Trustees Discuss Long-Term Planning Issues

The future of Ithaca College was the topic of the day at the recent board of trustees meeting. "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," said board chair Herman E. "Skip" Muller Jr. ’51. Topics such as residential space, needed facilities, institutional size, and financing were debated, and the board granted permission to the College to continue planning for increased enrollment. "The decision was to look at residence halls as priorities," said dean of enrollment Larry Metzger. Although the board will consider plans in February for new housing, Metzger says, "There has been no approval to build residence halls." The board presented this and other ideas to College president Peggy R. Williams and provost and vice president for academic affairs Jim Malek.

Muller praised the efforts of the All-College Planning and Priorities Committee, whose recommendations the board reviewed during the fall meeting. "Because of their hard work over the past year and a half," he said, "the board will be in a better position to act once the committee’s final report is delivered to us in February."

The board’s newest committee also met for the first time. Chaired by Larry Alleva, the Campus Life and Community Committee will advise board members on student services, residential life, athletics, and campus community issues. "We have terrific enthusiasm about the positive role our group can play in what is obviously an area of great importance to the College community," said Alleva.

Members of the board also attended presentations on Ithaca’s career services and athletics programs; met with faculty; witnessed the unveiling of a portrait of Ellis L. Phillips Jr., president of the college from 1970 to 1975; and approved a change in the staff and faculty medical plan, extending health insurance benefits to retirees who are at least 55 years of age and who have completed 20 or more years of benefits-eligible service.