Chair of the Colgate University Board of Trustees Michael J. Herling ’79 sent an email to the Colgate community on Tuesday, Jan. 31 to report on the board’s winter meeting that took place on Saturday, Jan. 28 in New York City. Most of the discussions that took place at this meeting were regarding the Third-Century Plan, and Herling highlighted the fact that this was the first in-person winter board meeting since 2020.

Herling noted the board’s excitement about the high number of applications received for the class of 2027, the progress on renovations of Olin Hall the creation of the Ho Mind Brain Behavior Center, and the renovation of the Reid Athletic Center, each of which are cornerstones of the University’s Third-Century Plan. In addition to these updates, the board approved over $38 million in new gifts in support of the four pillars of the Third-Century plan, which include: “attracting and supporting outstanding people,” “enriching the student experience,” “improving the campus and its environs” and “strengthening Colgate’s academic enterprise,” according to the Third-Century Plan website.

In addition to these infrastructural initiatives, the board also discussed issues such as mental health and diversity, equity and inclusion in higher educational settings. While no formal plans to address these issues were mentioned in the email, Herling explained that these issues are, and will continue to be, issues at the forefront of Colgate’s enactment of the Third-Century Plan. In connection with these topics of concern, the board discussed an expansion of faculty and staff housing as well as the approval of a new “faculty dismissal policy.”

This first in-person Board of Trustees mid-winter meeting since 2020 included discussions with all of the trustees and committees, and the Board plans to meet again this coming May to further discuss these topics.