October 1, 2009

Attendance: Dr. David W. Friess, Dr. Thomas J. Landry, Dr. Richard Lappen, Dr. Gary S. Litman, Dr. Dennis H. Lyons, Dr. John T. Ochsenreither, Dr. Robert A. Rosenberg, Dr. Kenneth W. Savitski, Dr. Karen Wrigley, Ms. Lynne C. Corboy.

Dr. Landry called the meeting to order at 12:10 p.m. As there were no proposed changes to the May 2st meeting minutes the minutes were unanimously approved. Dr. Landry informed the group that because the Alumni Office is running the PCO Turns 30 event today, the meeting would focus on that and there would not be the usual committee reports.

Dr. Landry reported to the group that all of the programs at the University are fully enrolled this semester: 168 in optometry, 20 in Audiology and 35 in the Physician Assistant program. We were pleased to reach the optometry goal, especially given that there are three new schools open this fall. Also of interest, the students who are currently applying to optometry school for admission in the fall of 2010 for the first time are applying through a centralized online system.

Dr. Landry also reported that Annual Giving was down 19% last fiscal year. The Alumni Office would like anyone of the board who solicit their classmates, either by letter or email to let Lynne or Heather know. L. Corboy added that this fiscal year is a particularly challenging year because the University is likely to lose 75% of its Pennsylvania state appropriation.

Ms. Corboy gave a summary of the PCO Turns 90 event. She distributed a program for the day which included:

 

10:00 a.m. - Exhibit showcase set-up in Hafter Center 
11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.  - Preceptor registration in Hafter Center Lobby
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Alumni Association Meeting 
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. - OD & Student registration, boxed lunch and time in exhibits 
12:00 p.m - 7:30 p.m. - Exhibit Showcase in Hafter Center
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Preceptor Conference in Cafeteria
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Pennsylvania Legislative Update in Hafter Center Gym
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Equipment presentation for first year students by Dr. Kaiser
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. - First year students speak with equipment representatives
2:00 p.m. - 3:20 p.m. - Education Session One
3:30 p.m. - 4:50 p.m. - Education Session Two
4:00 p.m.                        Snack Break in Hafter Center Lobby
4:50 p.m.                        Snack Break in Academic Building 3rd Floor Elevator Lobby
5:00 p.m. - 6:20 p.m. - Education Session Three
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.  - 90th Anniversary Celebration Reception

L. Corboy also distributed a copy of the Save the Date postcard and a copy of the electronic invitation. The postcard was mailed to alumni in NJ, DE, MD and eastern PA, and electronic notices were emailed. In total, 44 individuals took part in the CE program, mostly students, preceptors who were here for the conference and Alumni Association board members. Only two alumni outside of this group registered. L. Corboy suggested that the publicity started late and that Saturday’s are a difficult to attract optometrists because many normally practice e on Saturdays. It was also suggested that it is hard to get people to pay for CE when it is sometimes available for free. However, free CE may become less common in the future.

Some suggestions for improving attendance in any future Alumni Association CE events included advertising in journals, asking the local societies to help publicize or having an event on the same weekend as Looking Out For Kids. D. Lyons pointed out that the success of the Continuing Education Departments program shows that there is money to be made. There might be better topics or a better way to bring the alumni “back to the classroom” and showing off current classroom technology.

Dr. Landry adjourned the meeting at 1:00 p.m.