MASSACHUSETTS MARITIME ACADEMY PARENTS ASSOCIATION MEETING MINUTES
September 19, 2007

Note:  These minutes are considered draft until approval at the December 2007 meeting.

Present: Beth Astone, Karen Baaqulepi, Karen Hindemith, Howie & Wendie Howland, Lisa Kramer, Tracy Lawrence, Gary Lowe, Lynne Martineau, William J. & Maureen McClellan, Mary Mulgrew, Karen Nahigian, Donna & Bill Nedderman, Ann Nunez, Ann Prete, Pat Proctor, Beth Sobiloff, Ann Marie Stoica, Harry Wood.

For the first time, parents from across the country joined us on a conference call line where they were able to both listen and participate in the meeting!

Guests:

Admiral Richard Gurnon, President
Captain Ed Rozak, Director, Commandant of Cadets
Captain Tom Bushy
Paul Kelly, MMA Board of Trustees
CDR George Gillis
Janet Francoeur, Bookstore
Fuji, Admissions Office
Sean Sullivan, SGA President
Matt White, Student Trustee

President Ann Prete called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. She started the meeting by reading a biography of the accomplishments of Captain Albert Wilson, and a letter addressed to Captain Wilson, who is being honored today for founding MMAPA in 1991. (See the letter) Captain Wilson was presented with several gifts and told some great stories about his adventures as a key member of the staff at MMA, including how he hired Admiral Gurnon.

Admiral Gurnon:

We have never been stronger than we are now. He reported that the Orientation Mini-Cruise, despite some planning snafus, was a great success. The school retained a record number of students by the end of orientation. He also reported on the plans for a new $18 million library on campus.

Secretary's Report

The minutes of the May 16, 2007 meeting were approved without changes.

Treasurer's Report

Harry Wood reported that we sold $4900 worth of items when the ship returned at the end of Orientation. During the past year, we were able to award $6,000 in scholarships. At this time we have $8,000 in the account to start the year. From this amount, we will need to cover expenses, including the purchase of mugs and certificates for Sea Term, T-shirts, and any other items we may need.

Caribbean Raffle Cruise: Ticket sales are down at this time. Harry encouraged each parent to buy 3 tickets. For the first time, the tickets for the cruise to be given as the raffle prize have been purchased with last year's income. The goal this year is to give out 3 Sea Term scholarships again. The Academy decides who received those scholarships. The mailing is ready to go. Ann pointed out that if every parent bought one ticket, we would raise $10,000.

Orientation Fundraising (parents assisting the bookstore with sea bags): Ann reported that none of us had any idea how much physical work this was going to be. She thanked all of the parents who participated. We worked 297-1/2 hours, which raised $2,677.50. Folletts Representative Janet Francoeur was in attendance to personally thank the parents for providing so much help. The money was specifically geared toward a Sea Term scholarship. Ann requested that we take enough from the general funds to bring the amount to $3150, the full cost of one Sea Term scholarship. Wendie Howland made the motion, it was seconded and VOTED.

Note cards: Admissions has printed packages of 8 note cards to be sold for $6.00. MMAPA will received $1 of that, and Admissions will receive the other $5.

New business (items addressed on parent list serve to be addressed by Captain Rozak):

Recognition Day: Captain Rozak answered several questions about Recognition Day. He stated that some of the cadet officers felt that 9/29 was too early. The school tries to set the date to coincide with other events, such as the Coast Guard football game.

Webcams: One of the members of the technical staff explained some of the issues with the campus webcams. If the user's computer does not have the correct version of java installed, or they are using Windows Internet Explorer 7.0 or Firefox 2.x, there may be issues. Bandwidth has also been an issue on campus. The Tech Department is working on this issue. They may look at a different system.

Concerning technology, there has also been an issue of some network connection damage on campus. This seems to have occurred at the summer camp. The staff is working on this. Concerning wireless connection issues, he stated that we need a higher density of antennas.

Bugs in the dorms: Captain Rozak reported that there was an issue with broken screens in the dorms. They are constantly being either damaged or removed, and this is difficult to keep up with. All screens will be replaced next summer.

Mold: Captain Rozak said there haven't been any complaints about mold. There were companies that had an issue last year, but those were fixed over the summer. Captain Bushy reported that there was only one room on the ship where mold was found, and it was taken care of. Paul Kelly added that the ship has been checked thoroughly.

Holiday Watch: Watch for Thanksgiving begins November 20th and ends on the 26th. There is paid watch only from Thanksgiving eve at 0800 through Thanksgiving day. They have already begun to sign up students for the holiday watches, with students who live outside of New England having first choice. Captain Rozak was asked to explain how watch works. Watch rotation is posted in all of the dorms. Holiday watch shifts are 8 hours.

Captain Bushy: IMO (International Maritime Organization) created STCW (Standards of Training Certification Watch keeping). STCWs are enforced by the US Coast Guard. All licensed students are required to have 360 days of sea time for licensing, 180 days of which have to be real sea time, and standing watch can make up the other 180 days. He went on to say that the current 3Cs are being evaluated and put into a matrix according to academics, attitude and peer review, and based on their placement, will be invited to start picking ships for a commercial sea term next summer. The Enterprise is reaching maximum. This year, there are over 300 freshmen, along with some students who couldn't go last year. There area 120 first class deck and engine students. Some 3C's will also go on the sea cruise if they can't go on a commercial ship next summer for some reason.

Trustee Paul Kelly:

Student Life Committee: Two of the trustees on the committee are alumnus. The Board really wants our input. Kelly is the Chair. Parents are invited to attend the Committee meetings. Paul thanked Trustee Jeff White and Cadet Sean Sullivan for their participation.

Captain Bushy: Orientation Mini Cruise - everything fell into place at the last minute. The Cadet Chief Engineer and Cadet Chief Mate really got the ship ready and contacted the rates to volunteer for the cruise. There were 330 youngies, a total of 437 cadets on the ship. 107 cadets volunteered their time to do the cruise The 72 cadre were there, plus 32 cadets who got a stipend of $100/week.

Admissions Liaison Karen Nahigian: Admissions is looking for parents to help at college fairs. If there is one in your area, email Fuji if you can help. If you don't see anything from your area, contact Fuji and ask if you can do one.

Open Houses: 9/29 - need volunteers for that day; Oct. 27, Nov. 17, Dec. 2 is the athletic open house. We also need help with the MMAPA table on 9/29.

By-Laws Committee: Ann Marie Stoica

Ann Marie passed out a summary of the committee's charge, which is to update the By-Laws of the MMAPA, and present them to the Board of Trustees and school administration when done. The committee looked at By-Laws of other schools and organizations. Paul Kelly offered his help as a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians and a member of the By-Laws Committee of the Board. Ann is hoping to have them ready for the December meeting.

Unfinished Business:

Chickering Insurance: There was discussion about effective dates of the plan, and issues that come up for students who need prescriptions or medical visits before the school has confirmed their eligibility with Chickering. It does not appear to be an issue for most families, but needs to be dealt with by the insurance company when the issue arises.

Swimming Pool Use: Discussion of use of the pool by students. The pool is rented out to the Cape Cod Swim Club. Cadets are welcome to swim on the team if they are interested. Open hours for cadets are Mon., Wed. & Thurs. 4-5:30. Hours are restricted due to requirements for having a life guard on duty. Students pay $55/yr. for use of the pool.

Public Transportation: Green Shuttle Services is looking at providing service to MMA. Cape Destinations has made a proposal of a minimum of 5 cadets would pay $20 each to go to Providence or Boston. Ann will continue to pursue alternatives.

Department Tidbits: Coop registration begins September 27th. CDR Gillis announced that there will be a career day on October 10th. October 11th there will be interviews for seniors. From the Health Dept., the MD will be on campus to conduct physicals on September 27th and 28th, and there will be a flu clinic on October 2nd and 16th. Public Safety is installing a new emergency phone system on campus. Should be completed by late October.

Alcohol Abuse: Ann's goal is to ensure that all cadets who leave for sea term will return without any incidents. Paul Kelly emphasized how bad the jails are in foreign countries. Parents acknowledged that overall, the staff does a great job of educating the cadets, and getting them home safely.

Next meeting: December 12th. The ship will return from Sea Term on February 24th. Parents' Dinner will be February 23rd at the Best Western.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Beth Sobiloff
Secretary