OSU Emeriti Council Meeting Minutes

Monday, February 25, 2019 1:30 p.m.,

Emeriti Council Room, Alumni Center

Executive Committee Members Present: Sharon Nivens, Mike Lorenz, Anne Matoy, Faye Ann Presnal, Kay Keys, Ron Elliott

Council Members Present: Jack Dillwith, Althea Wright, Doug Aichele, Bob Wetteman, Gladeen Allred, Barbara Miller, Jim Halligan

Committee Chairs Present: Glade Presnal, Zane Quible

Agenda: The agenda was approved as presented.

Council Minutes: The January minutes were approved as presented.

Treasurer’s Report: The treasurer’s report was received as presented. In a follow-up report, Ron announced that he had, as directed by the Council last month, moved $10,000 from the savings account to a new one-year certificate of deposit that will renew on January 30, 2020. In addition, he transferred $8,697.64 from the savings account to the money market account, leaving $5.00 in the savings account. (While the Council voted last month to close out the savings account, Ron was unable to do so as the Credit Union requires that $5.00 remain in any initial membership account.)

Ron also noted for the record that he has e-filed IRS Form 990-N, an annual requirement for non-profits of our size.

At last month’s meeting, Ron was asked to explore possibilities for use of the money in the cash portion of our general endowment fund (#20-72400) at the OSU Foundation. Following his brief report, it was moved (Barbara) and seconded (Gladeen) that $1,455 be transferred to the checking account as reimbursement for what was spent last year on set-ups, linens, and equipment for Monday night dinners and that $2,000 be rolled into the corpus of the endowment account, leaving a cash balance of $977.41. The motion carried.

In response to a request made at the January meeting, Ron reported on the stated purpose of the general endowment fund. Article 1 of the l989 endowment agreement states that “The earnings of the Fund will be used to support priority projects as identified annually by the Emeritus Faculty Council.”

Reports and Updates

Membership

Mike brought copies of the new brochures and reported that they will be sent to all new retirees. He also announced that Elaine Stebler had recently become a life-time member of the Association. Mike will check to determine if Sue and Jim Williams, who recently sent a check for life-time membership, are in fact already members.

Activities

Faye Ann confirmed that a Broadway director would be the speaker at the April 1 dinner. She has requested that a student also speak briefly about his/her educational experience. The program will conclude with musical presentations. Faye Ann indicated that the department would publicize the event and that they had shown an interest in providing similar programs for Emeriti members on an annual basis.

There was considerable discussion regarding the June 4 dinner since the room at the Botanic Garden is not yet guaranteed for our use. The following three plans were agreed upon:

Plan A: Indoors at the Botanic Garden

Plan B: Outdoors at the Botanic Garden

Plan C: The usual venue at the Alumni Center

Other possible programs, according to Faye Ann, include a tour of the new baseball stadium and a program on the future of drones. Ron will determine whether or not we have already provided a program on the latter. Mike suggested that we look into the possibility of a program on minimally invasive surgery currently being performed, mainly on dogs and cats, in Vet Med.

Faculty Council

Barbara reported the following:

Graduation rates for the 2018 senior class, the first to have utilized the block-tuition policy for all four years of their education, were higher than those of previous years.
The Food Science Department is working with Our Daily Bread to provide support for students needing assistance. OSU has provided $50,000 to Our Daily Bread, and the Faculty-Staff Chapter of the OSU Alumni Association will be conducting a food drive for the organization in the spring.
Dean Kluver (Global Studies), in an effort to increase international student enrollment, is working to boost OSU’s standing in the global ranking system, which many foreign governments use to determine where to send their scholarship students. Criteria used to determine rankings include dollars generated for research, Nobel Prize winners, and job placement for graduates.
The Faculty Council has now approved a Tested Experience Exception Form, which (if approved through all necessary university channels) will be used annually by deans and department heads to ensure that everyone teaching classes is indeed qualified (either by degree or experience) to do so. Also passed by the Faculty Council and headed for university approval is a policy that will discontinue the use of classes which can be taken for either undergraduate or graduate credit. Classes at the 4000 level will no longer generate graduate credit

Student Affairs, in an effort to reduce book costs for students, is working toward the use of more on-line books. The OSU Library already has several of these open educational resources available for download.

Academic Standards

See attached report from Kathryn.

Other

New Members

Zane reported that four new members will be in attendance at the March 4 dinner. He will introduce them and sit with them at a new-member table. The hope is that, after perhaps three months at the “special” table, the members will feel duly welcomed and comfortable enough to mingle and sit at a table of their choice. It was noted that those serving as table leaders should be knowledgeable about Emeriti activities.

On another matter, Zane announced that the Genealogical Association is organizing a three-part workshop to be held at the Stillwater Public Library. They would like to send an announcement of the program to members of the Emeriti Association. It was moved (Althea) and seconded (Barbara) that we allow a one-time use of our email list for this announcement. The motion carried. Sharon will let Misty know to expect information from the Genealogical Association.

Authorized Signatures for the Foundation

Following discussion, it was moved (Anne) and seconded (Gladeen) that Sharon, Mike, and Ron be the approved signatories for the Foundation accounts. Ron will check with the Credit Union to ensure that the appropriate names are on file there as well.

Proposal from Stillwater Public Schools

Sharon reported that Mike Shanahan, an employee of the Stillwater Public Schools, had sent her an email proposing that interested retirees become paid substitutes in the public schools. Following a brief discussion, it was moved (Gladeen) and seconded (Barbara) that we send a one-time email announcement informing members of this opportunity. Sharon will let Mr. Shanahan know of our plan.

Recognition for Ruthann Sirbaugh/OLLI

Kay Murphy has notified Sharon that OLLI would like to honor Ruthann Sirbaugh at the May 6 joint meeting. Council members are in agreement that she be recognized for all of her work with OLLI. This item led to discussion which clarified expectations as they relate to the joint meeting. Each organization invites and accepts reservations for its members. The Emeriti Association (Clem) plans the meal, and OLLI plans the program, which should include a few minutes for announcements from the Emeriti Council.

The Iditarod

Doug announced that he would be presenting a program on the Iditarod, which begins March 2 in Anchorage, at the March 5 OLLI Town Hall Meeting. Two of his Huskies will be on hand.

Announcements

Glade reported that Associate Provost Christine Ormsbee had spoken at a recent Technology Interest Group meeting about the latest technology being used on campus. He found the information particularly interesting and wondered if we might plan a similar program for one of our Monday night dinners.

Moving to Athletics, Glade reported that the new baseball stadium is scheduled to be finished in October. He added that other projects currently under construction were the $1M equestrian arena and the $3.3M cross-country improvements. The open areas east of the Greenwood Tennis Center and north of the Smith Training Center are being developed into a tailgating area and an attractive green space with grass and trees.

With regard to budget in Athletics, Glade reported that they have a break-even situation, with revenue and expenses at $88M. In comparison, OU and Texas have budgets of $150M and $200M, respectively.

In conclusion, Glade noted that the OSU Police had reported fewer incidents at games now that beer is being sold at the stadium. The total sales are between $300,000 and $400,000, with all profits going toward the “fan experience.”

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Kay W. Keys, Secretary