Laura Fenley John Belken Lori Grady, 1985, Mathematics

Mike Jansen Mike Dailey Dan Kaul, 1978, Mathematics

Dave Kaul Jeff Kronser Stephanie Skowronski, Theta Tau

Tammy Salmon Tim Marko Diana Trendt, Assistant Alumni Director

Robert Schmitt

John Wandschneider

1. Call to Order

President Kaul called the meeting to order at 10:09 AM.

2. Introductions

Members and guests introduced themselves.

3. Filling of vacancy for Steve Meyer.

Past President Jansen motioned for approval of Dan Kaul to fulfill vacancy. Motion passed. Director Dan Kaul’s term will expire October 2000.

4. Report for M-Ball and Geode from Theta Tau.

Stephanie Skowronski, a member of Theta Tau reported:

• The Geode is scheduled to be distributed in May 2000. Currently, the articles are together and at the printers.
• Board determined that there was not an article submitted to the Geode to report on the Supporting Memberships. It is important to make sure there is a designated amount of space for a Supporting Membership article and updates from the board.
• Geode is distributed to all EMS alumni association members through the mail. Additional copies are available for students in the lobby of Ottensman.
• The board briefly discussed having corporate sponsors to support the Geode.
• Forty members are returning for M-Ball and banquet today. There is an Island theme.

• The board recommended that Theta Tau member, Stephanie Skowronski have the alumni board placed on the mailing list for article submissions.

Secretary, Tammy Salmon.

• A new web page for the EMS Alumni Board has been developed. The following items are included on the page; past minutes, Board of Directors list, Constitution, and Committee Structure. If other members would like to include additional items on the web page, please submit them to Secretary Salmon.

• Secretary Salmon will inquire about linking the new EMS Alumni Board web page to the University Alumni web page and vice versa.
• Once the Calendar for members is created for the Fall Newsletter, Secretary Salmon will need a copy on disk so that it can be placed on the EMS alumni website.

Treasurer, John Wandschneider.

• The budget sheets for September 01, 1999 through June 03, 2000 were presented. Budget line items were eliminated at the previous meeting. Money was allocated to the photographs, awards and scholarships from the $1500 excess due to the Supporting Membership Program.
• Board determined that all Geode expenses are paid, even from past issues.

• Treasurer Wandschneider questioned the Geode allocation. $1500 was reserved, but only $1,192 was used. Wandschneider will check into this allocation.
• Interest from Life membership investment report has not been received. Typically this is received the first quarter of the year.

Alumni Office, Assistant Alumni Director, Diana Trendt.

• The Chancellors letters and report to alumni board of directors was distributed and presented by Assistant Alumni Director, Diana Trendt
• The Alumni dues program has seen an increase. This may be attributed to senior salute for graduating seniors that serves as a one stop-shopping program for all of the necessary items for graduates. Seniors may sign up for alumni membership at this time for $10.
• New Pledge Maker software has been implemented for the alumni association budgeting process. This software serves as the main database for the alumni office. Alumni reports, mailing labels, and email addresses may be produced from this database.
• A Community Day program is scheduled for next week in Darlington. Several different initiatives will take place. Examples include admitted students social, educators breakfast for UWP education faculty, a presentation at the Kiwanis meeting, and a vocal performance. UW-Platteville displays are also located in the Darlington Community. Another community will be visited in Fall 2000 and then another in Spring 2001.
• Alumni connection groups are being established. The alumni association is currently revitalizing the Dane County connection group. Looking at starting up connection group in the Fox Valley area.
• Social activities to happen this year include: Sigma Pi Reunion, Social for basketball team, WI state fair booth.
• New reunion for All-Greeks is scheduled for September 29-30, 2000. Volunteers will be needed to help with this reunion.
• Homecoming is September 30, 2000.
• Ground breaking for new student center scheduled for June 2000.

Faculty Liaison/Dean, Faculty Liaison Robert Schmitt for Dean, Richard Shultz.

• Members of the college have made visits to Germany and Ireland to explore student exchanges.

• The college continues to facilitate reception visits for admitted students. Alumni play a key role in this program.
• The Board of Regents are making a visit to UW-Platteville. A presentation on engineering will be presented.
• The Women in Engineering, Mathematics, and Science Program Advisory Board has been developed. Two meetings have taken place this year.
• The Women in Engineering Program recently received two sizable donations. Alliant-Energy donated $10,000 and Wisconsin Power and Electric also donated $10,000. This money is allocated toward the development of the women in engineering mentor center in Ottensman Hall.
• The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology visit will happen this Fall. The college is prepared.
• The Board of Regents approved a Master of Engineering Program via the web.
• The enrollment in the college is close to 1700 students. This is an all time high.
• ASCE benchmark open is September 15, 2000.
• Motion to accept all reports and minutes from previous meeting, as submitted, made by Past President Jansen. Motion seconded by Treasurer Wandschneider. Motion passed.

• Annual Alumni Fish Fry Location. Director Kronser and Liaison Schmitt evaluated the alternatives for the location of the fish fry. The reservation has been made at the Governor Dodge Convention Center in Platteville. The Convention Center can accommodate up to 400 people. The expense to rent the room, which includes an audio system, is $125. The food expense quote is $11.50 per plate, plus gratuity ($13.25-$13.80). Last year, the fee for the dinner was $12 and approximately 128 people attended. Director Kronser, via email, recommended $15-16/plate. Attendance this year will probably increase.

• Secretary Salmon motioned to maintain the reservation of the Annual EMS Alumni Fish Fry at Governor Dodge Convention Center in Platteville. Motion seconded by Past President Jansen. Motion approved.
• Secretary Salmon motioned to set the dinner fee at $15.00 for the Annual EMS Alumni Fish Fry. Director, Dan Kaul seconded the motion. Motion passed.
• Annual Alumni Brat Fry. Liaison Schmitt reviewed that the price is $3 for two brats and $2 for one. Board members agreed to the price.

New initiatives/follow-up items:

• Ms. Lori Grady, EMS alumni Chapter member agreed to help with brat fry on September 30, 2000 in absence of Liaison Schmitt. Liaison Schmitt will take care of the setup items prior to the event
• Liaison Schmitt will be unavailable to MC at the Annual EMS Alumni Fish Fry this fall. Secretary Salmon agreed to fill in for Liaison Schmitt.
• Board agreed to provide an alumnus the option to sponsor a graduating senior at the Fish Fry. Liaison Schmitt will include this option in the invitations to the Fish Fry. We should also provide the option for the alumnus to name the senior they would like to sponsor.

• The board discussed updating the Fish Fry activities so that it is more appealing to the graduating seniors. Past President Jansen will send out an email to the membership looking for contributes to a multi-media presentation. This presentation will highlight a specific memory an alumnus has had, will highlight the current programs in engineering, and other ideas that may add a spark to the evening. We should look to see if there is a group of senior students or professional society who would like to help develop this presentation.
• The board discussed the tradition of passing the microphone. The activity is not really received well by students; however, some students enjoy hearing about stories from the past. For the next Fish Fry, the board will organize having three-four different microphones spread around the room so that participants have the option to use the microphone.
• Liaison Schmitt will finalize the contract with Governor Dodge and will coordinate the audio needs.
• A goal for all board members is to find at least two more members to participate in the Fish Fry. These new active participants could also be candidates for other committees on the board.
• Another supporting members display board with company logos is needed. Would like to be able to use the logos in the Geode. Assistant Alumni Director, Diana Trent will make a letter of request for the supporting membership companies to provide their logo and some type of a promotional item to be used as a door prize. This inquiry can be included in the invitations to the Fish Fry.
• Board discussed purchasing a display board to give recognition to the supporting members.
• Secretary Salmon motioned to authorize up to $500 for the purchase of a display board. Motion seconded by First-Vice President Fenley. Motion passed.
• First Vice-President Fenley will coordinate with Director Kronser to organize obtaining tickets for door prizes, extra tables, etc.

Nominating Committee.

• Nominating committee assignments were adjusted. Items 3, 4, and 5 are assigned to the Honors and Awards Committee. See the revised committee assignments attached to these minutes.
• Director Dan Kaul is the Chair of the Nominating Committee.
• Three positions will need to be filled: Secretary Salmon, Director Kronser, and Director Dan Kaul. Ms. Lori Grady expressed an interest in filling a position on the board in the Fall. Secretary Salmon and Director Dan Kaul also expressed an interest in staying on the board.

New initiatives/follow-up items:

• President Kaul will inquire with Director Kronser about his intentions regarding his appointment to the board.

• Chapter Award Proposal. Assistant Alumni Director, Diana Trendt presented a proposal for additional alumni awards. Attached to the minutes is a copy of this proposal. The board discussed the marketing of these awards as well as current awards. For example, we may consider advertising these awards in the GEODE. The organization of such a program should be between the months of April and August, with a submission deadline of June 15.
• After some discussion about the many current initiatives with the alumni board, Secretary Salmon motioned to table the proposed chapter awards until the Fall meeting. First Vice-President Fenley seconded motion. Motion passed.
• Photographs in Ottensman Hall. Secretary Salmon presented a study on the status of the current photographs in Ottensman Hall, where there may be additional space for more photographs, and selection criteria for this honor. This study and proposal are attached to these minutes.

• Secretary Salmon motioned that the six photographs located in Gardner Hall in the Mathematics Department be moved to the west hallway (going north and south) in Ottensman Hall. Past President Jansen seconded the motion. Motion approved. Salmon will coordinate this with the Dean’s Office.
• Past President Jansen motioned to adopt the selection criteria as stated in the proposal. Director Dan Kaul seconded the motion. Motion approved.
• Past President Jansen motioned to accept the nomination for Mr. Norm Powers to be included in the photographs in Ottensman Hall. Motion seconded by Director Dan Kaul. Motion Carried. Secretary Salmon will work with the Honors and Awards Committee Chair, First Vice-President Fenley to coordinate this award.
• Director Dan Kaul motioned to table remaining nominations for future photos. Motion seconded by Secretary Salmon. Motion passed.
• Secretary Salmon will inquire with faculty departments with regard to financial assistance in fulfilling current nominations. Board members will make the decision as to who receives this honor.
• Motion to purchase Dean’s plaque and to implement the Dean’s Recognition program was made by Director Dan Kaul. Motion seconded by Past President Jansen. Motion carried. The EMS Dean Recognition proposal is attached to these minutes.

• Senior Design Competition. Secretary Salmon proposed the EMS Alumni Board provide support to a new senior design competition being created by the College of EMS Order of Engineer Committee. Financial support may be an option, however, the board would need to assess budget constraints. Board also discussed the option of purchasing alumni memberships. Assistant Alumni Director Diana Trendt mentioned the fees: cost for one year is $25, at Senior Salute for $10, cost for three years is $65, and cost for lifetime is $400.
• Motion to table this idea and to have the Honors and Awards Committee address this issue in the fall made by Secretary Salmon. Motion seconded by Past President Jansen. Motion approved.
• Other Special Recognitions. President Kaul inquired about the scholarships given to continuing students. The College of EMS has a large number of scholarships that are awarded at an annual Scholarship Reception each fall.
• The Geode does offer three different scholarships and the EMS Alumni Chapter awards two, $400 scholarships at the Annual Fish Fry. The winners of these scholarships are invited to the Fish Fry via a letter from Liaison Schmitt.

• Liaison Schmitt will provide an update at next meeting about the selection process for these scholarships. Students who receive these awards must be present at the Fish Fry in order to receive the award. This should be mentioned in their congratulatory letter.

Membership Committee.

• The board discussed utilizing the supporting members to help out with reception visits for admitted students.
• The board discussed the idea of mentoring for college of EMS students. What can the board due to assist in this idea?
• The board also discussed the idea of utilizing entertainment books as a fundraiser. This is an idea to pursue in the future.

• The board discussed possibly increasing the benefits of being a member of the UWP alumni association. Director Dan Kaul presented the benefits that WSPE offers to members. For example, auto insurance, free car rentals, etc. Other ideas include, lifetime email account with the university, and cost of cellular phone reduced. If you have an idea on new membership benefit ideas, email the idea to Past President Jansen.
• Secretary Salmon will look at getting the Supporting Members listed on the College of EMS Alumni Board web page. Should also pursue links to their companies.

1. Fall Newsletter

• The board would like to initiate a Fall Newsletter with the Fish Fry invitation. The newsletter may contain the following items: a listing of board members, list of supporting members, update on the college from the Dean, spotlight on a faculty member, calendar of events. Committee chairs are to submit articles for the newsletter to Liaison Schmitt. A listing of committee chairs is attached to these minutes and available on the website.
• Board should also consider submitting articles for the University Alumni newsletter. President Kaul will check into this idea.

1. Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 3:00 PM by President Kaul.