| The Official Newsletter of the LSMSA Alumni Association | Volume VIII, No. 2, March 1998 |
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From the Secretary:
Well, here's the first online edition of the Alumni Newsletter. I hope it is informative and entertaining. This issue hopefully catches everyone up with what has been happening during our crisis of succession and subsequent reorganization. This issue contains a lot of information on how you can get involved as alums to make LSMSAAA a viable, independent organization, and ways to get involved with our alma mater. Be sure to read through and consider carefully the dues amendments at the end. We'll send out a e-mail ballot for them in the next couple of weeks. If you have any questions, suggestions, corrections, etc., I would love to hear them. Just drop me a line at <beavs@linknet.net>. Valete!
Brian Beavers '96
| Almuni Updates |
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President's Report
LSMSAAA was paralyzed. The LSMSA Liaison took drastic measures to get the organization moving again. As a result of those events and your solicitation, I have agreed to preside over the reconstruction. I have some ideas on how to rebuild an independent, stronger, and more relevant alumni association, but I will need broad-based support from you, the alumni. The alumni association can be a strong positive force for those of us who have already graduated and for those who will go through the "total living learning environment" in Natchitoches. Let us work together now so that it rises to that role.
As reported in the last Pracellemus [December 1997], officer resignations led to a constitutional collapse. Steve Voss '86 ran a virtual constitutional convention which produced a replacement intended to protect the organization from this kind of deadlock in the future. He and Rachel Hughes '88 installed the new constitution to get the organization running again. [see accompanying article on the constitution.]
Our first goal in this recovery period is to build an association which is stable and independent of LSMSA. We have, in the past, relied entirely too much on LSMSA, and their liaison to the association, to operate effectively. In this vein, we are working to move directory information, newsletters, dues, and the treasury entirely into our hands. This will take a burden off of the liaison at LSMSA, and it will put information where LSMSAAA officers and members can access it.
Beyond building a separate and stable association, my primary task as president is to seek an ex officio position for LSMSAAA on the LSMSA board of directors. This is an old idea (going at least back to 1992), but no one has made any real effort to pursue it. From discussions I've had with alums over the past 3 years, it is the one thing which receives unanimous support as a top action item. For this to happen, we must amend the statutes which created the school and its board. We will be approaching members of the Louisiana legislature to submit a bill for this purpose. If anyone has advice or political contacts, we would appreciate the help. Please contact me [see officer contact information].
Governor Foster has appointed alumnus Ryan Jannise to the LSMSA board of directors. We congratulate Ryan and hope his presence will give us some voice in the directions and administration of our alma mater. However, since he is a gubernatorial appointee, we cannot count on him holding the position past the current administration.
I want to broaden the opportunity for individual alumni to get involved with LSMSA. Two programs we will be pushing are (1) regional contacts to foster tighter alumni communities throughout the world [see regional contacts], and (2) class correspondents to help the secretary and the association at large keep track of alumni in each class [see class correspondents]. I encourage you to join in and help. In the accompanying, "How to get involved" blurb, I suggest additional ways for you to get involved with the organization. Take these as starters. If you have additional ideas on what the association should be doing, come to me, and I'll help you build a team to make it happen.
A big reason we've been able to pull the organization through this current crisis is the increasing use of the Internet to keep alumni in touch and get business done. The Internet's role will only increase, so I encourage you all to checkout our online services and use this a means to keep in touch with the association and LSMSA. [see LSMSA online]
I'd like to take this opportunity to recognize some of the people who have worked (mostly silently) to keep things going over the past few years. Cindy Allen was our liaison at LSMSA for many years. Her actions kept the organization alive and active (get newsletters out, hold reunions, etc.), and we owe her considerable gratitude. As I've mentioned Steve Voss '86 did an excellent job building us a new constitution. He also ran the election and has been providing invaluable advice to the executive committee. Steve has also been moderating an online announcement list for people who want to keep in touch with LSMSA but not be deluged with email when "interesting" topics arise on the discussion list. Michael Pruett '95 has been taking care of computer services for the online lists and now web site for the past few years. Jay Prince '87 provided us with nameservice for a couple of years. Now, Richard Simon '87 and David Guidry '87 are providing us this service. Rachel Hughes '88 has been our LSMSA contact recently and done an excellent job of keeping online alumni in touch with events at LSMSA. Charles Lin '97 is now coordinating a list of college contacts for LSMSA students. John Cole '90 is managing the collection of alumni homepages.
In closing, I ask you to think back on your time at LSMSA. What was special about it? What was wrong and needed improvement? With those thoughts, how do we, the alumni, help preserve the best parts of LSMSA and improve those where it fell short? That is one of our primary goals, and I hope you'll join me in thinking about and addressing these issues.
Dr. Andre' DeHon <andre@acm.org>
LSMSA '86
MIT '90 '93 '96
LSMSA Mentoring and Special Projects
If any alumni would like to mentor current students via electronic research and e-mail for their Degrees with Distinction, please contact Martha T. Smiley, the Director of Academic Affairs at LSMSA. Also, if any alumni would like to participate in Special Projects Week 1999, they need to contact Mrs. Smiley. The tentative dates for Special Projects Week are February 18-24, 1999. See Brian Beavers if you want info on how to contact her.
Louisiana School Adds Two New Teachers to Faculty
There are two new faces on the campus of Louisiana School. Sanjeetha Peters and Randy Back have helped fill spots in computer science, math, and physics.
Peters is teaching three C++ courses, one trigonometry class, and a Java class. This is Peters' first full time teaching job. She says that she loves teaching and she chose to teach at Louisiana School because, "the kids are really intelligent and highly motivated; this is something that I did not find at some universities." Peters received her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Madras, India, and later received another Masters at the University of West Virginia.
Dr. Randy Back is teaching three general physics courses, two physics labs and astrophysics. Back said that teaching at the Louisiana School is a great opportunity to teach highly motivated kids interested in learning. Dr. Back went to the University of Kentucky in Lexington. Both teachers love teaching here and students love their teaching styles.
Martha Talbert Smiley, Director of Academic Affairs, said that many students have come to thank her for hiring both of these great teachers. "I'm very glad that we hired Mrs. Peters and Dr. Back," Smiley said. "They've been doing a great job."
(this is an excerpt of an article from the March 13, 1998 issue of the "Renaissance". The article was written by Viral Shah, junior, and sports editor.)
Class of 1988 Ten Year Reunion
The Class of 1988 ten year reunion will be held the weekend of May 30-31, 1998 in Natchitoches. There will be a picnic at 11:00 a.m. Saturday in the courtyard at the high school building, and a dinner/dance that evening at 7:30 p.m. at The Landing on Front Street. Dress for dinner is semi-formal (i.e. suits and dresses, etc.). There will be a short tree-dedicating ceremony in memory of Curt Faught on Sunday morning at 10:00 outside the high school building. The cost per person for the picnic and dinner will be approximately $30.00. Please RSVP by May 10, 1998 to Rachel Hughes, LSMSA, 715 College Ave, Natchitoches, LA, 71457 or via e-mail at <hughesr@nsula.edu>. Members of the classes of 1987 and 1989 are also invited to this reunion. If you have any questions, please e-mail or write Rachel Hughes.
Class of 1993 Five Year Reunion
The Class of 1993 will hold its five year reunion on Saturday, May 23, from 8:00 p.m. until midnight, at the Landing Restaurant on Front Street. Plans call for an evening of dancing to a DJ, Hors D' Oeuvres, and a cash bar. The cost will be $25.00 per person. Reservations Required! To make a reservation, send $25.00 (non-refundable) to Leighia Lynn at: Box 4816, Mississippi State, MS 39762. Also, send requests for songs for the DJ to play. Let's all head to Natchitoches on grad weekend to renew old friendships and reminisce. You can contact Leighia by email at <lsl1@ra.msstate.edu>
Alumni Weekend Schedule
| Sat., May 23, 1998 | Sunday, May 24, 1998 |
|---|---|
| 10:00 a.m. Senior Awards Ceremony, Prather Coliseum |
10:00 a.m. General Assembly of the LSMSAAA, Boardroom of HSB |
| 3:00 p.m. 1998 Graduation Ceremony, Prather Coliseum | |
| 5:30 p.m. Alumni Reception, LSMSA Gym |
How can I get involved in LSMSAAA?
Regional Alumni Contacts
To help alumni scattered around the U.S. (and eventually, the world?) get in touch with and keep in touch with alumni in their various geographical regions, we are starting to identify regional contacts. A regional contact is simply an alum who has volunteered to act as a local nexus for information and planning. The regional contact will help the secretary keep track of addresses for alumni within their region. In that capacity, he/she can help alumni locate each other, and help new alums moving into a region get in touch with the alumni who are already there. The regional contact may also help organize local alumni events. When a regional group has a stable mass of 10+ alumni, it may wish to contact the vice-president and be officially recognized as a special chapter.
We have begun to collect regional contacts, as listed below and kept up to date online at http://www.lsmsaaa.org/regional/. If you are in a region where a contact has already been identified, please get in touch with your contact and let him/her know you're there, how to get in touch with you, and what kinds of things you might be interested in seeing the local alumni do together. If you are in a region where there is no contact, please consider volunteering by contacting the Vice President.
Class Correspondents
As Andre' has mentioned, we are working to make LSMSAAA a viable independent organization. In order to do that, we must work on keeping lines of communication and sources of information open. To help facilitate that, we are asking for alums who will volunteer as Class Correspondents. The Class Correspondent has the main duty of keeping in contact with his/her graduating class. We need someone from each class to try to keep up with as many classmates as possible to help the Secretary keep their information up to date for the database and for the newsletter update section. We hope to have the LSMSAAA database available online so it'll be easier to get information. The Correspondent would also need to help find someone to organize their class reunions...or even do so themselves...when the time comes for those exciting events. If you were a class officer, or just would be interested in seeing where all your old friends have ended up, we would appreciate it if you could help us out be being a Class Correspondent. Please contact Brian Beavers <beavs@linknet.net> if you want to volunteer or want more information.
LSMSAAA Online
Web: <http://www.lsmsaaa.org>
The web site currently includes:
We continue to maintain two mailing lists. One is unmoderated list for discussion which occasionally gets breaking news from Natchitoches, and often discusses the implications at length. A second list is moderated by Steve Voss '86 providing a way to keep in touch without overflowing your mail box. These lists are probably the best way to stay current with LSMSA and your fellow alumni. Information about signing up is on the web site, or send mail to <andre@acm.org>.
We are currently operating on an individual's computer system. In the long run, we are interested in having our own server machine(s). If your business has older computer equipment which they would like to donate for the tax write-off, please have them consider donating to us (contact Andre').
LSMSA Jobs
The Chronicle of Higher Education February 27, 1998
Position: Multiple positions
LOUISIANA SCHOOL FOR MATH, SCIENCE, AND THE ARTS
The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts, a state supported residential high school for gifted and high-achieving juniors and seniors, seeks to fill the following positions beginning August 1998.
Teachers must have an interest and the ability to interact with intelligent, creative adolescents. Advanced degree required. Ph.D. preferred.
Computer Science: Ability to teach computer languages including C++, Internet Programming (Java), as well as courses in Computer Graphics, Operating Systems, and Numerical Methods. English: Area of specialization is open, but must have experience in/commitment to teach both composition and literature.
History: Ability to teach Western Civilization, World History as well as other courses in areas of expertise.
Biology: Ability to teach Biology, Anatomy & Physiology and other courses in areas of expertise.
Salary Range: $28,000-$38,000/9 months. Will accept applications until vacancies are filled. LSMSA is also accepting applications for positions that become available due to additional vacancies and/or program expansion. Additional areas are mathematics, foreign languages, sciences, performing and visual arts.
Send letter of application, vita, and names, addresses, and daytime phone numbers of three professional references to: Mrs. Martha T. Smiley, Director of Academic Affairs, Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts, 715 College Avenue, Natchitoches, LA 71457. AA/EEO.
Treasurer's Report
The Treasury of the LSMSAAA has undergone a restructuring so that management of its funds will be done in an autonomous manner. The LSMSAAA funds had previously been kept along with Parents' Association funds in a combined account for ease of withdrawing and depositing money in Natchitoches. With restructuring of the constitution and thus the organization, we now have the funds in a separate account controlled solely by alumni. This is an important step for the LSMSAAA in becoming completely autonomous. The current balance of LSMSAAA funds is $3,135.78, which will be split into separate accounts for communication and general purposes as called for by the new LSMSAAA constitution. The next issue that the LSMSAAA Treasury faces is that of efficiently communicating the dues payment schedule and maintaining records to provide proper services to those who are active members of the organization. The current dues structure is as follows based on the new LSMSAAA constitution:
Regular dues $12
Regular dues $9
w/ electronic communication
Lifetime dues $25
These dues are to be paid annually prior to the fiscal year (June 30), but can be paid for any given fiscal year. During this transitional period, anyone paying for the 1998-99 fiscal year will be eligble to vote on the present dues amendments. The lifetime membership status can be awarded after payment of ten years worth of lifetime dues. If an alumnus has already begun paying lifetime dues at the rate of $15/year, then all years that have been accrued until the present will count towards their lifetime status, but the remaining years must be paid at the rate of $25/year. Dues can be mailed to LSMSAAA, 715 College Ave., Natchitoches, LA, 71457 c/o Ms. Rachel Hughes.
Micah Luftig '94
February 1998 Election Results
Participation: "Turnout" was not particularly high in the election, which is hardly surprising since the offices with most power were not being contested. More ballots were cast electronically than were mailed (24 electronic, 14 paper, for a total of 38).
Recording Secretary:
Brian Beavers, the acting LSMSAAA Secretary, won a narrow reelection contest against Marie (Pardo) Huete.
Brian Beavers -- 25 (18 electronic, 7 paper)
Maria Huete -- 13 (6 electronic, 7 paper)
Natchitoches Liaison:
Rachel Hughes, acting LSMSAAA Natchitoches Liaison, resoundingly won a return to her duties.
Rachel Hughes -- 28 (15 electronic, 13 paper)
Anita DeRouen -- 9 (8 electronic, 1 paper)
These new officers -- along with President Andre DeHon, Vice President Kristina Mores, and Treasurer Micah Luftig -- now take office under the new Constitution compiled by the Virtual Constitutional Convention. [see article on constitution]
Steve Voss '86
LSMSAAA Officers 1998-99
| President | Andre' DeHon | '86 | andre@acm.org | (510) 643-2818 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vice-President | Kristina Irvan Mores | '87 | kmores@bellsouth.net | (504) 828-0315 |
| Secretary | Brian Beavers | '96 | beavs@linknet.net | (318) 257-4406 |
| Treasurer | Micah Luftig | '94 | mluftig@tiger.lsu.edu | (504) 769-2471 |
| Natchitoches Liaison | Rachel Hughes | '88 | hughesr@alpha.nsula.edu | (318) 357-3174 x116 |
Constitution Update
A working Constitution for the LSMSAAA is now in place. The new document does not change much about the organization's past practice, so as members you should notice little difference. The main innovation is that the Executive Council can carry out official actions without being in the same place. But a broader benefit should be officers who know what they're supposed to do and have the authority to do it.
The new Constitution does have a few changes that not everyone will support. But during debate in the Virtual Constitutional Convention, we have tried to identify these provisions. You will have the option to undo all of them in a 1998 balloting -- the number of rules we have imposed undemocratically should be minimal. But feel free to explore the Constitution at LSMSAAA's Web Page [http://www.lsmsaaa.org] and propose other changes, since we may have missed some that people would desire. Any amendment proposed in 1998 only requires majority support.
A note on dues. The new Constitution set higher rates: $15 for regular members and $25 for those working toward lifetime membership. I want to stress that this is not one of the changes the VCC imposed undemocratically. Because the old constitution allowed officers to set whatever dues they liked, this year's dues increase was certainly possible under the old system. You will have ample time to lower the dues, if you like, for the following year. Andre' DeHon has introduced amendments [below] that let you choose the dues structure.
Incidentally, this year's extra dues request is necessary for the 1998-99 fiscal year, since the LSMSAAA is rebuilding. Please consider, when deciding whether to scrape together the cash, that you are not just paying for the same paltry services you received from the LSMSAAA in the past. In addition to a more regular newsletter and a Web page, the officers are working to set up an independent alumni association that can protect our interests in the Board of Directors and Louisiana School's interests in the state legislature. That is, this money will go toward protecting the value of your diploma, not (as in the past) primarily toward other people's parties and newsletters. It's a good investment.
Steve Voss '86
Dues Amendments
One of the most controversial portions of the new constitution is the change in dues structures. The following amendment proposals give you, in effect, three choices for dues:
Ballots are due to the Vice President by May 31st. Ballots may be submitted electronically to <kmores@bellsouth.net>, or on paper to 548 W. William David Pkwy. #207 Metairie, LA 70005. A "formal" e-mail ballot will be sent out within the next couple of weeks.
AMENDMENT 1
Remove absolute dues rate from the constitution and put in the hands of the officers directly affected.
Amend section 3:
(1) remove (a) and (b), and,
(2) in their place:
The dues structure ("regular dues" and "lifetime dues" and allocation to General/Communication Funds) will be set annually by mutual agreement between the President and Recording Secretary. If a change in the dues structure is not approved by both officers in time to be included in the March newsletter, dues for the upcoming fiscal year will remain the same as the previous year.
Case for: This is, in effect, the dues structure in the old constitution --- that is, the Executive Committee can decide the dues and the membership at large has no direct voice in the dues rate. Officer selection, impeachment, and refusal to pay provides an indirect voice.
Case against: Dues increases from year to year may occur without direct approval from the membership.
AMENDMENT 2
Keep absolute dues in Constitution.
Amend Section 3 (a) and (b) to read as follows:
(1) The rate for "regular dues" is $10 annually.
(2) The rate for "lifetime dues" is $20 annually.
Amend Section 3.4 (first sentence only)
Two-thirds of all dues money collected goes into the General Fund.
Case for: This returns dues to old rate for "regular" dues, while increasing the "lifetime" dues, which haven't been increased in 10+ years, by $5. The split is changed to keep amount going into communications fund commensurate with need estimated during constitutional discussion.
Case against: The dues rate of $10 for "regular" dues was set 5 years ago and the $15 for lifetime over 10 years ago. Just accounting for inflation this should have risen by now. The organization is not in a position to fund much, at present, other than the yearly alumni get together and communications. The dues increase will compensate for inflation and move us out of the hand-to-mouth funding situation we've been in for the past several years.