Present: Layne Cameron, Jim Grim, Brian Hayes, Bob Jonason, David Knott, Sarah Maisto, Heather Perry, Pamela Records, Deborah Robinson, Charlotte Shepperd, Dan Waechter, Marilyn Weaver, and Diane Blankenship.  Gary Graham via phone conference; and Ed Shipley, Executive Director, Ball State University Alumni Association.

The meeting was called to order by President Brian Hayes at 9:30 a.m.  Referring to the minutes of the October 14, 2005 meeting, he asked for corrections or additions.  There being none, Jim Grim moved to accept the minutes as presented, Deborah Robinson seconded, and they were passed by voice vote.

Business
Charlotte Shepperd reported that there are two member-at-large positions open on the board or directors.  The board has a prospective member list, but Shepperd asked for additional names.  It was mentioned that Journalism award recipients could also be considered.  Shepperd requested the board to forward additional names to her by Friday, January 20.  It was suggested that rosters by degree year, alpha/zip order, would be helpful in recommending prospective members.

Journalism Awards—Layne Cameron presented the Award Selection Committee's recommendations for this year's alumni awards, to be presented during the annual Journalism Awards Lunch Tuesday, April 4, on campus. A brief biographical summary of the recommendations was distributed for the board's review.  For the Outstanding Young Alumnus award, the committee recommended two recipients:  Jennifer George-Palilonis, '96MA05; and Steven Patterson, '96.  George-Palilonis is the Journalism Graphics Sequence coordinator at Ball State.  Cameron moved that George-Palilonis be recommended for the award.  Jim Grim seconded, and the motion passed by voice vote.

Patterson is the Cook County government reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times.  Cameron moved to accept the recommendation of Patterson for the award.  Bob Jonason seconded, and the motion passed by voice v

The Outstanding Journalism Alumnus nominee is Paul Nussbaum, '74.  Nussbaum has worked for the Philadelphia Inquirer since 1982 in roles that include national correspondent, health and science editor, foreign editor, and managing editor of the Sunday magazine.  Cameron presented Nussbaum's name for the award in the form of a motion, Sarah Maisto seconded, and the motion passed by voice vote.

The Hall of Fame recommendation is Melvin Sharpe.  He is professor and coordinator of the Public Relations Sequence for Ball State's Department of Journalism.  Cameron presented Sharpe's name for the Hall of Fame, Heather Perry seconded, and the motion passed by voice vote.

Summaries of the nominees are attached with the minutes.  The names will be presented to the journalism faculty in February for approval.

The board discussed the award process.  In addition to mailing a letter and information form to award nominees, it was suggested to e-mail them requesting their biographical information and making the information form available online.

Updated lists of active award nominees, inactive nominees, and former recipients were distributed for the board's review and discussion.  The awards roster will be updated.

Journalism Alumni Society Logo Update—There was discussion regarding merchandise and potential merchandising methods.  It was agreed to pursue the purchase of shirts and market them via e-mail/Journalism and BSU Alumni Association Web sites.  Hayes, Shepperd, and Weaver will finalize decisions on behalf of the board.

Long-Range Planning/Initiatives—Shepperd distributed an updated list of 2005 initiatives and respective committees.  Committee reports were presented. 

Initiative 3, Reunions/Outings—Maisto reported that the committee met via phone conference to initiate planning for a reunion of all journalism graduates.  Based on the board's decision to plan reunion activities in five-year cycles, 2008 is the target date for the next reunion.  Suggested parameters include an evening reunion with afternoon/pre-event opportunities in conjunction with other campus activities and perhaps a campus/journalism department tour.  The committee recommends one cost for the reunion package; that lodging arrangements be available; and that the reunion be casual.  The reunion agenda might include a trivia game, as was done in 2003, and it is recommended to have journalism merchandise for sale.  A strategy will be developed for personal contact with journalism alumni to encourage attendance.  There was board discussion regarding the time of year that might be the most successful for the reunion.  Gary Graham stated that a reunion in conjunction with a basketball or football game might be an incentive for those traveling long distances.  Ed Shipley mentioned that there is an evening home football game currently scheduled for Thursday, October 31, 2008.   Another suggestion was to incorporate the reunion with journalism student career day.  The committee will welcome input from the board on details as it continues planning.

Initiative 2, Recognition/Professional Development—Grim reported that the committee was asked via e-mail to respond to the questions of establishing ways to engage students more with alumni and build pride in the students regarding their Ball State affiliation.  Already in place are the presentation of certificates to graduating seniors and the Professional-in-Residence program.  In summary, committee ideas were:  Continue the presentation of certificates to graduating students at the Senior Recognition Program (more support of attendance by the board was encouraged); routinely involve alumni who have been successful in their career fields to talk about their career paths in the classroom; invite selected alumni to write a BSU testimonial and post it on the department Web site; showcase successful alumni (utilize award recipients and exceptional award nominees).  An example might be to create a display board in the department.  The next step is to prioritize ideas and activate them.

Department Update
Marilyn Weaver distributed copies of the most recent Expo and the department's annual report. She noted that Dr. Ingelhart has completed "Invitation to Freedom," a writing on the free press. Copies were available to the board.

Dan Waechter reported on J-IDEAS, under the direction of Warren Watson. A DVD entitled "Our Living History: a celebration of our Constitution" has been produced. The DVD is a teaching video about the Constitution and First Amendment freedoms. Included are class discussion questions and suggestions for reading. Copies were presented to the board. There are two new DVDs proposed: one on visual ethics, which will focus on ethics policies for graphics journalists and photojournalists, and a DVD on the business of journalism especially for high school newspaper advisors. The projects will be a collaboration with the IT department. Having received a new grant, the J-IDEAS program is in the process of hiring and continues planning innovative projects.

Weaver reported that Ken Heinen photographed the most recent investiture of Supreme Court Justices. In the January 2 issue of Time magazine, Heinen is in a related photo. Weaver noted that Mel Sharpe will retire at the end of this academic year. The position has been advertised.  Scholarship information is out to students. The department has $20,000 in scholarship funding to award this year.

The communications media building is under construction. Once completed the building, which will connect A-J to the Robert Bell Building, will include the office of the dean, the communication studies department, and classrooms.

Spring semester Professional in Residence programs are underway. Ken Dautrich, Center for Research Analysis at the University of Connecticut, will present "A Conversation on the First Amendment and a Free Campus Press," Wednesday, January 18. The spring schedule also includes Nina Link, president of Magazine Publishers of America; a panel presentation on visual editing and ethics (Tony Majeri, Ken Irby, Richard Curtis, and Scott Sines); Vivian Vahlberg, the McCormick Foundation; the Pulliam National Writing Award winner; and Mel Sharpe, presenting on "Challenges in the Changing World of Public Relations."

The department is working with convergence with North Central High School in Indianapolis. The school has excellent print and electronic publications. Tony Majeri, a Center for Media Design Fellow at Ball State, will travel to North Central on occasion to assist.

In other department news, Lori Demo and Jennifer George-Palilonis are working with the Richmond Palladium-Item on a Web-first publication. The AAF is gearing up for its national presentation. The Daily News has revamped its online version. Mike Smith has made a major contribution to be used for student and faculty enhancement.

Fifteen members of the faculty went to the JEA conference in Chicago. In Muncie, there was a reception recently at the Barnes and Noble bookstore that featured several of the department's authors:  Earl Conn, Vince Filak, David Sumner, Mark Masse, Fred Woodress, and Jennifer George-Palilonis were available for a book-signing.

Department budget cuts of one-percent are expected in each of the next two years. The department continues to work on strategic planning goals and objectives.

Weaver asked for board input regarding the future of Phoenix. As costs increase for printing and postage and budgets are tightening, the department faces looking at ways to be even more efficient with spending. General agreement was voiced that we need to continue producing Phoenix in some form to communicate with department constituents. Weaver invited the board to send her suggestions or comments.

Other university news in summary includes: Tom "TC" Collins has been named the new Intercollegiate Athletic Director at Ball State. He has begun his duties. The provost search is expected to be concluded in February. The university has received a new $20-million grant from Lilly. The university's new marketing slogan/campaign is "Cutting-edge Cool."

Alumni Council Update
Sarah Maisto reported that the Alumni Council would meet Saturday, January 21 at the Alumni Center. New committee assignments have been made and she is on the Communications Advisory Board and the G.O.L.D. Award selection committee. The 2006 president is Mark Ervin, who is an attorney in Muncie. Kerry Hendel, from the Cincinnati area, is a new at-large member.

Other Business
Dr. Louis Ingelhart will celebrate his birthday on January 19, and it was agreed to send him a birthday card on behalf of the board. 

Future Dates
Tuesday, April 4, 2006—Journalism Awards Luncheon, 11:30 a.m., Student Center Cardinal Hall. Board of Directors meeting following, Student Center Founders Room, 3rd Floor

Saturday, April 29, 2006—Senior Awards Program, 6:30 p.m., Student Center Cardinal Hall

Saturday, September 30, 2006—Board of Directors meeting, 9:30 a.m., Alumni Center Board Room

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:50 a.m.