PBK Minutes for Chapter Meeting 10-24-2005

I. Introduction of members present: Marilyn Spellman, Nancy Watson, Greg Evans (from Raymond James), Jeannine Steiner (PBK workstudy), Bob Shulzinger, William Adams, Fred Anderson, Jerry Peterson, Lori Goodman.

II. Finance Committee Report: Michael Wertheimer, Gerry Bean and Jerry Peterson are members of the Finance committee. Greg Evans presented information about the status of the endowment. He suggested that we move more money into mutual funds, and that international and small cap funds will be added.

III. Honorary Membership Committee: This committee can nominate honorary members to join the Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa approximately once every three years. In the past we have initiated Rhut Mahajnic (Humanistic Engineering), and Patty Limerick. This issue should be raised next year.

IV. Crisp Committee: Marilyn Spellman, William Adams, Jerry Peterson. Will review applications in the spring. They would like to increase the number of applications received.

V. Review of Selection Committee: Jerry Peterson discussed the process by which students are selected and invited to join PBK.

VI. GPA Criteria: Jerry led a discussion about whether to increase the GPA requirements from the current level, due to grade inflation and other factors. The Constitution allows us to nominate up to the top 10% of the class and we are below that number. However, our acceptance rate is currently around 25%. Perhaps if the GPA requirements were more restrictive, we would get a higher acceptance rate.

VII. Acceptance Rates: Bob suggested we send a letter to advisors and honors directors, asking them to publicize the benefits of membership in PBK. Advertising could include posters and other activities. The Visiting Scholar program is expensive and drew few participants, so that does not appear to be a good promotional use of funds.

VIII. Website: It was suggested that the Alpha Chapter create a website for higher visibility. We could then link to the alumni association and the national office.

IX. Active Membership: It was suggested that we send a buff bulletin, asking PBK members to self-identify and then compile a list of faculty members. We could use this list to invite members to the initiation and serve as a resource for information about the Association.

X. Initiation Speaker: Jerry will invite Betsy Hoffman, Hank Brown and Mike Grant

XI. Officer Terms: President is up for election in Spring 2006, Vice President in Spring 2007 and Secretary/Treasurer in Spring 2008.

Motions:

I. Jerry moved to invite for membership those students who met the GPA and morals test as set up by the Alpha Chapter and approved by the Executive Committee. Motion carried.

II. Jerry moved that the committee accept the recommendation of the Selection Committee to refrain from inviting those students who met the GPA requirement but did not meet the morals requirement because of conduct disclosed through the Honor Code and the CU Judicial Affairs office. Motion carried.

III. Jerry moved to accept the request from two students who had been invited to join in the past, but did not accept at that time, to join in the Fall 2005 initiation. Motion carried. (Christina Zarza and Shalini Swaroop.)

IV. Bob moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:15. Motion carried.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Lori Goodman