MASSACHUSETTS MARITIME ACADEMY
PARENTS ASSOCIATION MEETING
MINUTES
September 19, 2007
Note: These minutes are considered draft
until approval at the December 2007 meeting.
Present: Beth Astone, Karen Baaqulepi,
Karen Hindemith, Howie & Wendie Howland, Lisa Kramer, Tracy Lawrence,
Gary Lowe, Lynne Martineau, William J. & Maureen McClellan, Mary Mulgrew,
Karen Nahigian, Donna & Bill Nedderman, Ann Nunez, Ann Prete, Pat Proctor,
Beth Sobiloff, Ann Marie Stoica, Harry Wood.
For the first time, parents from across the country joined
us on a conference call line where they were able to both listen and
participate in the meeting!
Guests:
Admiral Richard
Gurnon, President
Captain Ed Rozak,
Director, Commandant of Cadets
Captain Tom Bushy
Paul Kelly, MMA Board of Trustees
CDR George Gillis
Janet Francoeur, Bookstore
Fuji, Admissions Office
Sean Sullivan, SGA President
Matt White, Student Trustee
President Ann Prete called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. She started
the meeting by reading a biography of the accomplishments of Captain Albert
Wilson, and a letter addressed to Captain Wilson, who is being honored
today for founding MMAPA in 1991. (See the letter)
Captain Wilson was presented with several gifts and told some great stories
about his adventures as a key member of the staff at MMA, including how
he hired Admiral Gurnon.
Admiral Gurnon:
We have never been stronger than we are now.
He reported that the Orientation Mini-Cruise, despite some
planning snafus, was a great success. The school retained a record number
of students by the end of orientation. He also reported on the plans for
a new $18 million library on campus.
Secretary's Report
The minutes of the May 16, 2007 meeting were approved without changes.
Treasurer's Report
Harry Wood reported that we sold $4900 worth of items when the ship returned
at the end of Orientation. During the past year, we were able to award
$6,000 in scholarships. At this time we have $8,000 in the account to start
the year. From this amount, we will need to cover expenses, including the
purchase of mugs and certificates for Sea Term, T-shirts, and any other
items we may need.
Caribbean Raffle Cruise: Ticket sales are down at this
time. Harry encouraged each parent to buy 3 tickets. For the first time,
the tickets for the cruise to be given as the raffle prize have been purchased
with last year's income. The goal this year is to give out 3 Sea Term scholarships
again. The Academy decides who received those scholarships. The mailing
is ready to go. Ann pointed out that if every parent bought one ticket,
we would raise $10,000.
Orientation Fundraising (parents assisting the bookstore with sea bags):
Ann reported that none of us had any idea how much physical work this was
going to be. She thanked all of the parents who participated. We worked
297-1/2 hours, which raised $2,677.50. Folletts Representative Janet Francoeur
was in attendance to personally thank the parents for providing so much
help. The money was specifically geared toward a Sea Term scholarship.
Ann requested that we take enough from the general funds to bring the amount
to $3150, the full cost of one Sea Term scholarship. Wendie Howland made
the motion, it was seconded and VOTED.
Note cards: Admissions has printed packages of 8 note cards to be sold
for $6.00. MMAPA will received $1 of that, and Admissions will receive
the other $5.
New business (items addressed on parent list serve to be addressed
by Captain Rozak):
Recognition Day: Captain Rozak answered several questions about Recognition
Day. He stated that some of the cadet officers felt that 9/29 was too early.
The school tries to set the date to coincide with other events, such as
the Coast Guard football game.
Webcams: One of the members of the technical staff explained some of
the issues with the campus webcams. If the user's computer does not have
the correct version of java installed, or they are using Windows Internet
Explorer 7.0 or Firefox 2.x, there may be issues. Bandwidth has also been
an issue on campus. The Tech Department is working on this issue. They
may look at a different system.
Concerning technology, there has also been an issue of some network connection
damage on campus. This seems to have occurred at the summer camp. The staff
is working on this. Concerning wireless connection issues, he stated that
we need a higher density of antennas.
Bugs in the dorms: Captain Rozak reported that there was an issue with
broken screens in the dorms. They are constantly being either damaged or
removed, and this is difficult to keep up with. All screens will be replaced
next summer.
Mold: Captain Rozak said there haven't been any complaints about mold.
There were companies that had an issue last year, but those were fixed
over the summer. Captain Bushy reported that there was only one room on
the ship where mold was found, and it was taken care of. Paul Kelly added
that the ship has been checked thoroughly.
Holiday Watch: Watch for Thanksgiving begins November 20th and ends
on the 26th. There is paid watch only from Thanksgiving eve at 0800 through
Thanksgiving day. They have already begun to sign up students for the holiday
watches, with students who live outside of New England having first choice.
Captain Rozak was asked to explain how watch works. Watch rotation is posted
in all of the dorms. Holiday watch shifts are 8 hours.
Captain Bushy: IMO (International Maritime Organization) created STCW
(Standards of Training Certification Watch keeping). STCWs are enforced
by the US Coast Guard. All licensed students are required to have 360 days
of sea time for licensing, 180 days of which have to be real sea time,
and standing watch can make up the other 180 days. He went on to say that
the current 3Cs are being evaluated and put into a matrix according to
academics, attitude and peer review, and based on their placement, will
be invited to start picking ships for a commercial sea term next summer.
The Enterprise is reaching maximum. This year, there are over 300 freshmen,
along with some students who couldn't go last year. There area 120 first
class deck and engine students. Some 3C's will also go on the sea cruise
if they can't go on a commercial ship next summer for some reason.
Trustee Paul Kelly:
Student Life Committee: Two of the trustees on the committee are alumnus.
The Board really wants our input. Kelly is the Chair. Parents are invited
to attend the Committee meetings. Paul thanked Trustee Jeff White and Cadet
Sean Sullivan for their participation.
Captain Bushy: Orientation Mini Cruise - everything fell into place at
the last minute. The Cadet Chief Engineer and Cadet Chief Mate really got
the ship ready and contacted the rates to volunteer for the cruise. There
were 330 youngies, a total of 437 cadets on the ship. 107 cadets volunteered
their time to do the cruise The 72 cadre were there, plus 32 cadets who
got a stipend of $100/week.
Admissions Liaison Karen Nahigian: Admissions is looking for parents
to help at college fairs. If there is one in your area, email Fuji if you
can help. If you don't see anything from your area, contact Fuji and ask
if you can do one.
Open Houses: 9/29 - need volunteers for that day; Oct. 27, Nov. 17, Dec.
2 is the athletic open house. We also need help with the MMAPA table on
9/29.
By-Laws Committee: Ann Marie Stoica
Ann Marie passed out a summary of the committee's charge, which is to
update the By-Laws of the MMAPA, and present them to the Board of Trustees
and school administration when done. The committee looked at By-Laws of
other schools and organizations. Paul Kelly offered his help as a member
of the National Association of Parliamentarians and a member of the By-Laws
Committee of the Board. Ann is hoping to have them ready for the December
meeting.
Unfinished Business:
Chickering Insurance: There was discussion about effective dates of the
plan, and issues that come up for students who need prescriptions or medical
visits before the school has confirmed their eligibility with Chickering.
It does not appear to be an issue for most families, but needs to be dealt
with by the insurance company when the issue arises.
Swimming Pool Use: Discussion of use of the pool by students. The pool
is rented out to the Cape Cod Swim Club. Cadets are welcome to swim on
the team if they are interested. Open hours for cadets are Mon., Wed. &
Thurs. 4-5:30. Hours are restricted due to requirements for having a life
guard on duty. Students pay $55/yr. for use of the pool.
Public Transportation: Green Shuttle Services is looking at providing
service to MMA. Cape Destinations has made a proposal of a minimum of 5
cadets would pay $20 each to go to Providence or Boston. Ann will continue
to pursue alternatives.
Department Tidbits: Coop registration begins September 27th. CDR Gillis
announced that there will be a career day on October 10th. October 11th
there will be interviews for seniors. From the Health Dept., the MD will
be on campus to conduct physicals on September 27th and 28th, and there
will be a flu clinic on October 2nd and 16th. Public Safety is installing
a new emergency phone system on campus. Should be completed by late October.
Alcohol Abuse: Ann's goal is to ensure that all cadets who leave for
sea term will return without any incidents. Paul Kelly emphasized how bad
the jails are in foreign countries. Parents acknowledged that overall,
the staff does a great job of educating the cadets, and getting them home
safely.
Next meeting: December 12th. The ship will return from Sea Term on February
24th. Parents' Dinner will be February 23rd at the Best Western.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Beth Sobiloff
Secretary
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