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May 2023

Dear Members of the Campus Community,

As I conclude my service as Board Chair, I realize that this is my final campus message to you. It has made my time on campus this week feel even more special. As my fellow trustees and I watched another class of Loggers cross the stage on Sunday, I reflected on what it means to be a member of this Puget Sound community, especially at this time of year. It was an honor to watch my son, Chris, walk across the stage some sixteen Commencements ago, and it has been one of the great pleasures of my seven years as Board Chair to participate in Commencement each May. Trustees are always grateful to have the opportunity to celebrate with our new graduates and their families over Commencement weekend.

So, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, congratulations to the classes of 2023! And thank you to the entire campus community for their excellent teamwork and collaboration to create a special moment that appropriately recognizes the significance of this particular milestone in our students’ lives.

Campus Engagement. In their time on campus last week, trustees were fortunate to be able to enjoy breakfast with faculty colleagues and members of the Staff Senate, tour Seward Hall to see the wonderful renovations underway, view the student art show in Kittredge Art Gallery, and participate in the Phi Beta Kappa luncheon with chapter initiates, graduates, and members.

A particularly special event for us was joining members of the campus community in commemorating the 100th anniversary of the groundbreaking of Jones Hall. As we gathered at the steps of Jones Hall, we reflected on the generations of Loggers who have walked these steps before us. The first students to wear the path between Jones Hall and Warner Gym were born just as the 20th century dawned – around the time radios and airplanes were invented – and broke ground on this campus as the 20s roared to life.

If you look at pictures of Jones Hall from 100 years ago, you’ll recognize many features – the impressive wood doors, the broad columns, the soaring arches, and the students laughing among stacks of books and relaxing in the sun. And first-year students are generally still bright-eyed and wondering what the next four years may bring, while seniors inevitably prepare to launch from this campus and into the world. Of course, we have been constant in having talented faculty and staff whose passion and commitment to the university and its students are always at the heart of a Puget Sound education.

We can’t know what the next 100 years will bring, but I know that this is true – I am proud to be a member of this community and a part of the legacy of University of Puget Sound.

Workshop, Committee Meetings and Business Meeting. Trustees also spent time in workshops, committee meetings, and the open session business meeting to advance the institutional and strategic priorities of the university. In the workshop, we heard about the university’s enrollment progress and implementation of key strategies of A Sound Future, including reviewing academic programs for currency and distinction, supporting students and programs, realizing opportunities for more effective and efficient work, and aligning faculty and staff to our enrollment. At its business meeting, the board met and took action on several key items arising from committee discussions, including:

An annual review and approval of the roles and responsibilities of the following:

  • Board Organization & Committee Responsibilities
  • The Executive Committee
  • The Audit Committee
  • The Compensation Committee
  • The Committee on Trusteeship
  • The Academic and Student Affairs Committee
  • The Development and Alumni Relations Committee
  • The Finance and Facilities Committee and its subcommittees

The Board approved a proposed Policy on Policies that will establish standards for the campus community and provide guidance and governance for university operations. In establishing a Policy on Policies, the university aims to adopt consistent, uniform principles for the development, adoption, review, revision, and decommissioning of policies that have general institutional applicability. In adopting these standards, the university endeavors to make its policies easily accessible and understood, enhance operational efficiency, reduce institutional risk, and ensure compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

Upon the recommendation of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee, the Board of Trustees approved proposed changes to the core curriculum and undergraduate degree requirements and proposed updates to the Policy Prohibiting Discrimination and Harassment. The Board also approved the Academic and Student Affairs Committee’s recommendation to change the timing of Greek life student recruitment so that it will occur in the fall rather than the spring. The Academic and Student Affairs Committee also provided a report regarding proposed interpretations of the Faculty Code from the Professional Standards Committee (PSC) and the next steps in working with the PSC to come to a unified interpretation.

The Board also approved a recommendation from the Development & Alumni Relations Committee to remove the name “Slater” from the Museum of Natural History. The Committee’s recommendation was in support of a recommendation from President Crawford endorsing the Slater Museum Name Review Committee’s unanimous findings of strong and noteworthy evidence that compellingly demonstrated that retaining the name “Slater Museum of Natural History” would be harmful to its mission and inclusiveness, and inconsistent with the university’s integrity. More information about next steps to remove the name will be shared soon with the campus community.

Finally, upon the recommendation of the Finance & Facilities Committee, the Board approved President Crawford’s 2023-24 Budget and also approved a draw from the unrestricted quasi‐endowment to cover the university’s planned FY23 operating loss.

Elections. The board also elected trustee and non-trustee officers for the upcoming year, and elected a new class of incoming trustees who will join the board on July 1. I am pleased to share that Chair-Elect Beth M. Picardo '83, J.D. '86, was formally elected as Chair and she will assume that role on July 1.

We are pleased to welcome the following newly elected trustees:

  • Maria Arellano '86
  • Ryan Dumm '07
  • Betsy Stone '79, P'14

We are also pleased to welcome back returning trustees Bruce Titcomb '80, P'13, and Nicholas Vasilius '07 as part of this new class, as well as re-electing the following trustees to the class of 2026:

Second Term

  • Mitzi Carletti '78
  • Scott Higashi '91
  • Sarah Lee '94

Third Term

  • Ken Willman '82, P'15, P'18

At this meeting, trustees Laura Inveen '76 and Erin Shagren '88, P'17 were elected as trustees emeriti. We are deeply grateful for their contributions and years of service to the university. The board also recognized the longstanding and excellent service of Bill Canfield '76, P'08 and Fred Grimm '78, who will return to trustee emeritus status, and thanked them for their significant and lasting contributions to the university. And we thanked Carla Cooper '72 and Justin Graham '90 for their contributions and service as they conclude their service on the board.

Tenure and Promotion. In closed session, we were pleased to support promotion and/or tenure of the following outstanding faculty members:

  • Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor:
    • Isha Rajbhandari, Department of Economics
    • Rokiatou Soumaré, Department of French and Francophone Studies
       
  • Promotion to Professor:
    • Rachel Pepper, Department of Physics
    • Siddharth Ramakrishnan, Department of Biology
       
  • Promotion to Associate Professor:
    • LaToya Brackett, Department of African American Studies
    • Kimberlee Ratliff, School of Education
       
  • Promotion to Clinical Associate Professor:
    • Amy Kashiwa, School of Occupational Therapy

More information about the trustees and our work in support of Puget Sound can be found on our website.

The trustees are grateful for the deep investments of time, talent, and energy from our faculty, staff, and students to make this university so special and extraordinary. As we celebrate our graduates, we also want to celebrate the entire campus community. Thank you to faculty, staff, and students for all that you do. I leave my role as Chair confident that this amazing university is positioned for great success going forward.

Always a Logger,

Robert C. Pohlad P’07
Chair of the Board of Trustees

Dear Members of the Campus Community,

The board recently concluded its winter 2023 meetings. We were grateful to be able to spend time with students, faculty, and staff and learn more about all the important and creative work happening across campus. A year has passed since we returned to on-campus meetings, and we continue to be keenly aware of the resilience and optimism of the campus community. Trustees brought those same qualities to our work during this series of meetings, which focused on continuing initiatives to move beyond the pandemic by stabilizing and growing enrollment, supporting and enhancing the student experience, and returning the university to financial equilibrium. 

Trustees were energized by spending time with campus community members in a variety of ways:

  • ASUPS Wine Night, where trustees were able to visit with graduating seniors and members of the ASUPS Cabinet in the beautiful Oppenheimer Café.
  • Attending select undergraduate classes on Thursday – we are grateful to Professors Brad Dillman, Lisa Johnson, Priti Joshi and Doug Sackman; Instructor Alison Paradise; Associate Professor and Chair of the Theatre Arts Jess Smith, and Associate Professor Melvin Rouse for inviting trustees into their classrooms. Trustees were appreciative of the opportunity to directly experience the faculty’s pedagogy and engaging interaction with students.
  • A Celebration of Creative Inquiry, where trustees enjoyed mini-Ted Talks offered by Professor Daniel Burgard (Chemistry), Assistant Professor Tina Huynh (Music), and Professor Jennifer Utrata (Sociology and Anthropology); informally visited with faculty and staff, and members of the Alumni Council Executive Committee; and reviewed an impressive display of recent faculty research, scholarship, and creative work.
  • Dinner with members of the Alumni Council Executive Committee, where trustees were able to meet with alumni leaders and hear from Alumni Council President Ted Meriam about the ACEC’s priorities and ongoing good work on behalf of the institution, while also enjoying instrumental and vocal musical performances by Puget Sound students.
  • Breakfast with faculty and staff senate leaders, and lunch with Posse scholars and their faculty mentors.

We also received a report from President Crawford and the members of his leadership team regarding the progress of implementing the strategies of A Sound Future (ASF) as well as related progress on this year’s institutional goals in support of Leadership for a Changing World.

We were pleased to learn about the work underway with Gray Associates to evaluate academic programs. We learned that Gray Associates employs industry-leading databases on market demand for academic programs, a software platform to calculate and track program economics, and models that estimate the impact of program decisions on overall enrollment and margins. We understand they use this information to facilitate collaborative workshops that bring together faculty, institutional leadership, and other key stakeholders to evaluate programs for consideration to “Start, Stop, Sustain, or Grow.” We were informed the university will hold these workshops in April. As part of the May board meeting, President Crawford and the leadership team will share the findings from the work with Gray Associates and discuss next steps regarding the ASF strategies related to academic programs, informed through input and ongoing consultation with the Faculty Senate. These next steps will also incorporate the creative work and planning concurrently underway by the faculty related to reimagining the core curriculum and other academic strategies to maintain a broad and distinctive liberal arts education as we work to return the university to financial equilibrium by Fiscal Year 2026.

At its business meeting, the full board took action on two key items, including:

  • Amendments to the Faculty Code. The Board approved proposed amendments to the Faculty Code that were previously approved by the Faculty on February 1, 2023. The amendments are related to feedback provided to faculty members undergoing their third-year Associate Professor review.
  • Budget for 2023-24. The board approved the president’s initial budget recommendation for 2023-24. We are grateful for the ongoing work of the Budget Task Force to further refine the recommended budget in advance of the president’s final recommendation to the board at the May meeting.

The board also heard from its ex officio members: Faculty Senate Chair Elise Richman, Staff Senate Executive Committee member Landon Wade (on behalf of Staff Senate Chair Kevin Kirner), Alumni Council President Ted Meriam ’05, and ASUPS President Nate Sansone ’24.

As part of his report, Nate introduced trustees to Chloe Pargmann ’24, President-Elect, and Bella Sanchez ’25, Vice President-Elect, who will serve as the ASUPS leadership for 2023-24. We congratulated Nate on finishing his year as ASUPS President and we look forward to working with Chloe and Bella as well.

We were pleased to approve promotion and/or tenure recommendations of the following faculty members:

  • Tenure: Andrew Gomez (History), Courtney Thatcher (Mathematics and Computer Science), and Carrie Woods (Biology)
  • Tenure and Promotion to Professor: Cara Frankenfeld (Public Health)
  • Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor: America Chambers (Mathematics and Computer Science) and Kristopher Imbrigotta (German Studies)
  • Promotion to Professor: Alan Krause (Business and Leadership)
  • Promotion to Associate Professor: Sun Young Ahn (Business and Leadership); and
  • Promotion to Clinical Associate Professor: Aimee Sidhu (Occupational Therapy)

In addition to the work done in policy committees and our business meeting, trustees continued their work on diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and antiracism (DEIB-A) by participating in a workshop led by Vice President for Institutional Equity and Diversity Lorna Hernandez Jarvis focused on the current work to update the university’s Diversity Strategic Plan and provided time for trustees to identify possible DEIB-A goals for the board that will be reflected in the updated plan. We will continue talking about board goals in this area at our May meeting.

More information about the trustees and our work in support of Puget Sound can be found on our website.

Thank you, as always, for your hospitality in warmly welcoming us to campus (even in unseasonably chilly weather!), and for your continued dedication to keeping the work of the university moving forward with creativity, collegiality, and courage.

Sincerely,

Robert C. Pohlad P’07
Chair of the Board of Trustees

Dear Members of the Campus Community,

The board of trustees recently concluded its two-day fall series of meetings, during which we discussed key issues and opportunities for Puget Sound, with a particular emphasis on the President’s recommendations related to the Academic, Administrative, and Auxiliary Program Review and also student success, enrollment, retention, budget planning, campus master planning, and the progress of our comprehensive fundraising campaign. We welcomed three new/returning trustees, two new ex officios, and three new Cabinet members; enjoyed meeting with students, faculty, and staff members; and advanced several key initiatives to support Puget Sound and the 10-year Leadership for a Changing World strategic plan.

Welcome to New and Returning Trustees. The board is enriched each year by the generosity, expertise, and perspectives of new members. This fall we are happy to welcome returning trustee Christopher Pohlad ’07, senior vice president, investments for United Properties (Minneapolis, MN); and the following new trustees:

  • Emily Sturm ’14, president of philanthropy, Alder Companies (Denver, CO)
  • Erik Wallace ’96, senior medical director, Oak Street Health (Colorado Springs, CO)

Business Meeting. In advance of the meeting, we read reports submitted by President Crawford and ex officio representatives, including Faculty Senate Chair Elise Richman, ASUPS President Nathan Sansone ’24, and Staff Senate Chair Kevin Kirner who were in attendance at the business meeting; and special guest Alumni Council Vice President Erin Carlson ’04, who attended on behalf of Alumni Council President Ted Meriam ’05. The trustees greatly value hearing directly from students, faculty, staff, and alumni about their work and their perspectives on issues facing the university and board. The trustees also appreciated the opportunity to meet informally with members of the campus community throughout our visit.

Highlights of the business meeting include:

  • President’s Recommendations Regarding the Academic, Administrative, and Auxiliary Program Review (“AAAPR”). As many of you will remember, the board endorsed the undertaking of the AAAPR in February 2021, with the explicit goal of “determin[ing] how best to optimize academic, administrative, and auxiliary programs in fulfillment of the university’s mission within a reliable and sustainable financial model.” We are grateful for the challenging and difficult work that the AAAPR Committee members undertook since that time to assist President Crawford and the board in identifying a sustainable mission-related path forward.

    The AAAPR Committee presented its report and recommendations to President Crawford in September. Informed by the work of the Committee, feedback from campus constituents throughout the process, and his own research and vision, President Crawford presented to the board in a workshop his initial recommendations comprised of a slate of adaptive strategies, alignment strategies, and foundational strategies. The final recommendations presented at Friday’s business meeting reflect the feedback shared by the board in this consultation.

    As fiduciaries of the university, the trustees are charged with acting in the long-term best interests of Puget Sound and assuring its continuing vitality and success. Taken together, we support President Crawford’s plan and initial principles and believe that this slate of recommendations will allow a bold reimagining and renewal of our liberal arts institution, including identifying areas for growth and investment and possible programmatic discontinuations that are necessary to allow our future growth. We know President Crawford will be communicating closely with campus constituents over the next few months and returning to the board with more information and implementation details in February 2023 that will be designed to best optimize programs and the overall operation of the university and return the university to financial equilibrium by the close of FY 2026 (June 30, 2026).

  • Faculty Retirement Incentive Program. The board approved the adoption of a one-time Faculty Retirement Incentive Program to be offered this year as part of the President’s strategy to align faculty FTE with expected enrollment levels, consistent with the goals of the Strategic Enrollment Plan. This program provides an opportunity for eligible tenured faculty to voluntarily retire and end employment as of June 30, 2023 and receive special incentives.

  • Puget Sound Fund. The trustees affirmed goals for participation in and contributions to the university’s annual fund for the current fiscal year, including goals for trustee giving and renewal of our ongoing commitment to 100 percent participation.

  • Policy Prohibiting Hazing. The board approved updates to the university’s Policy Prohibiting Hazing and Student Integrity Code to assure compliance with changes in state law prohibiting hazing, requiring training and education about hazing, and implementing new reporting requirements regarding violations.

  • Amendments to the Faculty Bylaws. The board approved amendments to the Faculty Bylaws related to who is eligible to serve on the Professional Standards Committee.

  • Financial Matters. The board received an update that, as of June 30, 2022, total net assets decreased from the prior year, primarily from investment losses reflecting the overall volatility of the market. However, the operating budget performed better than expected: financial discipline and good stewardship provided us with FEMA relief funds as well as salary and benefit savings, resulting in a modest surplus. The board approved utilizing the FY 2022 operating surplus of nearly $1,200,000 to support the President’s strategic initiatives, including the Faculty Retirement Incentive Program, and provided guidance on 2023-24 budget parameters.

  • Master Plan. The Finance and Facilities Committee approved the engagement of an architectural firm to lead the campus master planning process over the next year. The new, updated master plan (“the Plan”) will take int consideration many factors such as: support for student success; the smaller number of undergraduate students; anticipated growth in graduate and continuing education programs; changing demographics and needs of campus members and prospective students; technological changes and trends; the changing world of work; pedagogical trends; programmatic changes; sustainability; a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture; and much more. In doing so, the Plan will consider scenarios to sustain the university over the next 20 years, considering what is feasible within 2-5 years, 5-10 years, and 10-20 years.

Finally, we attended to other duties of the board, including reports from the following board committees: academic and student affairs, development and alumni relations, finance and facilities, special advisory committee on strategic enrollment initiatives, campaign steering committee, and trusteeship. As mentioned earlier, we also engaged in a workshop focused on the work of the academic, administrative, and auxiliary program review process in which we provided feedback on recommendations and proposed next steps that informed the final recommendations.

More information about the work of the board is available at pugetsound.edu/trustees.

Please remember that our business meetings are open to all members of the university community. We were happy to have with us several students, representatives of the AAAPR Committee, members of the Staff Senate, and other interested faculty and staff.

Campus Community Engagement. During my time at Puget Sound as a parent of a student in the class of 2007, a trustee, and now chair of the board of trustees, I am consistently impressed by the passion and engagement of this community in preparing our students for success and in their commitment to the university. Our students – and our trustees – benefit from the university’s practice of soliciting recommendations from the faculty, ASUPS, staff, and alumni leadership to appoint individuals to advise board policy committees, strategic planning work groups, budget task forces, executive search committees, and more. I am also grateful that our trustees also freely volunteer their time in support of important university initiatives as well. I would especially like to recognize the following individuals for their engagement on the AAAPR Committee, and those participating on committees of the board of trustees this year, along with the dozens of staff members who support our work and serve as essential resources in preparing and executing our meetings.

  • AAAPR Committee members:
    • Laura Behling, former Provost (committee chair July 2021-2022)
    • Monica DeHart, Professor, Sociology and Anthropology (committee tri-chair July-Sept 2022)
    • Nick Kontogeorgopoulos, Professor and Interim Provost (committee tri-chair July-Sept 2022)
    • Kim Kvaal, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (committee tri-chair July-Sept 2022)
    • Greta Austin, Professor, Religion, Spirituality, and Society
    • Matt Boyce, Vice President for Enrollment
    • Nancy Bristow, Professor, History
    • Allison Cannady-Smith, Associate Vice President for Constituent Relations
    • Sarah Comstock, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
    • Jeremy Cucco, former Chief Information Officer, Associate Vice President, Technology Services (July 2021-August 2022)
    • Sara Freeman ’95, Professor, Theatre Arts
    • John Hanson, Professor, Chemistry
    • Shelly Heier ’98, President, Verus Investments, Trustee
    • Robin Jacobson, Professor, Politics and Government; former chair, Faculty Senate
    • Sarah Johnson, Manager, Print and Copy Services
    • Julia Looper, Professor, Physical Therapy
    • Sherry Mondou, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (July 2021-2022)
    • Gerard Morris, Professor, Music
    • Michael Pastore, University Registrar
    • Lotus Perry, Instructor, Chinese, Asian Languages and Cultures
    • Ellen Peters, Associate Provost for Institutional Research, Planning and Student Success
    • Jake Price, Assistant Professor, Math and Computer Science
    • Siddharth Ramakrishnan, Associate Professor, Biology
    • Melvin Rouse, Associate Professor, Psychology
    • Erin Ruff, Human Resources Director
    • Betsy Stone, ’79, P’14, Alumni Council Executive Committee
    • Annie Sullivan, Student, ’23
    • Jeff Thomas, Head Football Coach
    • Renee Watling, Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy
    • Martha Wilson, Director of Admission Operations
  • Academic and Student Affairs Committee: Professor Megan Gessel, Peggy Burge (Academic Affairs, Collins Memorial Library), Ebony James ’23
  • Development and Alumni Relations Committee: Professor Nicholas Brody, Robin Aijian ’04 (Enrollment, Admission), Lucy Pelos ’23
  • Finance and Facilities Committee: Professor Alan Krause, Phillip Wells P’20 (Finance & Administration, Dining & Event Services), Mae Niebuhr ’23
  • Executive Committee (ex-offici members): ASUPS President Nathan Sansone ’24, Faculty Senate Chair Elise Richman, Staff Senate Chair Kevin Kirner, and Alumni Council President Ted Meriam ’05

The university has weathered some significant challenges over the past three years. Throughout this time, the dedication and creativity of our faculty and staff, the resilience and flexibility of our students, the commitment to living our values, and our strong institutional foundation have all contributed to the university’s ongoing success. The trustees all believe the future is bright at Puget Sound and it is an honor to keep ascending to the heights with you.

On behalf of my fellow trustees, we look forward to returning to campus in February, concurrent with the meetings of the Alumni Council Executive Committee.

Robert C. Pohlad P’07
Chair of the Board of Trustees