Racial Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
There has been a significant level of conversation and assessment related to this critical area of racial diversity, equity, and inclusion, and I wanted to both make you aware of some current and planned actions, as well as encourage your participation and engagement in the opportunity we have to be exactly the type of community Dr. Soong-Chan Rah spoke about in Chapel earlier this quarter. I am hopeful for our future, and believe in our capacity to grow and learn together, becoming a place where our Vision is both lived among us and through us. Please review the Racial Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – Update and Action Plan.
Board Meeting Overview
The Winter Board of Trustees meeting was held on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. The meetings began with the Trusteeship Committee prior to moving into the other Standing Committees: Academic Affairs; Finance, Audit, and Facilities; and University Relations.
Let me briefly share about the Trusteeship Committee since its work may not be familiar to all on campus. This committee provides oversight for matters regarding trustees and the University’s governing documents. Some of the Committee’s other tasks include the annual review of the composition and profile of the Board, to ensure its effective and efficient functioning, as well as serving as a guide for the identification and recruitment of prospective trustees. This last responsibility was a primary conversation in this week’s meeting as board member Vic Moses transitions off the Board this summer due to the term limits identified in the Bylaws. Vic has been a tremendous board member for 12 years, during which much of that period was spent chairing the Finance, Audit, and Facilities Committee, and he was especially helpful in providing seasoned counsel to the University during multiple bond issuances. Vic is serving as a representative of the membership of the Free Methodist Church, so that provides the framework for our recruitment of his replacement.
Further agenda items at the Trusteeship Committee included pre-planning the Spring Board meeting, receiving an overview of the agenda and reviewing our representation at the Association of Governing Boards meeting in April, and discussing trustee involvement in the NWCCU accreditation visit. The meeting concluded with a conversation related to exploring existing Board structures and operations, as well as ideas for enhanced effectiveness going forward.
Given our current work as it relates to racial diversity, equity, and inclusion, Dr. Doug Backous and I canceled our planned agenda, and determined it would be more valuable to host a focused session as it relates to the Board’s role in fostering a healthy campus climate. Dr. Pete Menjares led the session, and did a masterful job of providing clarity and call as it relates to the Board’s involvement and support. The session ended with a commitment for Dr. Menjares to develop a Board engagement plan that will provide consistency and connection for the Board as we work toward implementing the initial action steps I shared in the lead section of this report.
On Thursday morning, Kathy Wimer, who serves as Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Business and Finance, led the full Board and the Senior Leadership Team in devotions and a time of directed prayer. In these challenging times, she shared that it is necessary to reflect on God’s goodness and blessings, and to ask for His guidance. God is the Great Reconciler, and it is through Jesus Christ that we are reconciled to Him. As during the June 5, 2014 tragedy, Kathy reminded the group that we welcomed God’s presence while He walked alongside our campus community, and the world saw that we “did it differently.” May it be so today as well.
Marcia Webb, faculty chair, then reported on key faculty happenings during Winter Quarter and shared about the array of ongoing conversations that faculty are engaging in: issues in higher education, news of recent developments in specific fields of study, and the conversation on ethnic and racial diversity issues on campus. She expressed gratitude for the community at SPU that allows for such discussions with “conviction, courage, and humility.” Marcia also highlighted recent faculty publications, honors and awards received, faculty program development (specifically, in nursing, urban studies and film studies), and recent faculty-sponsored events.
Following the faculty chair report, Leslie Ruiter, trustee and chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, led the group in prayer for the faculty.
The plenary session continued, and the Board approved the following recommendations from the standing committees:
- That the Board of Trustees approve the proposed Board meeting/event schedule for 2016-17.
- That the Board of Trustees grant Robert D. McIntosh the title “Director Emeritus of the Seattle Pacific Foundation.”
Academic Affairs Committee:
- That the Board of Trustees approve the changes to Faculty Handbook Section 5.2.2.3 (regarding junior faculty serving on University-wide committees prior to pre-tenure), as approved by Faculty Senate on December 3, 2015.
Finance, Audit, and Facilities Committee:
- That the Board of Trustees approve the 2016-17 Budget Guidelines and related funding allocations.
- That the Board of Trustees approve the engagement of Clark Nuber PS to conduct the University’s financial and federal funds audits and the Foundation’s financial audit for the year ending June 30, 2016.
- That the Board of Trustees approve [a] policy on unrestricted estate distributions.
- That the Board of Trustees approve the assignment of the 1993 [and] 1976 [Blakely Island] Conservation Easement[s] … to the San Juan Preservation Trust…
Please take the time to review the submitted board reports that comprise the scope of work in each area. The area reports are divided into separate links to make it easier to access the information of greatest interest to you. However, I encourage you to take the time to read what is happening in an area of the University you don't know as well. I think you will be impressed with the efforts of your colleagues – efforts that have helped establish SPU as one of the nation's leading Christian universities.
Of course, one of the highlights of the February Board meeting is the opportunity for the Board to recognize the meritorious service of retiring faculty members and to consider younger faculty for tenure. With delight, I am pleased to announce that the following retiring faculty members were each proudly recognized as “Faculty Emeritus:”
Dr. Kathleen Braden, Professor of Geography, 34 years
Dr. Kerry Dearborn, Professor of Theology, 19 years
Dr. Eric Hanson, Professor of Music, 37 years
Dr. Steve Layman, Professor of Philosophy, 30 years
Dr. Ed Smyth, Professor of Educational Ministry, 16 years
We are a better place because of their investment in our mission, and in turn the lives and future of our students, and certainly for those of us who had the privilege of serving alongside them. May God bless each of them and their families during this transition to their next phase of life – one that I am sure will continue to benefit from their investment and influence in new ways.
As it relates to the tenure candidates, the Faculty Handbook states that tenure at Seattle Pacific University is understood as a symbol of stability of the integrity of the community, and of the joint commitment of every member of the community to the mission of the University. Receiving tenure speaks to a faculty member’s commitment and dedication to the profession and to student success. The process is demanding, and achieving tenure is a tremendous accomplishment.
I am pleased to announce that the Board of Trustees approved the following ten faculty members to receive tenure:
Dr. Vicki Aaberg, Assistant Professor of Nursing
Dr. Bruce Baker, Assistant Professor of Business Ethics
Dr. Raedene Copeland, Assistant Professor of Family and Consumer Sciences
Dr. Katya Drozdova, Assistant Professor of Political Science
Dr. Ryan Ferrer, Associate Professor of Biology
Dr. Paul Kim, Associate Professor of Psychology
Dr. Mike Langford, Associate Professor of Theology, Discipleship, and Ministry
Dr. Don Lee, Associate Professor of Management
Dr. Jorge Preciado, Assistant Professor of Teacher Education
Dr. Daniel Schofield, Associate Professor of Chemistry
As always, if you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me.
In partnership,
Dan