Dr. Charles W. Estus, Sr., called the joint meeting of the Research Advisory Board, the Education Advisory Board, and the Management Group to order at 2:15 p.m. Greetings were extended and introductions were made.

Present:
Mary Lou Anderson Michael Creasey Kathleen Daniel Charles Estus Joyce Gleason Orville Harrold Kevin Hickey Guy Jones Mary Kielbasa	Sr. Kathy Livingstone Charlene Martin Sandra Mayrand Tom Narrigan  Brian Niece David Raposa Roberta Schaefer Anthony Schwaller  Tom Slavkovsky

Sr. Kathy Livingstone discussed the responsibilities of the Education Advisory Board. Sr. Kathy suggested the possibility of working with Federal Park Rangers and working on the web site to share materials and activities. Dr. Estus discussed the Research Advisory Board responsibilities. Dr. Estus raised the question of how we link to the resources and expertise represented by membership on the two boards. Suggestions from the board were that we develop email so members could communicate with one another and the possibility of teleconferencing was raised. Dr. Estus called upon the group to set the theme for the program, and proposed that the theme for the immediate future involve a partnership with the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission. Historically the river valley has been a transportation corridor linking Central Massachusetts to Providence, RI and the Atlantic via the Blackstone Canal, the Providence & Worcester Railroad and the Rhode Island turnpike. Innovation in transportation continues to the present with the completion of an expanded Route 146 into Worcester at Quinsigamond Village and linking to the Massachusetts turnpike. The National Park Service is supporting environmental studies throughout the river corridor. This is a bi-state opportunity for our UTC to develop regional resources along the transportation corridor.The background of the Blackstone River Valley, 150 years of growth and development, was shared with the Board members. The Blackstone is the origin of social history and transportation of the region. New England is the oldest industrial area in the United States. Michael Creasey described the Commission's interest in a partnership with the UTC.The Center's theme "The Blackstone River Valley as a Teaching and Research Resource" addresses science and embodies history. Through it we can take advantage of what has been, and will shape the future. Through education we can develop models bringing people together to address issues of the 21st century. Communities themselves are investing in special places, educating at a local level. Assumption's UTC could become an important partner in linking education with environmental and transportation concerns within the Valley. Kathleen Daniel noted that by adopting the Blackstone River Valley as a context for developing education and research, an annual theme might be selected each year which would focus on some aspect of the natural or build environments. After further discussion, members of the two boards voted unanimously to accept the recommended selection of the Blackstone River Valley as the teaching and research resource for the UTC. As discussion of the UTC's program for the year came to a close, Tony Schwaller reminded those gathered that a major marketing effort will be required to insure that our regionally grounded enterprise become national in its outreach.
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The next board meeting is scheduled for March 31, 2000, from 12:00 ­ 4:00 p.m. The Board meeting will be held aboard the Worcester-Providence train, with lunch on board, courtesy of Mr. Orville Harrold. Mr. Harrold stated the train would cross the Blackstone River 13 times. Meeting adjourned 4:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,Mona Heffernan, Administrative Assistant

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