Board of Trustees News

The Board of Trustees held its fall meeting on October 16-18, 2024 on Lawrence’s Appleton campus and via Zoom conferencing for those unable to attend in person. We also welcomed two new term trustees to their first meetings – Lisa Becket ’88 and James Gandre ’81.

The Board was provided with materials which contained updates from all areas of the institution, including the Faculty Committee on University Governance (FCUG) and the Lawrence University Community Council (LUCC). Ahead of the in-person meeting, the Audit Committee and Buildings and Grounds Subcommittee met virtually. The Investment Committee and Trustee Governance Committee continue to meet virtually off-cycle. 

The main topics of discussion included: campus updates, the 2023-24 enrollment cycle, new brand creatives, Lawrence at Night, and continued conversation regarding the proposed campus recreation center.

The following committees met in-person last week: Academic and Student Affairs, Development, Enrollment, and Finance. In the Academic and Student Affairs Committee, the committee heard more in-depth reports from FCUG, LUCC, Athletics, as well as an update on the academic program review. The Development Committee focused on the campaign. The Enrollment Committee took a deeper dive into our fall enrollment and our overall enrollment strategies. The Finance Committee discussed a recommendation for the comprehensive fee for next year and projections for the current fiscal year. 

New this year, we held two Bi-Committee meetings. The purpose of the Bi-Committees is to provide space for open dialogue between committees on key topics. During the Fall meeting, ASA and Finance discussed the timelines for the academic program review and the athletics review; Development and Enrollment focused on the interconnection between our development efforts and enrollment. 

At the Formal Board meeting, the Board voted on items coming out of Committees and approved the following:

• Approved the comprehensive fee for the 2025-26 academic year, which will be communicated to students and families as we approach financial aid packaging.
• Approved a gift counting policy for the campaign.
• Approved a Board Statement on the Conservatory of Music (attached).

This update is also posted on our website here. Over the past several years, board updates have been shared in in-person Town Halls. Moving forward, updates will be emailed to the campus community and shared on the website.

Board Statement on the Conservatory of Music

The Board of Trustees joins the Lawrence community in celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Conservatory of Music. We honor its rich academic and cultural heritage, recognizing the Conservatory’s exceptional role in educating and training musicians and artists who have made significant contributions to their fields. We also applaud the faculty for their ongoing innovation in the curriculum that will help lead us into the future and express our gratitude to outgoing Dean Brian Pertl.

The Board remains committed to the Conservatory’s future as part of its overall investment in the University. Over the past two years, we have hired ten full-time faculty members in the Conservatory, are renovating Harper Hall, have added a performance space in Fox Commons, and approved new soundproofed faculty offices and rehearsal spaces in the West Campus building that is currently under construction.

As part of this commitment, last spring the Board and the University administration jointly agreed to conduct a comprehensive and inclusive search for a new Dean to lead the Conservatory into its next chapter. We reaffirm that decision today. We urge the search committee and the entire Lawrence community to work collaboratively in selecting a leader who will advance the Conservatory’s mission and vision within the University.

We remind all members of the Lawrence community that our collective future depends on mutual respect and collaboration. It is important to embrace differences of opinion with civility. The Board of Trustees expects that all actions and discussions will foster respect and collaboration, and any behavior that threatens or undermines our campus culture will be addressed. Working together we are confident that the future of the Conservatory and the University is bright.

The Board of Trustees held its winter meeting February 8-10, 2023 on Lawrence’s Appleton campus and via Zoom conferencing from those unable to attend. Ahead of the meeting, the Board was provided with materials to prepare for conversations and decisions. Included in the materials were updates from the functional areas of the institution, including the Faculty Committee on University Governance (FCUG) and the Lawrence University Community Council (LUCC).

The Board began with the General Session where the Task Force on Enrollment Size presented its months’ long analysis. Additionally, Dr. Ron Crutcher, former president of Wheaton College (MA) and University of Richmond, discussed the enrollment initiatives implemented at both of those institutions that resulted in increased financial stability. After which, the Enrollment Committee, Development Committee, Buildings and Grounds Subcommittee, Finance Committee, and Academic and Student Affairs Committee held their meetings, concluding with the Formal Board meeting. Much of each committee and subcommittee meeting was discussing the selection, implementation, and potential impact of the strategic initiatives and investments. Specifically, providing input on the brand elevation strategic investments and highlighting another busy construction season, including the purchase of 1025 E South River Street. The Board discussed the FY23 budget and that of the strategic investment expenses. Additionally, the Board celebrated the success of Giving Day and the arrival of two VPs, the VP for Advancement and the incoming VP for DEIA. The reports were delivered from the President, the Chair of the Board, and respective committee and campus leadership. Trustees and the campus leadership discussed the ever-changing higher education climate and our mechanisms to lead and respond, and our institutional decision-making strategy.

In the course of the February meetings, the Board:

• Approved the granting of tenure to Israel Del Toro, Assistant Professor (Biology).
• Approved the granting of tenure to Thelma Jimenez-Anglada, Assistant Professor (Spanish).
• Approved the granting of tenure to Nancy Lin, Assistant Professor (Art History).
• Approved the granting of tenure to Rebecca Perry, Assistant Professor (Music).
• Approved the granting of tenure to Graham Sazama, Assistant Professor (Chemistry).
• Approved the granting of tenure to Jesús Gregorio Smith, Assistant Professor (Ethnic Studies).

The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for May 17-19, 2023 on Lawrence’s Appleton campus and virtually via Zoom conferencing for those unable to attend in person.

Biennially, the Board of Trustees has a fall retreat to deepen their knowledge about Lawrence and higher education in a robust and concentrated fashion. This year’s retreat was held October 26-28, 2022. Because of the focused retreat agenda, the committees of the Board met during weeks preceding the retreat to attend to their business via Zoom. Ahead of committee meetings and the Board retreat, the Board was provided with materials to prepare for conversations and decisions.

During the course of each committee meeting, reports were delivered by the respective committee leadership and campus leadership. In the Academic and Student Affairs Committee, the committee focused on the external review of student affairs with new leadership, while also hearing from the provost and dean of the conservatory on the strategic initiatives and first impressions and vision from the new athletics director. The Development Committee discussed our endowment policies and celebrated the completion of new projects like the Lawrence Arch, the Drew Street Bridge, and the Kohler Hall renovation. The IDEAS Committee committed to supporting President Carter and the new leader once hired to this work and reaffirmed the committee’s strategic goals. The Enrollment Committee reviewed AY 22 enrollment cycle and discussed this current first-year class, while also hearing from our interim enrollment leadership on the state of admissions and financial aid. There was also discussion of the enrollment-focused strategic initiatives. In the Buildings and Grounds Subcommittee, there was much discussion on the highlights of an extraordinarily busy summer construction season where several strategic investments and critical deferred maintenance items were completed. The Finance Committee maintains its focus on the financial positioning of the institution, focusing on modeling and projection towards a balanced budget. The President and the Chair of Board led the trustees in discussion on the priorities for academic year 2020-2021 and reviewed the institutional response to the COVID-19 pandemic across all aspects of campus.

At the Board Retreat, the Board focused its time on institutional strategies to eliminating our structural deficit and thriving through the demographic changes that will impact higher education in the near future, and created a Task Force on Enrollment Size comprised of Trustees, faculty, and staff to report out in the next meeting.

Over the course of the meeting, the Board:

• Approved aspects of the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget.
• Approved changes to the physical plant.
• Approved changes to the Development Committee charge.

The next meeting of the Board of Trustees is scheduled for February 7-9, 2023 in Appleton and virtually via Zoom conferencing.

Due to the necessity to hold meetings virtually per our campus pandemic protocol, the Board of Trustees held its spring meeting May 11-14, 2021 via Zoom conferencing. Ahead of the meeting, the Board was provided with materials to prepare for conversations and decisions. Included in the materials were updates from the functional areas of the institution, the Faculty Committee on University Governance (FCUG), the Lawrence University Community Council (LUCC) and the Lawrence University Alumni Association (LUAA).

The Board began with the General Session where they spent time with incoming president Laurie A. Carter and discussed the culminating report from the Board of Trustees Antiracism Task Force. After which, the Enrollment Committee, Development Committee, Buildings and Grounds SubCommittee, Finance Committee, and Academic and Student Affairs Committee held their meetings, concluding with the Formal Board meeting. Much of each committee and subcommittee meeting was discussing our ongoing response to the COVID-19 coronavirus global pandemic, updates on different initiatives, and forecasting fall 2021. The reports were delivered from the President, the Chair of the Board, and respective committee and campus leadership. Trustees and the campus leadership discussed the ever-changing climate and our mechanisms to lead and respond, and our institutional decision-making strategy as we welcome a new leader. There was much to celebrate as well: honoring the Board of Trustees members retiring from the Board, honoring President Mark Burstein, and welcoming President Laurie Carter.

In the May meetings, the Board:

• Approved the minutes of the Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 when Laurie A. Carter was elected the 17th president of Lawrence University, beginning July 1, 2021.
• Approved the President Emeritus Resolution bestowing the title of President Emeritus to Mark Burstein upon his retirement on June 30, 2021.
• Approved the motion from the Board of Trustees Antiracism Task Force to create a standing committee of the Board of Trustees dedicated to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion work and composed of an integrated group of Board members with the President and Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion as ex-officio.
• Approved the Corporate Resolution.
• Approved the Fiscal Year 2021 and projected Fiscal Year 2022 budgets.
• Approved a Lawrence University Campus Community Resolution, thanking all for their dedication and sacrifice since the pandemic began.
• Approved the election of the Class of 2024 Term Trustees for terms ending June 30, 2024.
• Approved the election of the Officers of the Board.
• Approved the election of Francesca Siekman ‘11 as a Recent Graduate Trustee.
• Approved the election of Sachin Shivaram as a Term Trustee.
• Approved the re-appointment of Ryan Primmer ‘91 as a Non-Trustee Committee Member of the Investment Committee.
• Approved the re-appointment of Steven Mech ‘93 as a Non-Trustee Committee Member of the Buildings and Grounds SubCommittee.
• Approved the President’s Advisory Council (PAC) as a formal institutional body.

The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for October 20-22 on the campus of Lawrence University in Appleton, WI.

Due to the necessity to hold meetings virtually per our campus pandemic protocol, the Board of Trustees held its winter meeting February 16-19, 2021 via Zoom conferencing. Ahead of the meeting, the Board was provided with materials to prepare for conversations and decisions. Included in the materials were updates from the functional areas of the institution, including the Faculty Committee on University Governance (FCUG).

The Board began with the General Session where they discussed the upcoming curricular and co-curricular strategic initiatives to be implemented. After which, the Enrollment Committee, Development Committee, Buildings and Grounds SubCommittee, Finance Committee, and Academic and Student Affairs Committee held their meetings, concluding with the Formal Board meeting. Much of each committee and subcommittee meeting was discussing our ongoing response to the COVID-19 coronavirus global pandemic and updates on different initiatives. Specifically, the Board thanked all involved with the Be The Light! Capital Campaign that concluded December 31, 2020 eclipsing our target with the total of $232.6million. Also,
information was shared that Lawrence University had surpassed the $400million mark in our endowment. The reports were delivered from the President, the Chair of the Board, and respective committee and campus leadership. Trustees and the campus leadership discussed the ever-changing climate and our mechanisms to lead and respond, and our institutional decision-making strategy.

In the course of the February meetings, the Board:

• Approved the granting of an honorary degree to Dr. John Raymond during Commencement 2021.
• Approved the granting of tenure to Ingrid Albrecht, Assistant Professor (Philosophy).
• Approved the granting of tenure to Matthew Arau, Assistant Professor (Music Education), Associate Director of Bands.
• Approved the granting of tenure to Chloe Armstrong, Assistant Professor (Philosophy).
• Approved the granting of tenure to Stephanie Burdick-Shepherd, Assistant Professor (Education).
• Approved the granting of tenure to Horacio Contreras, Assistant Professor (Music).
• Approved the granting of tenure to John Holiday, Associate Professor (Music).
• Approved the granting of tenure to Danielle Joyner, Assistant Professor (Art History).
• Approved the granting of tenure to Victoria Kononova, Assistant Professor (Russian).
• Approved the granting of tenure to Nora Lewis, Associate Professor (Music).
• Approved the granting of tenure to Brigid Vance, Assistant Professor (History).

The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for May 11-14, 2021 virtually via Zoom conferencing.

Due to the necessity to hold meetings virtually, the Board of Trustees held its fall meeting October 20-23 via Zoom conferencing to accommodate our internationally-based trustee membership. Ahead of the meeting, the Board was provided with materials to prepare for
conversations and decisions. Included in the materials were administrative reports from the president’s cabinet and the observers representing the Faculty Governance Committee and Lawrence University Alumni Association (LUAA).

The meeting began with our New Trustee Orientation for the new trustees. During the course of the meeting, reports were delivered in our committees from the respective committee leadership and campus leadership. The President and the Chair of Board led the trustees in discussion on the priorities for academic year 2020-2021 and reviewed the institutional response to the COVID-19 pandemic across all aspects of campus. The Enrollment Committee celebrated this fall’s first-year class and returning student population, which in the midst of a pandemic mirrored that of last year. The Board of Trustees Anti-Racism Task Force, created during the Summer 2020, updated the full membership on its activity. The Campaign Steering
Committee updated the full membership on this last cycle of the Be the Light! Capital Campaign, forging ahead having already reached our goal. The Academic and Student Affairs Committee focused its time on the curricular shifts and student life efforts made due to the
pandemic with insight provided by the Lawrence University Community Council (LUCC) president. The Finance Committee continues to contemplate revenue enhancements and savings strategies as we strive towards a more balanced budget, mindful of the pandemic.

Over the course of the meeting, the Board:

• Approved the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget.
• Approved the election of Gregg Dawley ’77 as a Non-Trustee Investment Committee Member.

The next meeting of the Board of Trustees is scheduled for February 16-19, 2021 virtually via Zoom conferencing.

Due to the necessity to hold meetings virtually, the Board of Trustees held its spring meeting May 12-15 and June 17-19 via Zoom conferencing to accommodate our internationally-based trustee membership. Ahead of the meeting, the Board was provided with materials to prepare for conversations and decisions. Included in the
materials were updates from the functional areas of the institution and Lawrence University Alumni Association (LUAA).

In May, the Development and Campaign Steering Committees, Buildings and Grounds SubCommittee, and Academic and Student Affairs Committee held their meetings with a culminating Executive Committee meeting. Much of each meeting was discussing our
initial and ongoing response to the COVID-19 coronavirus global pandemic. The reports were delivered from the President and the respective committee leadership.

In June, the Enrollment Committee and Finance Committee held their meetings, concluding with the Formal Board meeting. Much of each meeting was discussing the institutional spring 2020 response to the COVID-19 pandemic and forecasting fall 2020. The reports were delivered from the President, the Chair of the Board, and respective
committee leadership. Trustees and the president’s discussed the ever-changing climate and our institutional decision-making strategy on COVID-19. There was also discussion on the social unrest in the country and how Lawrence will respond.

In the course of the May and June meetings, the Board:

• Approved the Corporate Resolution.
• Approved the election of the Class of 2023 Term Trustees for terms ending June 30, 2023.
• Approved the election of the Officers of the Board.
• Approved the election of Evan Williams ‘10 as a Recent Graduate Trustee.
• Approved the election of Dan Busiel ’84 as a Term Trustee.
• Approved the election of Tamika Franklin ’05 as a Term Trustee.
• Approved the election of Susan Long Hall ‘76 as a Term Trustee.
• Approved the re-appointment of Dan Howell ‘74 as a Non-Trustee Committee Member of the Investment Committee.
• Approved the re-appointment of Susan Rutherford ’86 as a Non-Trustee Committee Member of the Investment Committee.
• Approved the re-appointment of Jason Spaeth ‘92 as a Non-Trustee Committee Member of the Investment Committee.
• Approved the appointment of Dale Schuh ‘70 as a Non-Trustee Committee Member of the Finance Committee.
• Approved the re-appointment of David Uihlein as a Non-Trustee Committee Member of the Buildings and Grounds SubCommittee.
• Approved the promotion of Michael Mizrahi to Professor (Music).
• Approved the promotion of Monica Rico to Professor (History).
• Approved the promotion of Benjamin Rinehart to Professor (Art).
• Approved the promotion of Kuo-ming Sung to Professor (Chinese and Linguistics).

The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for October 20-23 virtually via Zoom conferencing.

The Board of Trustees held its winter meeting from February 5-7 on the Lawrence University campus in Appleton, WI. Ahead of the meeting, the Board was provided with updates from cabinet members, Lawrence University Community Council (LUCC), and
Lawrence University Alumni Association (LUAA).

The opening reception and dinner was held on February 5th. This event also served as a celebration of life for Terry Franke.

During the general session on February 6th, Cal Husman, Vice President for Alumni and Development, gave an update on Be The Light! campaign efforts and President Mark Burstein went over updates from campus. The rest of this meeting was focused on reviewing the Veritas est Lux Implementation Plan and discussing the five priorities: (1) sustain financial equilibrium, (2) deepen the academic program, (3) raise retention rates, (4) strengthen the co-curricular experience, (5) and support the academic enterprise.

The formal meeting of the Board took place on February 7th, 2020. During the meeting, reports were delivered from each of the committee chairs.

In the course of the meeting, the Board:

• Approved the granting of an honorary degree to Natasha Trethewey during Commencement 2020.

The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for May 12-15, 2020.

The Board of Trustees held its Fall Meeting and retreat from October 30 to November 1, 2019 at Lawrence’s northern campus, Björklunden vid Sjön. The purpose of the retreat was to review data on the higher education sector, discuss survey results on Lawrence’s institutional identity, and review the Veritas est Lux implementation plan, which will guide institutional work for the next three years.

Lawrence’s Strategic Plan, Veritas est Lux, identifies a wide range of institutional aspirations. Extensive research and institutional data have enabled the University to focus on its most pressing needs in light of the rapidly changing higher education sector. Discussion at the fall retreat centered on establishing a clear and highly focused
approach for advancing Lawrence’s development over the next three years in the form of an implementation plan. The implementation plan outlines five priority areas which were developed through a process that began at the Spring 2019 Meeting of the Board
of Trustees. Paramount to our implementation efforts will be to (1) sustain financial equilibrium, (2) deepen the academic program, (3) raise retention rates, (4) strengthen the co-curricular experience, (5) and support the academic enterprise.

The formal meeting of the Board took place on November 1, 2019. During the meeting, reports were delivered from the President and the Chair of the Board. Trustees approved the granting of an honorary degree for Commencement 2020.

In the course of the meeting, the Board:

• Approved the granting of an honorary degree during 2020 Commencement.

The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for February 5-7, 2020.