College Council Meeting Minutes Monday, January 19, 2026
4:15-5:30 p.m.
Alumni Guest House
Present:
Council Members:
Staff: Alison Byerly, Carolyn Livingston, Michelle Mattson, Solvei Robertson, Eric Runestad, Emily Shields, Dina Zavala, Elise Eslinger (temporary secretary)
Faculty: Mike Hemesath, Andrea Mazzariello, Susannah Ottaway, Caroline Turnage-Butterbaugh
Students: Vivian Agugo ‘26, Olivia Gottlieb ’28, Sonja Holtey ’28, Kyle Reisinger ’28, Ryann Witter ‘27
Alumni Observer: Lisa Nordeen ’90
Trustee Observer: Carol Barnett ‘86
Guests: Elise Eslinger, Kristin Lucas, Jane Rizzo
President Byerly called the meeting to order at 4:15 p.m.
Decision: The minutes from the November 10, 2025 meeting were approved as presented.
I. Welcome and Introductory Business
President Byerly opened the meeting by sharing ways in which the Immigration Task Force and the President’s Cabinet are working to address safety issues related to the current federal immigration actions in Minnesota.
II. Reports and Updates
Faculty Update Adriana Estill
Adriana Estill reported that the Faculty is in the process of approving some bylaws language and that recent handbook language passed with clear consensus. At the next the faculty meeting, they will be looking at handbook language related to Faculty on Continuing Assignment (FOCA) and the process for promotion to full professor.
Staff Council Update Emily Shields
Emily Shields reported that the Staff Council has recently discussed questions about committee representation and how best to keep committee roles filled when there are employment changes. Emily noted that the staff retreat in December was very well attended. The Staff Council is hosting an information session with the Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR) this Thursday to talk about how OAR supports students and staff. They are also hosting a February 3 social event and an early February session on the outcome of the staff survey. Both of these will be offered as hybrid events.
CSA Update Vivian Agugo
Vivian noted that CSA met on the first day of the term. Business included addressing some issues with the game “Spoon Assassins.” Tonight the CSA will talk with Bon Appetit about concerns regarding student dining. Updates on what CSA has been doing over the past two terms, plus financial updates, will be sent to student e-mailboxes soon.
Vivian also shared that the CSA had collected donations to create care kits for families whose kids are at home due to concerns over ICE raids. This collaboration with IEC has been well-received by the school district and families.
Future topics for CSA include discussing student relations with the Title IX office.
Proposed FY27 Budget Eric Runestad, Michelle Mattson, Jane Rizzo
Budget Committee (BC) Chair Michelle Mattson reviewed the BC membership and the 11-month process that begins each March and results in the Board of Trustees approving a budget the following February. Michelle explained the budget development guidelines and the goal of presenting a balanced budget. The BC works on the key drivers of the budget (student fees, financial aid, and salaries & benefits). A description of the budget process can be found on the Budget Office website.
VP and Treasurer Eric Runestad discussed the proposed comprehensive fee increase for the FY27 budget of 4.99% (5%), for a total of $94,980. (The CSA sets the student activities fee, which was a little lower than expected, hence the recommendation falling at 4.99%.) He noted that Carleton’s comprehensive fees have been near and around the median of peer fees for quite some time. We keep this fee confidential until it’s approved and shared with families, and we cannot collude with other schools to set our fees. He explained the goal of trying to remain competitive, while also having the resources to support Carleton’s goals.
Eric also described the proposed financial aid budget of $73.2M, a 7.9% budget increase vs. FY26 (vs. a fee increase of 5%). This averages out to be a 3.2% net increase to students.
Director of Budgeting and Financial Analysis Jane Rizzo discussed the 3% proposed increase for staff salaries. The 10-year, cumulative increase has been 38% (compared to the CPI over this span of 35%). She explained that the salary pool is Carleton’s largest expense. Total compensation–including benefits–is increasing by 3.8%. There’s been a large increase in the College’s expense for health insurance, as well as an increase in Carleton’s payroll tax obligation to meet the Paid Family Medical Leave program required in MN.
Jane shared that the President’s Cabinet approved several new initiatives as part of the FY27 budget: new positions in Sustainability and the Career Center; an off-campus studies increase; and increases for specific departments especially impacted by inflation, growth or existing budget deficiencies. In order to fund these increases, we needed to make a few adjustments in the level of increase in several of the capital budgets (Library, Facilities, ITS Capital).
Naturally, there were some initiatives that we’d like to take on but will not be able to launch unless we find other sources of support for them. In total the FY27 proposal is for a balanced budget at $191M; 3.4% increase vs. FY26.
Council members posed several questions about the budget:
Q: When would differential student wage rate be implemented?
A: Likely not until the FY28 budget. Alison reminded the Council about the tiered wage rate recommendation coming out of the Strategic Direction and explained that creating this new structure has turned out to be very complicated. New systems need to be set up to assess roles, which will take some time, as we have many more students working on campus than is the case at a lot of schools.
Q: Is the OCS increase sufficient?
A: The OCS committee has been working on how to spend the funds they have to keep as many programs running as possible and not impact student engagement significantly. Alison reminded the Council of the longstanding OCS deficit and that the College has been working to bring the budget into alignment over time without impacting the offerings or enrollments. We’ve managed these changes so far without having to reduce programs. Some administrative fees for non-Carleton programs have gone up to be more commensurate with what other schools charge. This is one of the ways we’ve been able to maintain our Carleton programs.
Michelle presented the official recommendation to the Council, asking the Council to consider a Comprehensive Fee of $94,980 and a FY budget as presented of $191M. The motion to approve the FY2027 budget passed unanimously. Next, the budget will be presented to the Finance and Planning Committee of the Board and then to the full Board at its February meeting.
REMINDER–this information remains confidential until after the Board approves the budget and the President sends a memo to families about the fee increase.
The meeting adjourned at 5:01 p.m.