Keene State College Alumni Board Meeting Minutes November 17, 2012 Attendees: Bob Baines 68 Sara Goddard 08, Alan Hodsdon 68, Linda Lacey 73, Martha LaFleur 67, Jonathan Leach 85, Brian Parda 01, Jan Metoxen 68, Sinead O Mahony 11, Ferd Prevost 57, Blake Richards 71, Gail Rowe 79, Josh Terrell 89, Matt Ulilva 02, Christine Williams 11,, David Westover 72 Absent: John Mitchell 88, Charlie Owasu 99, Staff: Patty Farmer 92, Welcome Linda Lacey, President Approval of Minutes Motion to accept the minutes for the September 19, 2012 meeting by David Westover, Jan Metoxen second, approved-all. Introductions of New Members Linda Lacey, President Interim President s Report Reports provided as Dr. Kahn was not able to attend in person Advocacy Efforts Barbara Hall Legislative Liason Barbara helped provide a framework for why the College needs advocates with the NH legislature. Advocates support initiatives that emphasize support for funding for public higher education in NH. Materials were provided regarding the advocacy plan. Funding hearing to be held in late November. Each of the 4 Presidents will present testimony at a budget hearing requesting reinstatement of the $100 million appropriations of the past. Pledge to freeze in-state tuition and increase financial aid available to NH student if the restoration is passed along with funding capital investments. It is important that each of the colleges demonstrate the support of its various constituencies. Seeking alumni support via an email and possibly US mail to ask alumni to become one of 1,000 advocates for KSC and public higher education. It is important to continue to produce prepared talented NH workforce. To become an advocate, anyone can go to advocates.keene.edu. Website will be updated regularly with resources for volunteers to communicate their support. There may be other Bills proposed this Spring that may impact KSC and the site will reflect those budget and legislative initiatives. Page 1 of 5
Barbara provided a draft of the communication to Alumni. The Board deliberated various aspects of the drafted letter. Barbara reviewed the actions taken to date by the President s office regarding Advocacy since September 1 st. Ongoing work will be done via the website. A list of the newly elected legislators will be posted on the site. There will be an outreach effort to current parents of students from NH, the students themselves, the NH business community, faculty and staff, etc. Barbara took questions from the Board regarding the content of the letters. Members of the Board provided feedback, asked clarifying questions, assessed strategies, offered assistance. Questions were asked regarding the timing, deadline timing. Concerns regarding tone and tenor and clarity to distance the ask for help away from a fundraising call to action, which it isn t. Please show your support, just sign up. Recognition was given to the political climate, concerns regarding possible partisanship with regard to the budget and appropriations. Board members suggested showing explicitly the impact of the cut of the budget two years ago. How it has impacted the students and campus. Affordability and access issues that have arisen as part of the funding model. Need to show urgency in the actions, voicing opinions. Barbara elaborated a bit on how the other USNH campuses are responding to the advocates initiatives. There is a working group of staff and consultants working on behalf of the public higher education funding concerns. Bob provided context regarding the Trustee efforts and the possible impacts of the business community involvement. There may be future opportunities for action by alumni. There will be a legislative breakfast in January for the Cheshire County delegation. Barbara addressed the opportunities for alumni from out of state to help in the effort. Discussion of word of mouth efforts to increase numbers of those participating. Forwarding emails, personal calls, etc. Recognition efforts to view lists of advocates publicly. Opportunity to engage people, to excite them about the college; use this as an educational discussion. Ways to reach out to businesses that employ alumni. The Board agreed that Linda as President of the KSCAA would co-sign the letter. Comments regarding social media, twitter feed for KSC Advocates. Purpose, who is feeding it, etc. Trustee Report Bob Baines Search effort for the next President of KSC. Bob discussed this important project, the diligence of the committee, scope of the search process and timeline. Importance of the key qualities provided by the forums, diversity, advocator for public education. Bob touched on the campus climate report findings as a key component. David Westover concurred with Bob on his remarks. Page 2 of 5
A Webpage is posted to help illustrate process on the KSC website. http://www.keene.edu/featured/president-search/ Next steps will be for the committee members to review resumes. The search firm is promoting the position and ensuring applicants. Bob remarked about the USNH system governance change and the additional search for a new Chancellor with Chancellor Ed MacKay retiring in early Spring 2013. Lunch at the Zorn Dining Commons Committee Reports Communications Committee Matt Ulvila Review of the communications of gatherings, events, evaluated effectiveness of communications strategies. They have been following the progress of the new KSC website and KSC advocates website. Members of the committee would like to connect with alum committees to promote their efforts. Social media interactions continue to grow. Appreciation to those who have been posting. Discussion about our introduction of Meetup as an additional channel to promote events. WinterFest is the next bigger event. Advocacy communications efforts with Alumni will be directed through Barbara Hall and Kathleen Williams Patty Farmer requested input with regard to social media and posting articles related to Higher Education. The Board discussed various considerations and offered suggested guidelines. Members commented in support of communicating a clear message, the Board as the leadership representation of the Association does have its own voice a part from the College. Students As Future Alumni No Report Career Support Committee David Westover Review of the Job Fair efforts. Alan and David welcomed the Alumni business representatives. 45 companies were there 23 were represented by Alumni. Alan and David promoted the e-mentoring network and will be sending a letter in follow up to them. Alan commented about the student readiness for the job fairs. Student participation could be higher. There wasn t as many students signing up for resume reviews. Both and Alan and David both commented on their interactions with the student Peer Advisors and how terrific they were. Board members shared a variety of possible student perspectives regarding the job fairs and reviews. Going forward working on a student workshop on networking in the Spring. NHCUC Job Fair preparation Page 3 of 5
Volunteer Committee Martha LaFleur Held a recent meeting. Working on tightening up the volunteer recruitment, orientation at specific events and recognition event the Friday of Reunion. Continued efforts to do the recording of volunteer hours. Please report your hours using the forms to Kirsten who will have it entered into the volunteer database. Looking to help define the welcome and training process for event volunteers. A check in location for events. The Alumni office has Alumni Center notecards if members would like to take some and use them to thank others, write notes to others. Directors Report Patty Farmer Patty covered the fall events. Homecoming was attended by over 200 alumni (Men s soccer alumni, 40 th Rugby Anniversary event, more than 25 volunteers). The weekend has shown participation growth and met many goals. Homecoming is the first weekend in October 2013. Patty provided the KSC Fund appeal letters from the Development office. Board members discussed striving for 100% participation by June 30, 2013. A number of members have already pledged or contributed. Connecticut event for November 28 th in Cromwell, CT. Patty thanked Jan Metoxen and Christine Williams for planning to attend. College Master Planning process ongoing for the next six months and will be seeking Alumni comments. It could possibly be a focus group and we will seek participants in the New Year. Master planning occurs every 10 years. Student Success, retention and enrollment. Patty commented on the current status of the efforts to increase enrollment. Patty noted that alumni have been participating in College Fairs. There was a discussion regarding retention and the impact of the budget reduction. Winterfest is the 1,2,3 rd of February. Objective to engage students and alumni in a fall campus centered tradition. We will need volunteers for the many activities throughout campus: snow sculptures, tubing at Granite Gorge, Ice fishing derby and games at the College Camp on Wilson Pond. Brreckfast Brunch at the Zorn. Reunion-change and the addition of the Athletic Hall of Fame as part of Reunion weekend. Terrific opportunity. Reunion is June 7,8,9. AHF would be Saturday night the 8 th. It will be held in the Zorn Dining Commons. There will be a half page (back cover) save the date in the next Keene State Today. Holiday Reception for the Jazz Ensemble Concert. All plans are going well. It is a invitation only alumni event and a way of recognizing special relationships we have with local alumni Patty provided a staffing update. Patty provided an overview of the task and projects/committee reallocations in Kay s absence. Bethany Morin will be returning 10 hours a week to aid in our Page 4 of 5
communications efforts with social media but primarily working on Parent Association related communications. Linda acknowledged the work efforts and the Executive Board had offered to consider tasks and possible ways volunteers could aid in supporting programs and events. Patty thanked all of the Board for their outstanding support through the Fall. The Association participated in over 10 events all over New England and two in Colorado. She shared the great outcomes from the gatherings. New Business Linda Lacey Linda shared that she and Patty had met with Maryann and then she met with Jay and discussed ways that the Cabinet and Alumni Board would get together to meet one another and make connections. E-Mentoring David shared that we are up over 70 mentors. David recognized Matt s efforts with regard to the networking card and handouts to promote the program. Academic and Career Advising Peer Advisors will be our pilot students through the program. Please identify three or four alumni who you have not yet contacted about this and personally recruit them through phone calls, cards, emails. Advocacy Further Discussion Members commented about the format, timing, content of the letters. There was discussion about the role of the Board in advocacy. There was a motion to formally support the advocacy effort in support of public higher education as a governance board. Motion made by Alan Hodsdon second by David Westover. Unanimously supported. Concerns were raised regarding specific messages, rhetoric and whether or not those specific messages represented individual opinions. Discussion regarding use of funds lost, how the cut in appropriation impacted the overall college. Programs and initiatives stalled or stymied. Lack of growth in a number of key areas. Stating the need for fiscal support either from appropriation, tuition or contributed dollars is very important. Continued discussion regarding the process of the emails and/or letter. Linda and Patty will meet with Barbara Hall on Monday. Every agreed to move ahead with the email. Adjourn Page 5 of 5