UWP ALUMNI ASSOCIATION MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING OF 23 JANUARY 2010 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Burgermeister, Brian Day, Ruth Joyce, George Krueger, Tamara Lange, Betty Loeffelholz, Grant Loy, Daniel Paulson, Nancy Pieper, Cris Proctor, Erin Ralph, Tricia Reuter, Deborah Rice, Tammy Salmon-Stephens, Josh Saylor, Jerry Schewe, Andrew Skwor, Francie Teuscher, Taylor Weisensel, Kedron Wiersgalla, Matt Zielinski OTHERS PRESENT: Chancellor Butts, Dennis Cooley, Anne Killian, Julie Matuszak, Ian MacGregor, Kim Schmelz, Wendy Stankovich I. Call to Order/Introductions Josh Saylor II. University Update Chancellor Carol Sue Butts a. Brief background of Chancellor Butts history with UWP b. Student Body Growth over 11 years i. 5500 students to 8000 students 1. Fastest growing in UW System (46%) 2. Average age of student 21.4 ii. New Freshman 1000 students to 1700 students 1. TriState Initiative we could offer up to 2000 students 2. In 5 th year (of 10 planned) have 1000 of that 2000 3. Average age 18.3 iii. Transfer students increased 15% over last year 1. High school graduates in WI currently decreasing w/in 10 years will be down approximately 15% 2. Important to also focus on Transfers iv. Increase in Veteran student population serving this year - 300 c. Academic Highlights i. Overall 1. 43 Undergrad Majors 2. 6 Master s Programs a. 3 on campus b. 3 Distance Learning 3. 75% in 6 Academic Programs a. Engineering b. Business and Accounting c. Ag d. Ed e. Criminal Justice f. Industrial Studies/ Technology g. Biology is a close 7 th. ii. Newest Offerings 1. Nanotechnology & MEMS 2. Forensic Investigation 3. Sustainable/ Renewable Energy Systems 1
2 4. Social & Environmental Justice iii. Forensic Investigation Research Facility @ Pioneer Farm 1. Fenced Area 2. Used to stage outside crime scenes d. Facility Highlights i. House for Forensic Investigation 1. Now building a house to stage crime scenes (completed Summer 2010), both residential and commercial 2. This house will be make UWP the only 4 year program with an actual house to do work ii. Williams Fieldhouse 1. Phase 1 underway a. Dedicated to health and wellness b. No $$ from the state c. Should be completed this summer 2. New Bleachers installed 3. Indoor Track upgrade iii. Boebel Hall renovations continue e. Budget i. Total current Budget approximately $110.1 million 1. Expenses a. 87% Salaries and benefits b. 13% Remaining expenses 2. Income a. 27% From Tax Dollars State Funding b. 35% from Tuition c. 28% Auxiliary Enterprises (Food, Housing, etc.) d. 1% Gifts and Grants e. 8% Federal f. 1% Extension g. Small amount of other ii. State Budget Impact 2009 to 2011 Budget 1. The UW System cut by $161 Million dollars 2. UWP Share = $5.2 million (April/ May of 2009) a. Leaving Positions open b. Using academic staff in lieu of faculty c. Eliminating low enrolled courses d. Reduce equipment purchases e. Reduce travel, esp. out of state f. Slow down special projects (like PACCE, Collaborative Engineering Project) 3. Additional staffing impact a. June 2009 decision i. Took away 2% promised pay increase -- essentially equals 2% pay reduction ii. Mandated 16 furlough days over 2 years (equivalent of additional 3% pay cut)
3 iii. Froze all salaries b. Equals $3.3 million in additional cuts 4. Total reductions = $8.5 million f. Other Good News i. Case IH and Richie Implement Inc. Partnership 1. Lease equipment to Pioneer Farm 36 pieces new equipment 2. Cost = a penny per year per machine (36 cents/ per year) ii. 75% increase in student retention iii. 5.5% of students are of color iv. Expanding distance learning opportunities v. Continue upgrade academic facilities vi. Collaborative project for New Street to Campus g. Current leadership Searches i. Chancellor s Search 1. Candidates on Campus end of Feb 2. July 1 arrival ii. Provost Search 1. Underway 2. Will begin April iii. New Dean of EMS 1. Also underway 2. Will being Sept. 1 h. Questions i. Consideration of reducing number of majors? 1. Yes some are on the shelf low graduation rates (fewer than 30 graduates over a 10 year period) a. Not officially eliminated, because difficult to get back b. Undergrad - Speech, Economics, Economics/ Business c. Grad Agriculture, Industrial Technology 2. Also looking at minors/ areas of emphasis ii. How does the 27% from taxes compare to other UW System school? 1. Uncertain compared 2. Would think that for example Madison is considerably less III. Foundation Update Erin Ralph for Dennis Cooley a. Current Fundraising Projects i. Engineering Endowment Fund ii. PACCE iii. Beef Center at Pioneer Farm iv. Spring Phonathon Focus on Community Scholarship Program b. Foundation s Finance and Investment Committee i. Met on Jan. 22 ii. Reports showed a marked improvement in our investment return for calendar year 2009. iii. To help the funds fully recover, the Foundation may vote again for 2010-11 to allocate 2% from the endowment to spendable, with the hopes of returning that percentage to the 4% rate for future years.
4 c. New Development Officer - Rob Callahan i. Primary efforts in the next year center on the step and seat naming project at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium. 1. For $500, an alumnus or friend can name a step on the aisles at the stadium. 2. For $250, naming rights are available for one of the 24 seats that make up one of the numerous rows there. T ii. Proceeds will be used to upgrade the locker rooms and to improve the overall appearance of the areas surrounding the stadium, including better fencing and a new entrance area. The concession stand would also be refurbished. d. Thanks A Million Fundraising initiative i. Early returns are very favorable ii. Honoring Chancellor Markee, led by Lloyd Linden iii. 1,000 alumni and friends donate $1,000 each to generate a million dollars of support for projects iv. Proceeds will go to fund several of the top projects on campus (not limited to) 1. CSP 2. PACCE 3. Beef Center 4. Engineering Endowment Fund e. Planned Giving Program i. Continues to grow ii. Successful estate planning seminar in December, led by our major gift officer, Denee Hirsch and put on by esteemed estate attorney Dave Reinecke from Foley and Lardner in Madison. iii. Planning is underway for a spring seminar iv. About to launch the UWP Foundation s first ever charitable gift annuity program, which we will manage ourselves. IV. Alumni Services update Kim Schmelz a. See report in packet b. Keeping track of some success measures i. Documenting once per month ii. Variety of items to measure 1. AluMnation Hits 2. Registrations for monthly alumni e-newsletter and E-Alumni Today 3. Event attendees 4. Emails 5. Phone numbers 6. Alumni Association Members 7. Lost alumni 8. Membership Dues c. Electronic Alumni Today i. Sign up at http://www.uwplatt.edu/alumni/atenewsletter.html
5 ii. Video and Extended Story content d. Noted Upcoming Events i. February 3 Fratello s Tailgate, Oshkosh ii. February 11 Networking Social on Campus iii. March 6 th (moved from Feb. 27) Alumni Pub Crawl iv. March 18 th Green Bay Event v. April 17 Minhas Craft Brewery Tour, Monroe, WI vi. May 15-16 Wilderness Weekend vii. May 21 Sheboygan Golf Outing The Bull viii. June 25 BILSA Golf Outing e. Homecoming will be trying to do Lunch inside in Velzy Commons/ Ullsvik V. Minutes of July 25, 2009 Tamara Lange a. Corrections. None. b. Taylor Weisensal moved to accept. Kedron Wiersgalla second. Motion carried. VI. VII. Treasurer s Report Brian Day a. Income i. Dues down approximately $10,000 so far this year. We are beyond rush period for renewals. ii. Clothing sales down approximately 50%. b. Expenses i. Did not spend entire $25000 for Freshman Scholarships ii. Clothing expense down in conjunction with decreased sales iii. New Student Help Expense Showing c. Questions i. Dues? Trends? 1. Life are actually up compared to previous years 2. EMS is not buying memberships for Graduating Seniors -- $2,000 3. Second mailing did not bring in as much ii. What impact does that mean for budget going forward? 1. Have a good buffer in spendable account, plus money in a CD 2. May have to transfer some spendable at end of year iii. What would the 5-year average of income be? 1. Do not know off hand. 2. Can provide that report at next meeting 3. May also want to look at last 10 years iv. With all things staying the same, we could sustain 10% reduction in income for 10 years without having to change expenses. 1. Would eliminate spendable account. 2. Not contingent upon changes of amounts from endowed monies 3. If we were to have to support salary expenses, this would completely change the budget. d. Cris Proctor moved to accept. Ruth Joyce second. Motion carries. Engineers Without Borders presentation a. Focused on work done in Ghana, West Africa
6 b. What is EWB? What is the UWP EWB Chapter? i. International non profit humanitarian organization founded 2001 ii. 2007 UWP Chapter established 1. Currently working with 6 villages in Ghana 2. Trying to be more interdisciplinary c. Past Work i. 2007 Established and Assessment ii. 2008 Implementation Trip 1. Papase School 2. Nsumia Culvert iii. 2009 Projects 1. 3 Candidates a. Gidi Bridge b. Gidi Toilet c. Nsumia School 2. Chose bridge a. Feasible b. Expense c. Long term benefits 3. Footbridge a. Access to railway station b. Access to school 4. Summary of project a. Civil Engineering Senior design project b. Preparation c. Construction 5. Also donated 600 pounds of books to a school in Chinto, along with calculators 6. Cost a. Projected $9000 b. Over budget about $1000 c. Funding i. EWB national Office Primary ii. Additional funding 1. PACCE 2. CH2MHILL 3. ATC 4. Calendar sales 5. Personal contributions 7. Highlights a. Health and safety report was adopted as national template b. Work done used as examples for other chapters c. National publicist visited group in Ghana d. Ability to implement and assess at same time e. HUGE press coverage in Ghana f. 1 of 3 groups selected for NSF Documentary iv. 2009 Assessment
7 1. Assessed 6 communities in 9 areas 2. Maintain and survey the past years projects a. Culvert allowed for increased business, as a barbershop had been located right next to culvert (new!) b. School grass lawn, gardens were still living v. 2010 Project 1. 3 most Important a. Water project in Chinto for clean, reliable water b. School in Nsumia c. School in Ahiabu 2. UWP Chapter Focus Ahiabu School vi. Questions 1. What impact does this have on you (students)? a. Culture shock of Ghana b. Amazed at impact made w/in a year for the people that the project served 2. Favorite thing? a. Interacting with the children sharing learning language both ways b. Able to see the culture and history of Ghana c. Learning and seeing the real impact of the projects done vii. If you want to buy a calendar uwplattewb@gmail.com or http://uwplatt.edu/org/ewbuwp/ 1. $20 for calendar but is also a raffle 2. Draw 365 times If you win in raffle, get $20 back 3. Can win more than once as your raffle ticket is put back into drawing VIII. IX. Student Ambassador Report Ian McGregor a. Homecoming b. Free Tuition Raffle - $22,700 Profit, Net Profit, just over $15000 c. Have a submission out for award for Tuition Raffle d. ASAP Conference was not attended this year, due to trouble with that organization e. 4 New recruits this year f. Goal for this year Diversity and diversity training Old Business a. Assistant Director position update Tamara/ Dennis i. Approved to begin July 1, 2010, as part of the state budget ii. Staffing the position 1. Review of job description underway 2. Nina Elskamp left a. Will use her line to fill the Assistant Director position b. Will fill open foundation position after July 1 iii. Search and Screen underway - Hope to have a person in by May 1, 2010
8 X. New Business a. Athletic Hall of Fame approval of committee members - Josh i. Members to be approved 1. Robert Bergum 2. Melissa Martinez 3. Lois Peart 4. Bernadette Zwettler 5. Dick Wadewitz 6. Deb Schulman ii. Question 1. This is the first election under term limits 2. 3 year term up to 2 consecutive iii. Brian moved. Betty second. Motion carries. b. E-Alumni Today - Kim i. Sign up via the AluMnation website under Alumni Communication ii. PDF into a online version 1. Extended stories 2. You Tube videos iii. Alumni Today Mailing 1. 5 years or less get a postcard a. If want a hardcopy, can request b. Otherwise, go on and sign up for the E Alumni Today 2. At 6 years, get paper version again 3. Does save a significant portion of money iv. Limited feedback thus far v. Also have sandwich issues one page stories to keep people looking back. vi. Questions 1. Means of moving from the PDF opening up or staying within a web 2. Is there a means of opting out of the paper version? a. Would have to be done separately b. Either email office c. Other options XI. Committee Reports Current goals, tasks and timelines a. Activities Andrew Skwor i. Add 3 new goals 1. Bridging participation gap between Board of Directors and respective chapters 2. Increase nominations for Awards Parent versus Chapter 3. Incorporating more women and minority participation in the activities ii. Ice Cream Social Activity @ Move-In Day 1. Was a successful event 2. May not have entirely met the goal, but was good exposure to the Freshman Class
9 iii. Possibility of having an All-School Alumni Activity 1. Activities committee would volunteer to be a selection committee/ co-chair 2. What the activity will be? a. Golf Outing b. Whistling Straits, etc. c. Really have if be a fundraiser type activity 3. Raise money -- $50,000? 4. What to do with the monies? a. Share with helping committees/ groups b. Create scholarships c. Donate to org/ groups d. Look at Dean s List/ Wants e. Offset professional development costs due to budget constraints b. Awards Ruth Joyce i. Focused more on second goal engagement of award recipients 1. Lifetime Pioneer Award Last 5 years a. Contact @ events b. Touch base to try to engage ii. New form for Outstanding and Distinguished Alums will have updated version at next meeting iii. Review letter that the Lifetime Pioneer Award recipients receive iv. Did have Award Recipient that award was rescinded c. Marketing George Krueger i. Moved to 3 goals ii. Marketing Association to Students and Alumni 1. Will be working w/ George s class for marketing 2. Will be concentrating on various areas and implementation 3. Will have a presentation @ April meeting from the class with a plan iii. Define the role of Alumni Association and relationship with Foundation 1. Remove from these goals 2. Primarily a job of Exec and entire Board iv. Branding the Association 1. Forever. Pioneer. Slogan 2. Continue to work with the Foundation v. Increasing benefits and promotions d. Board Membership Tamara i. 2010 Election 1. Established timeline 2. Follow up with current board members eligible for reelection 3. Determine new candidates 4. Exec Committee Candidates ii. Board Mentee/ Mentor Update 1. Summary of information from other schools
10 a. Responses from 6 of 8 inquired with the other smaller UW schools b. No real programs for Alumni Mentor/ Mentee other than Stevens Point c. SP just started something similar to what we do with orientation and an optional mentor/mentee program 2. Continue to work on this, firming up a general orientation guidelines, along with an optional mentor mentee program that could be used as needed. iii. What to Expect Update 1. Change focus to a What to Expect type of document for potential interested candidates 2. Executive Board will summarize those positions 3. This committee each describe what kind of things have done/ need to do as a Director on the Board a. Duties What sort of responsibilities b. Time Commitments How long does it take you c. What sort of other items have you done? 4. Other needed areas a. Chapter Representative b. Student Ambassadors Representative XII. Chapter Reports a. BILSA Chapter Wendy Stankovich, BILSA Treasurer i. Funding Report 1. $1500 in Checking 2. $6000 in merger account from becoming BILSA 3. Majority income from dues 4. Expenses a. Scholarships b. Operating expenses newsletters, etc. $1200 c. Starting to cover some of the Homecoming expenses 5. Scholarships a. Previously 2 - $500 b. Now 2 for incoming Freshman @ $1000 c. Also 5 @ $400 one for each unit, upper class people 75 credits or more ii. BILSA Golf Outing 1. Now being done by the Chapter Board 2. Money goes to scholarships b. LAE Chapter Matt Zielinski i. Funding Report 1. At this time $640 in checking 2. Primary source of income is dues 3. Additional monies from the luncheon and donations 4. Money goes back to homecoming luncheon and scholarships (4 - $750)
11 ii. Last meeting November 1. Chapter Goals how to make attractive to both current and alum 2. Contacts w/ student organization w/in the chapter, send reps from board to those organizations to make some face to face contact 3. Possibly hosting summer events to have alumni back to UWP 4. Using Southwest Hall as an option for having people back c. EMS Chapter Tammy Salmon-Stephens i. Funding Report 1. See Handout Below is summary 2. Checking approximately $8000 3. Savings a. 3 endowed funds b. Zapata Geode Award c. Frederick and Pauline Heiser Memorial (support scholarships) d. EMS Alumni Chapter Fund (support operational) 4. Primary income sources a. Homecoming Brat and Fish Fry b. Alumni Association Dues c. Supporting Memberships 5. Expenses a. Homecoming b. Geode c. Scholarships and Awards d. Other events Hog Roast (formerly M Ball) e. Other misc. ii. Geode overhaul 1. Theta Tau disbanded and no longer doing Geode 2. Saw as opportunity to overhaul the publication 3. Jim Peek Edited, which made it all the better! Thank you! 4. Will be going out first part of February iii. New Event Continuing - Hog Roast 1. April 17 th @ 5ish 2. Fundamentals of Engineering Exam date 3. Please feel free to join in 4. Some effort to revitalize the Vector Group iv. Nominations for Awards 1. See letter from Tammy Salmon Stephens along with description of awards 2. Please feel free to offer nominations d. Distance Education Chapter Francie Teuscher i. Summary of Activities See handout 1. Board update a. 20 members b. Elected officers 2. Worked with Distance Learning a. Return to Learn Orientation course
12 b. Mentoring opportunities between alumni and current/prospective students c. Input on 5 year plan d. Articles for BLOG e. Technology enhancements for student services 3. Brainstorming a. Reach out to those losing jobs b. Fund raising for distance education c. Follow up with new graduates d. Messages for new Chancellor and Provost e. Use of Chapter Dues money ii. Finances 1. Fairly new chapter at this time 2. Have about $300 in Chapter Dues monies 3. Primary source of income at this time is Alumni Association Dues 4. Have had some discussions regarding additional means of raising money XIII. Good of the Order a. President s Comments/Wrap-Up b. Upcoming Meeting Dates i. April 24 ii. Retreat July 16-17 1. Coincide w/ Volunteer and Donor dinner 2. Heartland Festival performance @ 3 pm 3. Dinner following XIV. Adjourn Betty Loeffelholz moved. Taylor Weisensel second. Motion Carries.