At the October 7, 2010 chapter meeting the proposed changes to the EIU Annuitants Association Constitution were approved by voice vote. President Ozier announced that her predecessor Dale Wolf's goal of increasing the Chapter's dues-paid membership to 700 was achieved. Vice President Martin announced that Eastern will soon launch a new capital campaign whose priorities will be (A) to increase funding for student scholarships; (B) to raise funds for the new science building; (C) to enhance relations with alumni; and (D) to build volunteer support. The current value of the endowment stands at $51.2 million, with a yield of 4.6%. Dean Irwin began by calling attention to the schedule of performances listed in the Doudna 2010-2011 program booklet. She reported that a new Humanities Center has been established under the direction of Professor Jan Marquardt- Cherry .SUAA Executive Director Brookhart distributed a pie chart documenting the diversity of the SURS investment portfolio (valued at $12.2 billion as of 6/30/10), and a bar graph documenting the volatility of SURS "Total Market Value" during the period FY 2007 through FY 2010. $4.1 billion in pension bonds will be needed to pay for the state's FY 2011 contribution to the pension system.
President Perry, after thanking annuitants for their continuing contributions to the well being of the university and its students, offered an update on campus building projects. He noted that work on the Renewable Energy Center is progressing, the planned new science building remains a top priority in the campus Master Plan, and the new Textbook Rental Center is "up and running" - and providing considerably better service to students at a cost of $30 additional dollars per semester. "Expect Greatness" will be the theme of the new capital Campaign.