The Board Retreat is on June 1-2, 2023.
Summary of Seattle University Board of Trustees Actions March 16, 2023
The Board of Trustees conducted its regular meeting on March 16, 2023, in Student Center 160. The following is a summary of business conducted by the Board.
University Academic Leaders & Representatives: The Board welcomed the Senior Leaders, Deans, staff, and guests, including elected representatives from Academic Assembly, Staff Council, SGSU, GSC, Board of Regents, and Alumni Board of Governors.
President’s Report: The Board heard a report from President Peñalver regarding the University’s U.S. News & World Report outreach efforts, the results from SU Gives, lessons learned from the February 16 shelter-in-place, and progress made in Year 1 of Reignited Strategic Directions.
Elections and Reelections: The Board reelected Ann Alokolaro, Arturo Araujo, S.J., Lucas Sharma, S.J. Patrick Callans, Pat Kennedy, Steve Knight, and Ruth Tressel to new terms on the Board of Trustees. It elected Maureen Brotherton as an At-Large member of the Board’s Executive Committee. The Board ratified David Burcham’s appointment as Chair of the Finance Committee; Melvin Flowers’s appointment as Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee; Val Gorder’s appointment as Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee; Steven Knight’s appointment as Chair of the Intercollegiate Athletic Oversight Committee; and John H. Vassall’s appointment as Chair of the Trusteeship Committee. The Board elected David Rothrock, ‘91, Ana White, ’95, and Fred Rivera as new members of the Board; and appointed Joseph Gaffney as a non-voting member of the Advancement Committee.
Board Committee Charters: The Board approved charters for the Academic and Student Affairs and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committees.
Honorary Degrees: The Board approved the award of an honorary Doctor of Letters degree to Việt Thanh Nguyễn. Mr. Nguyễn is the speaker at the 2023 Graduate Commencement ceremony on Monday, June 12th at Climate Pledge Arena.
Seattle University Foundation: The Board elected Patrick Callans as a Director of the Seattle University Foundation.
Finance: The Board heard a report from CFO Wilson Garone and Committee Chair David Burcham on the mid-year financial forecast. The Board adopted the FY24 budget Planning Variables. The Board adopted a resolution conferring Signature Authority for Banking and Security Accounts.
Investment: Committee Chair Russell Hagen offered the annual report on the University Endowment. The Board adopted a resolution dissolving the Socially Responsible Investment Advisory Working Group in favor of the Laudato Si' Platform work being undertaken in connection with the Reignited Strategic Directions.
Mission Integration: The Board heard a presentation from Fr. Lucas Sharma, S.J., and Dr. Catherine Punsalan-Manlimos, Vice President of Mission Integration, on Formation to Mission.
Other Business: The Board adopted a resolution authorizing the University to take the necessary steps to repurpose School of Theology and Ministry (STM) endowment funds in connection with the June 30, 2023, closing of STM. The Board also approved a Statement of Collaborative Principles between Seattle University, the Jesuits West Province of the Society of Jesus, and the Arrupe Jesuit Community.