Dudley Observatory Board of Trustees
17 April 2006
Full Board Meeting

Present: R. Anderson, J. Comly, L. Comly, T. D'Andrea, E. Fladger, R. Fleischer, A. French, S. French, R. Koopmann, M. Kosky, P. Kosky, H. Patashnick, W. Roberge, J. Schwab, C. Traver, S. Wait, D. Wulff

Meeting called to order at 7:30 PM by President Roberge.  President Roberge welcomed new Board member Cherrice Traver.

Minutes: The minutes of the 15 June 2005 meeting were approved.

Report of the Research Grants Committee (Roberge):
The Pollock Award was judged.  The unanimous winner was a proposal entitled "A
Thousand Years of Sky Images" by Professor Lewis Pyenson from the University
Of Louisiana at Lafayette.  The project will analyze the extent to which images
foster new ideas, focusing on the evolution of star images over the past 700 years.
            The Fullam Award was not offered this year, consistent with the Long Range Plan.

Report of the Education Committee (M. Kosky):
            Three camperships to the Astronomy Summer Institute, Alfred, were awarded.
            Seven Rising Star applications were accepted.
            We will fund half-price tickets to the Schenectady Museum for approximately 1000
students from Schenectady schools.
Becky Remis, a Mohonasen Earth Science Teacher, has joined the Education
            Committee.
            The committee has added a subsidy for 6th-grade Albany students to visit the Henry
Hudson Planetarium.
Janie Schwab submitted a proposal to the American Physical Society to partially fund a
New program "Reflections: Stories of Astronomy, Earth, and Space."  AP
Chemistry students from Bethlehem High School will interview Ralph Alpher, Roy E. Anderson, and Elizabeth Sonneborn.  Class will have a field trip to Dudley.  The program will continue even without the grant.  Elfun group may be approached for future efforts.  Sam Salem was proposed as a possible contact.
Sam Wait brought up possible Dudley involvement in John Hopkins program for gifted
            and talented students that will be hosted by RPI in October.

Report of the Executive Director (Schwab)
An article on the Dudley Observatory Archives has been accepted for publication in NY
            Archives Magazine, which will be available at Borders.
As they are used, archives and rare books are being digitized and made available on our
web site.
Volunteer Gretchen Koerpel has been working on putting together a "starter kit" of
            archives on our website for students interested in the NYS Archives Student
Research Awards.
The Dudley has had 41 library/research/archive-related requests with some researchers
            involved for as much as two weeks (assisted by G. Koerpel and G. Wise).
The Awards Ceremony for Dudley Camperships and Rising Stars is scheduled for
Tuesday. May 23, 8:00 PM at the Albany Visitor's Center.
Trudy Bell's essay and the "Catalogue of a Very Liquid Heaven" featured pictures from the
Dudley.
The Dudley's 150th Gala will be held at the Albany Institute of History and Art. The
Dudley's Inauguration painting will be on exhibit.  Entertainment, activities, and food will be provided.  The gala will be a fundraiser and publicity event.

Report of the Finance Committee  (J. Comly)
            The auditor's report, operating budget on unrestricted funds, and restricted funds budget
were presented.
            Budget performance, invested assets, and performance of the unrestricted endowment
were reviewed.

            Moved:  That the auditor's report for year ending June 30, 2005 be accepted.
                                                Seconded and approved unanimously.
            Moved:  Transfer $155,425 from unrestricted endowment funds to operating
  funds for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005.
                                                Seconded and approved unanimously.
            Moved:  Transfer the following amounts from restricted endowment funds to
  operating funds for fiscal year ending June 30, 2005:
                                    1) Friends of Dudley:      $893.40
                                    2) Weil                          $ 25.00
                                    3) Elkind                       $763.11
                                                Seconded and approved unanimously.

            Comments:  Endowment continues to grow because of better market conditions and
conservative spending.  Spending about 0.9% over recommended long-term
                        figure of 5.0%.  $30,000 contingent fund has been added to the budget to cover
transitional costs if we move.

Report of the Nominating Committee  (Wait)
            Ab Hessberg has asked not to be reappointed.    

            Jim Comly and Rebecca Koopmann recommended for reappointment for a four-year term
2006 - 2010
                        Moved, seconded, and unanimously approved.
            Alan French recommended for a four-year term 2006 - 2010
                        Moved, seconded, and unanimously approved.

            Recommendation for officers for 2006:
                        President:         Wayne Roberge
                        Vice-President:  Susan French
                        Treasurer:          Philip Kosky
                        Secretary:         Brian Mercy
                                    Chair Moved to cast one ballot for the slate.  Seconded & approved
unanimously.
                                               
Report of the Ad Hoc Committee  (Roberge)
            Summary of options considered by the committee:
                        1) Status Quo
                        2) Troy Riverfront proposal
                        3) University at Albany proposal - relocate to university, fund fellowships, support
observatory, renaming of observatory Alpher-Dudley Observatory will be
                                    pursued.
                        4) Union College proposal -  turn over all or most of Dudley endowment to
establish an Alpher-Dudley Chair in astronomy, Chair would carry on
Dudley  programs.

The Committee recommends that the Dudley pursue either the Union or U. Albany options.  The Committee points out the large difference in Board activity required by the proposals.
Moved:  That a committee be established to look into the disposition of Dudley
  assets.
                                                Seconded and approved unanimously.
                        Moved:  That the Dudley remain governed by an active Board.
                                                Seconded.  8 in favor, 4 opposed, 4 abstained.

                        Moved:  That the Dudley pursue the Union option (J. Comly).
                                                Seconded (P. Kosky).  6 in favor, 7 opposed, 1 abstained.
                        Moved:  That the Dudley pursue the U. Albany option (H. Patashnick).
                                                Seconded (A. French).  8 in favor, 5 opposed, 1 abstained

The meeting adjourned at 9:30 PM.