2019-20

Due to the necessity to hold meetings virtually, the Board of Trustees held its spring meeting May 12-15 and June 17-19 via Zoom conferencing to accommodate our internationally-based trustee membership. Ahead of the meeting, the Board was provided with materials to prepare for conversations and decisions. Included in the
materials were updates from the functional areas of the institution and Lawrence University Alumni Association (LUAA).

In May, the Development and Campaign Steering Committees, Buildings and Grounds SubCommittee, and Academic and Student Affairs Committee held their meetings with a culminating Executive Committee meeting. Much of each meeting was discussing our
initial and ongoing response to the COVID-19 coronavirus global pandemic. The reports were delivered from the President and the respective committee leadership.

In June, the Enrollment Committee and Finance Committee held their meetings, concluding with the Formal Board meeting. Much of each meeting was discussing the institutional spring 2020 response to the COVID-19 pandemic and forecasting fall 2020. The reports were delivered from the President, the Chair of the Board, and respective
committee leadership. Trustees and the president’s discussed the ever-changing climate and our institutional decision-making strategy on COVID-19. There was also discussion on the social unrest in the country and how Lawrence will respond.

In the course of the May and June meetings, the Board:

• Approved the Corporate Resolution.
• Approved the election of the Class of 2023 Term Trustees for terms ending June 30, 2023.
• Approved the election of the Officers of the Board.
• Approved the election of Evan Williams ‘10 as a Recent Graduate Trustee.
• Approved the election of Dan Busiel ’84 as a Term Trustee.
• Approved the election of Tamika Franklin ’05 as a Term Trustee.
• Approved the election of Susan Long Hall ‘76 as a Term Trustee.
• Approved the re-appointment of Dan Howell ‘74 as a Non-Trustee Committee Member of the Investment Committee.
• Approved the re-appointment of Susan Rutherford ’86 as a Non-Trustee Committee Member of the Investment Committee.
• Approved the re-appointment of Jason Spaeth ‘92 as a Non-Trustee Committee Member of the Investment Committee.
• Approved the appointment of Dale Schuh ‘70 as a Non-Trustee Committee Member of the Finance Committee.
• Approved the re-appointment of David Uihlein as a Non-Trustee Committee Member of the Buildings and Grounds SubCommittee.
• Approved the promotion of Michael Mizrahi to Professor (Music).
• Approved the promotion of Monica Rico to Professor (History).
• Approved the promotion of Benjamin Rinehart to Professor (Art).
• Approved the promotion of Kuo-ming Sung to Professor (Chinese and Linguistics).

The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for October 20-23 virtually via Zoom conferencing.

The Board of Trustees held its winter meeting from February 5-7 on the Lawrence University campus in Appleton, WI. Ahead of the meeting, the Board was provided with updates from cabinet members, Lawrence University Community Council (LUCC), and
Lawrence University Alumni Association (LUAA).

The opening reception and dinner was held on February 5th. This event also served as a celebration of life for Terry Franke.

During the general session on February 6th, Cal Husman, Vice President for Alumni and Development, gave an update on Be The Light! campaign efforts and President Mark Burstein went over updates from campus. The rest of this meeting was focused on reviewing the Veritas est Lux Implementation Plan and discussing the five priorities: (1) sustain financial equilibrium, (2) deepen the academic program, (3) raise retention rates, (4) strengthen the co-curricular experience, (5) and support the academic enterprise.

The formal meeting of the Board took place on February 7th, 2020. During the meeting, reports were delivered from each of the committee chairs.

In the course of the meeting, the Board:

• Approved the granting of an honorary degree to Natasha Trethewey during Commencement 2020.

The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for May 12-15, 2020.

The Board of Trustees held its Fall Meeting and retreat from October 30 to November 1, 2019 at Lawrence’s northern campus, Björklunden vid Sjön. The purpose of the retreat was to review data on the higher education sector, discuss survey results on Lawrence’s institutional identity, and review the Veritas est Lux implementation plan, which will guide institutional work for the next three years.

Lawrence’s Strategic Plan, Veritas est Lux, identifies a wide range of institutional aspirations. Extensive research and institutional data have enabled the University to focus on its most pressing needs in light of the rapidly changing higher education sector. Discussion at the fall retreat centered on establishing a clear and highly focused
approach for advancing Lawrence’s development over the next three years in the form of an implementation plan. The implementation plan outlines five priority areas which were developed through a process that began at the Spring 2019 Meeting of the Board
of Trustees. Paramount to our implementation efforts will be to (1) sustain financial equilibrium, (2) deepen the academic program, (3) raise retention rates, (4) strengthen the co-curricular experience, (5) and support the academic enterprise.

The formal meeting of the Board took place on November 1, 2019. During the meeting, reports were delivered from the President and the Chair of the Board. Trustees approved the granting of an honorary degree for Commencement 2020.

In the course of the meeting, the Board:

• Approved the granting of an honorary degree during 2020 Commencement.

The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for February 5-7, 2020.