2017

The Board of Trustees held its fall meeting from October 25-27 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 25. The topic of discussion was the experience of students who had studied abroad. Study abroad represents a significant component in how Lawrence includes high impact
learning opportunities in the curriculum. For some students, the availability of study abroad opportunities played a significant role in choosing to attend Lawrence. When asked about what encouraged them to study abroad students credited faculty encouragement, the desire for language immersion, an opportunity to gain confidence,
and the desire to experience other cultures. Students cited Lawrence’s academic calendar and a complicated pricing structure as challenges to studying abroad. In attendance were students ranging from sophomores to seniors that have studied abroad, committee chairs and the executive board, trustees, members of the president’s
cabinet, and observers.

During the meeting, reports were delivered by the President and the Chair of the Board. The board received updates on the first round of program reviews that took place over the summer. The new process shortens the time between external programmatic reviews which take place every ten years by adding an internal review process every
three years. The Board also reviewed data from an admitted student survey which revealed college attributes deemed to be most important to students. The subcommittee on buildings and grounds voted to move forward with both the loft and kitchen renovation projects in Sage Hall. The board also discussed the value of off-campus study. At the next meeting, the Board will review a proposal to change the complicated pricing structure for off-campus study that many students noted as a barrier to participation.

In the course of the meeting, the Board:

• Approved the election of Robert A. Anker ’64 as Trustee Emeritus.
• Approved the election of Robert C. Buchanan ’62 as Trustee Emeritus.
• Approved the election of Overton B. Parrish ’55 as Trustee Emeritus.

The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for February 14-16, 2018 on the Lawrence University campus in Appleton, WI.

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.