Minnesota Greek Alumni Partnership

MGAP Planning Meeting, October 2005

A short planning meeting was held October 6 to work on:

-General Membership meeting

-Dues letters

-1999 city ordinances

-Support of Greek Awards

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 Blog Turns Four

Four months that is having logged 1828 hits since its inception. If you have something you would like to see added please drop us a message, mgap@umngreeklaumni.com.

Job/Internship Database

Coinciding with the start of the ’05-’06 school year MGAP has updated the Job/Internship page on our web site, www.umngreekalumni.com. An email will be sent out to area employers in the next week notifying them of the free job posting service.

Jobs/internships are split into three categories, Students, ’05-’06 Graduates, and Alumni.

If you or your company are hiring please consider posting your positions with us. Send the posting(s) to Paul DeBettignies, MGAP Secretary, at paul@umngreekalumni.com.

Kappa Alpha Psi Now Resides On University Ave.

Kappa Alpha Psi returned to campus in 2004. One year later they are renting a house on the 1000 block of University Ave. We are excited to have their presence in the community and will be working with them to share programs and other ideas.

Click here for a Sept 7 article in the Minnesota Daily.

Transfer Students From New Orleans Area Colleges and Universities

The University of Minnesota has been working to accept students displaced from colleges after Hurricane Katrina. We are aware that Delta Kappa Epsilon, Deke, is hosting three members from its Tulane University chapter.

Here is a link to an Admissions Office web page regarding the acceptance of students form affected areas.

Block Party in the Minnesota Daily

Click this link for an article in the Sept 6 Minnesota Daily on the “U Light Up the Night Block Party”.

Block Party Press Release

For Immediate Release                                                Contact: Abby Weinandt

August 31, 2005                                                                         University of Minnesota

                                                                                                                                 (612) 237-1453

MEDIA ADVISORY

Second Annual “U Light Up the Night Block Party” Makes Final Push for Lower Level Lighting on 15^th Avenue

City Council Members vote Friday to approve instillation of lower level lighting on the U of M campus

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL – For the second year in a row, the Greek community has partnered with the University of Minnesota to promote increased lighting and safety initiatives in the Marcy Holmes neighborhood.  This year, the block party happens to fall the day before City Council members will be voting on the lower level lighting initiative for 15^th Avenue, which runs right through campus.  The University community is hopeful that the block party will bring attention to safety issues and increase awareness for students.  Because most students are gone in the summer, during National Night Out, the block party provides student renters the chance to mingle with neighbors and discuss safety. 

            WHO:   Mayor R.T. Rybak

                        Councilmen Paul Zerby

                        Minneapolis/U of M Police Departments

                        Marcy Holmes neighborhood

                        University of Minnesota Greek Community/Panhellenic Council

                        University of Minnesota students and staff/Office of Community Relations

            WHAT: Second Annual “U Light Up the Night Block Party”

            WHEN: Thursday, September 1 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m

            WHERE:Fifth Street S.E. between 10^th Avenue S.E. and 12^th Avenue S.E.

            WHY:    To raise safety awareness in the Marcy Holmes neighborhood and to show support for the 15^th Avenue lower-level lighting initiative.  City Council will be voting on the initiative Friday, September 2. 

"I'm glad to support the 'U Light Up the Night' block party,” Mayor Rybak said.  “Public safety is about more than police, it needs to involve all of us.  By working together and building stronger relationships with our neighbors, we can build a city where every person can feel comfortable walking down every street in Minneapolis."

“I very much appreciate the efforts of the Panhellenic Council and the Marcy Holmes Neighborhood Association in support of better lighting and improved safety in the University neighborhoods,” Councilman Zerby said.  “Because of the support and testimony of these groups and others, I am very optimistic that the entire council will join me on Friday in formally approving the 15^th Avenue lighting project at the City Council meeting.” 

“The block party is a great chance to bring the community together for free food and music, and also spotlight our largest safety concern, lack of lighting in the neighborhood,” Kat Baugher, executive vice president of the Panhellenic Council said.  “We are concerned for the safety of sorority women, and other students, especially when walking home from late night classes,” Baugher said. 

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Stadium Update

For current information on the status of the on campus stadium click this link. You will be directed to the U of M Stadium page. Here you can see a slide show and sign up for email updates.

Homecoming 2005

For a complete list of events for this year’s Homecoming, “Center Stage”, click this link. You will be directed to the U of M Homecoming page.