November 2014 Trustee Update

The Board of Trustees was on campus for their regular November meeting.  The trustees began their meeting with dinner and a panel discussion on climate change with Matt Banks '97, of the World Wildlife Fund, and Katherine Neebe '97, of the Walmart Sustainability Group, moderated by Professor of Economics Mark Smith.

The board approved several items during its Saturday business meeting, including:

• Emeritus status for Heinz Geppert – Lecturer of German
• The college's statement of commitment to diversity and inclusion, which was recommended and developed by faculty, staff and student strategic action teams, and previously shared with the faculty and the Cabinet. Diversity Statement
• A document, outlining the responsibilities and expectations of CC trustees.   Trustee Responsibilities and Expectations
• A new committee — the Diversity and Equity Advisory Board (DEAB) — to the faculty handbook.  This change was recommended by the FEC and approved by the faculty during the Block 2 faculty meeting. DEAB Faculty Handbook
• Life trustee status for Dan Cooper.

In addition, on Friday, the board's three Strategic Project Teams (SPT's) and Standing Committees met.   

Strategic Project Teams (SPT's) SPT Agendas

• Campaign Planning – Trustees discussed campaign messaging and a feasibility study.  In addition, the SPT approved Gift Policies and Campaign Counting Guidelines.
• Library Planning – Trustees discussed the schematic design architect finalists (Sasaki, Pfeiffer Partners, Will Bruder Architects and Michael Graves and Associates).  In the coming weeks, a final decision will be made and announced.
• Campus Master Plan/Communications Master Plan – Trustees received updates from the Campus Master Plan consultants Atkin, Olshin Schade and the Communications Master Plan team Victors and Spoils.

Standing Committees Standing Committee Agendas

• Buildings, Grounds, & Infrastructure – Trustees reviewed the Extended Facility Condition Index and received an overview of the IT Infrastructure.
• Investment – Trustees reviewed the asset allocation model and portfolio liquidity.  Monticello Associates gave an update on the quarterly market review.
• Governance – The committee recommended a new document outlining  trustee responsibilities and expectations and discussed a transparency proposal submitted by the Progressive Student Alliance. 
• Budget & Finance – Trustees reviewed the debt portfolio and also received an update from the Audit Committee, which is a subcommittee of Budget & Finance.  There were no significant findings in the annual audit. 

On Saturday during the board plenary session, Professor of Psychology Tricia Waters, Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students Mike Edmonds, and Director of the Wellness Resource Center Heather Horton gave a presentation to the board on student life.

The next trustee meeting will be in February 2015.