Board Discusses College’s Future Direction

Members of the Ithaca College Board of Trustees held an in-depth discussion of the College’s future direction during the board’s recent fall meeting, held October 11–13. The discussion was prompted by the ongoing work of the All-College Planning and Priorities Committee, which has nearly completed its development of implementation strategies for the institutional priorities and associated goals identified last spring.

"Our goal for this special session was to engage in extended conversation about the issues that are most pressing as the College looks ahead to the next five years," says board chairman Herman E. Muller Jr. ’51. "Through that conversation we were able to develop a clearer sense of how best to move forward with specific plans and related actions."

The board focused on five topic areas: review of the institutional plan, institutional size, residential space, projected facilities needs, and financing the future. Though no conclusions were reached or votes taken, board members gave valuable feedback to President Peggy R. Williams; provost and vice president for academic affairs Jim Malek, who chairs the committee; and other members of the College’s senior administration.

"Praise is due the All-College Planning and Priorities Committee, and to all members of the Ithaca College community who have contributed to this important effort," says Muller. "Because of their hard work over the past year and a half, the board will be in a better position to act once the committee’s final report is delivered to us."

The board’s newest committee also met for the first time during the October trustees gathering. The Campus Life and Community Committee, chaired by Larry Alleva ’71, was created to provide leadership and recommend to the board action on policy and oversight with respect to student services and campus life functions, enrollment management, athletics, residential life, civility, and campus community issues.

"There’s terrific enthusiasm and excitement among committee members regarding the positive role our group can play in what is obviously an area of great importance to the College community," Alleva notes.

Also during the board meeting:

• As part of an ongoing educational series, board members attended presentations on the College’s career services and athletics programs.
• Board members had the opportunity to meet with faculty members during an informal all-faculty reception held in the Emerson Suites.
• A portrait of Ellis L. Phillips Jr., president emeritus and an honorary member of the board of trustees, was unveiled. Painted by artist Gordon Wetmore, the portrait hangs inside the main entrance to Phillips Hall and honors the College’s fifth president, who served from 1970 to 1975.
• The board accepted the annual audited financial statements with comments by the College auditors.
• The board approved a change in the College medical plan, extending health insurance benefits to retirees who are at least 55 years of age and who have completed at least 20 years of benefits-eligible service. Medical benefits are available to retirees until the age of 65 or until they become eligible for Medicare, whichever occurs first.