The Board of Trustees held its fall meeting from October 26-28 on the Lawrence University campus in Appleton, WI. Ahead of the meeting, the Board was provided with materials to prepare for conversations on campus. Included in the materials were administrative reports from the president’s cabinet and the observers representing the Faculty Governance Committee, the Lawrence University Community Council (LUCC) and Lawrence University Alumni Association (LUAA).
The meeting began with a reception and dinner with students on Wednesday, October 26. The topic of the discussion was the experience of international students at Lawrence University. The discussion included topics such as choosing to attend Lawrence, engaging in student organizations, and support for international students. International Student Services received high praise from the students, who also noted that there is always room for improvement, particularly in career support. In attendance were a number of students who hold passports from countries other than the US, committee chairs and the executive board, trustees, members of the president’s cabinet, and observers.
On the morning of October 28, the Board engaged in a diversity and inclusion workshop led by a facilitator from Jones & Associates, a firm specializing in institutional diversity and inclusion. Through a series of activities and active discussions, the Board considered its role (as a body and as individuals) in fostering an inclusive community at Lawrence.
During the meeting, reports were delivered from the President and the Chair of the Board, and the Board considered the results of the recently-conducted Board Self-Assessment survey, which is administered to trustees to evaluate the governance functions of the Board, and ways to continue improving effectiveness. The Board also
reviewed the President’s priorities for the current academic year and provided feedback. The Subcommittee on Buildings and grounds discussed the need for additional student housing and strategic targets for the university’s age-of-facilities ratio. There was an
update on capital campaign planning, and an update from an ad hoc committee charged with evaluating the university’s investment management.
In the course of the meeting, the Board:
• Approved the election of John Ellerman ‘58 to trustee emeritus.
• Approved the granting of an honorary degree for Commencement 2017 (recipient TBA in early 2017).
• Approved the promotion of Beth Haines to the rank of Professor.
• Approved a special endowment draw to support capital campaign operations.
The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for February 15-17, 2017 on the Lawrence University campus in Appleton, WI.