One question students in particular often have about the College is: what is the role of the Board of Trustees? As we will welcome the Board to campus for its fall meeting later this month, I thought I’d share a little background.
Carleton’s Board of Trustees currently consists of 34 individuals who are appointed to four-year terms, with a limit of two sequential terms. Most are alumni, some are parents, and a few may be distinguished educators or business leaders with an interest in the college. There are two young alumni trustees serving single terms who are recent graduates between the ages of 23 and 28. Meetings are also attended by liaisons from the Alumni Council, Parents Advisory Council, and Alumni Annual Fund. Two years ago we added the CSA president to the list of invited liaisons, meaning that current CSA President Kaori Hirano ’25 attends Board meetings and offers perspectives to the Student Life Committee, as well as to the full Board on topics of concern or interest to students.
The Board’s Trustee Affairs committee has as its primary task identifying and recruiting potential board members from across the country, with an effort to balance demographic, geographic, and professional backgrounds and experiences. We have just appointed a number of terrific new trustees this year, who represent a range of professions including journalism, academia, medicine, investment banking, financial services, and the nonprofit sector. You can learn more about current board members here.
The Board convenes three times a year. Their sessions include meetings of 11 board subcommittees, informational presentations and discussions, and social events which involve invited campus constituencies on a rotating basis. For example, a dinner last February focused on Off-Campus Studies, with students, faculty, and staff involved in OCS programs. Student groups may be invited to join trustees for breakfast, or participate in specific Student Life Committee discussions. Faculty are often invited to present to the Academic Affairs committee.
As president, I work closely with the Board, especially current Board Chair Cathy Paglia, and value their advice and support. The Board understands its role to be one of fiduciary responsibility and strategic oversight, not management of the day-to-day business of the College. They rely on me and my senior leadership team to keep them well informed on issues and challenges that may arise, but they also greatly value their interactions with other members of the College community. As is typically the case with non-profit boards, Carleton trustees receive no compensation for their service to the College, and work diligently to read materials, prepare for meetings, and participate in lively discussions. They also take time from their own jobs and families to travel to Northfield from all over the country, even in February! We are fortunate to have a thoughtful and dedicated Board that cares deeply about the College and our students.
Featured in Carleton Today, October 10, 2024