Pomona College Alumni Association Board Meeting Minutes
November 6, 2021 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Hybrid Meeting: Pomona College, Alexander Hall Board Room and via Zoom
Members In Attendance: Aldair Arriola-Gomez ’17, Andrew Brown ’77, Paula Gonzalez ’95, Marcel Green ’90, Terril Jones ’80, Carol Kruse ’84, Linda Luisi ’81, Jim McCallum ’70, Vicki Paterno ’75, Amy Van Buren Rhodes ’07, Veronica Roman ’95, Alfredo Romero ’91, Julie Siebel ’84, Don Swan ’15, Andrea Venezia ’91
Members & Representatives Absent: Chris Byington ’12, Nathan Dean ’10, Jeff Levere ’12, Megan Kaes Long ’08, Lew Phelps ’65, Andrea Ravich ’06, Dominic Yoong ’88
Staff and Representatives: Kevin Dettmar, Nirali Devgan ’22, Paola Franco ’17, Kerry Martin, Kristen Romero Lucy Takahashi, Courtney Derrico, Pritina Irvin, Mariam Khwajazada, Dena LeBlanc, Alisa Fishbach
Special Guests: Rodger Devine, Laura Wensley
Call to order, Welcome and Introductions: President Don Swan ’15 called the meeting to order at 10:12 am. The meeting minutes from September 25, 2021, were approved unanimously by vote.
President’s Report: Don Swan ’15 updated the board on the most recent Trustee discussions: In conjunction with others in the 5Cs the college continues with COVID-19 protocols and testing being administered on campus. Don also gave an update on the College’s endowment and recapped the findings/recommendations from campaign consultants GG+A on the College 18-month Pre-campaign Plan. Lastly, Don gave an update on the opening of the Benton Museum.
Action Items Update: Don Swan & Alisa Fishbach updated the board on the following action items:
• Group Norms/Conversation Practices Focus Group doodle poll was sent out to those who expressed interest in participating. An Alumni Board Roles & Responsibilities Agreement draft is being worked on, first with staff and then to be provided to that committee.
• Anti-Bias Training: Alisa is still doing the groundwork to find suitable training to offer the AB members.
Faculty Representative Update: Professor Kevin Dettmar updated the board re: the recent FEC meeting where the following items were discussed: (1) COVID protocols and their impact on Faculty; (2) the search for our next Dean of the College, which has been announced as an internal for an interim Dean. The FEC is currently working to put together a search committee. And (3) a tentative agreement between the Dean, President and the FEC that any position rated highly recommended or recommended by the FPAC would be funded within a 3-year period.
Student Representative Update: ASPC President Nirali Devgan ’22 updated the board on two major staff searches that will support students very directly: the Director of Accessibility position (which will be filled within the next few weeks, providing the students with a resource for their accessibility questions/concerns) and the Director of Title IX position will also be filled in the next few weeks. Also announced was the recent occurrence of an ASPC-sponsored event at the Benton Art Museum for the Seniors, which was a big success. Nirali is focused on communicating with the Trustee and Investment Committee on Fossil Fuel divesting. Finally, in Dean Boston’s absence, Professor Hassam is looking at the Climate Survey Report findings, noting the positive findings of Faculty/Student relationships.
Career Development Office Representative Update: Kerry Martin, Assistant Director CDO updated the board on the CDO’s work with first-years and sophomores in helping them become familiar with the resources available through the CDO. Kerry announced the Marshall finalist and noted that the Marshall scholarship funds graduate school in the UK and only 50 people across the nation are selected. The CDO is working to increase communication to both Faculty and students on the resources available to them, with a focus on PCIP, FLI affinity groups.
Admissions Representative Update: Paola Franco ’17 noted that the college will continue the test-optional admissions process until at least December 2023 and that the Admissions office remains committed to increasing college access to low-income, first-generation, underrepresented students.
Engagement Committee Report: Paula Gonzalez ’95, Chair updated and shared EC new mission statement. She noted that the EC will be working on creating a lasting structure, values and project document for the EC to help support and carry out their work both this year and moving forward in coming years.
Development Committee Report: Vicki Paterno ’75 updated the board on behalf of Chair Megan Kaes-Long ’08 on the DC efforts in increasing alumni giving, sharing with the board the goal of attaining 24% alumni donor participation and 100% AB giving participation in this fiscal year. The Annual Giving office sent out a winter appeal, showcasing a “Blue Poinsettia” catalog of items, all connected in some substantive way to Pomona alumni.
Regional Chapter’s Committee Report: Julie Siebel ’84 and the RCC, updated the board on the RCC's mission and scope of work to date. On October 30, 2021, a postcard was sent to alumni in the six chapters regions to raise awareness within the alumni community of the relaunching of the Regional Chapters. The RCC has plans to work with staff to create a survey to alums in the six regions to better understand the subject interests/event and engagement desires of alumni. Finally, in January, the RCC will meet with the six Regional Chapter Leaders via a 90-minute virtual roundtable/retreat to discuss RC happenings, challenges and ideas.
Leadership Development Committee Report: Alfredo Romero ’84 updated the board on the purpose of the LDC: to generate a slate of new Alumni Board members for the coming new term (beginning July 1, 2022) that will truly represent the diversity of Pomona’s alumni community. Alfredo reminded the board that a new President-Elect will not be selected this year, under the new bylaws the LDC will select a new President-Elect every other year. Alfredo opened a call for volunteers to join the LDC to aid in their efforts of selecting new at large members to join the board – interested members should communicate their interest to Alfredo.
11:55 am Stretch Break
Additional Action Items
Plans for 2022 Alumni Attitudinal Survey: Special guest, Rodger Devine (AVP, Advancement Operations) gave an update on the Alumni Survey Project Goals, overview, and project plans stages. Rodger invited the board members interested in volunteering for this project to reach out to him and opened the floor for Q&A.
Alumni Weekend 2022: In a joint presentation, Alisa Fishbach gave an update on the plans to host Alumni Weekend ’22, and the limitations that COVID has imposed on hosting an in-person event. Mariam Khwajazada gave an update on very early initial planning for AW22 programming and logistics, with a summary rundown of the weekend’s happenings. Kristen Romero provided an update on the communications plan for AW22, with information being sent via email, social media, print and regular web. Finally, Special guest Laura Wensley (Director of Leadership & Reunion Giving) gave an update on the activation of the different alumni Reunion Committees (5th – 60th). We have 14 active REU classes and have recruited 70+ volunteers to date.
Alumni Board Participation in AW22: Alisa Fishbach presented the board with an outline of the AB participation for Alumni Weekend 2022, clarifying the travel stipend for AB members. She also informed the AB of the New Faculty Dinner that will take place on Wednesday, April 27, 2022, and invited all AB members to join. Alisa noted that the college envisions the AB members to be ambassadors and additional TEAM members supporting AW 22. Alisa also reminded the board that a debrief luncheon will be held on Sunday, May 1, 2022, with more details forthcoming.
Adjournment: Don Swan ’15 adjourned the meeting at 1:19 p.m.
Next Alumni Board Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, January 22nd, 2022