Alumni Council Executive Committee Meeting Minutes, October 19, 1996

Welcome—Ronald W. Lupton ’71

Alumni Council Chair Ronald Lupton opened the meeting at 12:16 p.m.

He noted that two committees didn't meet earlier that day, including Career Services, which is working on building the committee and a mission statement.

The Clubs Committee also didn't meet, because it is actually doing a committee report as the Alumni Council Task Force on Clubs. The task force is addressing all aspects of the clubs program, including working to provide meaningful volunteer activities for club leaders and a uniform structure for clubs. They will have a report at the January meetings.

Committee Reports/Updates

Alumni Fund—John Devine ’78
J. Devine shared great news with the council—a great tribute to the many volunteers—that the goal last year of $2.145 million was the largest Alumni Fund ever, up from $1.9 million the previous year. Also commendable is the increase in the participation rate, up to 7616 donors for a 44 percent participation rate. It's especially noteworthy because of the participation challenge that was met, which added an incremental gift of $105,000 to the fund this past year. More challenges are still ahead: 46.5 percent participation for this year and a 6 percent increase to $2.275 million.

Student Affairs—Jane Powers ’86
Associate Dean of Students and Director of Student Activities Ben Jorgensen '92 led a discussion of student clubs at Colby. The committee met in the Pugh Center, a very impressive facility. T. Hill reported that Colby has 70 clubs in all, including 12 academic, 12 outdoor/sport, 3 political, 15 music performing, and 9 ethnic/lifestyle groups. The students submit budgets to the student association to fund their programs.

The faculty-in-residence program will be topic at the January meeting.

Communications—Valerie Miller ’84
The committee had a good discussion at their meeting earlier in the month. The committee is prepared to provide support to the class representatives of the council, and each class president will be asked to play a more active role in having good participation at council meetings and reinforcing the responsibilities. The committee will follow up with councilors regarding their letters and attendance at the January council meeting. Ongoing, the committee works very closely with Sally Baker and her Communications Department, exploring ways to enhance College communications.

Athletics—Arthur Brennan ’68
A. Brennan encouraged everyone to attend the various athletic contests during Homecoming. He reported a terrific night in honor of Sid Farr '55 as the C Club Man of the Year the previous evening. On November 9 a reception will be held in recognition of Dick McGee when he completes his coaching career at Colby. The C Club spring event is being planned, when the Carl Nelson Sports Achievement Award will be given, probably during the first week of May in Portland.

Awards—David White ’75
The Executive Committee commended to the awards committee a new award for a faculty member for service to the alumni body. D. White reported that the awards committee confirmed this new award. The committee selected recipients for the alumni awards to be presented at reunion 1997. Those selected will be contacted first, and then the names will be announced. Nominations for awards are always welcome, please.

Admissions—Lou McGinity '67
The Admissions Committee reviewed data from this year's class. L. McGinity noted that the class is very impressive, and the students seem to have changed a lot since she applied! She noted that the College is on the upswing in attracting ALANA students to attend. One service the committee provides to the College is that members greet admissions candidates at the Portland airport to welcome them. The committee also plans to sponsor two legacy events this year in Boston and New York, probably in May. The focus of the program is to "demystify the applications process."

Nominating—Susan Jacobson Nester ’88
S. Nester placed in nomination three alumni to fill vacant positions in the class representative position: Allison Guth '94, Robin Ottaway '95, and Rachel Kleinman '96. Each was moved, seconded, and passed. S. Nester then nominated for a three-year (July 1, 1996-June 30, 1999) member-at-large term Peter Merrill '57. Moved, seconded, passed. The committee also selected nominees for alumni trustee positions for terms to begin June 1996. They will be contacted to affirm their willingness to accept the nomination.

Alumni on Campus—Margaret Viens ’77
The committee urged people to complete questionnaires that were included in their Homecoming materials. During their meeting, they discussed how to make the visit of an occasional visitor to campus more interesting, accessible, enjoyable, and informative. They want to let people know what facilities are available to the occasional visitor. The committee also looked at Millett Alumni House as a facility, noting that the kitchen is the area in most need of upgrading, but it would be an expensive project.

Financial Affairs—Jay Whitman ’59
J. Whitman reported that the College employs 430 staff and 190 faculty (about one employee for every 3 students), and one of the major expenditure items for the College is salaries for faculty and staff. Within the cost structure of staff salaries, there are many different components. The College experienced an improvement in the costs of workers compensation from $408,000 down to $178,000, thanks to better management of workers compensation claims. The College is paying close attention to costs and keeping them under control.  

Academic Affairs—Tim Hill '65
The committee toured the F. W. Olin Science Center, and T. Hill urged everyone to visit the building. He noted that it is a very impressive, special building that is the envy of our peers. The committee learned about the new spaces and how technology affects academics and the campus.