The Kenyon College Board of Trustees convened for its winter meeting on February 5. Beyond the business of approving a budget for next fiscal year, the winter meeting traditionally serves as a time for the board to discuss longer-term strategic questions. This year, the board heard an update from the Strategic Planning Committee, which has been leading a process to identify the priorities for the College’s next strategic plan. Composed of trustees, faculty, staff and students, the committee has organized its work around several key considerations. One such topic is the size of Kenyon, and the board heard from the working group that has been looking at this topic in detail.
The board continued its anti-racism work and ongoing leadership self-study. Trustees selected from a set of readings to engage in conversations about race and racism, and participated in small group discussions facilitated by members of the Inclusion and Equity Committee.
Friday afternoon, the board received an update on preparations for the College’s re-accreditation review, which is conducted every 10 years by the Higher Learning Commission. Kenyon’s review team will be chaired by Julie Carpenter-Hubin, Assistant Vice President for Institutional Research & Planning at The Ohio State University. Most members of the visiting team will meet virtually with campus constituencies on February 22 and 23, with one team member visiting campus in person.
Finally, after a year-long study of best practice in board operations and structure, the Governance and Nominations Committee presented a proposal for the ideal size and composition of Kenyon’s Board of Trustees. The board approved the committee’s recommendation to reduce its membership from 43 to 33 trustees over the next four years.
In addition, the board approved the operating budget proposed for the 2021–22 fiscal year, which was set at $167,810,000. Highlights include:
- A 9 percent increase in the financial aid budget, totaling $47,825,000 for the 2021–22 fiscal year.
- A 1.25 percent increase in the general salary pool, plus additional funds to target salaries lagging in the marketplace and to recognize employee excellence through the Employee Performance Program. Increases for union members are dictated by contract.
- The reinstatement of the College’s contributions to 403(b) retirement and retiree health care programs, effective July 1, 2021. In addition, one third of the 403(b) contribution suspended during the 2020-2021 year will be restored, with the aim of replacing the full amount over three years.
- A 3.75 percent increase in total student charges, which will rise to $76,620 for the 2021–22 academic year.
In other business:
- The board approved the promotion to full professor the following members of the faculty: Simone Dubrovic, Italian; John T. Giblin, Physics; Dana Krieg, Psychology; and Travis Landry, Spanish.
- The board adopted a resolution of appreciation for outgoing trustees John W. Adams P’93,’13, GP’21 and the Right Reverend Thomas E. Breidenthal.
Prepared by the Office of Communications
Feb. 12, 2021