OSURA Board Meeting Minutes
February 1, 2013
10:00 AM-noon
Present: Roy Arnold, Sue Borden, David Chilcote, Kelly DiCristina, Carroll DeKock, Carol Kronstad, Jim
Krueger, (presiding), Cheryl Lyons, Tom McClintock, Gerry Olson (recorder), Helen Polensek, Gordon
Reistad, Mary Ann Roberts, Tom Savage, Terri Tower, Tony Van Vliet
Absent: none
Guest speaker: 10:00 A.M. OSU Vice-President, Steve Clark
Mr. Clark brought the OSURA Board up to date on University Events. Highlights include President Ray’s
Portland presentation, “Impact 2013” to a record crowd of nearly 500 alums, community and media leaders.
In addition there have been multiple collaborative efforts to maintain fiscal strength such as obtaining research
and OSU Foundation support, working with students on tuition issues, and receiving a large NSF project
utilizing expertise from multiple colleges to design ocean research vessels. Multimillion dollar grants for
Liberal Arts and Engineering programs have been received, with the latter including funds for a new
engineering building.
Work is underway to identify an OSU Brand that all can buy into. The Brand will include a logo and a
statement that defines the University. Themes for the brand may include a statement such as “…authentic
community of accomplishment” (real, collaborative, action based), and descriptors such as leadership,
innovation and excellence, with a view to world health – including physical and economic well-being. The
brand is intended to be a motivator for what can be, as well as a foundation for integrative marketing.
Currently there are nearly 500 people employed to promote OSU.
In discussion with OSURA Board members, important issues were raised. On-line education is one priority, as
is letting people know what is being done on line now. Kiosks in the Portland Airport are in the works, and
another possibility is to utilize county OSU Extension offices as part of the e-campus. Currently 7,000 to
10,000 students are doing on-line work through OSU. Cooperative efforts to keep students safe were noted,
and parking discussions with the community are going well. Tony Van Vliet mentioned the use of a thumb
drive or personal App for students visiting campus. These devices are impressive and useful for orientation.
Internal communications was also noted as needing a complete reorganization, as both faculty and students
need to know what OSU is doing.
Tom Savage led off the discussion to inform Steve Clark of the work OSURA does on behalf of OSU.
Activities include undergraduate student scholarships, program activities for retirees, volunteer work efforts,
and our first sponsored campus speaker. Mr. Clarke asked for OSURA’s help with a planned Corvallis update similar to the one in Portland. OSU is also considering a sesquicentennial celebration in 2016.
Approval of January 11 Minutes –Tony Van Vliet moved, and Gordon Reistad seconded a motion that
minutes of the January 11, 2013 meeting be approved as distributed. Carried
Treasurer’s Report -- Carroll DeKock distributed OSURA financial accounts prior to the meeting. We have
$2,500 in our scholarship contributions account at the OSU Foundation. Other accounts are approximately as
budgeted, with some concern over a drop in paid memberships.
Old Business
(1) By-laws report - Jim Krueger distributed a copy of OSURA By-laws, edited and revised by Tom
McClintock and Jim. There are some changes in format, and new committees approved by the Board at an
earlier date have been added. Board members should bring their copies to the next meeting as it will be voted
on at that time. Any recommended changes or corrections sent to Jim by 2/15 will be sent to the Board in time
to facilitate the vote.
(2) Nominations Committee - Terri Tower, Committee Chair, Roy Arnold, and Tom Savage have met and are
seeking new board members. Current Board members are asked to submit names of potential candidates to
them as soon as possible. The committee will be meeting soon.
(3) Interest-group start-up – Jim Krueger, Roy Arnold, Cheryl Lyons, and Gordon Reistad met, and have
planned an initial organizing meeting for February 25, 2013 at 3:30 PM, place TBA. (The OSU foundation
conference room will be used if it’s big enough.) Several people will be asked to present travel ideas at that
time, and plan for future meetings will be made. Board members are asked to send e-mail feedback to Jim.
Committee Reports
Program – Helen Polensek reported a change in the out of town trip lead by Curt McCann who is now
planning a coast tour for the second or third week in April on either a Wednesday or Thursday. NOAA and
the Coast Guard are potential inclusions. A Native American presentation is being planned for early in May,
to be held at the beautiful, new Longhouse. The Powwow will be held later, perhaps the 3rd week in May.
Membership – David Chilcote led a discussion related to attracting new members.
Communications/Newsletter - Terri Tower is working on an e-news draft to be distributed to the OSURA
Listserve. She will ask for comments, and then move it on to Kelly DiCristina to be sent out.
Member Services - Gordon Reistad affirmed the planned presentation for March 5th, 3:30 PM, with speaker
Melinda Manore. Betty Miner has been organizing this session which will meet in the OSU Foundation Board
Room. The Member Services Committee will meet on Feb 14.
Scholarship - Tom Savage distributed a thorough report on OSURA Scholarships prior to the meeting. All is
moving along as planned.
Volunteer – Sue Borden is working to enlist a total of 30 volunteers for the Career Fair in February.
Golf – Carol Kronstad reported that the date for the OSURA golf tournament is September 10th, convening at
2:00 PM, with golf starting at 3:00. On August 1 the “save the date” card will be mailed. We would like to
have Steve Clark attend!
History - No report.
Staff report - Kelly DiCristina noted that they are interviewing for a second coordinator for University
Events. Upcoming events for the office include the OSU Food Drive (1/28 – 3/1) for Linn/Benton Food Share
& the OSU food bank for students. Shelly Signs is coordinator for state-wide drive. Shelly is also hosting
soup lunches to encourage donations. The Science Pub is a monthly event at noon at the Old World Deli.
Come at 5:00 PM, eat, and learn. Their Schedule of Events is posted on the UE website, so feel free to check it
out. A Flickr account has been created for OSURA. UE is hoping for OSURA volunteers to review and select
photos, and learn how to upload, post, and manage the site. The site is public, but requires a password for
access to upload. Terri Tower reported that she couldn’t find the scholarship donation form so Kelly will
check this out.
New Business
(1) Flickr access - Jim Krueger and Kelly Di Cristina will work on this in conjunction with our
communication chair, Terri Tower.
(2) Annual meeting plans. Jim Krueger invited ideas for entertainment at the annual meeting. The “Three
Healthies,” noted in “Impact 2013,” were suggested as a topic for President Ed Ray to address. Inviting new
retirees to the annual meeting was suggested. There was no response to our invitation last year, but we can try
again. The problem is that this invitation uses our “one contact” limit for new retirees, so we may need to
discuss this further.
Tony Van Vliet moved that we adjourn and Dave Chilcote seconded the motion. Carried The meeting was
adjourned at 11:55 AM
Board meetings: Fridays, 10:00 A.M, Cascade Hall: Mar. 1, Apr 5, May 3, May 8 (Annual Meeting)