March 10, 2001

The Executive Council met in Baltimore, MD, on March 10, 2001.

The Council reviewed the status of the incomplete chapter balloting to ratify three constitutional amendments from the 2000 Convention and extended the educational loan of a borrower under the usual conditions.

Elizabeth A. Stephan, OH K ‘93, was appointed as District 5 Director for a term ending in June 2002. Two Councillors who had attended District conferences in February reported on those events. Preliminary plans were made for the June 9 meeting of national officers in New Orleans, LA.

The status of the 2001 Fellowship Program, which included 204 applicants, and the 2001 Scholarship Program, which included 67 applicants, was reviewed. Dr. Velio A. Marsocci, NY E ‘53, was re-appointed to the Fellowship Board for a term ending July 31, 2004. The Council increased the expense budget to provide for 16 Tau Beta Pi Scholarships and modified the deadline for the 2002 program to March 1. President D.M. Green reported on the Scholarship Development Campaign. The Council discussed forgivable student loans, but took no action, and discussed the establishment of a Conflict of Interest Policy and the issue of the eligibility of computer-science majors.

The Council approved a request from Missouri Alpha members at the University of Missouri-Kansas City to send its final petition to the 2001 Convention. A project grant under the Greater Interest in Government Program was given to the South Dakota Alpha Chapter, and the local project for which a cash award was made will be reported in a later issue of THE BENT. Minor schedule changes were approved for the 2001 Convention. Councillor C.P. Rice reviewed the status of current Engineering Futures Program initiatives and the status of a proposed career-planning module. She reported on the current analysis of membership statistics.

Executive Director J.D. Froula reported on the status of the 2000 Alumni Giving Program, which set a record for total contributions; his second-quarter financial report of the fiscal year had been sent to the Council and was accepted. The salary schedule for the Headquarters staff was modified in accordance with merit policy and the cost-of-living index.

Mr. Froula presented a draft staff strategic plan, and the Council made preliminary plans to develop a Tau Beta Pi strategic plan. Mr. Froula reviewed the status of interactive on-line membership reporting by chapters on the website, the hiring of a part-time webmaster, and progress in establishing a trial Editorial Board.

The Council observed website improvements, improvements made to THE BENT, and the status of a study of headquarters office-space needs being conducted by an architectural consultant. The Council stated its desire to provide a new video for chapters and discussed possible collaboration with the National Association of Engineering Student Councils.