May 21, 2014
TO:
American University Community
FROM:
Jeffrey A. Sine, Chair, Board of Trustees
SUBJECT:
Spring 2014 Board Meeting Summary
________________________________________
The American University Board of Trustees met on campus for its spring meeting May 15–
16. Committee meetings were held on Thursday and the full board met on Friday.
On Thursday night, the board celebrated the dedication of the new McKinley Building home
of the School of Communication along with university and school colleagues; it was an
opportunity to thank all who worked diligently for this day and express appreciation to those
whose generosity made it possible.
The Friday meeting featured two important presentations. One was a summary by President
Kerwin and Provost Bass of the highly successful Middle States reaccreditation site visit
completed spring semester. That effort was led by the vice chancellor and provost of Syracuse
University, and the visiting team included representatives from nine prominent institutions.
The team’s concluding draft report determined that AU is in compliance with all standards; is
a transformed institution while remaining true to its mission; must be mindful of how to
sustain the progress stemming from AU’s rapid and substantive change; is agile,
entrepreneurial, and interdisciplinary; and into the future, will need to be even more agile,
entrepreneurial, interdisciplinary, and innovative.
On behalf of the board, I echo the review team and agree with the team’s draft report: “The
entire American University is to be commended for its efforts and success; American
University is stronger, more vibrant, more relevant, and better positioned as a result of what
has transpired over the past six years.” We only await the official notice in July from the
Middle States Commission on Higher Education regarding final accreditation status.
During the board meeting, a plenary session was held on a timely topic—the nonacademic/social aspects of life at AU. Following an introduction by Gail Hanson, vice
president of campus life, six student group leaders led a discussion of how AU students spend
their time out of class and how they juggle school, work, internships, service, and social life.
The panel discussion was moderated by Paige Jones, the past editor-in-chief of The Eagle. The
panel included Jihad Broussard, past director of the Ethnic and Cultural Coalition; Leslie
Reid, member of Phi Sigma Sigma Sorority and president of Panhellenic Council; Pat Kelly,
past president of the Student Government; Gabe Menchaca, past president of Sigma Phi
Epsilon and current president of Interfraternity Council; and Mike Wang, chair of the Student
Media Board.
Among the many topics touched on were the growing presence of Greek life at AU, the
impact of AU’s increasingly diverse demographic profile, and the role of alcohol use among
students.
In board business conducted during open session, trustee Pat Butler announced that he is
stepping down as board vice chair, and trustee Jack Cassell was unanimously voted in as the
new board vice chair. Pat Butler agreed to chair the WAMU subcommittee for academic year
2014–15.
President Kerwin reported that while we await the final numbers for fall semester 2014, AU’s
undergraduate enrollment targets were successfully achieved along with some prominent
footnotes—including an increase in yield for our most qualified applicants; more early
decision and “AU as first choice” students will enroll; and more Pell Eligible and first
generation students will enroll. Looking ahead, there is a 12 percent increase in inquiries to
date for fall 2015.
Four new degree programs were approved: in the Washington College of Law, a master of
law in intellectual property and a master of law in international human rights and
humanitarian law; in the College of Arts and Sciences/School of Education, Teaching and
Health and the School of Public Affairs, a master of education in curriculum and instruction
and master in public policy (dual degree); and a master in education in curriculum and
instruction and master in public administration (dual degree).
The board expressed gratitude for a successful development year in which we booked $32.3
million in gifts and pledges and $26.3 million in cash gifts, and more than 10,000 alumni who
attended AU events around the world.
The Finance and Investment Committee report received the interim report of the Advisory
Committee on Socially Responsible Investing (ASCRI), and commended ASCRI on their
work. The committee accepted the recommendation to have Cambridge Associates perform
an analysis on both risk adjusted returns and management fees. Conscious of its fiduciary
responsibilities and the university’s institutional commitment to being a leader in campus
sustainability and environmental education, the committee will work with Cambridge to
evaluate the feasibility of the ASCRI other recommendations including creating a green
investment fund for donors who wish to support this initiative. The committee and the board
discussed fossil fuel divestiture and other environmental sustainability proposals during its
meetings. The committee will continue to discuss the ASCRI recommendations during the
summer and will gather additional input from AU’s investment advisors before making a final
recommendation in the fall.
Finally, the board welcomed the new slate of student leaders to the meeting, which included
Sophia Wirth, Student Government president; Alexandra Spratt, Student Bar Association
president; and Jonathan Lubin, Graduate Leadership Council president.
The next meeting of the board will be a retreat held September 11–12.