Nov. 7, 2019 — Fall Board of Trustees Update

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to share a summary of our fall 2019 Board of Trustees meeting, which took place on campus from Wednesday, October 23, through Friday, October 25. As is customary, the Board had substantive discussions during its executive sessions and conducted much of its business through its designated committees. My thanks to Professor Bill Kenny, faculty chair; Professor Gary Steiner, faculty secretary; and Professors Morgan Benowitz-Fredericks, Alan Cheville, Sharon Garthwaite, Chris Magee, Tim Raymond and Virginia Zimmerman for attending the various committee meetings throughout the day on Thursday.

I also wish to acknowledge and thank special guests of the Academic Affairs Committee including Professor Coralynn Davis, faculty director of academic civic engagement; Theresa Cusimano, director of the Office of Civic Engagement; and Esmely Muñoz ’20 for their presentation on civic engagement; and Denelle Brown, associate dean of students; Jennifer Figueroa, director of international student services; Angèle Kingué, special adviser to the provost for faculty development; and Nikki Young, interim associate provost for diversity, equity & inclusion for their presentation on important diversity, equity and inclusion efforts on campus.

The Board began its activities Wednesday evening with a reception with faculty followed by the dedication of Academic East and an open house showcasing the new building. Later that evening, the trustees attended a formal dinner honoring the donors who supported Academic East’s construction. It was a special opportunity to celebrate an achievement made possible by the generosity, dedication and talent of so many members of the broader Bucknell community. On behalf of the Board, I again thank everyone who contributed to this outstanding new facility, which is already making a positive impact in the lives of our students.

As some may be aware, the Board amended its bylaws in 2012 to impose term limits on its membership, as a matter of good governance. Partly arising from that change, 13 of our 35 current trustees joined the Board in the past three years, including an impressive class of six new trustees for whom this was their first meeting. While new trustees bring much-valued enthusiasm, fresh perspectives and professional insights to the Board, it is important not to lose sight of the important accomplishments Bucknell — including faculty, staff and the Board itself — has undertaken in the past decade. Recognizing that Bucknell’s history informs our future, I led the Board through an hour-long discussion highlighting our recent collective investment in people (e.g., growing the faculty by 30%), places (e.g., Academic West, Academic East, the Humanities Center and the Carnegie Building) and programs (e.g., creating or formalizing academic programs such as the Freeman College of Management; Africana studies, Arabic & Arab world studies, biophysics and the Bucknell Institute for Public Policy). Taking a moment to review our collective impact serves to inspire both new and experienced trustees as we focus on current challenges and opportunities, particularly the execution of our new strategic plan, The Plan for Bucknell 2025.

The Board also received its first formal presentation from our new provost, Elisabeth Mermann-Jozwiak. Elisabeth shared with the trustees her background, an overview of her transition to the University and, most importantly, her vision for working with the Bucknell community as we continue with our important work for the Bucknell of today and tomorrow. Recognizing that the Board, too, has a role to play in the success of the strategic plan, the Board voted to convert its ad hoc Strategic Planning Advisory Group to a standing Strategy Committee.

As I shared with you in August, many colleges and universities across the country, including Bucknell, experienced an unexpectedly challenging enrollment season this past spring and summer. Although we were able to avert a significant shortfall for the Class of 2023, shifting demographics and market demands require that we continue to actively evaluate and adjust our approach as we recruit future classes. Vice President for Enrollment Management Bill Conley shared important information regarding these trends with the full Board, leading to a robust discussion of efforts Bucknell must undertake to respond to — and, more importantly, anticipate — these changing dynamics, which will permanently affect admissions across higher education. This conversation will continue throughout the enrollment season for the Class of 2024, the implementation of the strategic plan and well into the future.

Sustainability continues to be a high priority for the University, as reflected in greater awareness and involvement by faculty, staff and students and in the goals of the strategic plan. The Board has discussed sustainability in all of its forms over the past several years, but at this meeting, I led a more targeted discussion about potential opportunities in areas of environmental sustainability that warrant further investigation including solar arrays, reforestation and more. This conversation will continue to evolve for the Board, just as it will on campus.

The Board also received an update from Raquel Alexander, dean of the Freeman College of Management; and an update on the construction of the Freeman College of Management and Department of Art & Art History Building from Ken Ogawa, associate vice president for facilities & sustainability. During its business meeting, the Board confirmed instructional staff appointments and recommendations for tenure and promotion arising after the April meeting, and voted on an updated list of University officers.

Additionally, the Board approved a $1 million endowment from a bequest to be named the Steven Abbott Dean of the Freeman College of Management Endowment Fund.

Together we are writing the next chapters of University history, through both our daily work with students and our pursuit of the long-term institutional goals outlined in the strategic plan. I thank you for your continued dedication and hope the final weeks of the fall semester are productive and fulfilling ones.

My best,

John