2024-25 Board Reports

Dear Members of the Campus Community,

The Board of Trustees was delighted to be back on campus for our first meeting of the academic year, to experience the beauty of fall on campus and the enthusiasm of our new and returning students.

The last time we were all together on campus was just before our Commencement ceremony in May, and trustees enjoyed being able to share in that happy moment with all of our graduates. The following month, in June, I was honored to participate in another Commencement ceremony – for the first cohort of Freedom Education Project Puget Sound (FEPPS) graduates to receive a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies. I was the chair of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee when the board enthusiastically approved the establishment of this new degree program in October 2019, and I was very moved to see the culmination of the work that FEPPS students, staff, and faculty have done to realize its promise in such a profound way.

Welcome to New and Returning Trustees. The board was pleased to welcome back returning trustees Bill Canfield '76, P'08; Fred Grimm '78; Laura Inveen '76; and Erin Shagren '88, P'17, as well as new trustee Michael Amend '86.

Retreat. Trustees began the week’s meetings with a half-day retreat where we heard from Dr. Barbara Mistick, President of the National Association of Independent Colleges & Universities (NAICU). Dr. Mistick provided trustees with insight into the impacts of recent executive, legislative, and judicial activity on institutions of higher education. This presentation and subsequent discussions were helpful to trustees in anticipating what institutions of higher education and their leaders may expect going forward, particularly in light of the upcoming presidential election, and trustees were grateful for this information as they look to support and guide Puget Sound through a dynamic landscape for higher education that continues to evolve and sometimes provide unanticipated challenges.

Campus Engagement. Trustees always appreciate the opportunity to meet informally with members of the campus community, and enjoyed a variety of such opportunities last week:

• Undergraduate Classes. Thanks to Professors Kriszta Kotsis, Joel Elliott, Ania Kapalczynski, Sue Hannaford, Emelie Peine, and Monica DeHart, trustees were able to participate in a wide array of undergraduate classes spanning topics such as art, marine biology, financial management, health and exercise, international political economy, and sociology and anthropology. Trustees were all deeply impressed by the skill of the faculty teaching these courses, and the depth of knowledge and insight demonstrated by student discussions and questions.
• Lunch with Student Athletes. We enjoyed having lunch with the women’s crew team and their coaches, who had a very impressive season last spring, winning the Northwest Conference championship and going to the NCAA Division III Rowing Championships where they captured first place in the petite final and secured a seventh place finish overall. We also were glad to recognize Director of Athletics Amy Hackett, who has served an impressive 21 years with the university and will be retiring in December.
• Experiential Learning Showcase. The student experiential learning showcase is always a highlight, and we were inspired by student presentations about their internships, summer research experiences, study abroad trips, and community-based learning experiences. Hearing about these student experiences clearly illustrates the benefits of providing hands-on learning environments, and the ways in which these experiences help students identify their passions and build important skills for their future careers.
• Reception and Breakfast. Trustees also enjoyed having time to talk with experiential learning student presenters, experiential learning staff, faculty, staff and student members of our policy committees, and recently tenured and promoted faculty during the Thursday evening reception at the Wilson Welcome Center as well as conversations with members of the faculty and Staff Senate at the Friday morning breakfast.

Business Meeting. In advance of the meeting, we read reports submitted by President Crawford and ex officio representatives, including Kevoni Neely '25, ASUPS President; Justin Tiehen, Faculty Senate Chair; Patty English, Staff Senate Chair; and McKenzie Ross '06, Alumni Council President. We are grateful for their thoughtful and dedicated work representing the voices of alumni, faculty, staff, and students.

Highlights of the business meeting included:

• Enrollment. Trustees heard an update on our enrollment efforts and plans for this year’s enrollment cycle, including undergraduate and graduate school enrollment goals, from its Special Advisory Committee on Strategic Enrollment Initiatives.
• Budget Parameters. Trustees approved the parameters for the 2025–26 fiscal year budget, covering tuition and fees, our first-time-in-college (FTIC) enrollment goal and discounts, and endowment expenditures.
• Mental Health Survey. Trustees heard a presentation on the results of the Healthy Minds Survey from Kelly Brown, Director of Counseling, Health & Wellness Services (CHWS).
• 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.

And, finally, the board recognized the long service of Mary Elizabeth “Liz” Collins ’81, P’02, who has served in various roles at the university since 1992, including the Office of the President, where she’s worked for nearly 20 years, supporting the work of the president as well as the board of trustees. We are grateful to Liz for her many exceptional contributions to the university.

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

Sincerely,

Beth M. Picardo ’83, J.D. ’86 | Chair of the Board of Trustees