Present: Amy Ahlersmeyer, Layne Cameron, Jim Grim, Brian Hayes, Sarah Maisto, Juli Metzger, Pam Records, Charlotte Shepperd, Lesley Stedman, Marilyn Weaver, Gary Graham (conference call).

The meeting was called to order by President Sarah Maisto at 9:30 a.m. Jerry Pierce, Integrated Media Lab administrator, was introduced to present an update on what is occurring with technology within the department. The integrated media opportunity is part of the I-Comm grant.

Pierce, in his third year at Ball State, discussed the Friendship Project, an experiment in non-linear story-telling, which he said made use of the I-Lab to produce. For the project, students were divided into teams, through which they studied philosophers, recent authors, and developed interviews with subjects regarding friendship. The project is an example of one that carries through from planning to conclusion. The lab makes resources available to journalism students, to include portfolio building, which is funded for a second year through Lilly grant money. Pierce said that on the horizon is the potential for videoconferencing and Web-streaming to schools and professional organizations, and ultimately also to alumni. Marilyn Weaver indicated that a videoconference is shaping up to use four alumni professionals who will join together as a panel for course presentations.

The board was asked for input on topics or times with use potential of the integrated media lab service. Among those suggested were J-Day, the writing award winner's presentation during the evening of the Journalism Awards program day, and connections with ASNE programs. Topics with potential include breach of trust, ethics, and access to public records.

Minutes

The minutes of the March 30, 2004 meeting were reviewed. President Maisto asked for corrections or additions. There being none, Juli Metzger moved to accept the minutes as presented, Jim Grim seconded, and they were passed by voice vote.

Business

Upcoming Events—The board was apprised of the Indy Art Walk, scheduled for Thursday, September 16, in Indianapolis. Journalism alumni throughout Indiana will receive the mailing that will be made by the College of Fine Arts Alumni Society and Ball State Alumni Association. Journalism will have a designated gathering area at the Rathskeller, which is the finishing point for the Art Walk. In addition to the mailer, all Indiana journalism alumni with e-mails will receive a reminder notice about the event. The board will meet that evening.

The board voted to take part in the December 13 Chicago outing at the Rock Bottom Brewery, sponsored by the Ball State Alumni Association. Board members were encouraged to plan to attend the event and Marilyn Weaver said that she and other faculty members from CCIM would plan to attend.

Weaver stated that there will be a panel of business writers on campus September 29 and asked for board input regarding publicizing the event. The board also discussed other services and programs that might enhance alumni participation. Weaver indicated that the Journalism Alumni Association is acknowledged each January as the department continues to bill the January professional-in-residence program as sponsored by the alumni group. She also stated that this spring there were certificates presented to journalism graduates, thanks to the effort of Dan Waechter.

In an exchange of ideas, Pam Records suggested that perhaps the department could use the alumni network in the area of portfolio preparation. It was also suggested that a small job fair with alumni, in conjunction with the spring awards program, might be a possibility.

Other thoughts included giving graduating seniors a frameable timeline, journalism mug, and/or a lapel pin and further promoting the internship program, in which we incorporate a number of alumni who open opportunities to students.

Another point was made to obtain photos of board members, along with brief bios, for the Web site.

Department Update

Weaver stated that the dean's search will be reopened. She said that the university is determined to find the right match for the college. Qualifications include a minimum of a master's degree and someone who fully understands the academic experience, along with an ability to work with the university to raise private money for the college. She said that a higher profile individual, as it relates to national recognition within the communications profession, is a priority.

It is expected that fall enrollment university-wide may be down, but Weaver said that the department prospects for enrollment are stable, with freshman classes all closed by the end of May. A professional-in-residence roster will be available by the September board meeting. Ryan Sparrow, an excellent writer and photographer, has been hired to fill the vacancy left by Walt Baker's resignation. There is a position open in advertising.

The department is doing well with national and regional recognition. The Hearst competition ranked Ball State third in photography in the nation, behind Western Kentucky and the University of Florida. Student John Seidel was honored as Indiana Journalist of the Year by the Indiana Collegiate Press Association, and the student group of AAF won first place in Region 6 and went to national competition.

The department's accreditation was finalized in May. Workshops have been restructured for this year and will begin next week. A workshop for photojournalists, the Kalish Workshop, will be conducted from Ball State.

The department is developing task forces to look at curriculum and enrollment management, and conduct a department culture analysis. An assessment team will correlate the analyses.

Alumni Council

Jim Grim stated that the Alumni Council had met June 12, in conjunction with the annual Alumni College program. University Board President Tom DeWeese reported on the new president, Jo Ann Gora, who will formally begin her duties at Ball State on August 9. Gora comes from the University of Massachussetts/Boston. Jeff Smulyan has completed his term on the board of trustees. Hollis Hughes was reelected by the Association for another four-year appointment to the board of trustees.

The Association has completed an analysis and has determined that it is in the best interest of the Association and the university for the Association to remain a part of the university structure, rather than becoming an independent entity. Through the committee process, a number of award recipients were approved, including Coach of the Year, Distinguished Alumni, Benny Awards, Legacy Scholarship recipients, and Outstanding Young Alumni.

The Alumni Council will meet Saturday, September 25, on campus. Members will attend the meeting, a pre-game buffet, and the ballgame versus Western Michigan.

Other Business

Stephanie Berry, associate director of development for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and Bob Jonason, online services director for The Indianapolis Star, have joined the board

Sarah Maisto asked board members to let her know of interest in serving on the nominating committee for next year's officers. She will appoint a committee which will meet at a date prior to the next board meeting to establish a slate of officers.

The next meeting will be at the Rathskeller in Indianapolis, at 6:45 p.m., Thursday, September 16. Possible meeting dates for January are January 21, 2005 or January 28, 2005.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m.