February 28, 2010

Attendance: Dr. Krista M. Davis-Anderson, Dr. Anthony F. Di Stefano, Dr. Harry Kaplan, Dr. Thomas J. Landry, Dr. Thomas L. Lewis, Dr. Gary S. Litman, Dr. Dennis H. Lyons, Dr. John. T. Ochsenreither, Dr. Robert A. Rosenberg, Dr. Robert N. Spivack, Ms. Lynne C. Corboy, Ms. Heather S. Giampapa.

Dr. Landry called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. Dr. Lyons moved to approve the minutes from the October 3, 2009 meeting with Dr. Spivack seconding. The minutes were unanimously approved.

Dr. Anthony F. Di Stefano, OD ’73, MPH, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Public Health presented new academic initiatives at Salus University. [Please see attached packet.] Over the next three years, Salus is aiming to initiate six new state approved degree programs as well as a number of non-degree and dual degree programs. The University is also looking to expand its global footprint.

The Salus University Pennsylvania College of Optometry is currently developing a Scholars Program for academically talented and motivated students. This program would allow students to complete an accelerated three year Doctor of Optometry program. In addition, PCO will also introduce Advanced Studies initiatives designed to address the expanding scope of optometric practice.

Over the next five years, the College of Education and Rehabilitation will introduce new master’s degree and certificate programs in the fields of Speech and Language Pathology, Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Education of Individuals with Deaf Blindness. The College of Education and Rehabilitation has also established the National Leadership Consortium in Sensory Disabilities with 25 other Universities and 32 Leadership Doctoral Programs in Blind/Low Vision, Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Deafblindness.

The Osborne College of Audiology (OCA) will expand its residential doctoral program by expanding class size to 40 students over the next five years. A new distance AuD Bridge Program will target the needs of international audiologists. OCA will deliver Advanced Studies and Certificate Programs in areas such as American Board of Audiology Certification with specialties in Cochlear Implants and Pediatric Audiology; Leadership, Team Management and Business Administration and University Education Leadership. OCA also plans to implement an Audiologists’ Assistant Certificate Program by 2011.

The University plans to establish Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biomedicine and Master of Science (MS) programs which will build on the University’s collaborative PhD program with Cardiff University in Wales.

Dr. Di Stefano reported that with more colleges opening, there will be more choices for students, enabling Salus to continue to bring in the best and brightest.

Dr. Landry gave the Treasurer’s Report on behalf of Dr. Ken Savitski. There were gains in investments over the last few months, with an expenditure for the Physician Assistant graduation award. Dr. Spivack moved to approve the Treasurer’s report and Dr. Ochsenreither seconded. The report was unanimously approved.

Dr. Landry reported on the PCO Annual Fund and Osborne College Scholarship Fund. As of February 28th, the PCO Annual Fund had $117,096 in hand, with an additional $10,865 in pledges from the fall phone-a-thon campaign. This is one thousand dollars ahead of the same time last fiscal year, and 65% of our overall goal. The spring phone-a-thon began at the end of February and solicitations will continue to go out to alumni through the end of the fiscal year on June 30th.

As of February 28th, the Osborne Scholarship had $8,177 in hand, with an additional $1,630 pledged. Audiology alumni are also included in the spring phone-a-thon and will be solicited through the mail, as well.

Dr. Landry reported on enrollment numbers for each of Salus University’s Colleges. As of February 28th, the optometry program has had 880 applicants and can report 144 students who will be matriculating in the fall. (Class size is usually about 150 students.) The admissions office is running ahead of last year both in terms of applicants and metriculants.

The audiology program has had 33 applicants and has 8 metriculants. (Class size is usually about 20 students.) The AuD program is running a bit behind where they were this time last year.

The PA program has had 1,711 applicants and has 37 metriculants to date. (Class size is usually about 40 students.) The PA program is running ahead of where it was this time last year.

Dr. Lewis reported that proportionately, the Pennsylvania College of Optometry receives more applicants than other optometry schools. There is a new central application process in optometry which makes applying to schools simpler. According to the numbers shared between optometry schools, this year there were 2,200 applicants for 1,700 total slots. Because of this application process, as well as new optometry schools opening around the country, PCO is becoming more aggressive in selling itself to the best students. One unfortunate occurrence this year was the elimination of state money for Pennsylvania students – students will no longer have $6,500 reduced from their tuition. Other states used to give students money to come to PCO if that state did not have their own optometry school, but that is happening less, as well. Dr. Lewis encouraged the Alumni Association Board to keep Salus brochures in their office and encourage students to apply to and attend the University.

Dr. Landry briefed the Board on the final outcomes of the October 3rd Continuing Education Program. Forty-four individuals took part in the CE program, comprised mostly of students, preceptors who were here for a conference and Alumni Association board members. The lead sponsor was Carl Zeiss Vision at the $5,000 level. Speakers in three of the four workshops were sponsored. Vendors and student equipment fair participants contributed a total of $2,500 to exhibit hall revenues. Expenses included Resident Coordinators, brochure design and mailing costs, patients, food and drinks for the breaks and receptions and costs for printing posters. In total, the CE Event brought in $1,540.60 to the Alumni Association. It was suggested that the Alumni Association hold another CE Program, perhaps in the spring.

Dr. Tom Lewis reported on The Eye Institute renovation project. The approximate cost of the renovation and add-on will be $10 million. The project will be financed through loans, reassignment of the University’s capital budget over the next several years and a $2.5 million five year capital campaign managed by the Office of Institutional Advancement. The campaign will start internally with the University Board of Trustees and employees, than moving out to alumni, corporations and foundations by summer. During construction, patient care and education will continue. Dr. Lewis stated that he hoped the Alumni Association would be able to once again make a five year pledge of $20,000 or $25,000 as they had in the past. If any Board members have a relationship with a corporation that might be able to help with funding, please let Heather know.

Dr. Lyons gave the report of the Awards Committee. The Awards Committee selected Dr. Jeffrey Weaver, OD ’85 as the 2010 recipient. Dr. Weaver will be presented with his award at the Alumni Celebration Dinner on May 1, 2010.

Dr. Landry gave the Nominating Committee meeting on behalf of Dr. Karen Wrigley. The Alumni Association ballot is changing in terms of officers this year. Dr. Landry’s two year term as President will conclude after the Alumni Association Annual Meeting on May 1. Dr. John Ochsenreither will then be the Alumni Association President. Dr. Richard Lappen was slated to move into the President Elect position, but does not feel he has the time to dedicate to the role of President, so requested that his name return to the ballot as a Director. As such, Dr. Robert Spivak will move into the President-Elect position and Dr. Ken Savitski into the Vice President position. Karen Wrigley, as Past President and the Chair of the Nominating Committee, spoke with Lynne and Heather about putting two Directors into the Secretary and Treasurer positions, and Dennis Lyons and David Friess have accepted those two spots. The ballot [please see attached] as you see it now will be presented to the Alumni present at the Annual Meeting on May 1st. If you can think of a friend or classmate who might be interested in serving on the Board, please let Heather know.

It was suggested that the Alumni Office look into using web technology for Board meetings as a way to allow alumni from around the country to serve on the Board, rather than only local alums.
Heather S. Giampapa will look into Skype, WebEx and other technologies and bring the information to the next meeting. The Annual Meeting will continue to be held face-to-face. It was suggested that more faculty join the Board, as well as representatives from the colleges other than PCO.

Dr. Landry gave the Reunion Committee report on behalf of Dr. Savitski. The 2010 Alumni Reunion is scheduled for May 1st and 2nd. Classes ending in 0 and 5 will be celebrating their 5-years reunions. The events will once again be held on the Elkins Park Campus, and will include campus tours, lunch in the cafeteria and an evening cocktail reception and dinner dance Saturday night in the Hafter Student Community Center. For the second year in a row there will be a three hour OD CE program Sunday morning, featuring residents from The Eye Institutue and moderated by PCO Dean Linda Casser. This year’s reunion theme is “It’s Time.”

This year’s Alumni Association Annual Meeting will be held at 2:00 p.m. Drs. Lewis, Di Stefano and Casser will be in attendance.

Dr. Harry Kaplan gave the report of the Raffle Committee. As of February 28th, 197 of 450 tickets have been sold. Dr. Kaplan indicated a desire to increase the number of tickets sold to 500 within a few year’s time.

Dr. Lewis had Good and Welfare to share with the Board. Dr. Harry Kaplan’s 85the birthday was on March 7th.

Dr. Landry adjourned the meeting at 11:34 a.m.