Dana College Parents’ Advisory Board
Meeting Minutes
May 5, 2007

The Board met in the Dragon’s Head in the Hunt Campus Center at 10:00 a.m. Members present were: LeeAnn Jones, Kris Boardman, Dawn Foote, and Matt Theilen, Dean of Students. Absent: Debbie Andrews.

Matt’s Time:
Summer Registration: Matt would like 2 or 3 members of the PAC to attend the three registrations, the first one being held on May 24th. PAC representatives would need to be there from 9:15 until 10:00 a.m. He will get name tags for the PAC parents in time for the June and July registrations, of which he did not have the dates available. Suggestions for the registrations were:
• Compile a suggested packing list for parents and students for move-in day.
• Compile a checklist for moving day to include items such as rubber mallet, parking, cables, etc. in the packet for parents.
• Try to offer football players (or others) to help all students move in, not just freshmen.
• Stress campus security. Have the Director of Campus Security at the registration to meet with parents.
• Have the Food Service Director meet with parents at registration.
• Compile a list of reference people for parents with specific issues to contact.
• Compile a list of Parents’ Rights (Do’s and Don’ts as allowed by FERPA, the campus privacy act of 1973 for colleges.

Food Service: The new food service contract will be chosen from a final four bids. The choice will be made by early June, and will begin August 1st. A key point for the new food service provider must be that they must be more student centered.

Matt said that approximately 225 existing students will live on campus next year, This number does not include the new freshmen (171 students) or the 25 to 30 transfer students. He estimates that about 400 students will be living on campus next year, about 68% of the total student population.

Matt has added $150.00 to the budget for parents weekend in October.

President’s Time:
In addition to some of the items listed above, LeeAnn presented to the board a packet of information that she acquired from the Blair Chamber of Commerce. The packet contained useful information about Blair, such as the services available in Blair, medical services available, places to eat and stay, and a graphic map of Blair. There was also a coupon to the Blair Pilot Tribune. It was thought that the packet would be a very useful thing to give to parents of Dana students.

While discussing the Blair Chamber, the problem of a lack of communication between Dana College and the community of Blair was brought up. Matt told the group that Dr. Phillip has made a faculty member Director of Community Relations, however communication between Blair and Dana College is still a concern.

Parents Packet: In addition to the above mentioned items under Matt’s time, other items to be included in the parents’ packet for new students would be a description of the PAC and an invitation to become a member. This would include the mission statement, as well as activities sponsored by the PAC.

Move In Days: The PAC will host a mini-reception for parents at the end of move in days. There will be three dates – the date when athletes move in, the freshman move-in day, and the returning students’ move-in day. Lee Ann will look into the possibility of a representative from the Blair Chamber being on hand to answer questions on freshman move-in day. Matt will check with Carrie about that.

Residence Life: LeeAnn reported that there has been water damage to the walls in Blair Hall due to leaky windows. There was a question regarding the social programming within the residence halls. Matt said that Brenda is working to strengthen the RA program.

Dana Web Site: LeeAnn will e-mail a packing list to students before move-in day. Sometime in June and again in July a welcome e-mail will be sent to students. Matt will delete all old information on the parents’ link, and will get the move-out dates posted. There will be a link on the parent site for parents of new students. This will have only a couple of key topics, and some Q & A information.

Parent Newsletter: LeeAnn wants to be informed of important dates for students so they can be included in the newsletter.

Meeting adjourned.

Minutes respectively submitted,
Dawn J. Foote