December Board of Trustees recap
Board of Trustees Recap for Dec. 8, 9
Editor’s Note: After each Board of Trustees meeting, Western Today provides a recap of decisions and discussion.
Trustees Discuss Opportunities, Challenges of Public-Private Partnerships
Western’s Board of Trustees on Thursday had a wide-ranging discussion with the WWU Foundation Board of Directors about public-private partnerships and how those can benefit the university.
WWU President Saba Randhawa described some of the many types of creative and innovative public-private partnerships being done by colleges and universities across the country, including at his former institution, Oregon State University. Randhawa noted the dramatic public defunding of higher education nationally during the recent recession and the need to seek out other sources of funding from the private sector in addition to traditional fundraising.
Several Foundation board members described public-private partnerships they have been involved with, and with the trustees discussed the pros and cons, opportunities and risks of public-private partnerships. The discussion was moderated by Stephanie Bowers, vice president for University Advancement.
In addition to fundraising, such as its more recent Western Stands for Washington Comprehensive Campaign, Western has benefited from several very successful public-private partnerships, such as Harrington Field.
Another highly successful public-private partnership – Western’s Institute for Energy Studies – was described on Friday in a presentation by Andy Bunn, Environmental Sciences professor and founding director of the Institute; Manca Valum, senior director of Advancement for Strategic Initiatives, and Joel Swisher, current Institute director.
Rich Van Den Hul, vice president for Business and Financial Affairs, and Mark Brovak, senior director and chief operating officer of University Advancement, on Friday presented on the university’s public-private partnership to renovate the university’s softball field.
In other business, the trustees:
- Approved a consultant contract for design services for construction of the new Ethnic Student Center/Multi-Cultural Services facility. Also approved a construction contract for cyclic renewal to elevators; request for emergency rule change to Chapter 516-21 WAC, Student Rights and Responsibilities Code, and Fall Quarter degrees.
- Heard an Olympia update by Becca Kenna-Schenk, director of Government Relations, on the upcoming legislative session. She said that the Legislature will be preoccupied with K-12 funding due to the effects of the McCleary court decision but that Western and its many supporters will be strongly advocating for Western’s budget priorities.
- Heard a presentation on the university’s Housing and Dining Long-term Capital Plan Update.
- Welcomed Antonia Allen, new director of Internal Audit, and Cezar Mesquita, new director of Admissions.
- The dates for the next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees are Feb. 9 and 10.
Meeting documents are available at the Board of Trustees website.