Minnesota Greek Alumni Partnership

MGAP Monthly Meeting, September 2005

Introductions

Minutes

Financial Report

-Checking Account balance:  $2,463.09

-Tax forms need to be prepared

Panhellenic Council/IFC

-Recruitment Results. Participation in Panhellenic recruitment was as good as last year with higher retention. Much of that is attributed to the new Release Figure System

Homecoming

-Preparations are under way. The councils will be providing extra security on the streets similar to the past couple of major events.

UGPB Update

-Casey Erickson of Sigma Nu and Ashley Harville were elected as the alum ex-officio members.

City Ordinances

-A lengthy conversation was had regarding the 1999 city ordinances that treat properties owned by fraternities and sororities differently than other residential properties in the same area.

MGAP Planning & Misc. Topics

-Officer Priorities 2005-06. The board talked about priorities for each of the four committees.

-Fall Chapter Advisor & House Corporation Meeting. Will talk with Chad to see if he plans on having a meeting of the advisors. If so how we can help get out the word. It was suggested to have a house corporation meeting tied in with the annual meeting and focus on a topic that impacts all groups. Fundraising was suggested.

Future Meeting Dates 

-Planning Meeting:  Thurs., 10/6, 6:30 pm  Alpha Chi Omega

-MGAP Board Meeting:  Thurs., 10/20, 6:30 pm

MGAP August Board Meeting Notes

Minutes

-Paul still working on getting all of the minutes form meetings posted on the web site.

Financial Report

-$2613.09 in the checking account. Paul will mail Lorna the receipt for the blog subscription.

Nicole Nelson, Minneapolis 2^nd Precinct Crime Prevention Specialist

-We talked quite a bit about the results from “Calls For Service” Report dating back to 1999. Very few Noise, Party, Music calls. Many calls for parking issues, unwanted person, and false security alarms to the sororities.

-After a 3^rd false alarm property owners will be fined.

-We need to remind our community that we live in an urban, metropolitan area and that crime does happen.

-Better communication could be had with the fraternities.

-Safe & Sober patrols will be held through out the weekends of September.

-The idea of “ride a longs” with MPD was discussed and we will contact Nicole to discuss further.

IFC/PHC

-2^nd Annual U Light Up The Night, Thursday Sept 1 from 6-9 pm

MGAP Membership

-We will be contacting those that have shown interest before and recruit others to run for Board seats.

-An email will go out to all house corporations who are not members with MGAP information and a request to attend one of their upcoming meetings.

Greek Village Working Group Organization

-First meeting of the full Work Group is August 23. Eric Kruse sent out meeting invitations

City Ordinances

-Looking into the issue

Marcy-Holmes

-A member of Triangle fraternity proposed 5 By-Law amendments for the October membership meeting.

MGAP Planning & Misc. Topics

-Brief conversation of the agenda items

Motions

-Unanimous vote to contribute $150 to U Light Up The Night

-Motion to accept By-Laws tabled to September

PHC Recruitment Release Figure Meeting

Carol Warren, NPC RFM Specialist and MGAP VP Collegiate Relations, hosted a meeting on August 9^th for NPC groups on the new process for submitting invitation lists during formal recruitment.

Carol is the contact person for implementation of the program for the U of M. If you would like more information you can contact Carol via email, [email protected].

MGAP House Corporation Meeting Notes

MGAP sponsored its first program for house corporation members on Tuesday, June 28.  The meeting was held at Coffman Union.  Nine Greeks attended including representatives from 4 fraternities  - Delta Tau Delta, Alpha Delta Phi, Sigma Nu and Alpha Tau Omega and 3 sororities -Delta Gamma(2), Alpha Chi Omega(2), and Kappa Kappa Gamma.

Sue Weinberg from the University of Minnesota Real Estate Department shared the plans for the renovated streetscape along University Avenue from 35W to Oak Street.  She showed numerous revised drawings and explained the goals.  Sue also talked about the U's plans to seek funding from Hennepin County, the City of Minneapolis, and foundations for the $1.6 million project.  The U considers University Avenue to be the gateway to the University and is excited about updating the street. There will be a meeting later this year sponsored by the University for all property owners on University.  The Greek Community will be kept updated.

Brett Hildreth, MGAP VP of Housing, gave a presentation on "Creating an Educational Foundation for Tax Deductible Contributions, a 501(c) 3 Case Study". He provided a 12-page handout, which detailed the steps involved in utilizing tax-deductible contributions to fund building projects and to provide scholarships to students.  Numerous questions were asked and attendees who already have a foundation shared their experiences.

Lynn Swon, MGAP VP of University Relations, solicited suggestions of topics for future meetings of house corporation members.  Ideas included: sprinklers, inspections, hiring house directors/cooks, maintenance such as heating or plumbing, renovations, rent, or the role of house corporations.  Attendees were particularly interested in two topics - fund raising/capital campaigns and kitchen renovations.  The next meeting will be set up this fall.

Greek Action Council, June Meeting Notes

Nine members of Greek Action Council were present plus Vice Provost Jerry Rinehart. 

University Greek Partnership Board (UGPB) - Jerry Rinehart suggested several changes to the draft document.

Expand the Purpose by adding,  "Specifically, the UGPB would help identify annual priorities which stem from the Greek Partnership Statement, serve as a sounding board for University proposals related to the Partnership Statement, and be a clearinghouse for concerns brought forth by the University or other Greek related organizations."

Change Membership to  "There will also be two additional alumni (one fraternity and one sorority) who will serve as ex-officio members."

Expand Meeting frequency to include, "Committees designated by the UGPB will meet in the months between the UGPB Board meetings to work on priorities and goals set by the UGPB, as well as to hear concerns from Greek organizations related to the Partnership Statement."

Also, all references to ex-officio members were amended to read "ex-officio non-voting members."

A discussion followed on why the two voting alumni representatives will be designated by the Minnesota Greek Alumni Partnership (MGAP). Jerry Rinehart said, "I want the UGPB to focus on the Partnership Statement.  The U's goal is to get the system working well.  MGAP is heading in a direction that is in sync with the U's goals.  I'd like to formally recognize MGAP.  Let's make this a one-year pilot and then see how it works." 

Jerry also agreed to develop a formal statement from the University regarding housing concerns.  The intent is to reassure the community that the U's interest in housing will not be diminished by the creation of this group.

Three committees will be formed to start - Academics, Recruitment, and Student Development. 

Abby Weinandt moved that the University Greek Partnership Board be approved as revised.  Brian Brothman seconded.  The motion passed 8 to 1.

Police Reports:  Deputy Chief Steve Johnson talked about Homecoming.  He said that the early date (in September) helps before the Twins are in the playoffs thus ensuring that the date and time of the game will not be moved.  Also the weather should be better with more outdoor parties and they will be monitoring these events.  Will the Greeks partner with the U again to get more security?  UMPD could have monitors using walkie-talkies who do not confront but call the UMPD.  The hours would be 10:00 pm to 2:00 am on Saturday night with 4 groups of 2 for a total of 8 monitors.

Marcy Holmes Neighborhood Association (MHNA):  Doug Carlson reported that the Marcy Holmes annual meeting is June 21.  Doug cannot attend but some Greeks will attend.  Doug is currently on the board and he is not up for re-election.  Doug talked with Marcy Holmes board president Brian Biele about the students.  Doug indicated that MNHA has made it harder for students to sign up for membership and that they hold elections when the students are gone making it difficult for them to participate. 

Kat Baugher reported on the NRP funding for lighting.  There will be $5000 for 15th Street and $7000 for other lighting.

NEXT MEETING:
Thursday, August 18 at 5:00

June MGAP Board Meeting Notes

Minutes
-Paul is working on getting caught up on official minutes and posted on web site

Finances
-$89.95 was spent as previously approved by the Board for the one-year subscription for the Blog

IFC/PHC
-IFC has a new VP recruitment
-IFC has twice the number of names from orientation as this time last year. 2/3 would like to be contacted this summer
-PHC has also many more names interested in recruitment than last year at this time
-Speaker Nov 7, David Stollman "Buy In or Get Out"

Strategic Planning Meeting
-Carol and Paul will be attending on behalf of MGAP

House Corporation Meeting
-Sue Weinberg and Brett are confirmed
-Make sure we send out the documents via email after the meeting

MGAP Membership
-Many new groups are talking about joining MGAP in the next 60 days.
-Happy Hour cancelled because of the number of events in Minneapolis that night and lack of venues to host. Will have a date picked for mid-July by the next MGAP email

Greek Village
-Marty Probst, GV interim Chair, has sent email to Marcy-Holmes men's and women's groups to vote for delegates to GV Board
-Doug Carlson stated at the GAC meeting that the project is now being called the "Campus Village"

Short/Long Term Planning
-Chapter Advisor meeting held.
-House Corporation meeting scheduled
-Carol working on meeting date with Chad Ellsworth for PHC "Release Program"

Greek Action Council
-Motion to change the name, representation, and focus to be on the Partnership Statement passed. (Minutes from that meeting will posted on the Blog)

Motion
-Unanimous passing of motion for Christina Magnuson to fill open At Large Board seat

Chapter Advisors Meeting, Notes

On Wednesday, June 8, Chad Ellsworth (Greek Affairs Advisor) and the Student Activities Office hosted the second Chapter Advisors Round Table of 2005.

The Round Table, with nine participants, included a discussion and wrap-up of the 2004-05 academic year, including challenges and triumphs, some ways we've exhibited our Greek values and other ways we haven't.

Chad handed out grade reports for the IFC and PHC chapters, including bonus information about the 4-, 5-, and 6-year graduation rates for fraternity and sorority members. For those periods of time, the graduation rates for fraternity and sorority members is 5.96%, 9.1%, and 8.26% higher than those of the general student population.

In addition, Chad summarized the strategies and action plans that "Recruitment Boot Camp: Training Day" participants received, and the Chapter Advisors discussed ways to implement and support those outcomes.

Finally, the Chapter Advisors brainstormed topics for the June 18 Greek Community Strategic Planning Retreat. Proposed topics include: Master calendar of events for the Greek community, co-sponsoring programs within Greek community and with other student organizations, taking advantage of existing programs, and improving accountability and responsibility in the Greek community.