For the first time in 36 years, the Guilford College Board of Trustees met without the guidance of the late Stanley Frank. Chair Joe Bryan, Jr. felt his absence, but continued with the Board’s thrice-yearly business. The primary responsibility of the board’s February meeting was to approve the budget for the following year.
“The Board approved the budget for Fall 2006,” said Ty Buckner, Director of College Relations. “The budget includes tuition, expenses and other financial oversights.”
The budget includes a 5.5 percent increase in tuition and housing fees, which is below the national average increase for small colleges. Still, many students are concerned.
“I struggle as it is to get by,” said first-year Shep Lashley. “I understand that colleges everywhere are increasing tuition, but this might be enough to send me packing.”
Last year’s meeting approved building the South Apartments and the Community Center. This year, the Board discussed Guilford’s readiness for a capital campaign to support the Strategic Long-Range Plan and the Master Plan.
A feasibility study conducted over a six-month period by consulting firm Campbell and Company concluded that Guilford is ready for a comprehensive capital plan. A representative from the firm advised the board to proceed with Guilford’s plan to raise $75 million.
“Approval following the feasibility study was a big step in the right direction,” Buckner said. “The board will discuss the issue again in 18 months to finalize the capital plan.”
Historically, the board members have taken a major role in investing funds during capital drives. About 30 percent of the last campaign’s $56 million came from trustees alone.
The board, which consists of 30 trustees who each hold different responsibilities for the college, meets three times every year. It is largely made up of alumni and city leaders.
“The trustees all bring something different to the table,” said President Kent Chabotar. “There are three Ws to a good trustee: work, wisdom and wealth. Often times it’s who you know – a motto for trustees is ‘give, get, or get off.'”
The meeting also featured a seminar on Quaker business procedures. The presentation, specifically prepared for the trustees, outlined the Quaker decision-making process. It included the customary foundation and principles of Friend’s decision-making as well as how individuals and group members function.
“The presentation went beyond the simple consensus idea,” Buckner said. “It set guidelines for how you do business and emphasized the Quaker principles of efficiency.”
Joseph Bryan, Jr. is serving in his second year as head of the Board of Trustees. Bryan, who has been on the board for 33 years, facilitates the meetings, making sure that everyone is heard and moving the meetings along. He plans to stay on the board as long as Kent Chabotar is Guilford’s President.