As we approach the upcoming board meeting on October 4, I wanted to update the campus on deliberations the Trustees are having regarding the limited expansion of the student union UGSDW. At last May's board meeting, the Trustees and President Raynard S. Kington agreed it would be prudent to take additional time for thoughtful and thorough study of the implications and long-term impact of a limited expansion of the student union. The Board of Trustees unanimously voted on a motion that directed the administration to suspend talks over voluntary selective expansion of the UGSDW student bargaining unit pending further discussion and deliberation by the Board.
During the upcoming meeting and through the month of October, the Trustees are taking time for outreach to all constituent groups to solicit their thoughts and comments on this important issue. As part of the information gathering, several Trustees will meet with the Faculty Executive Council for discussion about possible union expansion. We also have scheduled a listening session with UGSDW representatives and an open listening forum for all students to share their thoughts about student union expansion. All of these meetings will occur during Board week.
Earlier this week, all students, faculty, and staff were invited to make use of an online form to share thoughts they would like Trustees to consider as the Board continues its deliberations. In mid-October, alumni will receive a similar invitation to share their thoughts through an online comment form. After the sessions have been held and online intake concludes, President Kington and the Trustees will begin a thorough process of reviewing and assessing all of the input received. Given the timeline required for the process of gathering input as described here, and for the president and the Board to thoughtfully deliberate what they have heard, there will not be a decision about limited expansion at the October Board meeting. At that meeting, we will determine the process and timeline for a final decision.
The Trustees are committed to open and impartial listening. They are equally committed to thoughtful and informed deliberations among the Trustees and with President Kington.
We hope and expect that our campus community will take full advantage of the opportunities provided to share their thoughts with us. We thank everyone in advance for engaging in civil discourse about this issue with thoughtfulness and respect for each other.
David Maxwell '66
Chair, Grinnell College Board of Trustees
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