March 9, 2023
Presenters: Paul Meggett, General Counsel; Matthew Dockham, Director of External Affairs & Community Relations; Jane Barghothi, Vice Chancellor for University Advancement; Stephanie Billings, Executive Director of Alumni Affairs
Summary of Presentation:
Overview
- Discussion on request to “increase the representation of Black and Brown individuals within faculty, staff and the Board of Trustee membership”
- Discussion on structure of major university boards (Board of Visitors, Foundation Board, Alumni Association Board)
- Discussion on increased efforts to support strategic priorities from Alumni Affairs
Presentation
Board of Trustees: Structure, role, and committees within explained in depth
Membership
- Every campus has the same 13-member makeup by statute:
- Eight members elected by the Board of Governors
- Four members appointed by the General Assembly
- Two appointed upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and
- Two appointed upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
- The president of the student government ex officio
Role
- Promote the sound development of Appalachian State University
- Consistent with University Mission and Vision
- Complementary to other UNC System schools
- Perform with excellence
- Advisory responsibility
- Advisor to the Board of Governors on matters pertaining to App State
- Advisor to the Chancellor concerning the management and development of App State
Committees
- Executive Committee
- Nominating Committee
- Academic Affairs Committee
- Student Affairs Committee
- Finance and Operations Committee
- Audit Committee
- Appeals Committee
- Athletics Committee
- Governance Committee
Major University Boards: Board of Visitors, Foundation Board structure and roles explained in depth
Board of Visitors
- Shall consist of no fewer than twelve (12) no more than thirty (30), also BOT Chair and Chancellor
- Approved by the BOT on nomination by the Chancellor
- Advise and assist the Chancellor and BOT on public policy that affects Appalachian State University
Foundation Board
- By-laws provide the road map for the foundation board membership (give.appstate.edu)
- 20 members total, including three Board of Trustees, three university leaders and 13 public members
- The Governance, Audit and Risk Committee provides nominees to the Board of Trustees for final approval
Fundraising Initiatives Around DEI:
- Introduction of Jeff McPherson (Director of Dev for Univ Initiatives)
- Office of Chief Diversity Officer Special Projects
- New gathering space in Plemmons Student Union
- Four-year renewable university-wide scholarships
Structure of Major University Boards explained in depth:
Alumni Association Board
- Alumni Council Website and Application
- 20 members total
- Membership is open to all alumni.
- Three-year terms for up to two terms
Next steps:
Increased DEI Support from Alumni Affairs
- The continued financial and administrative support of the African American Alumni Network (AAAN)
- Plans to start programming for the Hispanic/Latine Alumni Network in FY24
- Continued work with campus partners for LGBTQ+ alumni engagement, including involvement in Lavender Graduation
This is the last meeting of the Diversity and Inclusion Accountability Team. The work of the team will migrate to the Chief Diversity Officer Advisory Board. We will continue to report on the status of these initiatives as part of our annual DEI report to campus.