Oberlin Board Chair Robert Lemle Offers Update
Posted March 19, 2008

At its meeting in Oberlin on March 13-15, the Board of Trustees enthusiastically approved the appointment of Sean Decatur to become the new dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, effective July 1, 2008, as recommended by President Krislov, with the concurrence of the Dean Search Advisory Committee, College Faculty Council, and General Faculty Council. He was also appointed a tenured professor of chemistry, and his wife, Renee Romano, was appointed a tenured faculty member in the Department of History. We all look forward to welcoming them and their family to Oberlin.

The board continued to focus much of its attention on the facilities needs of the College, approving:

• summer 2008 renovations of the Noah, Harvey, Kade, and Price residence halls, part of a long-term comprehensive initiative to improve Oberlin's residence halls;
• construction of the final phase of the Kahn Track and Shults Field, which includes a new grandstand and press box, concession stand, restroom facilities, and lighting;
• construction of the Grey Gables parking lot extension; and
• a detailed project list of the 2008-09 capital budget as part of our commitment to reduce deferred maintenance in academic and residential buildings.

Trustees reviewed recent developments in financial aid at other colleges and universities with President Krislov, Dean of Admissions Debra Chermonte, Director of Financial Aid Rob Reddy, and other senior administrators. The last three months have seen Harvard, Yale, and a number of other universities and colleges expand their financial aid programs to increase socioeconomic diversity and access. While it is gratifying to see Oberlin's long-term leadership in these areas now being emulated by others, these initiatives also pose challenges for us. We discussed the potential impact of these developments and what actions Oberlin could take in this rapidly changing environment.

This year, Oberlin is spending $41.3 million on financial aid, compared to $14.6 million in 1993-1994, an increase of 280 percent over a 14-year period. Financial aid this year is equivalent to 28 percent of Oberlin's operating budget, among the very highest of any college or university in the nation. At this meeting, the board met with consultant Bruce Flessner as we continued planning for a new capital campaign. President Krislov and the board expect fund raising for financial aid to be among the major goals of the campaign.

Trustees also conducted an annual review of the College's strategic indicators, the metrics we use to measure progress in achieving the goals of the 2005 Strategic Plan.

The board approved named professorships, promotions, and tenure recommendations of the College and Conservatory Faculty Councils. We congratulate and applaud these outstanding faculty members.

On Thursday, eight trustees and 25 students attended the Class Trustee Forum led by class trustees Reggie Patterson '05, Ali Najmi '06, and Mathilda McGee-Tubb '07.

On Friday, the board welcomed at dinner new faculty members elected as representatives to board committees. Working together on important strategic issues facing the College creates wonderful opportunities to build trust and strengthen relationships among trustees, faculty, the president, deans, and administrators.

The Oberlin College Board of Trustees is the governing body of the College. As a strategic board, the trustees' principal focus is on achieving the mission and major goals of the College, as identified by the Strategic Plan. The board consists of 31 members. Six trustees are elected by the alumni, three are elected from each of the three most recently graduated classes, and 21 are elected by the board. The president serves as a trustee, ex officio. Read more about the Board of Trustees online, www.oberlin.edu/secretary/trustees.html.