Feb. 24, 2021: Winter 2021 Board of Trustees Meeting Summary

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing with a summary of our winter Board of Trustees meeting, which took place Feb. 3-5 and was once again conducted via Zoom.

As is customary, the Board had substantive discussions during its executive sessions and conducted much of its business through its designated committees. The winter meeting was the first occasion in memory for the Board to hear a report from the faculty chair, as well as an opportunity for dialogue between the Board and members of Faculty Council. I'm pleased to share that this will become at least an annual addition to Board meetings moving forward. We hope to have a similar session with students and trustees at the April meeting.
Members of the Academic Affairs Committee had an opportunity to hear reflections on what a liberal arts education means to four students:

  • Joelle Andres-Beck '21, mechanical engineering and comparative & digital humanities major
  • Chiara Evans '21, biology major and dance minor
  • Ruby Lee '21, managing for sustainability major
  • Parker Sanders '21, political science and economics major

The Student Life Committee welcomed two students who shared their experiences:

  • Mo Domah '21, mathematical economics major
  • Meredith Sullivan '21, sociology and women's & gender studies major

The Board heard presentations from Provost Elisabeth Mermann-Jozwiak, Vice President of Enrollment Management Lisa Keegan and Freeman College of Management Dean Raquel Alexander. I extend my thanks to Professor Coralynn Davis, faculty chair; Denelle Brown, associate dean of students for diversity & inclusion; and Professor Nikki Young, associate provost for equity & inclusive excellence, for their contributions to the winter meeting.

I am pleased to share that the Board approved the renovation to Vedder Hall not to exceed $15.8 million, demonstrating the University's continued investment in the residential experience. Vedder has long been in need of updates and improvements to the infrastructure and layout, in part to address failing systems but also to create ADA accessibility (albeit to less than 100 percent of the building). Renovations are expected to begin December 2021 with an estimated completion date of August 2022. During this period much of the building will be offline.

Each winter meeting, the Board takes up the issue of compensation for Bucknell's faculty and staff. This year, based on the recommendations of the administration, which were informed by the University Planning & Budget Committee, the Board approved increases to the faculty and staff compensation pools totaling 1.75 percent. As a result, division and department leadership will receive a 1.25 percent pool for compensation increases within each of their respective areas, which will be used for salary increases based on individual performance. Those increases are anticipated to take effect July 1, 2021. There will be an additional 0.50 percent of this compensation pool for purposes of promotions, equity and appropriate market adjustments.

Informed by the work of the Planning & Budget Committee, which recommended an increase of 2.5 to 2.75 percent in our comprehensive fee, I endorsed and the Board approved a 2.75 percent increase in the University's fee for the 2021-22 academic year, bringing the total to $74,676. We will share that information with our students and their families shortly. We remain concerned about inflation in higher education as well as the financial strain many families are experiencing during the pandemic; hence, this is a historically low increase.

In other business, the Board approved the re-election of the following trustees for five-year terms: Dawn Becker '85; Bob Gilligan '81; Gene Gorab '85, P'12, P'16; and Frank Schoeneman '76, P'06. We thank these trustees for their continued loyal service to Bucknell during their new terms, which are effective July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2026.

Finally, Board Chair Chris O'Brien '80, P'18, P'20 read a proclamation marking the University's 175th anniversary, bringing to mind the obstacles our institution has faced and overcome throughout its history. Bucknell has found strength in every valley, courage in every storm — and our character has been forged during times of adversity. Though we face new challenges today, my confidence in our success — and our character — does not waver.

With deep gratitude,

John C. Bravman
President