Doane's Board of Trustees

Written by Callie Cox
Edited October 5, 2010

Doane’s board of trustees met last week to discuss possible changes in Doane’s future.

The board had meetings last Thursday and Friday that included an Academic Educational Session and a Strategic Planning Session. The Thursday session started in the morning and included the full board.

A list of issues was approved during this meeting, including a New Investment Policy and this year’s budget which included recommended raises for faculty and staff. The board of trustees also authorized the college to commence the design process for the renovation of Smith Hall. The board received a 2005-2010 (five year) report as well. This information is available to students, faculty, staff and alumni on the Doane website.

The board of trustees at Doane hears students’ comments and concerns presented by Student Congress members. The board also comes to a consensus on the types of changes needed at the college in order for it to grow and prosper. Along with this, it approves budgets and gives final approval of decisions made by the president and vice president.

Kerry Craven, the Executive Assistant to the President, said the board is also responsible for such decisions as setting tuition and approving additional majors and programs, budgets, designs and renovations, most recently Frees and Sheldon Halls, as well as the soon-to-be complete Haddix Center.

“The Board of Trustees basically oversees everything,” Vice President for Academic Affairs John Burney said. “It is independent and the governance for the college.”

The Board of Trustees meets three times a year: in the fall, winter and spring.

“The President of the college and the Board members plan when the meetings will take place,” Board of Trustees Chairman Ken James said.

As well as having meetings, board members also met at the Haddix Center for the building’s dedication. These members greeted and ate dessert with the students elected to Student Congress.

“The thing the board members like best is meeting with the students,” Burney said. “They enjoy connecting with them;they put a lot of work into giving advice to the students and love giving back.”

Board members are a mixture of Doane alumni and those who were not previously associated with the college. Members are asked to join because of their expertise in a certain field and their potential to help Doane thrive. Each member of the board can potentially serve a term of four years. After those four years, their membership must be renewed.

“The board looks for a lot of people with different expertise,” James said. “ It’s always good to have fresh ideas.”

Doane’s board of trustees is made up of a number of committees and board members. Some of the committees include: Investment, Academic, Technology, Enrollment, Buildings and Grounds, Advancement, Business, Governance and Nominations and Student Leadership.

Craven said the fall and winter meetings include committee meetings, though no committee meetings are held at the winter meeting.

“I will say my perception is that the members of the board are committed to the college, students, faculty and staff,” Craven Said. “They have their best interests at heart and their decisions at the board meetings are reflective of this comment.”