Fall 2022 Board of Trustee Meeting Summary
October 11, 2022
To: Grinnell College Community
From: Anne F. Harris, President
Subject: Summary of Fall 2022 Board of Trustees retreat and meeting
Prior to the start of the Fall 2022 Board of Trustees retreat and meeting, board leadership (chairs and vice-chairs) held their regular meetings with members of Executive Council, Staff Council and the Student Government Association.
Members of the Board of Trustees held a board retreat, in Des Moines, on Wednesday September 28th.
The theme of the retreat was “Being (at) Grinnell College Now” and sought to deepen shared understanding of the possibilities of place and partnerships for the College within the goal of demonstrating the value of Grinnell in the region and affirming allyship for the solid standing of the College.
- Dean Beronda Montgomery offered the opening plenary based on her book Lessons from Plants and all of the realizations that it fosters.
- Tiffany Tauscheck and Andrea Woodward from the Greater Des Moines Partnership discussed issues affecting downtown Des Moines and government relations and public policy.
- Kerty Levy of Tech Stars Iowa, whose entrepreneurial work was represented by several teams currently engaged in the accelerator process of Tech Stars.
- With great thanks to Trustee and Ambassador George Moose, the board was hosted at the World Food Prize by Ambassador Ken Quinn, who shared his insights on establishing lasting partnerships in the state for a global endeavor.
The board arrived in Grinnell on Thursday morning, September 29th, and opened their meeting in the HSSC Multipurpose room with opening remarks from President Harris and Chair Kahn, followed by committee reports. For the remainder of Thursday the board participated in the following:
- Scholars’ Convocation with Nathan Grawe, author of Demographics and The Demand for Higher Education and The Agile College
- Led by Caleb Elfenbein and Monica Chavez-Silva, the board engaged in a collaborative strategic planning session and were asked to share their thoughts and ideas, in the same way those who are participating on campus have been invited to do.
- Led by Joe Bagnoli, the board began the analysis of how we sustain mission, resources, and opportunity for the next generation of Grinnellians within changing legal and legislative landscapes and demographics.
- The day came to a close while dining in JRC 101 with members of the Humanities faculty.
Friday’s work began with a financial update both within the framework of shared understanding among trustees and within the strategic efforts to educate our community about the endowment.
The remainder of Friday was dedicated to the Civic Engagement Quad, delving deeply into the mission, distinction, financial planning, and stewardship of this project, student residential life within civic experience. With much gratitude and appreciation, it pleases me greatly to say again, that the board unanimously approved the CEQ Core project. Here is a link to the campus announcement: Grinnell College Board of Trustees Approves Construction of the Civic Engagement Quad Core Project.
Friday evening board members celebrated the HSSC with donors to the project, those on campus celebrating and reunion and other projects partners with a dinner in the atrium and a program in the theatre. Thank you to the many colleagues who were part of executing this successful event, especially Jim Swartz, chair of the HSSC dedication committee and the members of the Development and Alumni Relations staff.
Academic Affairs
Turning to the business portion of the meeting, the board approved, with great joy and appreciation, and upon recommendation from the Ad hoc committee of Academic Affairs, tenure in the Department of Biology for Beronda Montgomery.
Additionally, the board approved the awarding of Bachelor of Arts degrees to those eligible for graduation in December of 2022.
Budget and Finances
Upon the recommendation of the Audit & Assessment committee, the board approved the FY 22 audited financials.
Upon recommendation of the Finance Committee the board approved the funding plan for Phase II projects (CEQ Core, South Energy Plant, Norris and Loose Hall renovations) and a release of previously designated funds to be used as part of the overall funding plan.
The next meeting of the Board will be February 2-4, 2023.