Board to meet less frequently

Revamping their meeting frequency, the Board of Trustees decided they would assemble on Utah State University’s campus quarterly, rather than every other month.

During Friday’s meeting, members of the board decided meeting every other month is less effective than meeting quarterly and using teleconference to meet in between sessions. In addition, the committees will have a stronger role, Richard Shipley, chairman of the board, said, adding, “[It would be] beefing up committee meetings so they’re more impactful.”

“Right now, we’re spending an enormous amount of time [planning each meeting],” Stan Albrecht, president of USU, said.

In a unanimous vote, the meeting frequency of the board changed to the proposed quarterly sessions. Although the board decided to change its meeting times, they will still keep the first meeting in January as planned.

In other news, Albrecht recognized the resignation of Jack Payne, vice president, dean and director for USU Extension, as leaving “a real hole” for USU.

“[USU] gave me a great education and a great career,” Payne said to the board. “It’s kind of a bittersweet leaving, but I’ll always be an Aggie.”

Payne is resigning from USU for a position at Iowa State University.

The board entertained a recap of university investment activity from Clint Moffitt, member of the investment committee.

“We feel we’ve done really well,” he said. “Our goal as a committee is to perpetuate an endowment that will fund scholarships across generations.”

Moffitt discussed the success the investment committee has had over the last three years. Looking at investor performance and comparing the cash managing policies of the state vs. USU, the university has done significantly better. In conjunction with changes that occurred during this year’s legislation, the investment committee is looking for two board members to join the committee, Moffitt said.

“We want to get trustees on and develop policies with you,” he said, adding that he would rather work alongside members of the board than push policies on them.

-kcashton@cc.usu.edu