MASFAP Executive Board

MASFAP Executive Board Meeting Minutes 3/25/15 MOHELA Building 555 Vandiver Dr, Columbia, MO

Members Present: Gena Boling, Janice Barnes, Brice Baumgardner, Sara Edwards, Kim Howe, Justin Brown, Matthew Kearney, CortneyJo Sandidge, Zach Greenlee, Crystal Bruntz, Chelsey Giles, Kerry Hallahan, Amy Hager, Kristen Gibbs, Dena Norris, Caroline Falkner, Melissa Findley, Ginny Burns, John Brandt, Bridgette Betz, Kathy Elsea, Cassandra Hicks, Laura Steinbeck, Will Shaffner, Angela Karlin, Leroy Wade

Members not present: Karen Walker

I. Welcome/Introductions/Announcements The March 2015 MASFAP Executive Board meeting was called to order at 10:03 am at the MOHELA facility on Vandiver Drive in Columbia, Missouri by Ms. Boling, the MASFAP President.

II. Approval of the Executive Board Minutes Kristen Gibbs motioned for the January 21 board meeting minutes to be approved. Matthew Kearney seconded and the motion carried.

III. Report of Officers and Committee Chairs

President’s Report President Boling discussed the impact hosting the 2016 MASFAA conference will have on the state of Missouri, specifically the Fall 2016 MASFAP conference. MASFAP members will be allowed to attend the MASFAA conference and the individual MASFAA membership charges will be waived.

President Boling also discussed the importance of getting involved in the MDHE/CBHE steering committee hearings that will continue to be held state-wide. MASFAP members are strongly encouraged to attend meetings and provide statements concerning state aid programs. To view hearing dates or to leave comments for the steering committee, please visit their website at dhe.mo.gov/blueprint.php .

President Boling discussed her DC Visit with MASFAA. Overall there is support of prior prior year. The Perkins program will most likely not return. One-on-one conversations with Senator Blunt indicated that he is in favor of college ratings data, supporting year round pell and making the FAFSA easier for students. President Elect Report MASFAA will meet in Kansas City October 2-5, 2016. Theme is still to be decided. MOHELA reaffirmed their commitment to support MASFAP members.

Ms. Karlin also reported on her NASFAA Leadership conference and had the opportunity to meet with both state senators. Past President Report Ms. Barnes has been working on several projects this year. She has been working with delegates to develop goals and strategies for MASFAP’s strategic plan, reviewing insurance policies, soliciting nominations for the 2015 slate of elected officers, and reviewing the constitution for necessary changes. Ms. Barnes is also working on adding contact information for past Missouri award recipients to the official documents section on the MASFAP website and finalizing the 2014 Annual Report. Treasurer, Treasurer-elect, Budget & Finance committee Reports

The Alan Purdy fund will continue to be supported by MOHELA. The committee is working on updating signatories on bank accounts and US Bank Build America Bonds account. The committee is also working on creating a Request for Information and researching banking options. They are also working on updating all online documents to a fillable format. Tax documents are being submitted to Anders (tax preparers). Vice President Report Five new committee members were approved. Rachel Robinson will again be creating the logo and PowerPoint slides for the Fall 2015 conference. Currently 3 session proposals have been submitted. The committee is looking for keynotes as well as searching for a NASFAA representative. Evening activities and charities are being decided. Mr. Kearney made a motion to approve 5 additional committee members. Ms. Barnes seconded the motion. Motion carried. Secretary Report Meeting minutes from the January board meeting have been approved and will be posted to the website shortly. Delegates Report Ms. Walker’s report was presented by Ms. Barnes. Ms. Walker’s report outlined 5 categories MASFAP can focus on to provide Professional Development opportunities: Expanded Outreach, Leadership, Membership, Newcomers, Networking, and Miscellaneous.

Mr. Shaffner’s report identified three categories MASFAP could use to communicate more effectively with its membership; marketing, strategy and communication. Mr. Shaffner will continue to reach out to non-MASFAP members in Missouri to encourage them to join. Mr. Shaffner also reported on the Neg Reg process. They are looking to expand repayment options to assist IBR borrowers. If agreements cannot be reached in other areas, Department of Ed will have the ability to implement as they see fit.

Mr. Brandt and Ms. Elsea will be following up with Ms. Boling in the next few days concerning strategic planning goals. Ms. Elsea attended the MDHE Blueprint for Higher Education Public Hearing held in Kirksville. She noted it was a worthwhile event and encouraged other MASFAP members to attend. Archives Report Mr. Baumgartner reported that he is searching for a camera/video for MASFAP. Awards Ms. Hallahan motioned to approve committee member. Ms. Barnes seconded the motion. The motion carried. Communications Report Ms. Findley will continue with quarterly monitors (April 15) and monthly newsletters. The blogging schedule is working well. Associate Member Concerns/Corporate Support Report Corporate support membership/conference registration will remain the same for 2015. Proposals will be brought forward in June 2016. President Boling requested that detailed information concerning membership benefits be included with membership materials. Early Awareness Report Ms. Sandidge is working with partnering with high school counselors to raise awareness about FAFSA completion. The Early Awareness committee is also experimenting on posting financial aid questions through personal Facebook accounts. The data collected will be used in an attempt to identify information individuals are/are not familiar with.

MASFAP Money Challenge (formerly known as MASFAP Budget Workshop) will be held at Mizzou on April 16th. The focus will be to provide students with accurate information on salary/budget analysis using real-world data. McNair Scholars Program will be used as a pilot for this program. Ex-Officio Report College application week is quickly approaching. Currently there are 55 high schools participating. In 2015 the program will be renamed to Apply Missouri.

FAFSA Frenzy included 614 volunteers and 1400 students; 71% of the students served were within the targeted range. There was some discussion among MASFAP board members that the program may need to be revised as it may not have the impact it once had.

The CBHE Steering Committee is off to a good start but MASFAP members have a lot of work ahead of us. Mr. Wade indicated that there are four more hearings across the state over the next few months. Mr. Wade strongly encouraged MASFAP to get involved at the hearings in hopes to help shape legislation to identify what we are trying to do and who we are trying to help.

The 2016 State budget has moved through the house and going through the senate. A+ funding for 2016 is in question. Access MO is slated to be funded at 50%.

Mr. Wade also reported that A+ recipients are more likely to stay in Missouri versus Bright Flight recipients. No studies have been done on Access MO award recipients. Leadership Development Ms. Steinbeck reported that the first leadership development meeting in January went well. “The Myths of Leading from the Middle of an Organization” was discussed. Participants also discussed project ideas to engage MASFAP members to become more involved in the organization. The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, March 27. Legislative Mr. Greenlee suggested that MASFAP consider hosting two hill days. The purpose of doing this is two- fold 1) be present 2) alternate date. Mr. Greenlee also stressed the importance of MASFAP members to be involved through hill day, CBHE hearings, and Neg Reg process. It is important to have financial aid experts be there as a resource to debunk myths. Membership Ms. Falkner reported that there are currently 87 active institutions and four additional members that have not paid. Five members are new to the organization. This is comparable to 91 memberships in June 2014 and 104 December 2014. Communication has been sent to past members that have not renewed. Newcomer Ms. Edwards motioned to approve four new committee members. Ms. Barnes seconded the motion. The motion carried. Ms. Edwards is working with the Leadership Development committee to create an activity at fall conference to promote committee involvement. Professional Development Ms. Giles and Ms. Bruntz reported on the Business Officer Training and the Registrar Office Training events. Both events had record attendance. Discussion ensued concerning different options for accommodating such large groups. Research MASFAP members are not too keen on the idea of a College Ratings Plan. While it appears we may be able to come to some agreement on metrics that might be a decent reflection on access, affordability, and performance, financial aid administrators strongly feel the College Ratings Plan would fail at achieving its intended goals. Site Ms. Karlin made a motion to select December 11-14, 2016 at the Lodge of Four Seasons as our board meeting. Mr. Kearney seconded the motion. Motion carried. Technology Ms. Betz motioned to approve a committee member. Ms. Barnes seconded the motion. Motion carried. Old Business Mr. Brandt made a motion to set fall conference fees of $265 and include free registration if director registers, pays and attends. Ms. Karlin seconded the motion. The motion carried. New Business In light of the theme of the conference, Mr. Prewett submitted a request to the board to discuss whether or not Han Solo fired the first shot. Ms. Boling asked the program committee to follow up with this request.

Mr. Deuser asked the board to consider creating a Business Officer position on the MASFAP board. Based on our current constitution and the 2015 board already being in place, this position cannot be added for the current year. In lieu of this request, Business Officers wishing to become more involved with the organization may volunteer for any committee and/or run for a MASFAP elected position.

Meeting adjourned at 3:40 p.m.