President Niels-Erik Andreasen presented a board briefing on Tuesday, March 5, from Newbold Auditorium in Buller Hall.

The first item on the board’s agenda was voting new appointments and changes in rank/position (see complete list at the end of this report). President Andreasen highlighted two significant leadership changes. Robert Benjamin is the new director of the Office of International Student Services & Programs. He replaces Najeeb Nakhle, who recently retired. Silmara Ferreira has joined International Student Services & Programs as associate director. Jiří Moskala was voted as the new dean of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, following the decision of the current dean, Denis Fortin, to return to a full-time teaching position. Moskala has been at the Seminary since 1996, and currently serves as chair of the Department of Old Testament and professor of Old Testament exegesis and theology. The appointment is effective July 1, 2013.

Andreasen shared an update on the new Campus Master Plan, which is being prepared by students and faculty in the School of Architecture, Art & Design. The plan will guide campus growth for the next couple of decades.

Andrea Luxton, provost, presented a summary of the report the University prepared for the focused group visit from the Higher Learning Commission. The report mainly focused on outcome assessment and the integration of Griggs University.

David Faehner, vice president for University Advancement, updated the board on development projects, specifically the proposed Health & Wellness Center. This initiative is still in the fundraising stage with commitments at approximately $10 million with an estimated total cost of $15 million. Andreasen reported that a building plan is not ready yet, but the University feels strongly that this project will be appealing to future students.

Larry Schalk, vice president for Financial Administration, reported on this year’s financial operations. The budget is behind by $1.25 million. The shortfall is attributed in part to falling tuition revenue in the undergraduate student population and an increase in electricity costs.

The 2013–14 operating budget and the capital expenditure budget of $3.5 million were approved.  According to Andreasen, “The big ticket capital items include $1.25 million for the Science Complex, and upgrading the bathrooms in the old section of Lamson Hall at about $650,000.”

The Compensation Committee reported approving a 1.4% remuneration increase with the concept of increasing it to 2% if revenue allows and as determined by the October 2013 Board meeting.

A report from the Academic Subcommittee introduced a number of changes in degree terminology. The BA and BS in General Studies will become a BA or BS in Liberal Arts. The MS in Nutrition & Wellness and the MS in Math and Science will be discontinued. Effective with the 2013–14 academic year, an online MPH in Public Health will be offered. The board also voted to change the name of the Department of Nutrition & Wellness to the Department of Public Health & Wellness.

The board approved a plan for Andrews University to take out a refinanced loan for Timber Ridge, a government-subsidized and University-owned retirement home. The move will save Andrews and Timber Ridge approximately $100,000 per year in interest.

The board also approved the Institute for Church Ministry’s administrative move from the Seminary to the Center for Youth Evangelism, and voted an additional $24,000 allocation to the Center of Adventist Research for digitizing materials.

The final board action was approval of a plan for the University to support the Oronoko Township water and sewer project with a $500,000 commitment payable over the next 40 years.

Staff Appointments
Robert Benjamin, director, Office of International Student Services & Programs; Rachel Boothby, enrollment coordinator for the STEM Division, College of Arts & Sciences; Annette Moon, financial services manager, School of Distance Education; Charles Stark, publications & communication specialist, Office of Academic Records

Faculty Appointments
Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary
Jiří Moskala, dean; John Peckham, associate professor of theology and Christian philosophy

School of Education
Jay Brand, professor of leadership

School of Health Professions
Erica Baker, assistant professor of nutrition; Jasel McCoy, associate professor/director of Fitness & Exercise Studies; Lauren-Shylene Toscano, assistant professor of nursing; Lori Walton, professor/research coordinator, Physical Therapy.

Change in Position
Silmara Ferreira, associate director, Office of International Student Services & Programs; Jason Kidder, retail sous chef, Office of Dining Services

Promotion in Rank
College of Arts & Sciences
Ivan Davis, associate professor; Ante Jeroncic, associate professor; Asta LaBianca, assistant professor; Marcella Myers, full professor; Monique Pittman, full professor; Tiffany Summerscales, continuous appointment

School of Business Administration
Ann Gibson, professor emerita

School of Education
Robson Marinho, continuous appointment

School of Health Professions
Emmanuel Rudatsikira, full professor

Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary
Darius Jankiewicz, full professor; Trevor O’Reggio, full professor; Henry Peter Swanson, associate professor

Center for Adventist Research
Merlin Burt, full professor

Retirements
Joseph Warren, 36 years of service, Department of English; Judith Nelson, 26 years of service, James White Library; Najeeb Nahkle, 20 years of service, Office of International Student Services; Eva Michel, 1 year of service, Griggs University