Nov. 8, 2023: Fall 2023 Board of Trustees Meeting Summary

Dear Colleagues,

I write to share this summary report of the fall meeting of the Board of Trustees, which took place on campus from Wednesday, Oct. 25, through Friday, Oct. 27. I am grateful to those who planned and took part in these important conversations. I wish to offer special thanks to Professor Coralynn Davis, faculty chair; Professor Alan Cheville, faculty secretary; and Professors Courtney Burns, Kevin Daly and Tom Solomon for participating as faculty representatives in various committee meetings. My thanks, too, to Bucknell Student Government officers Christine Ajao '25, Sam Douds '25, Gerty Hisler '24 and Isa Segura-Suarez '25 for their presentation to the trustees.

The Board had the pleasure of welcoming three new trustees — Daisy Auger-Dominguez '95, Kecia Thomas '88 and Scott Ueble '00 — all of whom were voted in during our April meeting and whose term officially began July 1, 2023. My thanks to these three loyal alumni for accepting our invitation to serve Bucknell in this important leadership role.

All Board committees met during the fall trustee meeting, which was the first in which committee meetings took place on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning, in order to allow more discussion time in the executive sessions on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. I am pleased to note that this included the first meeting of the new Equity & Inclusive Excellence Committee, which focuses on University strategies to maintain an equitable working, teaching and learning environment to support inclusive excellence for all.

On Thursday afternoon in the executive session, I shared general campus updates with the Board, which included a summary of the recent strategic realignments announced this past summer, a status report for the dining partner selection process, and the decision to form a President's Advisory Council this spring. This will be a non-fiduciary advisory group of approximately 10 individuals who are not Board members, but people who we wish to strategically engage in the life of the University. The council will meet perhaps twice per year and will have no formal authority.

The Board also heard a presentation on campus planning, including the student experience study and a presentation on the proposed Gateway Building from DLR, our design partner firm. This report was a follow-up to last spring's Board meeting in which the trustees expressed support for the work of the Lower Campus Steering Committee and the University's continued focus on improving the student experience. The Board dedicated significant time to discussion on topics such as housing needs and current global issues affecting campus.

In Friday's business meeting, the trustees approved a motion to amend the University's 403(b) retirement plan to eliminate any and all age restrictions on withdrawal of employer contributions to the plan by eligible employees. The motion also authorized the Vice President for Talent, Culture & Human Resources to approve any further amendments to the plan without the need for further action by the Board.

The Board also reviewed and approved a motion to designate University Officers based on their titles of vice president or associate vice president, without reference to the officers' areas of responsibility. This move eliminates the need to update the designation of University Officers based on full title changes.

In another motion, the Board voted to nominate former Trustee Jane Taylor Elfers '83, P'19 to emerita status, effective Oct. 27, 2023. I thank Jane for her 15 years of dedicated service and leadership.

The Board will have further discussion between now and the winter meeting about housing needs and campus planning priorities. Due to time sensitivity and emergent issues with housing needs, the Board may consider electronic ballots on these topics prior to February. Information will be shared with the campus community following votes on any motions that are brought forward outside of planned Board meetings.

During the Emeritus Board meeting that immediately followed the Board of Trustees meeting, we celebrated the life of Emeritus Trustee Art Kinney '56, P'81 at a memorial service in Rooke Chapel. We also remembered two other trustees who have passed away since the April meeting — Jim Schubauer '56, P'81, G'12, G'15; and Ed Staiano '58, M'60, P'85, G'14. The University community is grateful for their years of loyal service to their alma mater, which helped to shape the institution and guide its continued success.

The academic year brims with potential and promises to be a turning point in our journey to meet the ambitious goals of The Plan for Bucknell 2025. With the continued support and wisdom of the Board of Trustees, our University community is well positioned to reach ever greater heights.

Sincerely,

John C. Bravman
President