Union College Alumni

Alumni Council of Union College

Meeting Minutes
October 2, 2004

President Jason Oshins `87 called the meeting to order at 8:45 A.M.

The next Alumni Council meeting is scheduled for April 2, 2005

President Oshins `87 welcomed the Council members. After a few opening remarks, Oshins introduced two new council members

Neil Johnson `79

John Cushing `69

There was a moment of silence for:

Richard Bower `56

Joseph Deblase `34

Paul Humphrey `39

Oshins reported that the state of the Union Alumni Council is strong, 180 members with an annual fund participation of 85%, the highest yet; long and short term goal to get to 100% participation; raised $227,000 among Alumni Council members; supports one of the criteria for U.S. News and World Report survey results.

Oshins further reported President Roger Hull will not be at the Alumni Council meeting due to the Board of Trustees meeting being held concurrently.

The minutes from the April 3, 2004 meeting stand approved as written.

Admissions Report

Ann Fleming Brown, Senior Associate Dean of Admission, reported on various admissions staff members and their activities in different parts of the country, the new look of alumni admissions web site and recognized the alumni admissions volunteers. First year class is up from 554 to 579 and Union had the second largest application pool with a 49% admission rate. Applicants had an average GPA of 90 and 69% are in the top 10% of their high school along with a SAT of 1250. Admissions was able to provide approximately $6 million in need based financial assistance and merit grants. Over 50% of students receive financial assistance of some kind.

Trustee Report

Frank Messa `73, Co-Chair of the ?You Are Union? Capital Campaign and a member of the Board of Trustees, addressed the U.S. News and World Report ranking. Messa opened his remarks with the announcement of the You Are Union Campaign. Messa reported the campaign lasts eight years, three years of silent (past three years) and $80 million has been raised already. Messa gave some background of U.S. News and World Report college rankings. He touched upon submission of data, marketing, audience (college alumni and prospective students and parents) and criteria. The Board of Trustees want to focus on three areas:

• Campaign

• Campus point person to oversee progress

• Peer assessment

Questions from Council members centered around alumni giving, faculty resources, communication with alumni, plans to re-engage alumni and young alumni development. The Council asked Messa to speak at the Spring Council Meeting.

Annual Fund Report

Gail Dexter, Director of the Union Fund, thanked everyone who had already contributed to the Union Fund. She highlighted the percentage increase from 38%-40% in participation for the 2003-2004 year. Also, the Class of 2004 broke participation record with 75% of the class supporting their class gift. Dexter thanked John Moses `51 for his three-year leadership of the Union Fund. The new National Chair is Pat DiCerbo from the Class of 1988 and Vice Chair Joe Sawyer `66. Fred Presley `75 was named National Terrace Council Chair.

College Relations

Mike O'Hara, Director of Development, reported on the Campaign Kick-off. The Board of Trustees launched a $200 million fundraising campaign on Friday, October 1 st . The campaign will advance the College by supporting a number of initiatives including: Converging Technologies, residential life, international programs, scholarships and faculty excellence. Questions from Council members focused on the annual fund, capital campaign, and alumni involvement.

Standing Committee Reports

Treasurer's Report

Mike Newell `74 thanked the Alumni Council for electing him an Alumni Trustee. He presented the Income and Balance Sheet financial statement for the 2004-2005 budget.

Athletics Committee Report

John Vero `97, Chair, reported the committee was extremely active over the summer. Vero also announced that Athletic Director Val Belmonte left the College as of the beginning of September. Dwight Wolf `68, will be Interim Director. Three areas the Committee would like the Council to get involved with are:

• Pep band

• Attendance at local athletic events

• Senior Awards Dinner

Questions from Council members centered on Union 's visibility, recruitment, league affiliation and Athletic Director search.

Union College Clubs

Eugene Schultz `00, Chair, opened is remarks that there have been over 50 events hosted by clubs nationwide thus far. The Council continues to support club and young alumni development.

New Business

Oshins proposed amendments to bylaws and gave a history of discussions that lead up to the proposal. Oshins asked for questions from the floor. Questions focused on Past Presidents, date effective and peer assessment. There was a motion from the floor to approve bylaws, was seconded and the bylaws amendment was approved by majority of Alumni Council.

The meeting was adjourned and 10:30 a.m.

The Alma Mater was sung.

Respectfully submitted.

Kate Hedgeman `96

Secretary

	Home \| Academics \| Admissions \| Alumni \| Athletics \| News & Events \| Offices & Services \| Student Life
	Alumni Council of Union College Meeting Minutes October 2, 2004 President Jason Oshins `87 called the meeting to order at 8:45 A.M. The next Alumni Council meeting is scheduled for April 2, 2005 President Oshins `87 welcomed the Council members. After a few opening remarks, Oshins introduced two new council members Neil Johnson `79 John Cushing `69 There was a moment of silence for: Richard Bower `56 Joseph Deblase `34 Paul Humphrey `39 Oshins reported that the state of the Union Alumni Council is strong, 180 members with an annual fund participation of 85%, the highest yet; long and short term goal to get to 100% participation; raised $227,000 among Alumni Council members; supports one of the criteria for U.S. News and World Report survey results. Oshins further reported President Roger Hull will not be at the Alumni Council meeting due to the Board of Trustees meeting being held concurrently. The minutes from the April 3, 2004 meeting stand approved as written. Admissions Report Ann Fleming Brown, Senior Associate Dean of Admission, reported on various admissions staff members and their activities in different parts of the country, the new look of alumni admissions web site and recognized the alumni admissions volunteers. First year class is up from 554 to 579 and Union had the second largest application pool with a 49% admission rate. Applicants had an average GPA of 90 and 69% are in the top 10% of their high school along with a SAT of 1250. Admissions was able to provide approximately $6 million in need based financial assistance and merit grants. Over 50% of students receive financial assistance of some kind. Trustee Report Frank Messa `73, Co-Chair of the ?You Are Union? Capital Campaign and a member of the Board of Trustees, addressed the U.S. News and World Report ranking. Messa opened his remarks with the announcement of the You Are Union Campaign. Messa reported the campaign lasts eight years, three years of silent (past three years) and $80 million has been raised already. Messa gave some background of U.S. News and World Report college rankings. He touched upon submission of data, marketing, audience (college alumni and prospective students and parents) and criteria. The Board of Trustees want to focus on three areas: • Campaign • Campus point person to oversee progress • Peer assessment Questions from Council members centered around alumni giving, faculty resources, communication with alumni, plans to re-engage alumni and young alumni development. The Council asked Messa to speak at the Spring Council Meeting. Annual Fund Report Gail Dexter, Director of the Union Fund, thanked everyone who had already contributed to the Union Fund. She highlighted the percentage increase from 38%-40% in participation for the 2003-2004 year. Also, the Class of 2004 broke participation record with 75% of the class supporting their class gift. Dexter thanked John Moses `51 for his three-year leadership of the Union Fund. The new National Chair is Pat DiCerbo from the Class of 1988 and Vice Chair Joe Sawyer `66. Fred Presley `75 was named National Terrace Council Chair. College Relations Mike O'Hara, Director of Development, reported on the Campaign Kick-off. The Board of Trustees launched a $200 million fundraising campaign on Friday, October 1 st . The campaign will advance the College by supporting a number of initiatives including: Converging Technologies, residential life, international programs, scholarships and faculty excellence. Questions from Council members focused on the annual fund, capital campaign, and alumni involvement. Standing Committee Reports Treasurer's Report Mike Newell `74 thanked the Alumni Council for electing him an Alumni Trustee. He presented the Income and Balance Sheet financial statement for the 2004-2005 budget. Athletics Committee Report John Vero `97, Chair, reported the committee was extremely active over the summer. Vero also announced that Athletic Director Val Belmonte left the College as of the beginning of September. Dwight Wolf `68, will be Interim Director. Three areas the Committee would like the Council to get involved with are: • Pep band • Attendance at local athletic events • Senior Awards Dinner Questions from Council members centered on Union 's visibility, recruitment, league affiliation and Athletic Director search. Union College Clubs Eugene Schultz `00, Chair, opened is remarks that there have been over 50 events hosted by clubs nationwide thus far. The Council continues to support club and young alumni development. New Business Oshins proposed amendments to bylaws and gave a history of discussions that lead up to the proposal. Oshins asked for questions from the floor. Questions focused on Past Presidents, date effective and peer assessment. There was a motion from the floor to approve bylaws, was seconded and the bylaws amendment was approved by majority of Alumni Council. The meeting was adjourned and 10:30 a.m. The Alma Mater was sung. Respectfully submitted. Kate Hedgeman `96 Secretary
	Copyright 2008, Union College. All rights reserved. Union College \| 807 Union St. \| Schenectady NY 12308 \| 518 388 6000 Contact Us

Alumni Council of Union College

Meeting Minutes October 2, 2004

Meeting Minutes
October 2, 2004