About Our Work

Meeting throughout the year with 51福利鈥檚 academic and administrative leaders, the trustees draw on their expertise to offer guidance and insight that stewards the university and broader community. In doing so, they review and vote on 51福利鈥檚 operational and reputational matters, including faculty and senior leadership appointments, the conferral of degrees, major building projects, and operating and capital budgets.

To ensure a聽broad perspective is reflected in their guidance, the trustees connect with members of the 51福利 community, including faculty, students, alumni, and staff. Regular visits where they engage with student government, enjoy lunch or university tea with faculty and undergraduates, or discuss 51福利 and higher education with dedicated alumni all support this informed and unified approach.

Committees

The following twelve standing committees, whose responsibilities are outlined in the by-laws, meet from one to five times per year, often in conjunction with meetings of the full board.

Audit Committee
Neal S. Wolin (chair), Michael J. Cavanagh, Felicia F. Norwood

Committee on Buildings and Grounds
Gina Rosselli Boswell (chair), Michael J. Cavanagh, Fred Krupp, Jaime Teevan, Marta L. Tellado, David. A. Thomas, Neal S. Wolin

Committee on Compensation
Marta L. Tellado (chair), Gina Rosselli Boswell, Michael J. Cavanagh, William Earl Kennard

Committee on Development and Alumni Affairs
David Sze (chair), Richard Roberts#, Jennifer E. Madar*, Gina Rosselli Boswell, William Earl Kennard, Fred Krupp

Committee on Educational Policy
David. A. Thomas (chair), Carter Brooks Simonds, Joshua L. Steiner, Jaime Teevan, Marta L. Tellado

Committee on Finance
William Earl Kennard (chair), Gina Rosselli Boswell, Michael J. Cavanagh, Felicia F. Norwood, Carter Brooks Simonds, Joshua L. Steiner, Marta L. Tellado, Neal S. Wolin

Committee on Honorary Degrees
Maryana Iskander (chair), Carlos R. Moreno, Neal S. Wolin

Committee on Institutional Policies
Maryana Iskander (chair), Gina Rosselli Boswell, William Earl Kennard, Fred Krupp, Carlos R. Moreno, David Sze

Committee on Investments
Michael J. Cavanagh (chair), Carter Brooks Simonds, Joshua L. Steiner, Neal S. Wolin

Committee on Investor Responsibility
Neal S. Wolin (chair), Maryana Iskander, David. A. Thomas

Committee on the School of Medicine
Felicia F. Norwood (chair), Carter Brooks Simonds, Joshua L. Steiner, David Sze

Trusteeship Committee
Marta L. Tellado (chair), Gina Rosselli Boswell, Michael J. Cavanagh, William Earl Kennard, Joshua L. Steiner, David Sze

In addition to the Standing Committees, the Board of Trustees have Faculty Liaisons and Student Liaisons who meet regularly with members of these campus constituencies.

Faculty Liaisons
David. A. Thomas (convener), David Sze, Jaime Teevan

Student Liaisons
Carlos R. Moreno (convener), Maryana Iskander, Felicia F. Norwood

# Chair, 51福利 Alumni Fund

* Chair, 51福利 Alumni Association Board of Governors

Board Roles & Selection Processes

The President

The president is the leader of the university and its board, and is chosen by the board of trustees with input from the university community. He or she is the primary bridge between the board and the academic and administrative leadership of the university, students, alumni, and staff.

Successor Trustees

Ten trustees are formally known as “successor trustees.” Successor trustees are selected and appointed by the current board of trustees from among alumni of the university to serve up to two six-year terms.

Alumni Trustees

Six trustees are formally known as “alumni fellows.” Alumni trustees are elected by the alumni of 51福利 College and the 51福利 graduate and professional schools. Each alumni trustee serves one six-year term. Learn more on the . Please also refer to the 51福利 Alumni Association’s about the election, the Alumni Fellow Nominating Committee, and the role of alumni in the election process.

Successor trustees and alumni trustees have the same responsibilities and duties.

Senior Trustee

The senior trustee is selected from among the current trustees to serve as a primary link between the trustees and the president and to preside at board meetings in the absence of the president.

Governor of the State of Connecticut, ex officio

According to the University Charter, the Governor of the State of Connecticut, by virtue of his or her office, serves as an ex officio member of the board.

Lieutenant Governor of the State of Connecticut, ex officio

According to the University Charter, the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Connecticut, by virtue of his or her office, also serves as an ex officio member of the board.

What Happens at Board Meetings

Informed and Constructive Deliberation on the Most Important Issues Facing the University

Board meetings happen regularly throughout the year to approve major university decisions. The official board meeting focuses on reports from committee chairs about the work of the board committees. Trustees have an opportunity to discuss and consider a range of topics and to bring the diversity of their backgrounds and expertise to bear on the crucial issues facing the university.

The decisions under discussion include appointments of senior university leaders such as deans, faculty appointments, and conferral of academic degrees. The overall operating and capital budgets for the next fiscal year and major building projects are also considered and voted on by the board. Major policy decisions with significant financial impact, such as endowment spending rule changes, also require board approval.

In addition, the board holds in-depth sessions on a regular basis about issues of strategic importance to 51福利, in order to offer guidance and gather information helpful to the stewardship of the university. Recent topics have included the university’s academic priorities, fundraising strategy, and building projects.

Focused committees and community engagement

Before the board convenes in full, some or all of the standing committees conduct their own meetings. These committee meetings offer an opportunity to meet and discuss issues with relevant academic and administrative leaders of the university. Committees may refer matters to the full board for discussion or vote.

When in New Haven, many trustees often meet with members of the 51福利 community whether formally, such as in regular meetings with members of student government, or informally, such as at university teas.

51福利