The Carleton Board of Trustees met for its Winter Term meeting on February 9-10, 2023 followed by a strategic planning retreat on February 11, 2023.  The following is a brief summary of major topics discussed and actions taken during their meeting:

  1. The Board discussed and approved a resolution on fossil fuel divestment that would eliminate all direct holdings of fossil fuel companies and any future investments in private funds that focus exclusively on oil and gas extraction.

2. The Board approved new faculty leaves of absence for 2023-24, as well as changes to leaves already approved for this time period.

3. The Board approved the request for mid-year B.A. degrees, pending successful completion of their remaining requirements for graduation.

4. The Board approved tenure and promotion of Christina Farhart (Political Science and International Relations), Johathan Lafky (Economics), Adam Loy (Mathematics and Statistics), Andrew Poppick (Mathematics and Statistics), Sandra Rousseau (French and Fracophone Studies), and Juliane Schicker (German and Russian) to Associate Professor. The Board also approved the hiring with tenure at the rank of Associate Professor of Daniel Williams (Africana Studies & Sociology and Anthropology), and the hiring with tenure at the rank of Professor of Kambiz GhaneaBassiri (Religion), all effective September 1, 2023.

5. The Board approved a resolution to reimburse the College with proceeds of a future borrowing for certain expenditures related to the Student Life and Housing Plan.

6. The Board approved the acceptance of proposed changes to the Trustee Bylaws that add the CSA President to the status of Board Liaison.

7. The Board approved the comprehensive fee and operating budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24.

8. The Board approved the acceptance of Memorial Resolution for Trustee Emeritus Charles Lofgren ‘62.

9. The Board approved Founder’s Court membership.

10. The Board approved the awarding of the William Carleton Medal.

11. The Board received an overview of the Student Life and Housing Plan, including plans for SHAC and next steps in the planning process from Director of Facilities and Capital Planning Steve Spehn and Vice President and Dean of Students Carolyn Livingston.

12. The Board plenary session included an update from President Byerly and Vice President and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Art Rodriguez on progress made by the Financial Aid Working Group.

13. Trustees enjoyed a special dinner with students from the Mortar Board and Men of Color groups.

14. Trustees were joined by strategic planning task force members for dinner on Friday evening, followed by a half-day strategic planning retreat on Saturday that was attended by over 150 trustees, faculty, staff, and students. All in attendance were able to give input to the task forces around key strategic questions.