Board of Trustees Holds February Meeting, Approves Capital Budget
Lewis & Clark’s Board of Trustees met on February 16 for their biennial board retreat. Prior to very productive retreat sessions focused on the long-term strategic direction of the institution, the trustees approved next year’s capital construction budget and took various other actions.
Most significantly, the board approved $8.7 million of spending on capital projects in fiscal year 2023–24. Key upcoming major projects include:
- $700,000 to replace the roofs on the Hartzfeld residence halls.
- $625,000 to upgrade the chemistry lab in Olin 116.
- $600,000 of improvements to South Chapel to address water intrusion and other issues with the exterior of the building.
- $500,000 to upgrade electrical service at the Graduate School, plus $350,000 to replace the electrical line to the Graduate School.
- $423,000 to improve the women’s locker room and training room in Pamplin.
- $400,000 to reinforce the roof on Griswold Stadium.
- $385,000 towards the next stage of improving the “switches” that support our IT network.
These projects are in addition to $2.5 million approved at the October board meeting for classroom improvements, a courtroom addition, and space utilization improvements at the law school; and a $1.25 million allocation towards the renovation of Stewart and Odell residence halls.
The board also approved tuition rates at the Graduate School and Law School for academic year 2023–24. As recommended by each of the schools, graduate school tuition next year will increase by 3.75% and law school tuition will increase by 4.9%.
The Board bestowed faculty emeritus status on four distinguished faculty members retiring at the end of this academic year: Professor of Law Amy Bushaw; Professor of Law Henry Drummonds; Edmund O. Belsheim Professor of Law Doug Newell; and Professor of Biology Kenneth Clifton. Taken together, these four faculty members have served Lewis & Clark and our students for over 130 years. The Board of Trustees congratulates and thanks them, and wishes them well in retirement.
