December 6, 2003

The Executive Council met in Knoxville, TN, on December 6, 2003.

The Council enthusiastically voted two TBP Resolutions of Appreciation to retiring advisors of the collegiate chapters. Dr. Pramod P. Khargonekar, FL A ’81, was named Chair of the 2004 Dean’s Selection Committee for the TBP National Outstanding Advisor Award.

Councillor Alison L. Hu was appointed as installing deputy for the January 17 installation of the Idaho Beta Chapter, and Vice President Ellen D. Styles was appointed as installing deputy of the March 27 installation of the Michigan Lambda Chapter.

President M.W. Ohland reported on a proposal to increase the percentage of juniors eligible for membership. Proposals for two grants under the Greater Interest in Government program were rejected because of insufficient funds.

The Council approved a policy for the approval of curricula added to chapter bylaws requiring that they: (1) must be ABET EAC-accredited, or (2) must be administered by a unit of engineering and have the same name as any ABET EAC-accredited program, or (3) must be administered by a unit of engineering and have a name ending with the word engineering.

The 2003 Convention held in October in Lubbock, TX, was reviewed and was judged to have been successful. In compliance with the 1981 Convention procedure for site choices, the invitation of Colorado Beta to host the 2006 meeting in Denver was accepted. The Council reviewed recommendations presented during the annual meeting and adjusted plans for the 2004 Convention to be held in Orlando, FL, on October 7-9.

The schedule of Spring conferences was reviewed, and assignments were made for national-officer representation at all 16 events. District Directors L.C. Pawlak, B.L. Frost III, and J.C. Hill were appointed to the TBP Distinguished Alumnus Selection Committee. District Directors E.A. Stephan, E.R. Armstrong, and T.A. Pinkham IV were appointed to the Laureate Selection Committee. A District 12 graphic design using the bent insignia was approved. Potential revisions to the Policy on Standards for National Awards were reviewed.

A resolution was approved authorizing amendments to TBP employee retirement plans to comply with the final and temporary minimum-distribution regulations under Sec. 4.01(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Executive Director J.D. Froula reported on the status of the 2003 Alumni Giving Program and various information technology improvements; his first-quarter financial report of the fiscal year had been sent to the Council and was accepted. The final design of a new TBP informational brochure was modified and approved. Vice President Styles reviewed the status of The Bicycle Project.

The Council discussed, amended, and adopted a Strategic Plan. The Council appointed members of and approved a charter of a new Character Evaluation Criteria Committee; its members are District Directors B.L. Frost III, R.P. King, and S.V. Eckersall.