Meeting with USCGA Senior Staff

Superintendent

Admiral Olsen welcomed parents and thanked us for everything we do.

The Admiral reported that he budget is in good shape. He spoke of the work he and his staff are doing to redefine the budget model to ensure that it remains realistic and manageable. The cadet leadership development program is making good progress. ADM Olsen believes good leadership is key to the retention of students at the Academy. This area is one of his priorities. There is continuing movement in the program to keep it moving in a positive direction.

The condition of Chase Hall is a concern to the superintendent. He is working with the Board of Trustees, and reports that progress is being made. The new Commandant of the Coast Guard, ADM Tom Collins, has recently visited Chase Hall.

The role of the Coast Guard in Homeland Security may lead to training changes at the Academy. This evaluation is still being monitored and may include information to government majors. This is a challenging time for personnel at the Coast Guard Headquarters and for the 80 congressional committees addressing the issues, as well as a challenge for all leaders in Washington.

The Congressional Board of Visitors has been reenergized with a recent visit to the Academy. The report is not yet out, and the possible connection with parents is not yet known.

Commandant of Cadets

CAPT Phil Heyl reported that cadets this summer are assigned to 150 ships (USCG and USN). This is the first summer that every cadet has been assigned to a cutter. Due to new summer scheduling, those students enrolled in the summer school program have also had the opportunity to join shipmates at sea. For their summer preparations in leadership, the class of 2004 had cadre indoctrination as a class, led by CG instructors from the training center in Cape May, NJ.

CAPT Heyl thanked parents for “getting the word out.” He assured us that the Radisson reception the evening before the new cadets reported, and the CGA welcome, show that the Coast Guard cares about families.

Assistant Superintendent

CAPT Jim Van Sice distributed a listing of Coast Guard Academy highlights.

Director of Athletics

Dr. Cieplik reported that the spring sports teams (and individuals) had good results. The baseball team, as well as basketball, softball and volleyball teams made it to conference levels of play. The swimming and softball teams have an All-American scholar/athlete and individuals qualifying for national championships.

Beginning in the fall, the CGA’s home football games will be broadcast on the internet.

A new coach, Chris Parsons, has been hired to lead the men’s soccer team.

Leadership Development Center

CDR Vann Young reported that the Leadership Development Center is well integrated into the CGA as it begins its fifth year. The three parts of the leadership center are: 1) Accessions of the Officer Candidate School (OCS), Chief Warrant Officer, and Chief Petty Officer programs; 2) Professional Development Courses that reach cadets; and 3) Commanding/Operations programs that prepare newly assigned CO’s for going to sea. All aspects of these programs encourage involvement between cadets and active members of the USCG.

Dean of Academics

Dr. Tom Haas reported that the 2001-2002 school year was a success in many ways. The ABET visit results will be known in August 2002. Three engineering majors are good. The Mechanical Engineering program review is also finished. The Dean hopes that these programs will be set for all four majors for the next six years. The CGA is also positioned well for the AACSB accreditation expected in February 2003. The results of this review will be announced late in the spring of 2003. These accreditations provide an opportunity for a quality check, and an opportunity to make improvements in the programs.

In recruiting and retention the Dean’s goal is to have the best program for academics, athletics, and professional development. Statistics for the class of 2002 show that 104 of the original 268 students left the CGA during the four years. Thirteen percent of the students left during Swab Summer, others left for academic reasons or because they didn’t meet the 2.0 GPA requirement. Interestingly, 43 of these students left in good standing. The class of 2005 has shown a solid academic performance in classes. Their retention is at a higher level than has occurred during the last ten years. The 2004 class is tracking slightly above average. Though the 2003 class had a 20% attrition during swab summer, it is now above where it could have been.

This summer 44 students were in summer school. The cadets seemed to be engaged and energized in the mid-summer program. The students in the 2005 class who started with Intro to Calculus seem to be staying with the technical majors.

Additional financial resources have allowed the CGA to keep a good faculty/student ratio in physics, engineering, math and professional studies. Strategic monies will allow the CGA to revamp the way physics has been taught. There has also been an investment in McAllister Hall to support the engineering programs. The faculty offers a robust pool of candidates for the tenure track. Professor Dunn is the head of the Engineering Department. Professors Youngman and Engelhof have been traveling professors, working toward recruitment and retention of engineers.

OP Spotlight programs post 9/11 resolve to do the best to prepare cadets for the “new realities” of the work of the Coast Guard. Guest speakers this year have included the former President George Bush, and noted author Maya Angelou, who emphasized the importance of each person’s commitment to the arts and to leadership.

Director of Admissions

CAPT Sue Bibeau thanked the parents for their active role in academic recruiting. In reading the essays and recommendations in the applications she knows what quality applicants there are to the CGA.
The class of 2006 statistics are as follows:

• 291 incoming students, 16 from CG families, 1% of these are children of CGA graduates
• 100 have moms or dads in the military
• 20 from the Naval Academy Prep School (NAPS)
• 4 international students
• 27% women
• 18% minority groups
• SAT average is 1268
• 89% of class members graduated in the top 25% of their high school class

CAPT Bibeau charted the process of the applicant, from initial application to acceptance of the appointment. One of her goals is to increase the numbers of applicants who finish the process. Many pre-applicants (up to 70%) do not complete the application process.Because the service academies select from the best students, part of the process is to differentiate likely USCGA applicants from those destined to attend other service academies.

CAPT Bibeau suggested that if the regional chapters of parents could help be in touch with pre-applicants in the fall/winter, in addition to the spring gatherings offered by most chapters, that reaching the technical grads would be more easily accomplished. Admission staff increases will mean approximately 10 roadtrips a year during which parents could be helpful in conducting workshops. Parent to parent phone calls could also help establish a relationship to address early questions and concerns of prospective candidates. CAPT Bibeau will be working to provide appropriate contact information to parents. She is investigating the possibility of acquiring management software for home use for volunteers.

Questions & Answers

1. A question was raised about the past practice of optional interviews.
   
   CAPT Bibeau: The preference is for group interviews. These allow interviewers to see team dynamics. This process also allows the shy students the opportunity to participate in the information exchange. An added benefit is the reduced workload of the Admissions staff.
   
2. Questions were asked regarding specific parent involvement in recruiting.
   
   CAPT Bibeau: In areas where there is already a CG presence, Admissions would like to have the help of parents directly. There is also the possibility of a web site linkage, or perhaps an independent web site. Staff members are working to optimize a search engine. CAPT Bibeau is exploring the possibility of having current parents meet with the parents of prospective cadets while the students are being interviewed.
   Members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary may be contacted to help in areas that are not included in the “ten trips” of the Admissions Office staff. Career Counselors in the Auxiliary have that training.
   The Admissions Office is working to provide lists of prospective students to those who can help. They are also drafting a handbook for volunteers.
   CAPT Bibeau anticipates that answering questions of medical issues will prove to be the most difficult area if inquiry for the parent volunteers.
   
3. Is the Buddy System continuing?
   
   CAPT Heyl reported that in the wake of three incidents locally, continuing with the Buddy System seems prudent. The issue will be revisited when the corps returns for fall classes.
   
4. When will fall sports schedules be posted?
   
   Dr. Cieplik: Schedules and game results will be posted on the Academy’s web site. The schedules for club sports are through the office of the Commandant of Cadets.
   
5. What changes are there in the mechanical engineering major?
   
   Dean Haas answered that the syllabus will reflect the curriculum, including the capstone projects. This is an administrative issue that does not affect the students.
   

Parent’s Association Business

President’s Report

Cliff Meeks greeted all the attendees, and thanked them for the work they continue to do.

On April 18-20, 2002, Cliff and Janet Meeks, along with LT Sundland, attended an interservice parents association meeting at West Point. Frank Garcia also attended one day. There were reports from the Army’s senior management team. A major project for the Army is the construction of a new library. Though West Point has no national association of parents, there are 125 chapter affiliates. The predominate questions related to health services, academics, and leave. Then there is the question of how to get tickets to the football games! Twenty percent of the athletic budget for West Point is funded, while 80% is raised from various clubs.

Key issues that were brought back include the importance of the involvement of parents and alumni in support of the Academy, with communication being a key factor. West Point has a better organization for recruiting at the state level, and in its work with its Alumni Association.

Graduation for the Class of 2002 was under sunny skies. The Secretary of the Department of Transportation, the Honorable Norman Mineta was the speaker. Each member of this class was given a commemorative “challenge coin”. The coin shows the class seal on one side and the seal of the Academy on the flip side.

Cliff reported that cadet safety and security is the primary concern of Academy administrators. He reminded us that cadets should follow the chain of command when reporting incidents. Cadets know the reporting rules. There is an effective system in place to hear of incidents that occur, and to investigate all reports. Some of the recent reports to parents include money missing from desks, theft of clothes from the laundry room, and of clothing at the tailor shop. LT Sundlund added that part of the security questions have to do with a lack of maturity of cadets, some of whom believe that the chain of command is not working in this area. He encourages parents and cadets to support the chain of command.

The formation of the Oklahoma chapter was recognized, with Lynne and Doug Butterworth presiding. One hundred dollars was allocated to them for start-up costs. They have set up a virtual chapter to reach out to other cadet families not geographically close to current organized groups of parents. The goals of the virtual chapter are to encourage people to join the National PA, to encourage parent and community involvement, and to provide reciprocal introductions between the virtual chapter and the existing chapters.

The minutes of the February 22, 2002 meeting were approved with the addition of a Northwest chapter report.

Treasurer’s Report

Ric Waechter distributed a report of the accounting of the Treasurer:

Vice-President’s Report

Frank Garcia presented a written report. Members of the Fundraising Committee (Jack Murphy, Regina Symansky, Ed Seddon, Joanne and John Larkin, Frank Garcia) have set into operation a variety of options for increasing the level of donations. These ideas include coordinating with the CG Foundation for corporate donations, e-mail solicitations, and a web-site posting of funding priorities. There was also discussion of coordinating National and Chapter donations.

Frank has written an article for the Winter PA newsletter. Since the priorities for PA funding now are for cadet vans rather than for the library reading room, the previously proposed reading room letter was not sent to parents.

Frank’s nomination report summarized the Members-at-Large whose terms are ending, as well as those continuing on. The following families were nominated, and members voted to approve their continuing work: Keffer, Laycock, Slivinski, Larkin, and Waechter. Two families from the Class of ‘06 will be selected during or after Reporting In Day. The goal is to have members representing the entire country.

The proposed slate of officers for 2002-2003:

The election will be during Parents Weekend.

Frank’s report included a follow-up on items proposed at the February meeting. These include developing a program to educate parents on life at the Academy, determining the ideal number of vans needed to support cadet activities, and working with CAPT Bibeau to develop CGA PA support of Admission’s recruiting activities.

Allocation of Funds

Wayne Gronlund, President of the Alumni Association, presented a summary of current and available funds.

Stars Dessert: The CAPT Paul Foye Chapter in Connecticut has provided a Stars Dessert program each semester. (Every cadet who has earned a star in the previous semester is invited for an ice cream social.) A motion was made and carried to provide $700 from the Cadet Activities endowment to continue the Stars Dessert for the 2002-2003 school year. The merchant who previously donated ice cream, toppings, paper goods, and dry ice is no longer able to make that donation.

Cliff reminded members that the two primary programs of our focus are van replacement and dayroom furniture replacement.

Dayroom Furniture replacement: A motion was made and carried to allocate $16,000 for the immediate order/purchase of new furniture for the eight dayrooms in the barracks. This money allows for the purchase of the furniture so that it can be in place when the school year begins. Various chapters and parents have made donations for the furniture replacement. It is likely that the local chapters and individual parents will provide the total amount of the cost of the furniture. A donor summary will be included in the next meeting.

Van Replacement and Maintenance: Ric Waechter provided information on the research he has done to find two new vans which will best help the cadets with their transportation needs. He found the best deal on two Chevy Astro ten-passenger vans which were listed for $24,800 each, to be sold to us for $19,800 each. After a motion was made and carried to allocate $40,000 for this purpose, Ric proposed that these vans be purchased in July, in order to be delivered to the Academy by September 1st. (The 12 and 15-passenger vans were also considered. Due to studies and reports of cadet usage and also to safety issues, the 10-passenger vans were the preferred choice.) Cadets will have to pass a van safety course before driving. Approximately $2-3,000 annually will be needed for van upkeep and repair.

Report of LTJG April Isley - USCGA Public Affairs Officer

The Public Affairs Office at the Academy currently has a staff of four. LTJG Isley would like to promote the CGA and the missions of the Coast Guard through the accomplishments of the students. She suggested that parents can help by providing video clips from the hometown news to her office. She encourages us to be in contact with the local news station(s). The revamped website for Public Affairs should be operational by August, 2002.

Reporting-In Day

Dawn Seddon presented her proposal for “coffee corners”, where parents of current cadets could meet with parents of incoming cadets in small groups to answer questions, advise the parents, and offer parent support. Specific topics she suggested were cadet safety and liberty vans. She stressed how important it is that parents let their children operate as cadets, and as members of the USCG. She thanked parents who provided feedback to come up with the list of frequently asked questions, and the answers to those questions.

A sign-up sheet was passed around with a request to help staff the table of the National Parents Association for Reporting-In Day.

Webmaster’s Report

Jim Buckley has transferred files from the prior site to the domain name “uscgparents.org”. He is planning to expand information into the areas of Academy Association projects, a forum for Connecticut and other chapters, and ADOBE Acrobat for posting file on the site in a smaller yet higher quality format. The plan to set up forums with a moderator would allow such things as polling and/or voting.

The membership voted to approve the expenditure of $250 for the initial expense of five licenses (one for each class listmaster plus the webmaster). Follow-on years would cost approximately $100/year to update the license. Additional approval was given to fund ongoing antivirus support (approximately $40-50), and for $20 for an annual subscription service for the listmasters.

Chapter reports

Due to time constraints, individual chapters were encouraged to e-mail a summary of their chapter information and events for inclusion in these notes.

Membership Report

Dom DiIulio reported the current membership of the National Parents Association as follows:
There are a total of 493 paid members from the Classes of ‘03 through ‘06

The meeting was adjourned at 17:05. The next meeting will be Friday, September 13, 2002.

List of Attendees: