School of Information Sciences (SIS)
SIS Alumni Society (SAS) Meeting Minutes
September 22, 2005
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
IS Building, Fifth Floor Large Commons Room

Agenda

5:45-6:00           Snacks and Beverages

6:00                    Meeting Items

1. IST Day
   1. Review of I-Fest events (K. Shaffer)
   2. Review of Brochure (handout)
   3. Review of participants for IST Day (handout)
   4. Assign presenters for workshops
   5. Assign resume reviewers
   6. Assign telephone interviewers
   7. Assign mock interviewers
   8. Review timeline for notification and RSVPs
2. General Updates
   1. Pitt Career Network
   2. Pathways to Professions
   3. Life Membership Campaign
   4. Homecoming

7:30                    Meeting Adjournment- Schedule next meeting

In attendance: Barbara Zaborowski (President),  Karen Grunebach (President Elect), Denise Callihan (Past-President), Kimberly Gregory (Secretary), Andrew Falk (SIS Liaison) , Kelly Shaffer (Marketing Director for SIS), Jean Petrisek, Jean Brumfield, Earl Mounts.  The meeting agenda is above.

Call to Order:  Barb Zaborowski brought the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m.

I-Fest Update  Andy Falk covered some points on the upcoming I-Fest days being held from October 27-29, 2005.  A brochure advertising the event was handed out.  The idea of such an event is to increase enrollments in undergraduate and graduate telecommunications degrees.  There are demonstrations, giveaways and other events occurring over this three-day period.

IST Professional Development Day (October 29, 2005) review

• Barb handed out the flyer advertising the IST Professional Development Day.  It was reviewed and changes/modifications were suggested.  Target date to have out is by October 5.  Deadline to register is October 15, 2005.
• Based on the registration numbers, a schedule will be finalized for resume review and for the mock interviews (in person and over-the-phone).
• Consensus seemed to be that the resume reviewers will speak directly with those who submitted their resumes.  This was something the LIS students wanted during their experience, however, not enough time was allowed for them to speak individually with the reviewer.
• Karen Grunebach and Kim Gregory indicated they could pull generic job descriptions from their places of employment for IST professionals.  These will be used by the students in preparation for their mock interviews.

Pitt Career Network

• This is a brand new online service developed with the intention of matching alumni with students.  Alumni can register by putting up a profile in the database.  Students and other alumni can then search on various criteria.  The goal is to have 5000 registered in three years time. The only restriction is that the registrant must have earned an actual degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

Pathways to Professions

• This is the third year for this networking event.  This year, it is scheduled for Thursday, October 20, 2005 from 6 pm to 8 pm in the Connolly Ballroom, Alumni Hall.  This event is an opportunity for students to network with alumni in a particular field or career of interest.  Kim Gregory doesn’t know whether she should be a “student” or “alumni” at this event.  Identity crises, oh no!

 
Life Membership Campaign

• Pitt Alumni Association (PAA) is trying to register more lifetime members to its alumni association.  The non-lifetime dues paid by individuals go to operating expenses of the association.  However, lifetime membership dues go into and endowment fund, which will allow asset building.  Hence, this campaign is starting to heat up with competitions between teams to see who can recruit the most.

Homecoming October 22, 2005

• PNC is sponsoring the pre-game tent for only one Pitt home game this year, and that is before the Homecoming game against Syracuse.  Game time is to be announced.  Barb and Denise have volunteered to be there as representatives for the School of Information Science.  The VISC Cave will also be set up again this year.  Depending on the time of the game, Kim Gregory will also be there.  Giveaways were discussed and Andy will take care of this.

Tele20

• It will be 20 years for the Telecommunications Program in 2006 (marking first classes taught) through 2008 (marking first degrees awarded).  Andy asked that if we can think of ideas for the celebration, especially at Homecoming next year, to let him know.  The faculty would like to have exposure. 

I-Fest

• Barb is working diligently on this event, scheduled for a target date in the fall of 2007.  Five big players have been identified:  Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Carnegie Mellon University, Carnegie Library, Carnegie Museum and of course, the University of Pittsburgh.  A meeting with University of Pittsburgh facilities was conducted.  Goal is to get about $250,000 in a corporate donation(s). 

Banner Status

• Barb and Denise are tracking events for banner status, which has changed greatly since past years.

Recap of Activities

• Pirate game attendance as our first alumni event:  15 tickets were sold.  Other potential events: Pittsburgh Zoo, Dave & Busters.
• Meeting adjourned:     7:30 pm.  Next meeting is January 2006.