Alumni Academy Homecoming Meeting
Friday, October 11, 2002
9:30 a.m., 124 McNutt Hall
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Kummer opened the meeting by welcoming everyone to the meeting. At this time, he
asked for introductions around the room.
Those attending were:
Academy Members
John Bartel
Jerry Bersett
Richard Bullock
Bud Hacker
Gene Haertling
Harold Krueger
Don Kummer
Vernon McGhee
Bill Mount
Norbert Neumann
James Neustaedter
Tom O’Keefe
Perrin Roller
George Taylor
John Warner
Marvin Zeid
Representatives of UMR:
Jeff Cawlfield, Head, Geological Engineering
Cecilia Elmore, Recruiting Coordinator, School of Mines and Metallurgy
Larry Grayson, Chairman, Mining Engineering
Jay Gregg, Chairman, Geology & Geophysics
Leslie Rigsby, Development Associate
Lee Saperstein, Dean, School of Mines and Metallurgy
Joan Singley, Administrative Associate, Dean’s Office
Nick Tsoulfanidis, Associate Dean, School of Mines and Metallurgy
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF PAST MINUTES
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The first topic of discussion was the review and approval of past minutes. Marvin Zeid moved
that they be approved. The motion was seconded by Bud Hacker and passed unanimously.
At this time Dr. Saperstein mentioned that if anyone had problems with parking to let us know
and that we had tickets to the Leadership Luncheon should anyone need them.
REPORT FROM CAMPUS
Dr. Saperstein gave a presentation on the campus enrollment, which is improving. We want to
protect the core budget. The School of Mines and Metallurgy had an additional $500,000
reduction this year. The enrollment goal is 6,000 students for the UMR campus. We will
probably graduate 67 percent of the Freshman Engineering class which is up from historic levels
around 40 percent. We are looking to expand our research. The university as a whole is good,
approximately $25M, with a long-term goal of $40-$50M. The School of Mines and Metallurgy
is around $6.9 to $7M. Expanding our research means more funds available for equipment and
students.
The faculty workload model generated by the Provost was discussed. Determined by classes
taught and research performed, the model predicts the number of faculty needed and compares
with the actual numbers. The School of Mines and Metallurgy is predicted for 46 full-time
equivalent faculty members, which is exactly what we have, while the School of Engineering
shows 20 FTE short of what they need. We will not fire faculty to fill the need elsewhere, but
new funds will be directed by need. The School of Mines and Metallurgy will be upgrading our
goals.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
We are challenged by enrollment and the State’s fiscal condition. The School of Mines and
Metallurgy must improve enrollments, continue to expand research and reduce costs. We say
that we are very efficient. Re-organization was discussed. We will need to increase revenue to
meet our performance goals. We have discussed the possibility of an image change, using labels
such as Materials, Energy and Earth Resources. We would like to sell these themes instead of
changing our name. We have hired a student and we are currently working on re-designing our
web site along with the entire campus Gateway change. Academy members Bersett and Mount
agreed to help the School with a self-study on organizational efficiency. Additional members are
welcomed.
Dr. Saperstein announced that our School has six personnel who will be taking the VERIP. They
are Nick Tsoulfanidis, Richard Bullock, Lenn Koederitz, Ray Edwards, Gale Papen and Mike
Roberson. On January 1, 2003, Jeff Cawlfield will become the Chair of Geological and
Petroleum Engineering and a head of Petroleum Engineering is under discussion. There was a
discussion on the enrollment in the petroleum engineering program.
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There is no imminent name change in sight. A suggested new name for Nuclear Engineering is
Nuclear Engineering and Health Physics and for Geology and Geophysics, it has been suggested
that it be Atmospheric and Geological Science.
Traditionally, the School of Mines and Metallurgy is known around the world by our industries
and alumni. Jay Goff, Dean of Enrollment Management, has suggested marketing themes
without a name change. The name of our school is related to the success of our graduates. Our
tradition is important; however, we need to attract younger students. The support of the academy
is essential to our ongoing progress and success.
The Geology and Geophysics department has created a recruiting DVD with the help of Dr. John
Hogan and Tom Shipley. This was mailed out to all academy members back in July.
Admissions are working on a recruiting video that will be coming out soon.
DEVELOPMENT
Leslie Rigsby reported that there are three candidates for the position of Vice Chancellor of
University Advancement. She announced that the Birbeck Chair is close to $1.1M. Inasmuch as
the naming limits will change to $1.5M, it will be good to finish the Birbeck solicitation. Dr.
Bullock mentioned that this is a good time to suggested potential OGS membership. Our
academy has the highest percent of academy member in the OGS.
The mini campaign is underway. The new Havener Center is underway and the old university
center will become offices. The University Center West will be torn down. The Residential
College will be across Bishop from McNutt Hall; it will house students with common academic
interests. Some faculty will be living in the residence with students.
The Capital Campaign is anticipated to be $120M over seven years. The quiet phase begins July
2003.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE
Tom O’Keefe is interested in supplementing upper classmen with a scholarship to see if they can
bring undecided students into the School of Mines and Metallurgy. We need more contact with
undecided students.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
This begins a new cycle for the new inductees for April 2003. It was mentioned that nominators
should contact Leslie, Phil Campbell and faculty for suggestions. The academy makes the
recommendation, the executive committee meets and then sends a slate to the academy
membership. This should start immediately so the nominating committee can meet and the
ballot can be sent out by mid-December.
BYLAWS
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Based on suggestions made at the last meeting, a draft of bylaw changes was made by Dean
Saperstein and reviewed by the Executive Committee. A motion was made by Bud Hacker to
accept the changes to the by-laws. The motion carried and was passed unanimously. The new
version adds two new committees: 1) Strategic Planning and 2) Student Affairs and Scholarships,
and removes some obsolete phrases.
RECRUITING
Cecilia Elmore presented a copy of the draft Jackling Brochure for the Summer 2003. Everyone
seemed to like the brochure. A tailgate party for former Jackling Students will be held
tomorrow, Oct. 12 from noon to 1:00 p.m, near the Intramural Fields. It was suggested to
increase the variety of field trips for the Jackling Students.
NEW BUSINESS
Everyone was asked to let Dr. Saperstein know their opinions of the strategic plan. It was
announced that our spring meeting will be held on April 24, 2003, in Rolla in conjunction with
OGS.
We would like the academy members input on the school video. They were asked to send this to
Cecilia Elmore at elmorec@umr.edu or 573/341-4771.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m.
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