Society of Porter Scholars Executive Board 2005-06; University of Louisville

Our Ultimate Vision for the Society- To provide the opportunities, encouragement, and incentives necessary for ALL African American students to willingly engage in activities that will humanize themselves, so they can in turn humanize the world. With this, we will not only witness African American students graduate at higher rates, but also be contributing members of the black community.

Humanizing Yourself-the process of cultivating your own character and discovering your own potential to leave your mark or contribution to the world.

Humanizing the World- the action taken to help others cultivate their own character and discover their potential to leave their marks on the world.

PLAN OF ACTION-

The core of our plan deals with embracing the concept of FAMILY. With this in mind, INCOMING FRESHMEN STUDENTS will be the center of the plan, but the plan affects ALL students. The idea is to fortify the FOUNDATION of the Porter Scholar.
Starting with freshmen in order to try and perpetuate the kind of scholar that looks out for his “brother” or “sister”. Create a group that runs as a cohesive unit, and takes pride in the success of their fellow scholars.
With the successful implementation of this plan, student will no longer feel like a number, but rather a unique, contributing member of the Society of Porter Scholars. Being a Porter Scholar will excite all of its membership and participating in the activities of the society will no longer be a responsibility, but rather a privilege

PHASE 1- ENGAGING THE INCOMING PORTER SCHOLARS BEFORE HE OR SHE REACH UOFL- We will use our leadership skills, resources, and dedication to make the new incoming class feel as if they are truly entering a family, and are proud and excited at the idea of being Porter Scholars…..all before they start their first class. This plan includes:

A general personal letter written by the President and Vice-President as well as the scholarship agreement attached. We will stress our excitement for their award and status as well as STRESS REQUIREMENTS OF THE SCHOLARSHIP AGREEMENT.
The SPS president and others will be here the entire summer meeting with Porter Scholars FACE TO FACE.
Participate in welcome weekend. Current Porter Scholars will be out there with their Porter T-Shirts and pins helping our incoming scholars move in, speaking with their parents, proving to be a trusted support system. Welcome weekend activities will include scholars too.

PHASE 2- UPPERCLASSMEN ASSISTING FRESHMEN- upperclassmen are the most imperative part of the plan. They will be heavily involved in activities during meetings to assist freshmen in activities that will promote graduation.

Teaching freshmen how to calculate GPA
Assisting freshmen in their two year plans.
Sitting down and providing opportunities to get involved

Intramural Chairs- This position will be created for a number of key reasons.
            -Provide students with the opportunity to help and support each other.
            -Emit a positive image of the SPS throughout the university community
            -Encourage service throughout the UofL and the Louisville community
            -Promote academic success and study skills.
            -Create an environment conducive to achieving these goals

The intramural chairs will fall under the Support Services Committee. I will look to appoint a male and a female to these positions. The chairs will recruit managers that are willing to take the responsibility of advising SPS intramural team. Students can create their own teams and there will be one or two managers assigned for each team. SPS will absorb the registration fees for each team IF they agree to a contract. The contract will include:

-From turning in the registration form to the end of the season, the team must get together each week and study for one hour.
-Must perform one small community activity with your team.
-Team name must include Porter name in a “positive light”. Must get it approved by the intramural chair.
-Must follow sportsmanship code of conduct set forth by Intramural Department.

This program will be the biggest initiative dedicated towards having scholars work towards supporting each other.

PHASE 3- MAJORS MEETINGS FOR SOPHOMORES, JUNIORS, AND SENIORS- an idea created by the 2006-2007 Porter executive board, this will provide students with the proper networks, education, and applicable information they need to graduate.

There will be a meeting for each major led by a Porter Executive board member.
Majors meetings will REPLACE class meetings.

Freshmen will engage in majors meeting during their Spring semester. They will still be provided with the opportunities to explore class meetings, but during class meetings.

Other aspects that play a role in the execution of this plan

GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS- much more interesting and will include activities that promote more politically conscious scholars. The meeting will capture the attention of the scholars and information will be retained.

Panels that discuss topics such as tuition, death penalty, race based scholarships, abortion etc.
Open dialogues on specific issues
Participation in dramatic skits and monologues by scholars.
Speakers that capture your attention.

GRADUATE PORTER SCHOLARS INTERACTION- We believe that those graduate students who we have seen on campus as undergrads can have a huge impact on scholars in general. I’m about bringing them back and involving them in the society.

Panel discussion with recognizable graduated Porter Scholars
Trips with scholars and those that have graduated.
Direct help in majors meeting by graduate students.
Guest speakers.
Advice on Graduate School Acceptance Exams.

INVOLVING NON-PORTER SCHOLARS- there is a misconception that the activities for Porter Society are just for scholarship recipients. I want to change that and reach out to all students. I want to change the idea that you have to be a scholarship recipient to be Porter Scholar. We are all in this struggle together and we need to be there for each other.

Outreach Committee will be led a non scholarship recipient and consist of non-scholars as well as scholars.
Will serve as a bridge into the Society of Porter Scholars

COMMUNITY SERVICE-

We will work to get Porter Scholars into local middle schools and high schools to promote the possibility of college.
Community Service Activities on campus

Aids Awareness Fair

Service Project linked with the Porter Ball and Black History Month

PROJECTS THAT WILL BE CARRIED OUT THROUGH PORTER(suggestions)

More Community Service Activities on Campus (Get Porter Name out there)
Porter Scholar Resident Assistants in Dorms

Host study hall sessions in the dorms.

Black Women of Porter (Led by the women of Porter, not the men)
Outreach Committee
Kentucky University Collaborations
E-Board added responsibilities

Bring 5 people to each activity hosted by Porter.

COLLABORATION PARTNERS-

Phyllis Clark and USHR
Dr. Tomarra Adams and CONECT
Jenny Sawyer and Admissions and Orientation
Dr. Mordean Taylor Archer, Vice Provost for Diversity
Ms. Sharonda Holmes and Mr. Ed Laster with MAEP
Devin Moran and Western Kentucky Black Student Union
Michael Anthony and Leadershape
James Ramsey, UofL President
Dr. Shirley Willinghanz, Vice Provost

TIMELINE-

We believe that the core idea of creating a family-like atmosphere within the society can be fully achieved in at least four years.

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