OSU Emeriti Council

Meeting Minutes

Monday, September 30, 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

Council Members Present: Jack Dillwith, Doug Aichele, Tana Rutan, Gladeen Allred, Barbara Miller

Committee Chairs Present: Zane Quible

Agenda: The agenda was approved as presented.

Council Minutes: The minutes of the August meeting were approved as presented.

Treasurer’s Report: In the absence of the treasurer, Mike presented the treasurer’s report. It was received as presented.

Reports and Updates

President-elect Update

Mike reported that three new members (Ival Gregory and Greg and Leila Beebe) had been accepted since the August meeting and that membership cards had been sent out all new members.

Vice-president Activities Update

Faye Ann reported that President and Mrs. Hargis had confirmed for the October 7 dinner. In addition, both recipients of the Emeriti Scholarships (Halie Schovanec, junior, agricultural communications and Ryan Hollands, senior, economics) will attend the dinner. Following discussion, it was moved (Gladeen) and seconded (Barbara) that a donation of $50 be given to Pet Posse in honor of the Hargises. Mike amended the motion to increase the donation to $100. The motion passed.

Faye Ann also reported that, according to Cathy Shuffield, 23 members had made and enjoyed the trip to Waco. The following additional trips are planned for this fall:

November 7………….....National Weather Center in Norman
December 9-13…………Nashville Country Christmas
December 15…………..The Gift of Christmas Living Nativity in Plano, Texas

Gaylin Washam, house manager for the McKnight Center, has contacted Faye Ann regarding the possibility of Emeriti members being volunteer ushers and concert greeters for some McKnight Center events. Council members were receptive to the idea, and it was decided that the matter should be turned over to the Ambassador Committee to organize. Faye Ann will talk to Russ.

Faye Ann remains hopeful that the baseball coach will speak at the November dinner. She will follow through with the Athletic Department to organize a tour of the new baseball stadium once it is completed. Future presenters will be Professor Randy Seitsinger, associate dean, College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology and Clint Williams, musician and development officer for the McKnight Center.

Cody Erickson, executive director of Legacy Village Stillwater (formerly known as the Ranch) has approached Faye Ann about the possibility of making a presentation at one of the monthly dinners. Council members felt that such a presentation would be a solicitation and, therefore, inappropriate. For similar reasons, Council members further agreed not to allow Legacy Village the use of our email list. Mike suggested that Mr. Erickson contact civic organizations about making presentations at their meetings.

Faculty Council

Barbara announced that Joe Weaver had reported on behalf of President Hargis, who was in China. Joe provided the following announcements:

One-third of the class scored 27 or higher on the ACT. The average score is now 25. The six-year graduation rate is 65%, the highest ever. The four-year graduation rate is up to 45%, and the one-year retention is up to 83%.
The new building for the School of Music is underway and will be completed in 2021. A new university-wide fundraising campaign will be launched soon. A big donor for the art museum is needed.
Administrators are expecting a manageable 2-3% budget shortfall this year.
Candidates for a vice-president for technology development have been to the campus for interviews.

Gary Clark reported that Kirk Jewel would be retiring as head of the Foundation. Deadline for applicants is September 30.

No new Faculty Council recommendations have been approved as yet this year.

Other

Doug reported that the Academic Standards Committee had met, but that no business had been conducted. The meeting was for introductions only.

Zane announced that 25 people had joined the organization since January. He reported that two new programs, DNA and the Silver-haired Legislature, had been added to the Making the Most of Retirement series. New Small Interest Groups (travel, books, music appreciation, and art appreciation) are meeting, but the FAPC building tour has been cancelled. He stated that there would be a tour of the Spears School of Business at the end of the month, but that there had been no interest in an OSU sports group. Five potential topics for the Amazing Series are Creatures, Man-made Structures, National Wonders, Inventions (old and new), and Medical Break-throughs (old and new).

Sharon announced that Althea would like to be relieved of her duties with Meet and Greet. The following names were mentioned as possible replacements: Carol Beier, Carolyn Gang, Priscilla Gerfen, and Judith Eliot. Kay is going to contact Priscilla.

Rick Beier and Gary Sherrer have both agreed to run for positions of counselor. One additional counselor and a president elect are still needed. Names mentioned for these positions included Jim Rutledge, Jim Keys, Larry Perkins, James Webster, and Arletta Webster.

Sharon announced that, due to extenuating circumstances, Andrea hasn’t been able to call a meeting of the Review Committee. Sharon will check to see if Bob can take over for Andrea. She thought that the review could be conducted via email.

Zane reported that an intern is developing the new web-page. He feels that she will have to make some changes because minor information is currently listed at the top and important information is not immediately visible. He will work with the intern and notify the group once the project is completed.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 2:35.

Respectfully submitted by Kay W. Keys