Alumni Council Executive Committee Meeting Minutes, June 10, 1995
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Welcome—Ronald W. Lupton ’71 The General Alumni Council Meeting began with opening remarks by Chair of the Alumni Council Albert F. Carville Jr. '63. Mr. Carville welcomed alumni and introduced committee chairs for brief business reports. Committee Reports/Updates Athletics—William Marvin ’65 William Marvin '65 reviewed some of the year's athletic events, including the May C Club dinner. At this dinner the Carl Nelson Sports Achievement Award was given to John Simpson, former athletic director at Colby. About 100 people attended the dinner, and everyone had a heartwarming experience honoring a wonderful man. Also attending the dinner were the student athlete award recipients and their coaches. Mr. Marvin noted the phenomenal accomplishments of the athletes in attendance and how proud he is that they are associated with Colby. He also noted that the more involved students are in college, the more successful they are later in life. Captains of each sport received a Pendleton blanket. The C Club contributed $2,000 to the cost of the blankets. Mr. Marvin reminded everyone of the C Club dinner on Friday, October 13, during Homecoming weekend. This dinner will honor the C Club person of the year. Last year's recipient was Jimmy Hayes, who received the award posthumously. Mr. Marvin mentioned that it has been a very fine year for recruiting student-athletes, particularly in hockey and football. He specifically noted that hockey coach Scott Borek and football coach Tom Austin are doing a marvelous job. He closed by saying all the athletic programs are doing very well and he is looking forward to great seasons coming up. Mr. Carville presented Mr. Marvin with a gift as a token of the council's appreciation for his work over the past five years. Taking Mr. Marvin's place as chair of the athletics committee is Arthur Brennan '68. Admissions—Solomon Hartman ’67 Solomon Hartman, chair of the Admissions Committee, reported that there are two issues the committee has been working on, specifically: legacy applicants and increasing the number of students of color at Colby. He reported that there will be 47 students of color in the class of 1999. Regarding legacy, he is hoping a better job will be done red-flagging applicants who are children of alumni. In addition, the committee hopes an extra effort will be made to make them feel especially warm and welcome. He also hopes an effective method will be reached to call on students of color and increase the pool of quality students of color applying to Colby. Possibilities include increasing the pool by mentoring through local churches and schools. Mr. Carville presented Mr. Hartman with a gift as a token of the Council's appreciation for his work over the past five years on the committee. Career Services—Carol Sly ’80 Outgoing Career Services Committee Chair Carol Sly '80 and incoming Chair Leslie Mitchell '80 were both present for the Career Services Committee report. Ms. Mitchell headed the day's meeting, and she reported for the committee as well. She began by thanking Ms. Sly for five years of work on the Career Services Committee. She mentioned the career services retreat (which focused on ways to reach out to underclassmen). Now a database is on line at Colby to help underclassmen find out what is available to them. There will be two alumni panels this fall, one on consulting services and the other on education. A career night is planned for New York in August, with Boston and Washington, D.C., career nights to follow. She noted the importance of getting alumni to participate in career nights and welcomed volunteers. Finally, she mentioned that if any alumni would like to get involved, to contact the Office of Career Services. Ms. Mitchell shared some Class of 1995 statistics. 77 percent of the Class of 1995 responded:
Alumni on Campus—Judy Orne Shorey ’55 Judy Orne Shorey, chair of the Alumni on Campus Committee, reported that new furniture had been ordered, and other pieces of furniture are being reupholstered. She also reported that a new boiler will be installed in the house. She invited everyone to stop in at Millett Alumni House over Reunion Weekend. She closed by saying she enjoyed being a part of the committee and the council over the past five years. Mr. Carville presented Ms. Shorey with a gift as a token of the council's appreciation for her work over the past five years on the committee. Clubs—Tom Dailey ’80 Tom Dailey, co-chair of the Clubs Committee, reported that the Clubs Committee was going through a transition and that Cynnie Auman '80 would be stepping down after many years of hard work. He further noted the great job Ms. Auman has done on the committee. Mr. Dailey reported that he will chair a task force to look at and re-evaluate the clubs. Replacing Ms. Auman and Mr. Dailey as clubs committee chairs will be Diana Herrmann '80. He went on to say the clubs have been doing a super job and he's hoping that they will improve. He noted that the number and diversity of events has been really impressive. Mr. Dailey mentioned a southern Maine club event at the Shipyard Brewery that was successful this past spring. He said it was important to step outside of the box a bit and get new people involved. Mr. Carville explained that the task force on clubs will take a look at where Colby alumni are and concentrate on clubs from Bangor, Maine, to Washington, D.C. He'll also be looking at succession planning to effect successful transitions of leadership responsibility. In addition, the task force will evaluate structure and events. This committee will finish work in one year. Mr. Carville presented Mr. Dailey with a gift as a token of the council's appreciation for his work over the past five years on the committee. Mr. Carville particularly noted the extraordinary number of dynamic leaders in the Class of 1980. Nominating—Susan Jacobson Nester ’88 Mr. Carville then introduced Susan Jacobson Nestor, chair of the Nominating Committee. Ms. Nestor placed in nomination for reelection to the council Jane Powers '86 and Diana Herrmann '80. Anne Hussey '80 was nominated for a first term. The nominations were seconded and passed. Ms. Nester noted there are open positions for alumni trustees—two 3-year positions and one 2-year position. The committee will be reviewing candidates for those positions at the fall meeting. Mr. Carville then took a moment to recognize Doug Hatfield '58. He commended Mr. Hatfield for his fine work, dedication, and many years of service to the Alumni Council. Awards—Tom LaVigne ’58 Tom LaVigne, chair of the Awards Committee, was introduced. Mr. LaVigne was pleased to report that of 16 members on the Awards Committee, 11 were present for the June 10, 1995, meeting. He added that the work is difficult due to the high number of outstanding people at Colby. The final selection will be made at the Awards Committee meeting during homecoming weekend for the following awards: Outstanding Educator, the Ernest C. Marriner Distinguished Service Award, the Distinguished Alumnus/a Award, and the Colby Brick Award. He thanked his committee for their hard work. Mr. Carville presented Mr. LaVigne with a gift as a token of the council's appreciation for his work over the past five years on the committee. He reported that the new chair of the Awards Committee will be David White '75. Alumni Fund—John Devine ’78 Ron Lupton presented the Alumni Fund report for John Devine, who was unable to attend. Mr. Lupton reported good news and bad news. He reported that the desired increase of 14 percent in the Alumni Fund to make a $2-million goal was short and needed an additional 6 percent increase. He noted increased participation and hopes it will continue to increase. He also reported an excellent year for Senior Pledge. More than 70 percent of the senior class pledged this year. He said that the purpose of Senior Pledge is not necessarily for dollars but to get students to begin giving to the College regularly. He introduced Nina Tilander as the new director of annual giving. Mr. Carville then announced Mr. Lupton as the new vice chair of the Alumni Council. He also took a moment to mention the hard work of Susan Cook '75, director of alumni relations, and presented her with a gift in appreciation for all she has done. Mr. Lupton took a moment to acknowledge the hard work of Al Carville over the past five years. Mr. Carville was invited to sit in his gift of appreciation, a Colby chair. Mr. Lupton cited Mr. Carville and Mr. Hatfield, with the help and support of President Cotter and Chair of the Board of Trustees Larry Pugh '56, for their successful work in development, the campaign, the education committee, and student affairs. He went on to say that the alumni body played a much greater role than ever thanks to Al Carville, noting he began a process to get a greater flow of information to the alumni, giving alumni a real voice. Through Mr. Carville's work, more and more information about faculty and administration reaches the alumni body effectively. He thanked Mr. Carville again for his hard work. Mr. Carville then spoke, thanking the three forces behind it all: President Cotter, Chair of the Board Larry Pugh, and the alumni. Communications—Libby Corydon-Apicella ’74 Libby Corydon-Apicella reported the Communications Task Force solicited alumni feedback, working with committees of the College and promoting the work of the alumni. The second part of her report focused on creating a vehicle for information to go back and forth—perhaps through the use of bounce-back cards. She noted that the New York City alumni are very enthusiastic about getting involved, and she encouraged everyone to get involved. Report From President Cotter Mr. Carville then introduced President Cotter. President Cotter welcomed and thanked the alumni committee chairs for their volunteer efforts. He reported that applications for admission have increased 46 percent in the last 2 years from 2,800 to over 4,200. SATs for enrolling students are up from 1180 to 1220. He noted that the College is over-enrolled for the fall. President Cotter reviewed Colby charges for next year, up 4.8 percent to $26,640. This is the lowest increase in 20 years. Colby has been below median increases for other institutions for the last two years. He noted high efficiency in administrative costs at Colby and an emphasis on faculty and students. He reported that Federal Government contributions are less and less important. In 1979 the Federal Government gave 5 percent of our total budget, this year only 2 percent. There is virtually no funding from the state. He noted that the total College budget for next year will be $60,000,000, with an economic impact on Waterville of $150,000,000. President Cotter noted that Colby is one of the leaders in computers, extending the system to all dorms by 1996. He reported the annual giving and development hit records, noting specifically the Senior Gift, which enjoyed more than 70 percent participation. He noted that the computer conversion has hurt participation this year and urged alumni to help put the fund over the top by the end of June. President Cotter mentioned the Wall Street Journal article regarding Colby's tampering with statistics reported to college guide books. He made copies of the article and his response available. He also noted four presidential letters in Colby magazine responding to alumni questions. The latest letter is on tenure; earlier ones were on the cost of the Colby education, political correctness, and Colby's endowment. Future letters or annual reports will be on diversity and the relevance of liberal arts for graduate school and the world of work. President Cotter then reported on future challenges, noting the success of the capital campaign, sustaining the core of the College, the faculty; student quality; physical plant and the completion of the F. W. Olin Science Center, the Paul J. Schupf Wing for the Works of Alex Katz, and the Pugh Center; intellectual life on campus; Colby's small endowment; technology and sharing resources with Bates and Bowdoin; the advising system and faculty communication; and campus beauty. |