The Andrews University Board of Trustees met for their annual spring Board meeting, March 2-4, on the campus of Andrews University. Following the conclusion of the Board of Trustees meetings, Andrews University President Niels-Erik Andreasen met with faculty and staff to give his semi-annual briefing.

The Board's agenda included reports from the President's Office, University Advancement, Enrollment Management, the Provost's Office, Financial Administration, Student Life and the President's Council.

President Andreasen began with the anticipated news of the University’s solid financial footing. Currently ahead of budget comparative to this time in the last fiscal year, Andreasen credited this, in part, to cost containment, stabilizing healthcare and energy costs and the output from the Andrews University dairy and a rise in milk prices.
    
Three building projects were highlighted as on schedule and on budget: the new entrance to campus, which is scheduled to be completed in April; the renovations to the Dining Services, scheduled for completion the third week of August; and the expansion to the Andrews University Milking Parlor, scheduled for completion by the end of March.
 
The Board was briefed on the early stages of a new classroom building, Buller Hall. Troyer Group of South Bend has been selected to submit a programmatic design by the end of summer and the Office of Development will finish raising funds to support the project.
 
Enrollment figures are up according to Stephen Payne, vice president for enrollment management. New undergraduate student applications for Fall 2008 are up 24% and graduate figures are up 15%.

Heather Knight, provost, gave the Board of Trustees an update on the status of her objectives. The provost’s report included a status update on the development and implementation of a new compensation plan for faculty and staff and an initiative to collaborate with department deans and chairs to raise enrollment in under-enrolled programs in all units.

The provost’s report also gave an overview of an initiative by the Affiliation and Extension Programs to seek new opportunities to increase enrollment growth in international study programs in China, India, England, Chile, Norway and Hong Kong, as well as progress on a Korea Initiative and the Trinidad Partnerships.

President Andreasen reported that the board was briefed about the Andrews Study Bible, a major new publishing project from Andrews University Press. He said the study Bible will use a standard English translation of the Bible, and will be accompanied by extensive study notes and other commentary written for the general lay reader by an international editorial team of Adventist Bible scholars. Jon Dybdahl, recently retired president of Walla Walla University in College Place, Wash., and long-time professor of world mission at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, has been named general editor of the project. Dybdahl chaired the organizational meeting of the study Bible editorial team at Andrews on March 2 and 3. Andreasen said that the project has been supported in part by a grant for start-up and development costs from the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

A number of faculty and staff appointments, and retirements were also voted and approved by the Board.

Faculty Appointments
College of Arts & Sciences: Gunnar Lovhoiden, associate professor of engineering; Erhard Gallos, assistant professor of religion; Debbie Michel, associate professor of communication.
School of Business: Lisa Goolsby, assistant professor of marketing
SDA Theological Seminary: Kathleen Beagles, assistant professor of religious education.
Andrews Academy: Cleon White, principal

Emeriti Appointments
School of Education: Lyndon Furst, dean, School of Graduate Studies and professor of educational administration and supervision
College of Technology: Ronald L. Johnson, associate professor of engineering and computer science
School of Education: Louise Moon, associate professor of education; Richard Orrison, professor of teacher education
SDA Theological Seminary: Jane Thayer, associate professor of religious education

Promotion-in-Rank and Continuous Appointments
College of Arts and Sciences: Pamela Harris, professor with continuous appointment; Melchizedek Ponniah, associate professor; Ruben Perez-Schulz, assistant professor

Retirements
John Berecz, professor of psychology, 27 years of University service; Mary Jo Canaday, staff, 11 years of University service; Sandy Chilson, accountant, 23 years of University service; Hilde Hasel, Ruth Murdoch Elementary School teacher, 20 years of University service; Glenice Kaping, receptionist for AIM, 9 years of University service; Julienne Lee, assistant to registrar, 8 years of University service.
 
Staff Appointments
Paul Elder, manager, plant services; Dale Hodges, director, Public Safety; Carolyn Hurst, graduate admissions supervisor; Christopher LeBrun, director of development; Lubica Mueller, business developer, physics department; Werner Pressnitz, assistant manager, plant services; Erica Slikkers, assistant manager, Howard Performing Arts Center; Dean Snow, manager, custodial services; Katrina Wright, employment coordinator