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Call to Order: President Amanda Smith called the meeting to order at 4:45 p.m. Amanda thanked John B. for his commitment to the society and for a successful term as president. She presented him with a plaque in recognition of his dedication to the Alumni Association and the NREM Alumni Society.
The board also welcomed Jerry back from
Minutes
The minutes from the August 31, 2006 meeting were unanimously approved as written.
Alumni Council Report
Terry reported on the January 13, 2007 Alumni Council meeting and said that outgoing president Mark Ervin did a great job, as will incoming president Charles Green. Terry noted that Ball State has been making solid investments and is in great financial shape. In addition, freshman applications are up and the Indy Center is now open. Park Hall is scheduled to open this fall and Woodworth will be remodeled. Terry said that it was time for alumni to be more involved in improving Ball State and its image. He thinks that a capital campaign may be coming.
Terry is assigned to both the Benny and Services committees this year. The next Alumni Council meeting is April 28.
Departmental Report
Jimmie reported that the sociology and criminology departments will be moving into West Quad. They will all share the new computer lab. Enrollment in the department is 76-79 majors with environmental management as the most popular option. There are about 40 NREM minors. In other news, Dr. Pichtel will be director of the Australia Center during the Spring 2008 semester.
Jimmie noted that President Gora and Provost Terry King are working to boost the Ball State image and attract better faculty. He said the BSU is moving not only towards a more research based institution but a more distinctive one. Immersive learning is one component of this move and involves more than field studies or internships. The department is working on the means to engage students in this capacity.
Jimmie would like the board to be aware of two new departmental accounts in the Ball State Foundation – one for soil and water conservation and one for research for renewable energy. He thanked the board for their contributions to the various NREM foundation accounts, stating that the generous support of alumni and friends helps with departmental scholarships, provides travel allowances and funds projects like the Living Lightly Fair being held in conjunction with Minnetrista's Garden Fair.
Old Business
Jack Hanna event. The board agreed that the event was great and that the reception went well. The Jack Hanna reception and program was the first alumni event for several in attendance.
Job postings. Jimmie reported that the NREM department posts all job opportunities online. However, the department is exploring a means to implement this better. Please continue to send all job and internship updates to Jimmie and they will be placed online.
Engaging alumni. There was much discussion on how to best engage alumni and their families. It was decided that an after-work social event in downtown Indianapolis might be the best means to attract alumni. Once this connection is made, a family outing might be the next alumni society activity. Terry and Sue will look into potential venues. Laura suggested that the board consider piggybacking with the Indianapolis Alumni Chapter for their June 2007 Indianapolis Indians outing. Specific details will be e-mailed to the board of directors in mid-February in anticipation of an electronic vote.
Emily suggested that the board consider tapping into an event with a built-in audience. For example, a hospitality room at the HASTI annual meeting would be a great avenue to connect with NREM alumni in 2008. The board agreed.
New Business
Internship & Career Fair. There were 28 public, private and non-profit organizations represented at the Fair by 45 employees. Representatives included 14 alumni and two current Ball State students. More than 150 students were in attendance. Amanda spoke with the exhibitors and said they enjoyed networking with one another and believe they found good prospects in the students. Some organizations stated that this Fair is a much better fit for them than the larger Ball State Career Fair because of the targeted interests and abilities.
The board agreed that the luncheon was a wonderful opportunity to network with alumni and representatives in their field. Next year, the buffet will be moved out from the wall so individuals may utilize both sides of the table. The board appreciated the "Ball State" buttons that were passed out to alumni exhibitors and requested that "alumni" be added to the buttons next year.
Amanda said that she enjoyed the display board the NR Club had at the Fair. She would like for the alumni society to put together something similar. Volunteers are requested. A thank you letter and a survey will be e-mailed to the exhibitors this week.
Awards Committee. The Awards committee suggested nominees for each of the society's three awards. After some discussion, the nominations were adjusted and approved by the board. Sue will send a letter to each of the four nominees regarding their award and then the society will publicize the recipients.
River Clean-Up. Special thanks to John M. for coordinating the Adopt-A-River Clean Up. The dates (subject to weather/river conditions) are Saturday, June 9, 2007 for the board of directors and their families to clean-up and Saturday, September 15, 2007 for the all alumni and NR Club clean-up.
Miscellaneous
John B. reported that Don Van Meter is retiring from the university in the spring.
Sarah gave a report on the NR Club. They have recently had two fundraisers (t-shirts and candles) to raise money for group projects. They are looking into a camping or caving event and hope that coordinating with The Nature Conservancy on a project might help with housing. John M. said that there is a cave in Bedford that groups can actually sleep in. Amanda requested that Sarah make the board aware of NR Club fundraisers as members would probably support the endeavor.
Upcoming Dates
- NREM Alumni Society Awards Dinner - Friday, April 20, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. in the Alumni Center
- Adopt-A-River Clean Up – Saturday, June 9, 2007
- NREM Board of Directors meeting – Thursday, August 30 at 4:00 p.m. in the Alumni Center in conjunction with a Ball State pre-game rally and night football game
- Adopt-A-River Clean Up – Saturday, September 15, 2007
- Ball State Homecoming – Saturday, October 13, 2007
- NREM Internship & Career Fair – Tuesday, January 22, 2008
