College Council Meeting Minutes
Monday, February 23, 2026
4:15-5:30 p.m., Alumni Guest House
Present:
Council Members:
Staff: Alison Byerly, Michelle Mattson, Solvei Robertson, Eric Runestad, Dina Zavala
Faculty: Adriana Estill, Mike Hemesath, Andrea Mazzariello, Susannah Ottaway, Caroline Turnage-Butterbaugh
Students: Vivian Agugo ‘26, Olivia Gottlieb ’28, Sonja Holtey ’28, Kyle Reisinger ’28
Alumni Observer: Lisa Nordeen ’90
Trustee Observer: Carol Barnett ‘86
Guests: Linda Weingarten, Jesse Cashman, Elise Eslinger (temp secretary), Rachel Everett
President Byerly called the meeting to order at 4:18 p.m.
Decision: The minutes from the January 19, 2026 meeting were approved as presented.
I. Welcome and Introductory Business
President’s Report — Alison Byerly
President Byerly reported that the Board of Trustees passed the FY27 budget at its February meeting. She expressed appreciation for the rigorous work of the Budget Committee and the Budget Office in preparing the proposal.
Current energy with the Board is focused on changes to financial aid, with Trustees serving as vital advocates for this work with donors. President Byerly thanked Vivian Agugo for her engagement in the Trustees meetings and her report during the business meeting. She also thanked Susannah Ottaway for recruiting faculty to host trustee dinners.
II. Reports and Updates
Faculty Update — Adriana Estill
Adriana Estill reported that the Faculty recently approved several bylaws changes. Current efforts are focused on clarifying Faculty on Continuing Assignment (FOCA) review guidelines and discussing the process for promotion to full professor. Spring elections are also underway.
Staff Council Update — Solvei Robertson
Solvei Robertson reported that the Staff Council recently hosted a town hall and an information session regarding the staff survey, led by Human Resources. The Council is currently working on spring elections, the employee recognition program, and understanding the Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) requirements. A book swap social event is scheduled for later this week.
CSA Update — Vivian Agugo
Vivian Agugo noted that the CSA is undergoing its own bylaws changes. Additionally, current projects include installing a charging station in Sayles-Hill and increasing information sharing between the CSA and various campus offices. CSA leadership met with the new Title IX Coordinator to discuss his role on campus. Vivian also shared that the “Skip a Swipe” fundraiser has provided support for local immigrant families.
III. New Business
College Street and Carleton Bus Stop Projects — Eric Runestad, Linda Weingarten, Jesse Cashman
The Council reviewed a proposal to convert College Street (north of First Street) into a pedestrian path and relocate the bus stop currently in front of Willis Hall. Linda Weingarten (AVP for Facilities and Campus Planning) and Jesse Cashman (AVP for Campus Services) presented a series of slides outlining the plan.
- Project Vision: The redesign aims to improve safety, accessibility, and sustainability by removing automobile traffic from the center of campus, managing stormwater more effectively, and increasing green space.
- Key recommendations were made and enacted through earlier plans to reach this stage of the project: Re-routing delivery traffic to the rear of Burton Hall; closing the drive between Sayles and the Facilities building to thru traffic.
- This next stage of the work completes the vision to remove the road north of First Street and to move the transit service to a more central location relative to student housing.
- Timeline: Design is currently 50% complete. Following a neighborhood meeting tomorrow, additional Campus Design Committee input, and City Planning Commission review and hopefully approval in March, construction would be slated to begin in late June and conclude by September 2026.
- Budget: The project is funded as part of the FY27 budget.
Council Discussion:
- Accessibility & Parking: Members discussed the removal and relocation of three ADA parking stalls in the removal of cars north of First Street. The new design will meet or exceed ADA code requirements. Further, to avoid losing any parking inventory, the College will repurpose several reserved spots into general parking.
- Transit Logistics: Vivian raised a question regarding adding a potential bus stop at Lilac Hill. It was noted that adding stops on the Hiawathaland regional bus route usually requires removing others to maintain the schedule, though the “Campus Go” service offers more flexibility.
- Aesthetics & Comfort: Members emphasized the need for shade and appealing seating to encourage the campus community to comfortably utilize the new green space.
- Community & Faculty Impact: Concerns were raised regarding neighborhood impact (bus traffic,idling/noise) and faculty communication to ensure that people do not feel “blindsided” by a final project plan in May. President Byerly noted that, while parking changes can be sensitive, similar pedestrian projects at other institutions have been very well-received.
The meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m.