Members present: Amy Bradburn, Trish Bowerman, Suzie Huber, Tim Hill, Julie Johnson, Bonnie Johnston, Jackie Johnston, Marla Kurtz, Jeanine LeMaster, Barbara Norrick,   Alice Spangler and Sue Taylor

President Jeanine LeMaster called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Following a motion by Jackie Johnston to approve the October 26, 2006 meeting minutes, the motion was seconded by Suzie Huber, and the minutes were unanimously approved as written. Outgoing President Suzie Huber was presented with an appreciation plaque for her past two years of service and leadership.

DEPARTMENT UPDATE

• Alice Spangler reported that she is waiting on a response from the AAFCS departmental accreditation report.
•  Interior Design accreditation process starts this week with CIDA (formerly  FIDER) representatives reviewing student projects.
•  NAEYC – child studies center accreditation extends through October, and site visits are expected.
•  Patricia Miller, co-founder of Vera Bradley in Fort Wayne, will be on campus April 3 as a guest speaker. She will spend a half day with the Family and Consumer Sciences Department and half day with the Entrepreneurship Department.
•   Scholarship Applications- 21 students have applied for the Moore Scholarship and 35 applied for department scholarships.  This is twice as many as normally.
•  A Grad Student Recruitment Reception will be held at the Indianapolis Center, April 25 from 5-7pm.  The goal is to have 50-75 attend this event to promote FCS graduate programs
• Recent BS/BA alumni in the Indianapolis area who have contacts with schools, businesses and other employers will be targeted.

ALUMNI COUNCIL UPDATE

Jackie Johnston reported on the January meeting. The Alumni Council budget for 2007 includes $346,000 self-funded, $230,000 from the Ball State Foundation and $1,100,079 from the University, primarily for salaries and benefits. The executive committee proposed a "New Initiatives" line item of $15,000 to assist its constituent societies and chapters. The executive committee also reviewed and recommended that Legacy Scholarship funding be increased to $100,000 to accommodate more applicants. Any child or grandchild of a BSU "active" alumnus may apply to receive this one time award. The 2007 total budget was approved for $683,300. Discussion followed about funds that are already in the budget and are available to BSUAA constituent groups. The goal of the Alumni Association is to "break-even" with events, and the societies and chapters need to make a request when there is a need. 

        Currently 14% of BSU alumni contribute gifts to the Foundation. In the MAC Conference BSU ranks second with this percentage, but it ranks first among public colleges in Indiana. Fewer alumni are giving larger amounts than in the past. A goal is to increase the number of alumni who contribute, even a small amount, on an annual basis.

Trustee Tom DeWeese talked about the significant amount of construction underway on campus. Projects include Park Hall, the Communication Building, Scheumann Stadium, Woodworth Dining, plans for a new student recreation center, plans for an additional new residence hall, and remodeling of the Pittenger Student Center. The campus police have moved to N. McKinley.

Cardinal Corner has added more items to purchase, including infant and children's clothing.

Members of the Council approved this Resolution: "The Alumni Association and the Alumni Council strongly encourage successful and increased alumni involvement and giving participation while maintaining our current successful events, programs, and communications. The Council continues to fully support the concept and direction of capital campaigns by Ball State University and continue to fully endorse the proactive steps the University is taking to increase pride and participation for its alumni."

NOMINATION/ELECTION OF VICE PRESIDENT

Jeanine asked for nominations for the FCS Alumni Society vice president. Tim Hill was nominated by Jackie Johnston and seconded by Susie Huber. He accepted and a unanimous vote in his favor followed.
 

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

Sue Taylor reported that a vote at the last meeting to increase the current board membership by three members requires a slight change in the FCS Constitution. Members were mailed the proposed revision

in Article V, Board, Section 1, B:  to change Ten to Thirteen to read:

B.    Thirteen active members of the Family and Consumer Sciences Alumni Society elected at large (three years).

Susie Huber moved to accept as written, and Bonnie Johnston seconded. The motion carried. Discussion followed regarding the nomination and rotation of three new members. Taylor suggested that we add one with a one-year term, one with a two-year term and one with a three-year term, each term being available to renew for a three-year term when the original one expires. The deadline for nominating new members via email is April 15, 2007.

COMMITTEE UPDATES/REPORTS

A 2008 Alumni Awards event was discussed. Trish Bowerman shared ideas about gearing it to attract a more family-oriented audience. Ideas included student exhibits and participation, competition between student organizations and a monetary prize, having outside vendors, blocking off 2-3 hours to spend time visiting the costume lab, a walking tour of campus, and contacting Vera Bradley to ask Patricia Miller to speak. A date and location for this event needs to be determined soon. Trish will lead a sub-committee of Barb, Bonnie, and Sue will work further on the date and format for the event.

Marla Kurtz reported the e-news letter is forthcoming, and that we have about 938 email addresses for FCS alumni. Alice said that she will send a postcard to alumni a couple weeks before the e-news goes out, giving them an opportunity to provide their emails and alumni news.

CAREER MENTORING DAY

Discussion regarding our annual event included student attendance, efforts to locate alumni presenters, and a potential need to give it a boost.  It was mentioned at the last meeting that we might want to have it every-other-year, with an Internship Day in the opposite years. One thought was that only juniors and seniors would have much interest in the internships. Also mentioned was the difficulty in getting alumni back from the fashion areas, because many live in NYC, California, or out-of-state elsewhere. After talking about breakout sessions, a keynote speaker, potential brown bag lunch and networking, it was suggested that video conferencing might be the answer for the fashion alumni. Julie Johnson will follow up with the video conferencing to see what's available in the Alumni Center or elsewhere on campus. 

FCS Alumni Summer Event

The "Artist Within" pottery shop was talked about.  Alumni could bring their children or even older family members to make something from clay.  Amy Bradburn will look into places and dates for a summer event, and will let Sue know.

FCS PRESENTATION

Because of the lateness of the hour, Alice decided to share her presentation at the next meeting.

FCS HISTORY COMMITTEE

This committee will meet Wednesday, April 12, 2007 at 4:30pm in the Alumni Center. A question was raised regarding whether there is potential financial assistance from the Alumni Council for this project. 

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES:

• The next board meeting will be Wednesday, June 6, 2007, Alumni Center Board Room. Refreshments will be provided at 5:30 p.m., and the meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m.
• The FCS Student Fashion Show will be March 31, 2007 in the Ball Gym at 2:30pm
• The next Alumni Council meeting is Saturday, April 28, 2007
• Homecoming is October 13, 2007
• Career Mentoring Day is October 25, 2007

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Julie Johnson