To: The Principia Community

From: The Board of Trustees

Subject: February 2010 Board Report

Date: February 26, 2010

The Board of Trustees met on the Principia College campus last week for its regular February meeting. In large part, the February meeting is more strategic in nature where the Board, in addition to receiving reports on the institution, also looks at its policies and practices.
In fulfilling its duties, the Board often looks to the guidance provided by Mary Kimball Morgan in Education at The Principia. Supporting our efforts at this meeting was a statement she made to members of the Board in 1931:
It is our business to see that The Principia is true to the purpose for which it was founded. It is our business to see that the methods employed in carrying out this purpose are sound and scientific. It is our business to demonstrate God’s guidance and protection, and sufficient supply for maintenance, growth, and all right unfoldment.                    (Education at The Principia, p. 128)
Throughout our meetings and contacts, we were heartened by the evidence of selfless dedication to the Principia idea. Particularly moving was our lunch with student leaders where we spoke about serving the Cause of Christian Science. The sincerity, thoughtfulness, and honest excitement they expressed toward helping fulfill this mission were inspirational.
We engaged with the Teaching Excellence Committee over lunch to practice Collaborative Learning Techniques and enjoyed a dinner in the Guest House with College staff members so we could learn more about their departments and the specifics of their jobs.
In addition, we conducted the following business:

• Board Committees met on Wednesday and Thursday, including the Education Committee's meeting with School and College faculty and administration to discuss assessment.
• Head of School Marilyn Wallace and Chief Executive and College President Jonathan Palmer gave their reports.
• We heard a report on Cordstrap, the Dutch company that is part of Principia’s endowment holdings.
• We held a governance workshop with a local consultant who works regularly with independent schools.
• Chief Investment Officer Howard Berner and Chief Financial Officer Doug Gibbs provided updates on the endowment and budget.
• We approved the School tuition, fees, and room & board rates as presented by the Administration.
• We approved investment and endowment policies.
• We continued our ongoing study of Principia’s Policies with members of the Administration, including the third installment of Peter Stevens’ historical underpinnings presentation on the Policies.
• We approved a Board Policy Manual.
• We have initiated a 360-degree review of Chief Executive and College President Jonathan Palmer. Through coordination from the HR Department, we will be asking select members of the faculty, staff, and community for input into this process over the course of the next couple of months.

And lest you think it was all work and no play, we enjoyed watching a College women's basketball game, and we laughed out loud at the Lazy Zipper improv comedy show. As always, we loved our time on campus and came away with a renewed sense of gratitude for the love and dedication that students, staff, faculty, and administrators have for Principia - and with great confidence in Principia’s bright future.