2016-17

The Board of Trustees held its spring meeting from May 17-19 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, May 17. Seniors preparing to graduate in June shared the topics of their Chandler Senior Experience research projects. It was noted that the relationship between the Chandler Senior Experience and Freshman Studies programs offered a great balance in shaping a unique liberal arts education. Students agreed that the opportunity to combine intellectual and personal interests and complete a piece of formal writing that will help form decisions about future endeavors were great strengths of their Senior Experience research, despite varying experiences across departments. In attendance were seniors from both the college and the conservatory, committee chairs and the executive board, trustees, members of the president’s cabinet, and observers.

During the meeting, reports were delivered from the President and the Chair of the Board followed by a discussion of the Strategic Plan Refresh, which will shape university priorities through at least 2022, and pertinent data from the most recent Fact Book. Topics included retention, graduation, and the university’s financial resources. The Board specifically discussed the need for continued dialogue in closing the projected budget shortfall. The Academic and Student Affairs Committee provided an update on how Lawrence is preparing for reaccreditation by the Higher Learning Commission. There was an update on the comprehensive campaign from and the approval of the 2017-18 budget.

In the course of the meeting, the Board:
• Approved the election of the Officers of the Board.
• Approved the election of Derrell Acon ’11 as a Recent Graduate Trustee.
• Approved the election of Lydia Howarth ’75 as a Term Trustee.
• Approved the election of David Knapp ‘ 89 as a Term Trustee.
• Approved the election of Sara Quandt ’73 as a Term Trustee.
• Approved the promotion of Andrew Mast to the rank of Professor.
• Approved the promotion of Lifongo Vetinde to the rank of Professor.
• Approved the revised Investment Committee Charge
• Approved the corporate Resolution

The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for October 25-27, 2017 on the Lawrence University campus in Appleton, WI.

The Board of Trustees held its winter meeting from February 15-17 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, February 15. The topic of the discussion was “Becoming a More Inclusive Lawrence”. There was praise for the improvements made to the university’s hiring processes and the new hires in administrative and faculty roles that further advance the issues of diversity and inclusion, as well as the new, more accessible Diversity Center. It was acknowledged that students and student groups are becoming more intentional about creating dialogue and welcoming other students into their groups and spaces, but there is always room for improvement. Students pointed out the need for prompt communication regarding updates, timelines and progress being made on campus and noted that this has not been particularly strong in the past. In attendance were a number of students from a
variety of student organizations, committee chairs and the executive board, trustees, members of the president’s cabinet, and observers.

During the meeting, reports were delivered from the President and the Chair of the Board. The Board engaged in a discussion pertaining to changes in higher education with regard to a proposed update of the Academic Freedom Statement, which was drafted by the Faculty Curriculum Committee, to be more responsive to emerging issues. The Subcommittee on Buildings and Grounds provided an update on the completion of the renovations at Colman Hall as well as the relocation of the Diversity Center to the first floor of Memorial Hall. There was an update on capital campaign planning, and the Board approved revisions to the Term Trustee and Recent Graduate Trustee Commitments Statements.

In the course of the meeting, the Board:
• Approved the promotion of Ian Bates to the rank of Associate Professor and award of tenure
• Approved the promotion of Lori Hilt to the rank of Associate Professor and award of tenure
• Approved the promotion of Erin Lesser to the rank of Associate Professor and award of tenure
• Approved the promotion of Mark Phelan to the rank of Associate Professor and award of tenure.
• Approved the revised Trustee Commitments Statement
• Approved the Recent Graduate Trustee Commitments Statement

The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for May 17-19, 2017 on the Lawrence University campus in Appleton, WI.

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.