February, and Spangler has requested the vita of all faculty. They are noting which faculty have recently been published, as well as the development of electronic portfolios by Joan McFadden.
• The Communiqué newsletter is in the mail. It was suggested that future issues include an alumni feature story, highlighting what alumni are doing in their careers and lives. Taylor suggested that alumni such as Landram, Bradburn, and numerous Career Mentoring Day speakers, would make interesting stories.

OLD BUSINESS

Communique Newsletter—Appreciation was expressed to Marla Kurtz for the excellent work on the current issue.

FCS History Committee—Nothing new to report. Will meet in near future.

FCS Awards Criteria—All board members are invited to review the FCS Awards criteria and provide input.  Revisions will be made at the discretion of the Awards Committee.

FCS Career Mentoring Day—It was agreed to begin seeking names from faculty and asking presenters sooner.

FCS Alumni Social Event—Huber stated that the Indiana State Museum and Ayres Tearoom in Indianapolis are open to any dates and that she needs the board's input of date preferences.  In regard to the idea of participating along with another BSUAA group, Sue Taylor mentioned that this incorporates a larger audience, which is fine, but suggested an additional event that would be more focused toward FCS alumni and getting acquainted with them.  Following discussion it was agreed that Suzie pursue the Museum/Ayres Tearoom event and to select a weekday in June 2004. (Not the 17^th or 18^th)

E-Mentoring Program—Sue will take care of letters to alumni who were matched up and also to all alumni who signed up for the program.

• The next Board meeting is Tuesday, May 11, 2004, Alumni Center, Conference Room 1.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.