Minutes of Dean's Advisory Board Meetings > Advisory Board Members
Minutes of 2nd Annual Dean's Advisory Board Meeting
Date: March 26, 2008
Time: 12:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Present:
| 1. Dr. T. H abtemariam, Dean |
13. Dr. Ellis M. Hall |
| 2. Dr. Harold Davis |
14. Dr. James Heintz |
| 3. Dr. Stephanie Miles Robinson |
15. Dr. William O. Jones |
| 4. Dr. Walter Bowie |
16. Dr. Irving W. McConnell |
| 5. Dr. Adam E. McKee |
17. Dr. Ruby Perry |
| 6. Dr. Charles Lowrie |
18. Dr. William T. Watson |
| 7. Dr. Eugene Adams |
19. Dr. Saul T. Wilson |
| 8. Dr.Bonnie Barclay |
20. Dr. Laurie Jean Weil |
| 9. Dr. Michael J. Blackwell |
21. Dr. Jerome. B. Williams |
| 10. Dr. Edward Braye |
22. Mr. G. Caldwell VP for TU Advancement |
| 11. Dr. Jerry Clinckscales |
|
| 12. Dr. Pamelar Hale |
|
Absent:
| 1. Dr. Carlos Hodges (Excused absence) |
| 2. Dr.Christine Jenkins (Had Tele conference with group) |
| 3. Dr. Leonard Billups ( Excused absence) |
| 4. Dr. Chester Gibson |
| 5. Dr. Phillip Nelson |
| 6. Dr. Willie Reed |
| 7. Dr. Daniel Negola ( Because of other commitments, he has requested not to serve on the Board) |
Dean's Staff Personnel :
| 1. Ms. Elizabeth Offem |
| 2. Mrs. Angela S-Bascomb |
| 3. Mrs. Anissa Riley |
| 4. Ms. Alexis Adams |
| 5. Ms. Ardwenia Steele |
The Co-Chairs, Dr. Harold Davis and Dean Walter C. Bowie brought the meeting to order in the interest of time by welcoming the members at about 12.45 pm. Dr. Davis went over the documents in each packet that was given to each member. He then invited the Dean for introductory comments and briefing of progress.
Dean: The Dean expressed his sincere gratitude for each of them making time in their busy schedules to attend this meeting. He informed the group that Dr. Christine Jenkins of Hills’ Nutrition who is not able to attend requested to talk to the Board via a tele conference call. The Dean introduced the group to Mr. Caldwell who is the new VP for advancement.
Dr. Davis invited Dr. Jenkins to make her comments before breakout session.
Dr. C. Jenkins told the group that she is fortunate to represent Hills (the largest sponsor) in the student’s SCAVMA symposium on March 19-23, 2008 co-hosted by veterinary students from Auburn and Tuskegee University. She stressed the historic significance of collaboration of the two schools. The symposium she said was very eventful and positive and she commended the students for a wonderful job and encouraged the alumni to take the opportunity to commend the students for a job well done.
She went on and commented that in addition to the challenges in seeking capital investments for TUSVM to address some of the building and facilities needs; Dr. Jenkins indicated that Hills Pet Nutrition Company is happy to support the school in providing external clinical exposures to the students. One of the things she wants the group to add or brainstorm in the meeting is how to provide external clinical training. Students seeking experience in clinical training and internship and residency facing some challenges will be comfortable when they start their externship under various clinicians at other sites. Ideas in seeking industries to open up externship or expand on current externship opportunities for TUSVM students to at least have experience in small animals in particular where there are large caseloads needs to be encouraged. This remains a challenge to most of the students in recent years.
Dr. Davis reminded the clinical practice group to focus their discussion on Dr. Jenkins’ suggestion as to how to get additional help for areas of clinical practice for the students at TUSVM. These programs should be looked at through alliances.
The Dean informed the group that Dr. Hodges had apologized for not being present at this meeting only because he will not be in Tuskegee until Friday. The Dean encouraged the Board members to peruse the proposal for resource development document that was distributed to them in the packet. He especially asked them to look at the part, which referred to “Partnership for Academic Excellence”. That project essentially deals with resource development and establishment of a new Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) within a few years. The second part of the Partnerships for Excellence document was emphasis on leadership development. He stressed the need for good and well trained leaders who should be ready to step in as leaders when the need arises or when the opportunity avails itself.
The Dean then summarized some of the progress that was made during the past year including the following:
- Webpage for the Dean’s Board was created and can be accessed at:
http://www.onemedicine.tuskegee.edu/Advisory/advisory.htm
- Resource development discussions with the former University Advancement Director Mr. Holloman, and Provost Luther Williams has been very positive.
- With the help of Dr. Bowie, Dr. Roger Estep, a former Vice President for Advancement at Howard University, has agreed to help us in any way he can. We have also been looking at hiring a resource development person and have put together a salary of $40K to fill the position with a junior person. Although we have had a couple of interviews the position is still unfilled.
- We are advertising for a grant writer that will be on board soon. Washington Advocacy Office (Mr. Dale Dierks) is interested in working with us as soon as we put the money together.
- Tuition increase for the School of Veterinary Medicine has been approved a second time. The TUSVM has the lowest out of state tuition in the country and the Board of Trustees has approved increasing it over five years. We are hoping that most of the money realized from the tuition increase can be given back to the school.
- We have also increased our enrolment to 70 students per class. The contributions of the TUSVM to diversity of the veterinary professions are unique and most critical. The Dean made the point that there is an average of 1 African American (AA) student per class in the other 27 veterinary schools while at TUSVM, we have at least has 25 African American students per class.
- We have also increased our endowment by $12 Million. Obviously, only the interest portion can be used and we hope to increase it in the future. The School’s Endowment fund now has reached about $37 million dollars. It should be noted that Dean W. C. Bowie was and is instrumental for just about every legislation that affected the TUSVM including the COE, RCMI, Title III, and most recently the Endowment Grant.
- In the Leadership development arena, we have had sequences having sequences of Internet based lecture series on Leadership called “Webinars” headed by Dr. B. Diffay, former Associate Dean for Administration. We do plan additional activities as we continue to be involved in leadership development.
- Finally, the Dean reviewed the Mission of the Board and what is expected of the members as well as the school’s responsibilities. The dean concluded his remarks by thanking the group for allowing him to address the Board as we look forward to the group’s guidance and discussion.
The Chairperson, Dr. Davis reiterated that this is a counseling Advisory Board and not one that tells the dean how to run the school. He went on and reviewed the 1st inaugural minutes and what has been done since the first meeting by highlighting 10 points from the minutes. He stated that some new members have been added to the executive council including Drs. Perry, Lowrie and Mckee.
He would like to figure out how to get the general alumni to be involved in what the group is doing. He is urging the members to leverage our contacts and increase our networks with people that we know or should know because the entire alumni is not large enough or rich enough to meet the needs of the school. He raised one important avenue to assist the school that was suggested previously where some alumni made insurance bequest to the school. We need to find out or follow up on the status of those who did bequest their insurance to the school.
Dr. Davis was thankful for the Perspectives being mailed to alumni, calendar of events and the webpage and this should be updated regularly. But we still need to do more to market the TUSVM. We need to inform the alumni more about the variety of activities and issues to keep their attention on the school.
Dr. Davis indicated that as he suggested last year, a mentoring program has already been set up at TUSVM spearheaded by Dr. Ruby Perry, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
Mr. Caldwell, Vice President for University Advancement was invited to address the Board. He first thanked the group for inviting him. He said he brings his experience from very prestigious positions he held in both academia and corporate worlds. Mr. Caldwell told the group that we have some basic infrastructure in place to impact the agenda before us. What we have to do however is to figure out how we can put the veterinary school in front of the line based on strategic agenda. His suggestions included the following:
- Advance strategy that emphasizes the TU veterinary school as the only one unique resource in the nation.
- He urged the school to utilize the office in Washington DC of the VP to its fullest.
- He told the group that TU has hired a state lobby group from Montgomery to represent the interest of TU in the state legislature.
- He passed out a document that makes TU to be a state related institutions and TU is to get 50% of what other historically black schools get.
- He has proposed to the President that a resource development person in all colleges whose sole purpose is to raise funds for that college and the person will report to the dean of that college and to the VP for Advancement. Each school will be responsible for half of this person’s salary.
Dr. Laurie Weil, the newest member of the Board asked how the TU apportions the money given to the school. Mr. Caldwell told her that each money donated to the school is used solely for the purpose for which it was donated a portion of it is taken out for overhead costs to the University. She added that schools fail because they are divorced from their main goals and mission. She emphasized that the TU Veterinary School is special to her and it can be taken to the next level and the specialty of TU should be the driving force or goal. She emphasized that we must uplift the Mission of the TUSVM and advance its goals guided by its core mission.
The Board meeting was then followed up by a Working Group of 5 – 8 members in each of four Breakout Sessions. The results of the breakout sessions are reported below.
Breakout Group discussion summaries:
Government Group:
Members were: Drs. Adam McKee, Michael J. Blackwell, William T. Watson, Saul T. Wilson and John L. Williams.
Dr. Miles Richardson presented the break out-group session Summary deliberations as follows.
The 1st discussion was on ways to raise money from governmental sources:
- Hire a Professional Grant Writer @ a salary of $48,000
- Write proposals for Homeland Security grants
- Dr. Adam McKee will make efforts to contact U.S. Army LT. General William E. Ward, Commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). This striking new (Humanitarian) command is intended to enhance the United States’ ability to bring peace and security to the people of Africa, and to promote goals of development, health, education, democracy and economic growth in Africa. It is recommended that the Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine seize the opportunity to develop a capabilities “White Paper” outlining our experience that would enable TU to play a major familiar role as a partner in accomplishing the U.S. Africa Command’s goal and objectives. The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) will stand up October 1, 2008.
The 2nd discussion was on ways to recruit students.
- Involve Alumni (career days at local elementary and middle schools)
- Older 2nd career students
- Inform student about all the careers in veterinary medicine: e.g. Research, Government, Academia etc.
Industry Group:
Members were: Drs. Harold Davis, Bonnie Barclay, and Dr. Irving W. McConnell. Dr. Bonnie Barclay summarized the group’s discussion as follows:
To assist with fund raising:
- Get a list of Alumni in Industry.
- Narrow the list of companies to a smaller # for example 10 companies. Get key people in company from Alumni
- Use this list to identify alumni that could participate in the Tuskegee University Advancement Office Business Cluster
- Work with Tuskegee University Advancement Office to identify (target) celebrities.
To support Dean’s leadership development efforts:
- Have workshop at symposium on leadership development every year
- In perspective newsletter, have Dean’s message address leadership in each issue.
- As often as possible, Dean should make presentation on leadership
- Have the office of Excellence to partner with Alumni to identify people that could speak to students, staff and faculty about leadership
To Assist in strengthening Alumni:
- Put in perspective newsletter requesting that Alumni update their data from the Advisory Board website or email External Affairs office in the School of Veterinary Medicine with their data update.
- Encourage Alumni to participate in leadership forum
- Alumni work with mentoring program through Dr. Ruby Perry
Academics/Others Group:
Members were: Drs. Walter Bowie, Eugene Adams, Edward Braye, Laurie Weil, Michael Blackwell and Mr. G. Caldwell (Guest -TU VP for Advancement).
Dr. Blackwell presented the breakout session summary.
Funding: TU needs to get a new magnet. The TUSVM should be able to recruit and retain students by providing them with scholarships. TU should also revisit the marketing of our legacy. TU Alumni needs to engage in annual giving.
- Enhancement: Faculty development by providing competitive salaries to knowledgeable/skillful faculty.
- Alumni – should highlight student stars by encouraging them to get involved in the association. This can be extended to Pre-vet, professional and magnet.
- Board members must participate in annual giving. We cannot ask other to give if we are not giving ourselves.
- Funding – through development of strategic planning, appropriations, tuition increase, private, corporate and individual giving.
- Request TU advancement office to work with the TUSVM in addressing the current funding model formula with the intent of putting more emphasis on advancement.
- Supporting of the Dean’s leadership efforts. Students can be trained with the understanding that they would return to serve the school for certain number of years.
- Promote TU pride and tradition and encourage positive student experience by removing that faculty that have negative impact on the students.
Clinical Practice Group:
Members were: Drs. Charles Lowrie, Jerry Clinkscales, Pamela Hale, Ellis M. Hall, James Heintz, William O. Jones, Ruby Perry and Jerome B. Williams.
A. Enhancement of resource development for the school:
Faculty development:
- Salary upgrades
- Knowledgeable and skilled initial faculty recruiting
Alumni involvement:
- Recognizing student stars
Student involvement:
- Pre-vet
- Professional
- Magnet
Board involvement:
- Board must participate in annual giving
Strategic Planning
- Appropriation
- Tuition
- Private Individuals
- Corporations
- Industries
Formula:
- Advancement Officer
- The group asked that the Provost be invited to the 3rd annual Advisory Board Meeting.
The TVMAA should foster the formation of local alumni clubs that would have as their mission to assist in the exposure and recruitment of students to Tuskegee’s School of Veterinary Medicine; encourage practicing clinicians and their clients to donate in memory of a deceased pet, and to encouraged alumni to use gifting of a portion of their estates to the school through trusts for the training of future veterinarians, and each club establish a scholarship fund for one or more students.
- Provide leadership training for the present faculty using available leadership institutions. Avail new faculty of leadership training within the first three years of their tenure.
Conclusion:
Dr. Davis expressed his pleasure in the time and effort put forth by the members. He told them that the minutes will be reviewed by the executive members and then disseminated to the group. The group leaders were challenged to make sure their group accomplish if not all but some of the ideas they raised in their group discussion.
The Dean also thanked everyone for coming and for the great ideas that were generated at the breakout sessions. He assured them that everything discussed would be taken seriously. He reiterated Dr. Weil passionate plea about not forgetting the School of Veterinary Medicine and to always remember what TU school of veterinary medicine means to everyone who has passed through its gates (and to those that will come through in future generations). He reminded them that the spirit of Tuskegee drives everything we do, and that requires teamwork. He challenged each member and groups to help accomplish according to their level of commitment so as to advance together. He thanked the group once again and Dr. Davis encouraged the members to take time while here to tour and enjoy the campus and the symposium. The 3rd annual meeting was scheduled next March at the same time.
The meeting was adjourned at about 5.10 p.m.
