Report of the Board of Trustees Meeting
Fall 2002

Skidmore’s Board of Trustees came to campus Wednesday through Friday, Oct. 23-25, 2002, for the first board meeting of the academic year. The agenda included plenary sessions on “Academic Vision” and “The Economy and Skidmore’s Financial Future.”

The announcement by President Jamienne S. Studley of her decision to leave Skidmore at the end of the current academic year was made at the outset of the board’s meetings and was reflected in discussions that took place during committee meetings over the subsequent days of the board’s meeting.

The general meeting of the full board took place Friday afternoon at the Tang Museum. The session included a presentation by Gerry Schorin, director of strategic communications, on admissions marketing research completed to date, and a report from Dean of Admissions and Student Aid Mary Lou Bates on admissions statistics for the Class of 2006 and an early look at recruitment for the Class of 2007. Below are highlights of the full board meeting, including resolutions adopted.

Report of the Chair of the Board
Board Chair Sue Thomas ’62 opened the full board meeting by commenting on the level of energy evident on campus. She reported that the board approved a resolution accepting President Studley’s resignation and thanked the president for her “dedication and passion” during her years at Skidmore.

Report of the President
In her remarks, President Studley asked those attending for a moment of silence in memory of Jesse Swartout ’03, who died Oct. 11, 2002. The president noted that the Student Affairs staff deserves appreciation “for helping us through this loss.” She also distributed handouts to identify the steps taken toward implementation of the goals for
The Plan for Skidmore: Excellence and Community.

President Studley also noted the resignation of Trustee Charles Wait and expressed appreciation for his many years of service to the College.

Academic Affairs Committee
The board approved a resolution of the Academic Affairs Committee for the promotions of Derek Nystrom, lecturer, Department of English, to visiting assistant professor; and Kyle K. Nichols, visiting instructor, Department of Geosciences, to assistant professor.

Infrastructure Committee
The board approved a resolution of the committee to increase the design development fee being paid to Ewing Cole Cherry & Brott for architectural services in connection with the new music facility. The increase is $100,000 from the current $750,000 to $850,000.

A second resolution brought by the committee and approved by the full board designates that Skidmore Hall be renamed the Kathryn Wiecking ’53 Residence Hall, in recognition of a generous bequest from the estate of Ms. Wiecking. A renaming ceremony will take place during Reunion 2003.

Budget and Finance Committee
The board approved a resolution of the committee to formally accept a $10,000 bequest from the Frank R. Milnor Trust. Ismat Alam, director of financial services, was designated to accept payment of the bequest and facilitate administration of the trust.

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