President Sherri White called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. 

Sherri asked for any corrections or additions to the minutes of the February 10, 2004 Nursing Alumni Board meeting.  Connie McIntosh made a motion to approve the minutes as written.  Phyllis Chapin seconded the motion and the minutes were approved by voice vote.

Old Business

Community Service Project–The Mission Statement is to enhance the image of nursing in the community for school-aged children.  The project is in collaboration with the Muncie Children's Museum (MCM) and involves four quarterly showcases with Teddy Bear and registered nurse videos.  The target audience is for children between the ages of three-seven.  The projected, estimated budget is $7,580.00.  BSN students will assist at the display.  A news release was published in The Muncie Star Press. The Opening of the display will be Saturday, April 17, 2004, 11:00 am. – 1:00 p.m.  The first 300 children visiting will receive a heart/health coloring book with crayons.  Ernie, Connie, and Sherri will set up on Friday, April 16.  A sample of the display plaque was distributed.  Sherri will play the role of Nurse Molly for the first video spot.  The second spot will focus on hygiene. 

Nursing Alumni board members were requested to make donations of stethoscopes, lab jackets, scrubs, etc., and requests for donations from nursing alumni will also be publicized. 

Appreciation was expressed to Connie, and those who have assisted, for the extra time and effort in making this project possible.

2004 Nursing Alumni Banquet—It was reported that there are 131 reservations to date.  There are 27 reservations for the BMH Tour and 23 reservations for the SON Tour.  Mary Buckley has ordered the corsages.  Connie will make a presentation for the Community Service Project before Dinner.  Linda will make a department presentation using PowerPoint/LCD, following Dinner.

2004 May Nursing Pinning Ceremony—The Pinning Ceremony will be Friday, May 7, 7:00 p.m., at Emens Auditorium.  Rehearsal will be Thursday, May 6, 2:00 p.m., Emens Auditorium.  The class requests to wear dress pants.  A sample of the dress pants is to be brought to Phyllis or the rehearsal for review/approval.  The current attire worn by the class is blue scrubs/white pants—white scrubs/dark pants.  The board agreed that the legacy of wearing white is to continue.  Linda suggested having photos of the Pinning Ceremony put on the Web and it was agreed.  Shane House suggested listing the class honors (Dean's List, Sigma Theta Tau, etc.) on the Pinning program but not have them announced during the Ceremony.  The board agreed. 

Nursing Alumni Board Slate 2004-2005—Slate of officers for 2004-2005 (Two-Year Terms) were presented and approved as follows:  President, Connie McIntosh; Vice President, Mary Buckley; Secretary, Ruth Ann Tolle;   Past President, Sherri White; Alumni Council Representative, Kathy Hutson.  Ernie will contact Jo Ann Johnston for term reappointment.  Jennifer Lakey's term will not be renewed.  Currently there is one at-large position open.  Brandy (Baker) Renz, ‘03 and Nadia Hoage, 02, were recommended.  Shane will contact them.  Ernie will email openings for the next Nursing Alumni Board meeting.

New Business—No new business.

Department Update—Job Fair, March 24, Art/Journalism Building—There were 45 agencies represented.

A break lab for students in the School of Nursing has been renovated with computers, carpeting, and other improvements to make the area more aesthetically appealing.  Other utilization space changes have been proposed and submitted to the dean.

Fall 2004 undergraduate enrollment for nursing students is 291.

Alumni Council/Alumni Association Update

Ernie encouraged the board to submit information for publication in the Alumni Connection section of the Ball State Alumnus magazine. 

The next Nursing Alumni Board meeting will be Tuesday, August 31, 2004, 5:15 p.m., Alumni Center Board Room.  Agenda items will include:  2004-2005 Board slate update, 2004-2005 Proposed Budget, Community Service Project update, and Ball State Alumnus input.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:53 p.m.