Alumni Council Executive Committee Meeting Minutes, October 11, 2003

Welcome—Alex Wilson ’73

After council members were served lunch, Alumni Council Chair Alex Wilson '73 called the meeting to order at 12:30 p.m. by welcoming everyone to the general meeting. For those who had attended the C Club dinner the previous evening and were concerned, Alex gave a brief update on the condition of John Joseph, who was taken to the hospital at the dinner. He was reported to be okay and expected to be released from the hospital shortly.

Alex then asked for a motion to accept the Alumni Council general meeting minutes from June 7, 2003, as previously mailed to councilors. Motion to accept was given by Art Brennan '68 and seconded by Kirk Paul '79; minutes were approved unanimously. Alex then asked for reports from committee chairs.

Committee Reports/Updates

Admissions and Financial Aid—Linda Mitchell Potter ’66
Linda reported that her committee heard from Senior Associate Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Judy Brody and new Associate Director of Admissions and Multicultural Enrollment Denise Walden. Denise talked about some recent multicultural admissions receptions held in Chicago and Lewiston, Maine, where there is a relatively large multicultural community. They are trying to involve current students in these types of events. Admissions staff are also traveling the country to do on-site interviews these days for those prospective students who are unable to get to campus, and Colby feels we will get them to campus later in the process, before they make their final decisions. The committee will help sponsor a legacy event at Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C., coordinated by Joshua Wolman '91. Linda invited all Alumni Council members to attend as well. Admissions inquiries are up this year. Now they need to convert them to applications. They plan to hold a similar legacy event in Fairfield County in the spring of '04 and in the Boston area in the fall of '04. At the January meeting the Admissions Committee will be re-educated on how the entire admissions process works, including reviewing actual (but anonymous) admissions files.

Alumni Fund—Todd W. Halloran ’84
Lee Potter '67 gave the report for Todd Halloran, who had to leave early. Lee reported that despite the economy last year, the Alumni Fund ended the fiscal year at $3.3 million. This was slightly short of the dollar goal, but was up 1.5 percent from the previous year, and the participation goal of 51 percent was met. This year's goal is $3.5 million (a 4.75 percent increase) and 51.5 percent participation. We have approximately 10,000 donors last year and will need 345 more this year to meet those goals. The Alumni Fund Committee is co-hosting a volunteer thank-you event at the Dedham Country Club in Dedham, Mass., on Nov. 1. Trustee Dick Schmaltz '62 will be a guest speaker, and the Colbyettes will perform. All class agents and Alumni Council Executive Committee members are invited. This is predominantly a thank-you social and networking event, and depending on its success, future versions may include a training module for new class agents.

Athletics—Art Brennan ’68
Art reported that the previous evening was the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of C Club Colby Night Dinner. There were about 280 people in attendance, and in honor of the occasion the Alfond and Levine families were recognized as the Family of the Century. Earl Smith did a brief history of Colby athletics, and the group also honored current student athletes—twin skiers Abigail and Jennifer Lathrop '06, Division I All-Americans, and National Division III championship women's Crew. The Athletic Committee and C Club will continue their centennial year celebrations with an event on February 28, 2004, in Burlington, Mass. At that event President Adams will address "Re-claiming the Game" and the value of athletics at Division III schools today.

Awards—Byrd Allen ’75
Byrd reported that his committee had a very productive meeting, but the results must be confidential until the January meeting.

Financial Affairs—Peter Merrill ’57
Peter reported that his committee had heard from Arnie Yasinski, vice president of administration, and Doug Terp, associate vice president of administration, who discussed what drives the operating expenses of the College and what determines the budget by looking at a comparison of 1986 to 2003. Peter came away very impressed with how the College has maintained a tight ship over the years. While the overall annual growth rate over the 24 years has averaged 8 percent, many expense areas have risen dramatically more than that during that time. Revenues have gone from $8 million (in 1986) to $14 million in 2003. Athletics has had a 9.3 percent increase over that period, partially due to Title IX, and the per student expense has gone up considerably. Information Technology has had a 16 percent or more growth rate during that period. Compensation is currently 46 percent of the budget, and the expense comes mostly from faculty salaries and benefits. As part of the strategic plan only 10 new positions campus-wide have been approved over the next 10 years. Any other new positions will have to be the result of reallocation or elimination of other positions.

Student Affairs/Academic Affairs—Susan Maxwell Riesert ’86
Susan indicated the combined committees had heard from Cindy Parker, director of career services. The most important thing stressed was that career services is considered part of the educational mission of the College, and is NOT a placement office. Susan indicated that they also heard similar updates that were reported earlier by Frank Finizio for the Career Services Committee, so she did not go into detail at this time. Susan also invited everyone to attend the Protestant service, at which she would be participating, in Lorimer Chapel on Sunday as a good way to end the Family Homecoming Weekend.

Nominating—Barry Potter ’60
Barry indicated his committee had several new committee members that needed a brief orientation that morning. They then discussed the candidates for the alumni trustee vacancy for the term to begin at commencement '04. Barry indicated he needed the Alumni Council Executive Committee to stay for a few minutes after the general meeting for formal approval of the candidate so that President Adams could approach him prior to the January meeting. At that time the nominee's name would be made public.