PLANC Minutes
March 4, 2007
Philadelphia, PA
Jim Calvi called the meeting to order. He thanked Access Group for Saturday night’s dinner and LSAC for hosting us in Philadelphia. He indicated some of the things that we’d talk about during the meeting: Selecting a Chair-Elect; the 2008 PLANC Conference; and the other items on the agenda.
Those present included: Frank Guliuzza, Chair-Elect and WAPLA President; Tim Garrison, WAPLA President-Elect; Jack Carter, Designated Member NAPLA; Mel Hailey, SWAPLA President; Jeff Robb, SWAPLA’s Designated Member; Mary Tetro, SAPLA President; Gina Rowsam, NALP; Verlaine Walker, WAPLA’s Designated Member; Pam Allen, MAPLA President; Gerald Wilson, SAPLA Designated Member; Leslie Townsend, PCAPLA President-Elect; Anne Brandt, LSAC; Nim Batchelor, Immediate Past Chair; Linda Cevallos, CLEO; Rodrick Terry, CLEO; Colleen Hodd, Access Group; Stanley Clark, PCAPLA President; Frank Homer, Co-Editor of PLANC POINTS; Jerry Polinard, Co-Editor of PLANC POINTS, Parliamentarian; Jim Calvi, PLANC Chair. At the recommendation of the Parliamentarian, the group was introduced to determine those who were voting members.
Calvi called attention to the reports in the packets available to all members. He then gave the Chair’s report during which he noted how much things have changed since he came on the Board particularly with the level of cooperation that takes place among those in the pre-law community. He gave thanks to the various PLANC partners who not only help us financially but also to provide us with substantial information as pre-law advisors. He acknowledged the debt to our partners and his personal debt to the previous PLANC Chairs. He also thanked Anne Brandt for her person help to him and, again, thanked the other partners. He urged that they play an even bigger role at the 2008 conference. He thanked Bachelor for his role as a mentor; Guliuzza for his role as Chair-Elect; Allen for serving as co-Chair of the 2008 conference; and Severn for coming through as Treasurer at a tough time.
Calvi next offered the minutes from the October meeting in Miami for our consideration. The minutes were approved unanimously.
Calvi next called for the various partner reports:
Access Group (AG)
Hodd presented the report (although Calvi noted that they were “out of order” at least w/r to the information packet provided). She offered for Access Group to do presentations not only to APLAs but also to individual schools. She talked, again, about the PLUS loan. Still, however, 60% of borrowing are from private loans. She thinks more will take advantage of them starting this year. She offered her considerable concerns with “Generation Y” (a.k.a., “why can’t I have everything?”) and their likelihood to default on loans (and the various reasons . . . “why”). She suggested that PLAs have a role to play in helping this group understand . . . “why” they have an obligation to do what’s right economically (v. a return to the “me-first” greed of the 1980s). On the political scene, Hodd noted the government is inclined to respond to some of the practices of lenders. The new Congress wanted to accomplish a lot in its first 100 days. Lots of pending legislation although, at this point, it’s just that. She referenced her Industry Update for the complete list of proposed legislation. Keys = H.R. 5, “College Student Relief Act of 2007,” and its impact on lenders (and the response by lenders who may make students pay on the back end of the loan); H.R. 1010 and S. 72, “Student Aid Reward Act of 2007"; S. 359, “Student Relief Act of 2007,” increasing federal Pell Grant awards; S. 486, “Student Loan Sunshine Act of 2007,” to correct problems in the “school-as-lender” program. She also discussed consolidation news and the continued practice of soliciting borrowers to consolidate at least for the next couple of months in 2007. Bachelor recommended that the APLAs and PLANC link up on our various web pages to the Access Group. Struck and Clark volunteered to help Access Group develop PLA friendly information for the web. Discussion followed.
CLEO
Cevallos provided the report. She talked about various CLEO programs for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors and all 3 seminars going on at the same time. She said that they offered these in 6 regions across the country. They all occur on one day, Saturdays, with various workshops. This was, in part, to accommodate PLAs who wanted to bring in students – freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. She also discussed the Sophomore Summer Institute at Northern Illinois. She discussed the literature that she brought for the PLANC Board. Too, she talked about the on-line program, Junior Analytical Skills Development program with 50 students nationwide. The “ASAP” program and the Summer Institute serve as feeders into the on-line program. Achieving Success in the Application Process, ASAP, is a three-day seminar where deans and law school admissions folks come in and talk about the application process (focusing upon the personal statements). One hundred students were selected for each program and the deans gave feedback on each personal statement. Discussion was interspersed throughout the presentation.
ABA
Calvi offered remarks prepared by Goodnight. He referred to the written report. Two issues discussed at the ABA Pre-Law Committee. The first addressed to LSAC on getting students to advisors earlier in the process and, second, including the ABA Committee earlier in the process (again directed to LSAC).
LSAC
Brandt proposed an Advisory Board of PLANC members to meet on the Saturday before the PLANC session made up of 6 members (and building upon the work that was accomplished in August, 2006). Hailey moved Anne’s proposal before the body. Struck seconded. Discussion followed. Motion passed unanimously. Last year was the last of the “bulge classes” – the surge of students entering law school. She also believes that 3 of the fora will move to the spring starting in 2008.
NALP
Rowsam reported on salary trends – entry level base salaries in large cities (sans benefits and bonuses) = $140,000 to $160,000. This = 10-20% of the jobs. For all jobs it = $70,000. She referred to her written report. B.G.C Attorney Search is another source of information for salaries although not endorsed by NALP. It suggests that starting salaries at Cravath, Swain, and Moore = $160,000 and class of 2000 = $265,000. But, of course, this is at the highest end. She also mentioned several publications from the written report include Debra Schneider’s (sp.?) book. She also talked about the current “Y/Why/Whine” generation and their “helicopter” parents. She also suggested that within 10 years up to 500,000 baby boomer lawyers will retire and the impact on the legal profession and the echo effect on baby boomer grandchildren which might, eventually, replenish this number.
Calvi next called for the various APLA reports:
MAPLA
Allen referenced the written report and the upcoming September 14-16 meeting in Chicago (a longer conference linked to the Chicago forum). Plans include a new web page in April; the dates for the caravan; a discount for additional members from the same school (½ price for 3+ members); a potential list of PLAs to help kids who do not have an advisor at all.
NAPLA
Struck discussed the conference in Philly in June and urged folks to get rooms early. She talked about the on-line newsletter which compliments the NAPLA Notes; on-line payment of the conference; advising at the fora in the NAPLA region; the NAPLA handbook for advisors and a potential handbook for students.
PCAPLA
Clark referenced Scott Bowman’s written report. He discussed the February conference and the highlights (visits to Loyola and USC and some of the panels); election of new officers; and changes to by-laws; conference in February, 2008 in Northern California; and new ways of funding the organization.
SAPLA
Tetro referred to the written report. She talked about the October conference in Miami; a resolution that will lengthen the time that officers might serve; the next conference on September 27 at North Carolina Central and North Carolina who will co-host; volunteers to serve at fora in the region; a consortium of HBCUs in the area; the need to hire a new webmaster.
SWAPLA
Hailey referenced the written report. Four points: Success of the San Antonio conference; a new Treasurer of SWAPLA; fall conference in Houston w/ pre-law advisors at the forum; and the subsidy to those attending the fall conference – registration subsidy for the 2008 conference. He indicated his chagrin with the date of the Dallas forum and how it affected SWAPLA’s ability to participate at the forum and its effect upon the dates for the fall conference. Consequently, the conference will be later in October in San Antonio (is this correct? November in Houston?). He noted that SWAPLA subsidizes each member who comes and attends all the sessions. St. Mary’s School of Law will participate in the conference. He discussed the caravan and Severn’s role in coordinating her “final” caravan.
WAPLA
Guliuzza presented the information from the written report noting 4 things: the caravans in 2006 and 2007; the conference in Albuquerque; the upcoming conference in Philly; and another reference to the new WAPLA web page (www.wapla.org).
Calvi asked for reports from standing committees:
PLANC POINTS
Polinard said the next edition is at the printer but, bad news, the person responsible for the layout, is leaving. He indicated that his school will continue to subsidize the newsletter (at $1,500 - $1,700 an issue). The upcoming additions will focus on the 2008 conference. He also noted that, until the conference, the newsletter will be sent directly to PLAs v. mailing via the APLAs.
Finance Committee & Treasurer’s Report
Severn referenced the written report. The balance is $44,209.45. Almost all of the dues for 2007 were paid. Expenses for PLANC and the conference are lower than expected. Discussion related to co-mingling of the conference accounting and the PLANC expenses accounting followed. It was decided to ask Severn to continue accounting as she’s been doing. She raised the possibility that AG might help us to prepare better budget and financial reports. Clark moved to approve. Wilson seconded. Approved unanimously.
Calvi raised the issues related to old business: Nothing was put to the body.
Calvi turned to new business:
A) Brandt’s report had been approved earlier in the meeting.
B) Allen’s recommendation (really Steve Nelson’s) to cut costs:
-Elimination of the Immediate Past Chair position: Wilson proposed the by-laws are amended to cut the funding from PLANC for the Past Chair position despite acknowledging the occasional nuggets of wisdom emanating from Bachelor that might make the Immediate Past Chair invaluable. Failed for lack of second.
-PLANC Point Editors: Homer talked about his schedule which tends to make the issue moot. No formal action was taken.
-Treasurer: Several persons spoke against the proposal. No formal action was taken. In fact, there was some discussion as to eliminating the term limits on the position. Further, some argued that we need to hold an election w/r to Editors and/or Treasurer.
C) Elections:
-Treasurer: Guliuzza moved to hold the election of Treasurer of PLANC. Seconded by Tetro. Passed unanimously. Severn was nominated by Guliuzza; seconded by Tetro. Passed unanimously.
Wilson proposed amending the by-laws deleting the phrase referencing three consecutive terms (the current term limit). Seconded by Walker. Will require a vote at the fall meeting.
-PLANC Points Editor: Hailey moved to elect Homer. Struck seconded. Passed unanimously.
-Chair Elect: Wilson nominated Hailey. Clark moved that nominations cease after a reasonable period when no other nominations appeared to be forthcoming. Wilson moved, and Walker seconded, election by acclimation. Passed unanimously.
D) Web-site Coordinator: Bachelor explains that a web-site coordinator should be at the meetings. Too, he noted that we own the web site www.PLANC.org currently but that we’ll have to continue to purchase the site and then PLANC will own the site. He also recommended looking at whether or not we want to change web site providers. Further, he recommended that the Board take seriously what we want on the web page and that this might require a professional to construct and maintain the page. He gave the information he’s gathered to Clark and Severn. Brandt suggested that the PLANC conference web page might be listed on the LSAC site inasmuch as it already has a license with a company. Clark was asked to maintain the PLANC web page. Moved by Townsend that Clark fill this position. Seconded by Hailey. Passed unanimously. Bachelor moved that the position of webmaster be added to offices who will attend each PLANC meeting. Wilson reminded the body of the by-laws that allow PLANC to appoint new officers as needed hence, no need for the motion. W/r to the conference web page,
Discussion of the 2008 conference. Calvi presented the report of the Steering Committee which met in Miami and on March 3, 2007. He noted that there were changes in our agreement with the hotel. The contract was revised per our request and several people have examined the revised document to make sure that it is favorable. It should be signed in the next few days. It is for October 15-18, 2008 in Las Vegas. Rates for T-TH of $89.00 and F-SA of $149.00 at the South Point Casino & Resort. Food & beverage is $70,000 (v. original contract = $80,000). Proposed theme: “Advising the Milennials: High Touch, High Tech.” It was suggested that the title be revised to “Advising the Milennials for a Legal Career.” Accepted by consensus. It was suggested by the Committee that PLANC meet in Las Vegas for its fall meeting in mid-August. It was suggested that we meet on August 19-21 with a full day on August 20. Calvi suggested that there was a change from a Steering Committee and Program Committee to a Steering Committee and PLANC serving as the de facto Program Committee. W/r to the Conference web page, there was a discussion about selecting CVENT (sp. ?) to put together the web page. Discussed a cruise around Lake Meade instead of a gala. Alternatives included a show that everyone can attend. Others were concerned about making sure that events are set up for families (i.e., children). Guliuzza suggested that he might set up an ad-hoc committee to provide entertainment options for the nights other then the gala. Other alternatives include a “reception” night and an “APLA night.” Wilson gave a short presentation on the letter he will send out to partners, law schools, and others including contributions and the opportunities to sponsor events.
Calvi noted that Phil Shelton is retiring and what might be an appropriate recognition. Homer suggested a formal resolution and a letter from the Chair to the Director to the Board. Polinard and others recognized his contribution to PLANC. Clark moved that we get him a gift. Tetro seconded. It was suggested $100.00 as an appropriate. Also $100.00 donation to a charity in his name (one related to autism). Passed unanimously.
Calvi recognized Bachelor’s years-and-years of continued service to the PLANC Board.
Wilson moved that the Board recognize Calvi for his admirable work. Polinard asked that a letter be written to West Texas A&M University. PLANC gave Jim a gift recognizing his effort on behalf of PLANC and pre-law advising.
Homer raised the issue of an organization that contacted each member of the Board. Calvi agreed to look into and respond.
Guliuzza moved we adjourn. Robb seconded. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote.