News

NIRSA Board meets during 2008 Annual Conference

Highlights from the meetings

The NIRSA Board of Directors met in Austin, Texas March 30 - April 1 (Annual Board Meeting) and on April 6 (New Board Orientation Meeting) to discuss a wide variety of topics, and took several actions. Greater detail on many of the following board actions will be presented in upcoming issues of eFASTNEWS and NIRSA Know, as will information about additional NIRSA Board activities.

Board Member Added by Resolution

Passed a resolution to add an additional member to the NIRSA Board for a one-year term as permitted in NIRSA Bylaws, Article III, Section 2G. Greg Jordan, CRSS from Oakland University was appointed to serve from April 2008 through the Annual Board Meeting in April 2009.

Expanded Funding for NIRSA Board Member Expenses at Annual Conference(s)

Directed the NIRSA National Center to include additional expenses for NIRSA Board Member travel related to the NIRSA Annual Conferences into annual operating budgets beginning in FY 2009 (Charlotte, North Carolina):

1. Registration: Complimentary registration for the Annual Conference
2. Lodging: individual rooms for each Board Member during the entire Annual Conference and board meetings
3. Meals: meal per diem during the Annual Conference in addition to the board meetings

Selection Process for Finance Committee Chair

Approved recommendation from NIRSA Governance Commission to have the President-elect select a professional member of the Board of Directors as chair of the Finance Committee for the following year, beginning in April 2009.

The Governance Commission (GC) has been discussing better practices for governing NIRSA and one focus has been the best use of talent. The GC believes it would be better practice to empower the President-elect to choose a Board member with the requisite experience and knowledge to lead the Finance Committee, rather than having the duty automatically rest with a pre-designated board position.

2007 Budget Surplus

Approved recommendation from the Finance Committee and NNC Staff for the distribution of the 2007 Operating Budget surplus as follows:

$100,000 Pay down the NNC building loan principal
$196,561 Bring Operating Fund to recommended level ($2,545,503)
$146,239 Balance to Building Reserve Fund
$442,800

NIRSA Policy for Corporate Sponsorships

Adopted NIRSA Policy on Fundraising & Corporate Sponsorships to fully meet expectations of good governance practices, consistent with IRS guidelines. The policy applies to all programs operated through the NNC on behalf of NIRSA and can be reviewed as a link from the NIRSA homepage (lower right-hand sandbox, under ‘NIRSA Policies’). Additionally, the Board voted to establish a work team to review and make recommendations for Phase II implementation, to include NIRSA regional conferences, NIRSA Lead Ons, Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders Conference, and state workshops.

Funded Research Study to Support Professional Registry

Authorized up to $7,500 from the Initiatives Reserves to fund a validation study of core competencies in campus recreation to assist in establishing a bona fide professional development component within a future Professional Registry.

NSRSM Faculty Appointments

Appointed Liz Davis from The Ohio State University and Steve Bobbit from James Madison University to serve as faculty members for the National School of Recreational Sports Management (NSRSM) for the next three years.

Two Emeritus Memberships Approved

Approved emeritus status for Randy Mast (formerly Louisiana State University) and Ned Britt, Jr., (formerly Towson University).

SAHEC Member Eligibility Criteria

Accepted the Student Affairs in Higher Education Consortium (SAHEC) membership eligibility criteria [note: NIRSA is a charter member of SAHEC]:

1. Member association must be incorporated as a nonprofit organization
2. Member association must represent higher education student affairs professionals
3. Member association must have discretionary resources available for collaborative projects
4. Member association must be willing and able to occasionally host SAHEC meetings
5. Member association’s Executive Director must be authorized to make decisions and commitments on behalf of their respective organizations

SAHEC membership criteria were developed due to other Council of Higher Education Management Associations (CHEMA) having expressed interest in joining SAHEC. Although NIRSA has been a charter member of SAHEC since 2005, the criteria are new and required NIRSA Board endorsement.

SAHEC International Tour Opportunity

Approved NIRSA’s participation as a full partner in collaboration with other Student Affairs in Higher Education Consortium (SAHEC) members for international study tours related to student affairs activities, beginning with the international study tour currently scheduled for 2009; further, the NIRSA Board of Directors agrees to accept, with other collaborating organizations, revenue sharing from any net income or conversely, sharing of expenses due to any net loss.

The NIRSA Board had previously endorsed the potential involvement of joining a Student Affairs International Study Tour with NASPA, ACPA, ACUI, and ACUHO-I on January 10, 2006.

Funding for NSAA

Agreed to support the National Student Affairs Archives (NSAA) located at Bowling Green State University at an annual dues fee of $300 per year. Information about this new member resource will be shared as it becomes available.

Advance Planning Budget Commitment for Annual Conference Social Events

Agreed to commit to an annual operating budget the same amount of funds allocated the preceding year for Annual Conference social events in advance of adoption of a FY budget to assist Annual Conference Host Committees with advance planning for social events. This directive includes all-attendee social events such as the “City Limits Party” (formerly referred to as “Dance Party”), “Alternative Social” (offered during the City Limits Party), and “Welcome Social” (formerly “Theme Night”).