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Board Chairman Outlines Agenda for Year |
| By
Tobin J. Klinger |
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Aug 30, 2004 |
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| Daniel Brennan presided over his first board of trustees meeting as chairman Aug. 25. |
The words “student centered” will be heard regularly at board of trustees meetings this year, said Daniel Brennan, the new chairman, as he outlined the agenda last week.
“The words ‘student centered’ are truly what we mean, but it occurs to me that there may not be a common definition of what ‘student centered’ really is,” Brennan said. “I submit that if a definition was asked of our students, faculty, staff, administration and board, we may have many different interpretations. Since we are here for students, it seems all involved should be speaking the same language when it comes to serving them.”
Brennan has asked the committee on student life to lead the University in defining “student centered.”
“Once defined, it will be a litmus test for everything we do,” Brennan said.
Similarly, the committee on academic affairs will work to define “shared governance” over the course of the year.
“It is a very powerful concept and has far-reaching implications,” Brennan told the board. “It is also important for the future of the institution.”
In the face of continuing financial challenges for higher education, Brennan charged two committees with reviewing non-academic programs at the University, with an eye toward academic opportunity.
“The programs need to be effective, efficient and be seen as a value to our students,” Brennan said. He added, “If a program is deemed to be a value, we must find academic benefit as well through partnering with the appropriate college or colleges.”
In other news, the board approved:
• A revised charge to the audit committee;
• An increase of $428,000 in the budget for upgrades to the tennis courts, track and soccer field that will extend the life and enhance the improvements;
• A $375,000 roof replacement project at the Computer Center;
• A revised salary resolution allowing College of Law faculty to receive a 1.5 percent pool for merit-based increases rather than an across-the-board adjustment;
• The naming of the EMBA Executive Suite in Stranahan Hall as the Edwin Dodd Executive Suite; and
• The establishment of the John Neff Trading Floor in Stranahan Hall.
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