President Wippman’s Writings & Remarks

Board of Trustees Meeting

March 7, 2022

Tags Board Meeting Updates

The Board of Trustees held its annual March meeting last weekend, and for the first time in two years the trustees enjoyed the opportunity to gather on campus. Thank you to those who made arrangements, participated in presentations, and interacted with board members over lunch, dinner, and throughout the weekend. A highlight of each March meeting is the opportunity for trustees to meet with students at the Senior Reception, which was held this year in the Wellin Museum Friday afternoon.

Trustees began arriving Thursday and a number participated in student-led tours of campus. A full slate of committee meetings were held throughout the day on Friday, including those for Buildings, Grounds, and Equipment; Budget and Finance; Advancement; Nominations; Academic Affairs; and Investments.

The board also participated in two plenaries. The first focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion with consultant Angela Batista talking about the preparatory work she has helped the College do in anticipation of hiring a new vice president for DEI. Following lunch with groups of students, a second plenary took place on the future of student housing. That session was led by consulting architects and planners Ayers Saint Gross. Members of the Board’s leadership met with the members of Academic Council and the chairs of the Committee on Academic Policy and the Committee on Appointments Friday afternoon, before participating in small group dinners with their fellow trustees and faculty members that evening.

At the formal board meeting on Saturday morning, the trustees approved the 2022-23 budget, voted to move the College’s carbon neutrality target from 2050 to 2030; and granted construction authorization for the renovation of Root Hall, which will begin this summer and be completed in a little more than a year. The board also approved tenure and promotion for Vikranth Bejjanki (psychology and neuroscience), Kira Jumet (government), Celeste Day Moore (history), Claire Mouflard (French and Francophone studies), and Rachel White (psychology). Please join me in congratulating these outstanding members of our faculty.

Trustees also offered appreciation to vice presidents and deans Suzanne Keen and Terry Martinez, who were attending their last trustee meetings at Hamilton. In addition, Tracy Adler and Alexander Jarman made a presentation on the new exhibition in the Wellin Museum: Yashua Klos: OUR LABOUR.

The next board meeting will take place June 10-11 in conjunction with Reunions. Best wishes for an enjoyable, safe, and relaxing spring break.