2017-18

The Board of Trustees held its spring meeting from May 16-18 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 16. The topic of the discussion was the experience of student-athletes at Lawrence. Many of the students noted that they wanted athletics to be a part of their college experience. They felt that Lawrence offered the academic experience they were looking for with the added opportunity to be a part of a team. Students talked positively about the relationships they had built with their teammates and coaches and how these relationships had come to shape their college experience. It was mentioned that there were difficulties in the Alexander Gym and the Wellness Center being located on opposite sides of the river. Some felt that there could be better communication and support from teams that use the differing facilities. Some also mentioned that there was room for improvement in terms of the quality of the facilities and equipment, but that this had not impacted their decision to choose Lawrence. In attendance were student athletes from numerous athletic teams, 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 Chair of the Board. The board reviewed current enrollment data and data illustrating where it would make sense for Lawrence to deepen its market presence beyond core markets of Chicago, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Madison, and the Fox Valley. As of May of 2018, enrollment activity had increased compared to the previous year at the same time. The Board approved of a new degree, the Bachelor of Musical Arts in Jazz and Contemporary Improvisation, to be granted at Lawrence. Additionally, the Board approved the 2019 budget.

In the course of the meeting, the Board:

• Approved the election of the Class of 2021 Term Trustees for terms ending June 30, 2021.
• Approval of the re-appointment of Non-Trustee Committee Members for two-year terms beginning July 1, 2018.
• Approved the election of the Officers of the Board.
• Approved the election of Quoc Bao Nguyen Ha ‘07 as a Recent Graduate Trustee.
• Approved the election of Sidney K. Ayabe ’67 as a Term Trustee.
• Approved the election of Christopher W. Murray ’75 as a Term Trustee.
• Approved the election of Dennis L. Klaeser ’80 as a Term Trustee.
• Approved the election of Barbara Smith Lawton ’87 as a Term Trustee.
• Approved the election of Dean G. DuMonthier ’88 as a Term Trustee.
• Approved the appointment of Jeffrey A. Fox ’72 as a Non-Trustee Committee Member of the Development Committee.
• Approved the appointment of J. Terrence Franke ’68 as a Non-Trustee Committee Member of the Investment Committee.
• Approved of the appointment of Jason Spaeth ’92 as a Non-Trustee Committee Member of the Investment Committee.

The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for November 1-3, 2018 on the Lawrence University campus in Appleton, WI.

The Board of Trustees held its winter meeting from February 14-16 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, and the Lawrence University Community Council (LUCC).

The meeting began with a reception and dinner with students on Wednesday, February 14. Students who had completed an internship or research experience had the opportunity to share how their experience impacted their course of study and further prepared them for their life after Lawrence. Students agreed that their peers should begin to seek out internship and research opportunities early in their time at Lawrence to maximize career exploration and skill-building opportunities. In attendance were Lawrence students from both the college and the conservatory, 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 an update on pertinent data from the 2017 Fact Book. Topics included public perceptions of higher education, including a conversation about legislative affairs and connections with local representatives on important issues, and
suggested future partnerships and commencement speakers for Lawrence. The Academic and Student Affairs Committee provided an update on the Life After Lawrence Task Force, the results of an external review of the office of career services, and proposed work expected to take place to further aid students in preparing for their
lives after college.

In the course of the meeting, the Board:
• Set the Comprehensive fee for the 2018-2019 academic year
• Approved the granting of an honorary degree to of the 2018 Commencement speaker.
• Approval of the Promotion of Celia Barnes to the rank of Associate Professor of English and award of tenure
• Approval of the promotion of Alison Guenther-Pal to the rank of Associate Professor of German and award of tenure
• Approval of the award of tenure to J. Copeland Woodruff, Associate Professor of Music and Director of Opera Studies
• Approval of the promotion of Kurt Krebsbach to the rank of Professor

The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for May 16-18, 2018 on the Lawrence University campus in Appleton, WI.

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.