Union College

Semester vs. Trimester system

Stock market imploded affecting College budget

Graduate Center at Union University

U-Start (Union's business incubator)

Questions from Council members centered on labor relations, property acquisitions, campus construction and the campaign. Oshins stated the Alumni Council will take an active role in the campaign. Research is currently being done on a possible project - the goal to raise $125K to dedicate the dining room in Abbe Hall may be an option.

Admissions Report

Ann Fleming Brown, Associate Dean of Admissions, opened her remarks by thanking all admissions volunteers. Brown stated that the incoming Class of 2008 will have 559 students.
Brown stated the Admissions Statistics for Class of 2008 as follows:

Record applications 4,100, 43% admitted

Median SAT 1,250

18% students of color.

Brown informed the Alumni Council that Kelly Herrington, Associate dean of Admissions, and member of the Class of 1996, received a National honor - college admission award. Brown next discussed the Ramada Inn Project and the fact that the project was mentioned in the Chronicle of Higher Education and that Union had a full page advertisement in the U.S. News and World Report Magazine.

Brown concluded her Admissions Report with a summary of Union's strengths and weaknesses from an admission standpoint. Union's chief weakness is its Schenectady location. Union's strengths include $19 million in scholarships and the fact that Union has been able to offer merit based Financial Aid for the last three years.

Annual Fund Report

John Moses`53, National Chairperson, stated he had good news regarding the status of the Annual Fund.

Moses reported that donations by individuals and corporations are down 3%, but that giving by Union alumni is up 7% from last year for a total giving amount increase of $170,000.

Moses further reported that 20% of Annual Fund comes from students, parents and friends.

The Alumni Council's average gift is more than 24% of the usual gift of non-Alumni Council members. Seventy-seven percent of the Alumni Council gave to the Annual Fund last year.

Moses also reported that the Annual Fund is now the 'Union Fund' - The name was changed to get rid of annual constraint, and to give continuity to alumni giving.

A discussion ensued regarding percentage of Alumni Council members giving to college. Consensus of Council was that all members of the Council should be expected to give some amount to increase Alumni Council participation to 100%. Oshins stated that the mission of Alumni Council Executive Board and Alumni Council is to have 100% giving by members of the Alumni Council.

College Relations Report

Tom Gutenberger, Vice President of College relations, opened his remarks by thanking everyone for their commitment and loyalty to Union. Gutenberger highlighted the fundraising year which included:

Shaffer Foundation endowed a Chair to be filled by Professor Berk.

Frank Messa`73 donated funds to renovate the hockey rink.

David Viniar`76 donated funds for Viniar basketball pavilion.

Gutenberger reported that the College wants to upgrade Arts and Music facilities and programs, and is looking for funds to reach this goal.

Gutenberger next highlighted the results from the alumni survey. Over 20% of alumni participated. The results of the survey were as follows:

9/10 are proud to say they went to union.

8/10 would recommend Union to others

66% of non-Greeks enjoyed the social experience.

Alumni services - what Alumni want;

(1) Online community
(2) On campus programming - enhance Homecoming and Reunion activities.
(3) Increase number of cultural events
(4) Regional Alumni clubs - increase in number of clubs

Gutenberger then reported on miscellaneous College Relations projects. He mentioned that College Relations created a new publication called Accolades - highlights volunteers and donors. Also exploring the possibility of a Greek Advisory Council.

Oshins thanked Nick Famulare, Director of Alumni Relations and Tom Gutenberger for their work and success in promoting the College. Oshins stated that the mission of the Alumni Council Executive Board is to increase money and activities and to grow budget.

Oshins also mentioned the Alumni Council and Union would start a wine affinity program which will be rolled out in the spring.

Treasurer's Report

Treasurer of the Council, Mike Newell '74, presented the Income and Balance Sheet financial statement for the 2003-2004 budgets. Newell pointed out the investment in alumni club and young alumni development.

Guest Speaker

Oshins then introduced guest speaker Professor William Thomas, Director of International Programs. Thomas gave overview of programs.

Partnership for Global Education - program with Hobart & William Smith to establish mini terms that would be 3 week independent study abroad programs. Thomas then discussed an overview of the application process, He could not comment on how programs would be affected if Union goes to semester system.

Thomas then reported that the Africa program with Kenya has been suspended due to political unrest. Thomas described the Marine Biology program and mentioned that the St. Andrews program had also been canceled.

New Business

Oshins thanked and introduced Alumni Council Executive Board. Oshins then proposed amendments to bylaws and gave a history of discussions and proposals to streamline council.

Oshins asked for questions from floor regarding role of committees.

Oshins reported that the number of committees was cut in half by revision of bylaws. Oshins' hope is that the few working committees will meet and generate feedback, ideas.

Oshins received a question from the floor regarding the participation of Alumni Council members in annual giving and what is the Executive Board doing about increased participation?

Oshins explained the streamlining of Council membership.

There was then a motion from the floor to have the Alumni Council study participation and report on affects how to increase participation in annual giving. The motion was accepted and voted on and approved by members of the Council.

Motion to approve bylaws was made, and seconded, and the bylaws were approved by the Alumni Council.

Chair of Board of Trustees Welcome

Steve Ciesinski`70, Chairman of the Board of Trustees welcomed all Council members back for Homecoming weekend. He provided a brief report from the recent meeting of the Trustees. He also commented on the financial challenges facing colleges and how Union may tackle those challenges. He thanked everyone for being proud members of the Union community.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:01. The Alma Mater was sung.

Respectfully submitted, Kate Hedgeman`96 Secretary