January 24, 2004 MSSMPG Meeting in Rockland - Minutes

17 parents in attendance:

Core: Terrie Frisbie, Alice Chartrand, Jane Karker, Jon Eaton.
General Membership: Maurice and Luralee Knapp, Mary Beth and Ken Pride, Mariellen Eaton, Laurie Walsh, George Berube, Tamra and Rick Bergeron, Nigel Calder, Lee Karker, Ann and Ralph Townsend

Committee reports:

  • Enrichment: Coffeehouse real estate viewed. One building available for purchase for $20,000. Students interested in creating and developing coffeehouse and events.

  • Student Life: Communications Workshop facilitated by John McCann for 15 student leaders, 6 faculty, 4 RA staff and 2 administrators. 8 parents assisted. Second student survey drew 22 responses with essentially the same pattern of results.

  • Communications: web site up and running at mssmvoice.org thanks to Paul Meyer.
    Student developed bulletin board (rantlog) will become a link. Four MSSMPG parents helped out at January Open House. Volunteers are needed for Mon, Feb 9 Open House

    Treasurer report: Quarterly financial statements of MSSMPG earmarked funds for MSSM Foundation will be available at MSSM Board of Trustees meeting

    Positive Perspective from MSSM Parents: Students do a lot of bouncing off of ideas from each other in an informal fashion, similar to one's first experience in college Although not perfect, because of the faculty's involvement, MSSM has changed her life: Faculties are wonderful mentors. Students who enjoy gaming/magic cards are in heaven finding others of like pursuits. Students who have tended to be more solitary have blossomed at MSSM. One Student with Asperger's syndrome has achieved success at overcoming some of his organizational deficits out of necessity.

    College counseling: Mixed reports from parents, including excellent guidance summaries. We need more information- presentation by Norma, or timeline of tasks she performs and what parents need to monitor. One student with self-organizing deficits had trouble locating his photo ID and arranging for transportation (eventually worked out w/ administrative help)

    Need to create a venue for Kudos (maybe post on web bulletin board): E.g. new equipment has appeared in the kitchen; faculty who have donated their time outside the classroom (tutoring in dorms etc)

    Mission Statement discussed. Need for a vision of what we'd like to see 5 years from now to drive a statement. Mission includes developing community, bridging (communication), enrichment and nonacademic learning, improving humanities/arts, and promoting positive morale in the dorm.

    Issues to present to Board:
    Terrie and Alice to present to full Board Jan 26. Additional parents to attend subcommittees.

  • Consensus that there is an urgent morale problem in the dorm which is affecting enrollment and retention. An Ad Hoc Committee or other increased Board attention is needed.
  • A mature adult leader(s) with administrative authority is needed in the dorm, such as a live in full time Dean, or dorm parents.
  • Need to change punitive rules driven approach to inspired leadership and teaching students self governance.
  • School is light on student services- staffing, extracurricular activities.

    Items for next Parents Advisory Council to bring up with Dottie:
  • Academic advisory system
  • Update on dorm council meetings
  • Reinstituting blank forms to send annually to parents for suggested legislative contact and press releases re school accomplishments.
  • Improving public relations efforts
  • Inviting a Board member(s) to the Council
  • Ask that 3 big issues be taken up from the Communications Workshop and ask monthly about progress
  • Would like emergency procedures spelled out better for RA's and students
  • Host Family system

    Tasks assigned:
  • Further crafting of mission statement (Mariellen and Jon Eaton)
  • MSSMPG Origins and Activity Handout to present to board: (Jane Karker)
  • Pursue feasibility of Ethics Workshop w/ John McCann and Dottie (Terrie)

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