Minutes of the Parents Meeting
September 17, 2008 
6:30PM

Present:  Susan Bracter, Bonnie Haas, Debra Morrissey, Kevin Owens, Lynda Braley, Suzanne Cap, Jane Robinson, David Stocia, Wendie Howland, Tricia Topoulos, Andrew Topoulos, Ann Marie Stocia, Juli Crevier-Smith, Jane Moore, Patricia Fiore, Carol J. Dohnerty, Harry Powers, Claire Powers, Beth Sobiloff, Bill Yalen, Ann Kenny, Joanne Fleming,  Karen Nahigian, Pat Proctor, Admiral Rick Gurnon, Captain Brad Lima, Captain Ed Rosak, Captain Hanson, Fugi, Regimental Commander of Cadets Matt Duggan

There were also about 54 other participants who joined in via teleconference.

Academy Overview: Admiral Rick Gurnon: Discussed the capital bond bill for 23 million dollars that was awarded for the new library/information technology center.  It will also house the bookstore, continuing education and various other office spaces.  He also reported on a $3 million grant from ABS-in Houston that can be used any way the Academy sees fit.  The Academy also has a $5 million endowment and a $9 million rainy day fund.  This was a record setting year for development.  11 years of enrollment growth-this year alone was 11%.  There are now 1053 cadets at MOFO (morning formation), and the wait list is growing.  The retention is high with the number of cadets entering MMA to the number of cadets that are graduating.  MMA is striving to be a greener environment.  Conservation of water and electric are among the top priorities.  The turbine produces hot water for the 1100 cadets and with the ability to sell some of the electricity it is a revenue producing asset to the Academy.  The TS Enterprise will be renamed to the TS Kennedy in respect to Senator Kennedy as well as other Kennedys (Joe Sr. was the first Maritime Administrator, President John F. Kennedy, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and eldest Kennedy sibling Joseph Kennedy, who was killed in WWII on a secret bombing mission.).

ADM Gurnon also commented on recent conflict among parents on the Chat Group. He expressed that such conflict should be ended and that parents should behave responsibly and courteously.

COMCAD, Regimental Commander: Captain Ed Rosak:  Introduced the Regimental Commander for Students Matt Duggan.  He is responsible for the seven companies of cadets and oversees all the cadet staff.  This freshman class is the largest in the Academy’s history-343.  Cadet recognition is set for 9/20/2008.

VP of Operations (Building, Grounds and Athletics): Captain Allen Hanson:
A third of all cadets compete in varsity sports and 40% are women.  Working on the 1st phase of a new press box but additional funding is needed for this project. 2nd phase of bleacher seating will be completed next year and seating for about 1000 spectators.  Rugby is not a varsity sport due to the Title IX ruling.  NCAA rules state that women are allowed to play all varsity sports and since no women are playing rugby then it stays a club.  New website for the athletic department was done off-site and is up and running and is getting great reviews. 

Academic Dean: Captain Brad Lima: Memo regarding Sea Term 2009 is being distributed to all cadets to clarify sea term requirements and order of priority of licensing majors.  All cadets must register for Sea Term by 10/20/08.  This form will be posted on-line for the cadets.  Any cadet not going on Sea Term are encouraged to take a winter/summer classes to aid students in handling the heavy course load, or who struggle with certain classes.  This gives them the opportunity to focus only on this class.  Math Lab classes can determine how long a student spends on a problem and helps the instructor to focus on those problems for class time.  Class sizes range from an 8:1 ratio in the classroom to 35 in a lecture class.

Courses not taken on campus must get the Dean’s approval first.  Credits will transfer but the grade will not.  If you fail a course at MMA but pass it at another university/college the failing grade will stay on your transcript.  All students are required to take calculus. The Academy is responsible for setting up the commercial shipping for the cadets co-op requirement. If anyone has a lead on a co-op opportunity, please notify Captain Lima. He stressed that he has an open-door policy for all cadets but will set up a one-on-one appointment for any one who feels the need. The SEA TERM 2009 ports of Call are:  TAMPA, FLA/SAN JUAN/PR, ST.THOMAS/VI.

Admissions: FUGI:  Any parent interested in representing MMA at a college night is to email Fugi.  He will provide a list of perspective candidates in their area that have shown an interest in attending MMA.  He also has a high school visitation program where an academically eligible cadet can go to their old high school and represent MMA.

Admissions Liaison: Karen Nahigian:   If any parents are interested in volunteering for the open-houses at MMA please contact Karen.  Dates are on academic calendar and run from 8-12:30 pm.  December 7th is the athletic open-house.  Volunteers are needed to man the MMAPA table,  lead touring groups and answer/discuss all aspects of MMA.

Guest Presentations: Chartwell’s Manager Fritz.  Fritz discussed the menu available to all cadets from 6 am until 8 pm M-F Sat/Sun hours are 9-12:15/4:30-6pm.    If a cadet needs a box lunch because of his schedule, that is not a problem - just let him know and one will be waiting.  As for away games for the various teams, Fritz packs drinks, fruit, and snacks.  He also gives the team funds to buy food on the way home from the games.  Also any parent that is interested in eating at the mess deck is more than welcomes at any time.  Also cadets on watch are relieved to go and eat during the operation hours.

Fritz also discussed food waste.  The cost and waste is of a concern and he is working on a solution to try and solve this problem.  One solution is to move to a trayless system, which they will be trying out soon.

Secretary’s Report:

The minutes of the May  7, 2008 were unanimously approved.

Treasurer’s Report:

Ann Kenny reported that the account for MMAPA has been moved from TD Bank North to Sovereign Bank to accommodate the Co-Treasurers.

Opening balance as of June 2, 2008 was $4500.00.  Income: from Sea Term DVD -$ 1290.00, Sea Term Mugs- $ 25.00, Orientation-Drop Off Day- $ 2045.11, Orientation-Graduation Day-$ 2265.00.  Reimbursement from MMA Foundation audit - $ 9055.10, Balance in TD North Bank -$ 211.61.  Expenses: Office supplies for Sea term DVD mailings and new locking cash box-$ 154.66, Postage for Sea Term DVD-$  152.03, Gifts for outgoing officers- $ 85.88, Printing of Sea term Cruise ticket fundraiser-$ 1230.45, Design Associates –T-shirts- $ 2304.00, MMAPA business card printing-$ 16.58, and MMA scholarship distribution- $ 8,000.00.  ENDING BALANCE as of September 12, 2008  is $ 7448.22.

It was disclosed that the new vendor –DESIGN ASSOCIATES- that MMAPA is now using for the printing of the t-shirts is Robert Fleming who is the husband of the Co-Treasurer Joanne Fleming. The decision to go with him was because the product quality was equal or superior to previous sources, we were able to save .30 cents per shirt and also there is neither shipping nor handling charges since Joanne lives in Plymouth and brings the merchandise to MMA.

Sea Bag Fundraiser: stands as 448.75 hours @ $ 9.00 per hour which equals $ 4038.75 pure profit.  The check should be given to MMAPA for deposit shortly from Jerry.

Cruise Raffle: With the donation of a cruise by Celebrity Cruise Line.  Ann Prete’s credit card will receive a credit of $ 1182.22 for the one already purchased.   The mailing of the cruise raffle tickets is set to be mailed shortly from MMA at the bulk mail rate –they are 1 for $ 10.00 or 3 for $25.00.  An on-line order form will be posted so people can purchase more than the 3 that were mailed out.

The treasurer’s report was accepted and approved.

Vote of Confidence/No-confidence:  The welcome back BBQ was discussed.  The Board acknowledged the error in judgment for ordering the steaks and the DJ and expressed that-no MMAPA funds were spent, as the entire amount was covered by donations.  It was stated that only the best interest of the cadets was at hand.  The steaks were enjoyed by the cadets, funded by parents and others who sent checks to Chartwells, and the DJ was cancelled. After a brief discussion a motion was made and the vote for confidence passed with no opposing votes.

Sea Term 2009 Dinner:  Sandy O’Donnell volunteered to head the committee.  Dinner will be held on 2/21-ship returns early on 2/22.  Sea term mugs and certificates are passed out as well as on the arrival day.

MMAPA List Serve:    VP Bill Yalen suggested for sub-topics of interest such as ride share, clothing exchange, and photos exchange.   The list-serve provides a means of support for parents who have questions or concerns about various topics at MMA.  The Executive Board in most cases are able to answer these questions and if the need arises then someone from the Academy staff provides a more detailed explanation.  Questions must follow the Posting Guidelines that are posted on the website, and as called for in the MMAPA By-Laws.  List-serve has been successful for the past 5 years and every parent is encouraged to join.  VP Bill Yalen is the moderator for the list-serve.  He led a review of the history and general philosophy behind the Guidelines and moderator role, including expression of a consensus by most of those present (by show of hands) of the need for some kind of posting regulation and moderator function.After  discussion concerning the list-serve, it stands as before.

The meeting adjourned at 9:30PM.

Respectfully submitted

Pat Proctor
Secretary-MMAPA