The Board of Trustees met in August to discuss the governance changes proposed at their retreat in May.
Dr. Phil Schubert, president of the university, said the board questioned where to improve and used brainstorming to build an agenda for the August meeting. The new chair of the board, April Anthony used ideas and recommendations to suggest changes to the structure, including committees.
“The entire meeting was the board discussing the May retreat and some specific directions they were headed in terms of how to structure the board for the most effective governance,” Schubert said.
Though Anthony attended the retreat in May, the August meeting was her first business meeting as chair of the board.
“We had an incredible meeting in August, and it was in large measure due to her effective leadership and the willingness of the board to allow her to lead,” Schubert said. “I felt like she did a phenomenal job, and I sensed a great excitement among the board not only for April’s leadership, but also for the work and the conversation that they were having about how to be more effective in leading the university.”
Schubert said the board gives administration guidance on how to handle campus issues such as LGBTQ+ and race issues. For the past year, administration spent time interpreting the guidance and beginning conversation on campus.
“We are now working on a new communication with faculty and staff, and adjusting based on feedback,” Schubert said. “We did have a chance to run through that with the board to make sure the direction we are headed was consistent with the guidance they provided.”
Board meetings occur every quarter – one in February over Sing Song weekend, May, August, coinciding with the start of school, and November before Thanksgiving break. Schubert said the next board meeting will focus on continuing the adoption of the new processes of governance, including new committees.
“We’re beginning to work through how those committees engage in the life of the university, along with faculty and administration to help plan for the strategic plan for the university,” Schubert said. “My guess is that we will spend a significant amount of time focused on the academic identity of ACU in the November meeting and looking at the current landscape, as well as where we might want to see ourselves five years out.”
