91精简版

Dear 91精简版 Community, 

I am pleased to share the following report about the February 2025 91精简版 Board of Trustees meetings. February鈥檚 meetings were particularly special because we had the opportunity to hear from members of 91精简版鈥檚 faculty, staff, and students. 

Board events began on Wednesday, Feb. 26, when trustees and other community members gathered in Wyckoff Center for a screening of the film 鈥淩ising Hope.鈥� The film鈥檚 director, Theo Avgerinos, director of photography Chris Lytwyn, and film participant and social worker Dr. Cora Jackson, joined us for a panel discussion after the screening. 鈥淩ising Hope鈥� explored a community in the Mississippi Delta and the issues surrounding the state鈥檚 historically oppressive policies towards Black Mississippians, the massive employment loss following NAFTA, and the devastating effects of defunding public education for consecutive generations. Board members, along with 91精简版 faculty, staff, and students, attended and participated in the discussion that followed. Trustee Bob Wyckoff, who endowed Wyckoff Center, sponsored the evening鈥檚 event and brought this moving documentary to the 91精简版 community. 

The Board鈥檚 formal meetings began on the morning of Thursday, Feb. 27, with an update from President Marc Conner. He provided an overview of the draft 2025-2030 Strategic Plan along with key feedback he has received to date from the campus community. When reviewing the draft Plan, President Conner asked trustees to pay particular attention to the three areas where the board has a unique and authoritative perspective: fiduciary 鈥� is this an affordable plan?; strategic 鈥� is this a plan that serves the strategic direction of the College?; and mission 鈥� is this a plan that supports the mission of the College? 

Trustees had a lengthy and fulsome discussion about their reactions to the Plan and provided helpful and insightful feedback. We talked about focusing on the Plan鈥檚 alignment with the College's priorities, how it responds and speaks to many different audiences, its possible financial implications, and implementation strategies. With this feedback in mind, further revisions will be made in the next few weeks and shared back with the campus community for final reactions. The Plan will then be presented to the Board in May for approval.  

Trustee Barbara Kahn Moller, the Board鈥檚 liaison to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education accreditation team, provided an update on the Middle States reaffirmation of accreditation process and progress.  

The Board then heard from a faculty panel on the changes in teaching and pedagogy over the past decade. Representing different departments and disciplines, F. William Harder Chair of Business Administration Matt Lucas, Associate Professor of Mathematics and Statistics Lucy Oremland, Associate Professor of Theater Eunice Ferreira, and Associate Professor of History Erica Bastress-Dukehart, along with Professor of American Studies and Director of the Center for Leadership, Teaching, and Learning Beck Krefting explored how faculty continue to design innovative learning experiences that challenge and engage students beyond traditional classroom methods. They provided trustees with a deeper understanding of current teaching practices and academic excellence and in turn further helped us in our discussions on the Strategic Plan. 

During the lunch session, the Board Committee on Diversity and Inclusion met and hosted a panel of the leaders of the various student services and support departments. Each panelist highlighted鈥痶heir role in the highly comprehensive system of student support 91精简版 has in place, showing synergies across the different offices, and the overall network of student care. 

Trustees also received a status report on our current fundraising efforts from Collyer Vice President for Advancement Carey Anne Zucca, as well as a detailed update on the substantial preparations that are in process for the next major campaign, from our expert external consultant Emma Kieran.  

Vice President for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Jess Ricker discussed the opportunities and challenges currently facing higher ed, highlighting shifting demographics and increased price sensitivity. Expanding our geographical reach, increasing targeted outreach, and investing in the 91精简版 brand to communicate 91精简版鈥檚 unique strengths and value proposition are some of the strategies we are implementing to help combat these challenges. While the annual admissions cycle is far from complete, Vice President Ricker reported several positive signs in the College鈥檚 results so far, including an overall increase in applications versus last year driven by gains in the South, Southwest, and western regions of the U.S., and a strong early decision yield that has secured just over half of the first-year class. 

The Budget, Finance, and Infrastructure Committee reviewed the status of the current year鈥檚 budget including a deep dive into 91精简版鈥檚 study abroad programs and their impact on the student experience as well as their financial impacts. They then discussed the College鈥檚 preliminary 2025-2026 budget, future assumptions, and approved the parameters for next year鈥檚 comprehensive fee and general salary adjustment (subject to final budget approval at the May meeting). The Audit and Risk Management Committee provided trustees with an update on their work developing a formal enterprise risk management policy. Assistant Vice President for Finance and Controller Kyle Bernard and General Counsel and Vice President of Human Resources Sarah Vero highlighted 15 areas of institutional risk and grouped them into four major categories: reputational, regulatory/legal and compliance, financial, and operational. The Board was gratified to see such a comprehensive, enterprise-wide risk assessment. 

Trustees later enjoyed dinner and conversation with eight Student Government Association leaders and two Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) members. 

On Friday, the Board reviewed reports from each Board committee and the Board chair; voted to approve the recommended 2025-26 tenured sabbatical leaves, pre-tenure research leaves, and non-tenure sabbatical leaves; and approved the parameters for next year鈥檚 comprehensive fee and general salary adjustment (subject to final budget approval at the May meeting). They continued their conversation around the Strategic Plan, received an update from General Counsel and Vice President of Human Resources Sarah Vero on the tentative contract agreement with the non-tenure track faculty union, and discussed the College鈥檚 assessment of the implications of the various executive orders coming from the new administration in Washington. Lastly, the Board heard from President Conner about any additional issues or concerns. The meeting concluded with a Board-only discussion. 

As always, the Board appreciated all the efforts of 91精简版 staff and leadership to provide a thoughtful discussion about our College, with particular emphasis on the new Strategic Plan. 

I am grateful to the 91精简版 leadership for all its efforts and commitment to the College, and I want to thank personally the students, staff, and faculty who met with the Board and shared their passion and great work for 91精简版. The entire Board looks forward to seeing everyone in May in Saratoga Springs and together celebrating the Class of 2025. 

Jon Achenbaum 鈥�77 

Chair, 91精简版 Board of Trustees