Updates from the Fall 2023 Board of Trustees Meeting

Board of trustees reaffirm commitment to shared governance during fall meeting

Among several business items addressed during its regular meeting, the board approved a key resolution intended to clarify roles and strengthen communication and collaboration among college constituencies.

The Roanoke College Board of Trustees convened for its regular fall meeting on Oct. 26, 2023, addressing a full slate of business ahead of Friday’s inauguration festivities for President Frank Shushok Jr.

During the meeting, the board reaffirmed its commitment to shared governance, approving a key resolution meant to clarify roles and processes, strengthen trust and communication, and expand representation across campus. 

Central to the resolution is the creation of a college-wide task force on shared governance, with members to be appointed by Shushok. Members of the task force will study, design and recommend a new structure for shared governance at the College that is deliberative, inclusive and agile to meet the challenges of today’s dynamic and diverse higher education environment. The task force will aim to complete its work by December 2024. Concurrently, at the board’s request, faculty and administration will undertake a comprehensive review and revision of the Faculty Handbook by April 2025 to align with the processes and policies identified by the task force.

The board also endorsed the establishment of a staff council to represent the needs and interests of staff in shared governance for the first time in the College’s history, ensuring more holistic representation and communication among employees. In tandem, trustees approved a plan to enhance faculty representation and communication with the board through the addition of two additional faculty members who will participate in board activities, alongside the faculty moderator, as non-voting representatives.

“Shared governance has always been foundational to the success and evolution of Roanoke College,” said Malon Courts ’92, chairman of the board of trustees. “With a new president and growing challenges for colleges and universities nationwide, now is the perfect time to explore ways to include more voices in shared governance at Roanoke and to find ways to strengthen collaboration and communication as we work together for the good of the College.” 

On Wednesday evening, prior to Thursday’s board meeting, trustees, faculty and staff gathered for a community lecture on the role of talent in student success by Rishi Sriram, a faculty member and researcher from Baylor University, followed by a social hour hosted by the Teaching Collaborative. Both events offered attendees the opportunity to build stronger connections and exchange perspectives and ideas about the future of the College, a theme of collaboration and communication also reflected in the approved resolutions and the full slate of inauguration activities. 

In other action, the board endorsed the appointments of seven visiting faculty members for the 2024-25 academic year, as well as 12 faculty sabbatical requests for 2024-25.

Board members also approved a 3.5% tuition increase for the 2024-25 academic year. Room and board rates will remain the same, for a modest overall increase in cost of attendance of just 2.5%.

Brian Reed, vice president for student success, engaged board members in a case study to begin reimagining the residential experience at Roanoke College and identifying important next steps to increase the quality, value and benefits students receive by living on campus.

In his report to the board, Shushok emphasized that student grants and scholarships must be the College’s top fundraising priority moving forward. Relatedly, the board formed a new committee, chaired by Trustee Robert Fralin, to advance strategies for enhancing overall philanthropic support for the College.

“We recognize the challenges our students and their families face with rising inflation and increasing costs,” said Shushok. “It remains our unwavering mission to ensure that every deserving student can access the rich educational experiences we offer at Roanoke College.”

The board also voted to adopt the recommendations of a college-wide task force that developed policies and procedures for naming or renaming buildings, locations, positions or scholarships at the College. There are no immediate renaming plans at Roanoke College, but the board wished to establish a concrete policy for future use. “Any name associated with Roanoke College should represent a passion for students and the transformational power of an education,” the task force report states. “Consideration is given to those who strive to achieve a legacy that inspires others.”

During the meeting, board members passed a resolution honoring one such legacy: Jay Taliaferro, who recently retired as Salem’s city manager, was commended for his 32 years of service to the city and his enduring support and partnership with Roanoke College. “Jay has worked closely with the Roanoke College administration in partnership over the last three decades,” the resolution states, “and most recently, with renewed energy and excitement under President Shushok’s leadership over the last sixteen months, to envision future opportunities for collaboration and connectivity between Roanoke College and the City of Salem.”

Trustees also received updates on the progress being made towards breaking ground on the first phase of the new Science Center and fundraising for the project, with presentations from David Mowen, vice president for business affairs, and Kim Blair ’93, vice president for advancement. Trustees approved a resolution to authorize the College to begin purchasing materials and services for the Science Center project.

The fall board meeting also presented Courts with an opportunity to introduce the Rev. Phyllis Milton, who had just been sworn in as the new bishop of the Virginia Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, replacing the Rev. Robert Humphrey, who has served as bishop since 2017. Milton, the first female and the first person of color elected bishop in the synod, serves as a member of the board of trustees.

In his last report to the board as Student Government Association President, Carlos Domacasse ’24 highlighted the SGA’s commitment to advancing civil discourse on campus and fostering effective communication between students and administration. Board members expressed their appreciation for his leadership and dedication to his fellow students and the College.

In final business, the trustees voted to add two new members: Jim Chisom, who previously served as an Ex Officio member through his role as chair of the President’s Advisory Board (PAB), will now serve as a voting member of the board; and Sandy Mulheren ’02 will step in as the new chair of the PAB and sit on the board as a non-voting member.

The board will convene again on Feb. 8-9, 2024, for its annual winter meeting.