The Board of Trustees held its winter meeting on February 12-14, 2025, 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 – Ann Skala ’84 and Rebecca Sullivan ’82.
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, including the impact of recent federal actions on the campus, the final report from the Academic Program Review Taskforce, and the athletics program review. Based on the discussion of recent federal actions and their impact on our campus, the Board drafted the attached statement to the campus community.
The following committees met in-person this past 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, and athletics; the committee also considered candidates for tenure. The Development Committee continued its focus on the campaign. The Enrollment Committee provided an update on key performance indicators, new enrollment strategies, and communications and marketing. The Finance Committee focused on projections for the current fiscal year.
We also 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 Winter meeting, ASA and Enrollment discussed the process of adding new academic programs and its intersection with enrollment; Development and Finance focused on the impact of fundraising on our financial sustainability.
At the meeting, the Board voted on items coming out of Committees and approved the following:
- Approved the award of tenure to: Hillary Caruthers, Assistant Professor of Economics; Scott Dixon, Assistant Professor of Philosophy; Estelí Gomez, Assistant Professor of Music (Voice); Anne Haydock, Assistant Professor of Film Studies; Relena Ribbons, Assistant Professor of Geosciences; Elizabeth Sattler, Assistant Professor of Mathematics; Betsy Schlabach, Associate Professor of History; and Austin Segrest, Assistant Professor of English.
- Approved an easement for utilities for West Campus.
- Approved a new Corporate Resolution.
- Approved a message to the campus community regarding recent federal actions and executive orders (attached).
Board Statement on Recent Executive Orders
The executive orders issued by the new administration in Washington will significantly impact higher education. From conversations with the administration and the Faculty Committee on University Governance, we know that these developments have stirred deep concerns across our campus community.
The Board of Trustees is closely following these developments.
We understand the anxiety and fear that such changes bring, particularly for those whose lives, educational pursuits, programs, and personal livelihoods are affected by these actions. We are fully committed to supporting President Carter, faculty leadership, and the administrative staff in their efforts to monitor and respond to these changes. We have a shared priority to ensure that each member of our community, especially the most targeted among us, continues to have the support necessary to thrive in their scholarly and professional pursuits.
Of note, we have been paying careful attention to the potential impact on the financial assistance many of you rely on to support your studies and research at Lawrence. We are encouraged by assurances that direct loans and Pell Grants will remain unaffected.
Lawrence University is a community built on the value of all our people. We reaffirm our conviction that the quality of our education and the diversity of our community are our strengths, and we stand together in fostering an environment where every individual is respected and cared for. We ask each of you to support one another, learn from one another, and grow stronger together.
We thank President Carter, faculty, and administrative leadership for navigating these challenges together and stand with the whole community, committed to emerging stronger and even more dedicated to our mission of providing an exceptional education. Thank you for your resilience, your patience, and your continued dedication to making Lawrence University a beacon of learning and belonging.