Saturday February 9, 2008
PAC Meeting 10:30 a.m.
Dragon’s Head-Dana College

Parents Present: Leeann Jones, Debbie Andrews, Dixie Mather, Kristie Boardman
Gretchen Foster-Dean of Enrollment Management, Christine Zerbst-Director of Residence Life, Trent Albers – Student Senate President, Brandi Sestak-Assistant Director of Student Life & Involvement, James Duff – Food Service Director, and Bob Schmoll-Executive VP and CFO were speakers. President Janet Philipp stopped by to welcome the guests.

Gretchen reported that the Admissions department is working on a Parents Guide Book and expanding the parent information in the book. They will have FAQ for each section of the book. This booklet will let parents know also how to support their sons and daughters. There will be information from different areas such as Food Service, Wellness, CAB, Housing and the PAC President to name a few. This booklet will go out to the parents of incoming students as well as the parents of all current students.

There was some discussion as to whether or not current students help any of the administrators with recruiting. As of this time there were none. It was mentioned that some of the schools have guidelines as to who can participate in recruitment events. Gretchen will take this all into advisement. Sunday March 2, 2008 will be the next Scholarship Day at Dana.

During the Fine Arts Play “All About Eve” there will be a “Dana Dinner and a Show” recruitment event with prospective students. The first time this event was held there were four students. When it was held last fall, 15 students participated. The students will eat dinner in the dining hall, meet with students in the play. Not all of these students are Musical Theater Majors.

They are also working on a workbook for summer registration. They are discussing goals, discovery term etc. The dates planned for Summer registration are May 22 and 29th, June 12th and 18th. There was some discussion that we are giving the same information out each time parents come visit; Gretchen said the challenge is to give the information out differently each time.

James Duff, Director of Food Service, just started his position with Dana very recently. He is listening to students and when they leave comments in the book located in the dining hall he is trying to get back with them within in 36 hours. He wanted parents to know that there is a Brunch on the Hill the second Sunday of each month, from 10:30-1:00. Breakfast and two dinner/lunch entrees are served. He is working with some students on an individual basis where some might have allergies to certain foods. James will put information in the Parents Guide Book about Brunch, Late night breakfast, Supplemental meal and Flex dollars and sack lunches. He also mentioned that if a student is sick and missed a meal that they may go to health services and pick up some juice or a granola bar.

He will continue Premium Nights. These will be the 3rd Thursday of each month. This month it will be steak and shrimp. The 2nd Wednesday of each month they will have a 100-piece sheet cake to celebrate that month’s birthdays.

Christine has tried to make herself more available to students this past semester. She told the RA’S to tell the students that if they know of any maintenance issues that need to be taken care of or fixed to let her know.

Applications to live in the Parking Lot Suites will be on line at the end of February. Break Housing applications are on line now. If a student is a RA they will receive a Double Room for the price of a single room and they will receive a stipend ($170 per month). They are expected to be on a rotating call schedule.

Trent said the Student Senate meets approximately two times per month. The student dues that they collect are allotted to different clubs and projects. They are available for students if they need help going through proper channels. There are approximately 20 students in the senate and their elections for next year will be in April.

Brandi said that CAB’s main job is to provide social programming to the students. There are currently 10 members of CAB. There were 53 CAB sponsored activities last semester. There were 133 on campus events. Their Winterfest Dance was held on Friday, February 8th, and they have more activities planned. There is a leadership conference in St. Paul in April and next year’s co-chairs will attend this event.

CAB is also looking to have a Spring Family Day which is not connected to athletics on April 12th. Details are still in the works. There will be something in the mail soon.

Bob said that there is to be an approximate increase of 4.37% in tuition for the fall of 2008. Tuition for Fall Semester 2008 was set back in October of 2007. If parents have any questions regarding loans, grants or scholarships they should call the Student Financial Services Office (402-426-7226).

The Dean of Students has not been replaced as of yet but that position will be elevated to a VP level. They have currently 25 applications. There are several people on a committee to select the next Dean of Students. The committee will narrow the names to five and then bring them in for interviews. They would like several parents in on this process. They would like this person to bring more inter-action in with the students.

There was concern from the parents regarding Dana’s website. The college had hired a firm last year but let them go because of lack of progress. Carrie Reed has been promoted to the Director of Alumni Affairs and Special Events. Steve Hughes, who currently serves as Art Director for College Relations and Marketing, will be working on the website. The college hopes to have the new website launched in fall of 2008. A new position, Director of Marketing and College Relations, has been created and a search committee is currently interviewing candidates.

Respectfully Submitted by Debbie Andrews/PAC Secretary