MEMORANDUM

June 9, 2008

The Board of Trustees met on campus on Thursday, May 15 and Friday, May 16, the fourth meeting of the 2007-2008 academic year. The board committees met on Thursday, which included meetings by Trusteeship, Executive, Finance and Investment, Audit, Academic Affairs, Communication, International Affairs, Athletics, Alumni Affairs and Development, and Campus Life. The full board met on Friday.

At the full board meeting, President Kerwin gave highlights from his report, which included that the new executive director of communications and marketing, Dr. Teresa Flannery, would begin on May 23. Mr. Drobis commented that Ms. Flannery had met, by phone, with the Communications Committee. President Kerwin also gave an update on the search for the vice president of development, which continues. 

Professor William DeLone, chair of the strategic planning steering committee, gave an overview and led a robust discussion with the board about the strategic plan process, progress to date, and fundamental ideas about what American University is and wants to become. The board provided ideas and insights on AU’s core values, historic strengths, and future aspirations, and discussed at length AU’s distinctive attributes. Mr. Abramson concluded this session by commenting that the strategic plan would be the focal point at the board retreat, September 25 and 26, and he urged the board members to bring their ideas to the retreat for further discussion. No committee meetings will be scheduled, since the focus is strategic planning. 

Mr. Gottschalk reported that approval for two new trustees, Patrick Butler and Richard Beyer, had been obtained from the United Methodist Church General Board of Higher Education and Ministry; the AU board approved the election of the trustee Class of 2011 and the selection of a new student trustee, David Teslicko, who will be forwarded to the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry for their approval. The board thanked Marc Tomik and Jonathan Loesberg for serving the past year as the student and faculty board members. Mr. Gottschalk reported that the Trusteeship Committee recommended that no additional trustees be added to the Class of 2009. Mr. Gottshalk reported that current trustee Matthew Pittinsky would be leaving board service after this meeting, and the full board adopted a resolution of appreciation for Mr. Pittinsky.

The committee report presentations included:

• Finance and Investment – noted that the university ended the year with a balanced budget; they complimented Vice President of Finance and Treasurer Don Myers for his work to refinance some existing obligations and save AU considerable resources during a challenging time in the financial markets.
• Audit – received the report of expenses for the president, officers, and outside consultants and found nothing out of the ordinary.
• Academic Affairs – reviewed highlights from the provost’s report relating to the quality and numbers of students admitted for the upcoming academic year. 
• Communications – reported on the committee discussions that focused on AU’s marketing and audience research needs and featured participation by Dr. Terry Flannery, executive director of communications and marketing;
• International Affairs – reported on the international enrollment increase and the twelve new countries represented; also discussed the topic of renewing the management consulting agreement with the American University of Nigeria. 
• Athletics Committee – reported that 2007–2008 was the strongest year ever in AU athletics on and off the field, highlighted by the student athletes averaging a 3.26 GPA and the men’s basketball team winning the Patriot League Tournament and making the NCAA Division I tournament for the first time, among other achievements. 
• Alumni Affairs & Development – provided a campaign progress report and that we have received $2 million in new pledges and gifts. The Campaign for AnewAU has raised $163.7 million as of April 30.
• Campus Life – reported on some first-year initiatives in place to improve retention and some of the data from those programs. 
• Executive Committee – met by teleconference on March 31 and May 1, 2008.