Board of Trustees Summary, Fall 2022
UNIVERSITY TUITION and CAPITAL PROJECTS
The following details underscore the priorities above as well as the deployment of financial aid to improve access to a TCU education and initiatives that enhance TCU’s academic reputation and student experience. Of note, the Board approved a tuition rate increase for the 2023 – 2024 academic year, reflecting the impact of rising operational costs on budget decisions. Key points include:
- Tuition Rate Increase: Trustees approved a 6% tuition increase for the academic year 2023 – 2024. Need-based aid will increase by at least 6% as well, to match student and family need.
- Key Capital Projects: Strategic capital project updates were provided for efforts in various stages of planning and construction. These include:
- Design and infrastructure work in preparation for the East Campus Residence Halls and Dining Project to support completion by 2025.
- Construction began on the Burnett School of Medicine campus, scheduled for completion in fall 2024.
- The M.E. Sadler Hall Repurposing Project has progressed on schedule and will be open to students beginning in spring 2023.
Trustee Mike Berry, chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, discussed the commission of a new campus master plan study which will examine TCU’s strategic growth plan and alignment of our physical campus to mission and vision. The new campus master plan provides an opportunity for TCU to consider how spaces on campus – academic programs, schools, colleges, gathering and living – support TCU for the next 150 years. A committee of students, faculty and staff will be assembled in early 2023.
TCU PRESIDENT SEARCH UPDATE
Trustee Sheryl Adkins-Green, chair of the Advisory Search Committee for the new leadership position of president, stated that campus listening sessions have been completed and finalists will be interviewed in November and December of this year. Invitations to Candidate Open Forums have been sent to the campus community. An announcement of the new hire is anticipated in January 2023. The president will supervise TCU’s day-to-day operations, allowing the Chancellor to focus on fundraising strategies and external responsibilities.
ENROLLMENT, FALL 2022 12th CLASS DAY
TCU’s enrollment continues to be strong and climb steadily with increases in both undergraduate and graduate students. This reflects the strength of the powerful TCU community and our unified commitment to TCU’s mission, values, and above all, student success.
The 12th class day, designated for official Texas census data reporting, was on September 7, 2022. Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg reported that the 12th day statistics indicate healthy retention and enrollment numbers:
Total Enrollment: 12,273, up 2.8%
Undergraduate: 10,523, up 2.9%; Graduate: 1,750, up 2.0%
Retention of Fall 2021 First-time, Full-time students: 91.7%, up 0.4%
Retention of Fall 2021 Transfer Students: 87.7%, up 6.4%
From Fall 2018 to Fall 2022, diversity in undergraduate students increased from 25% to 28%
2023 SACSCOC ACCREDITATION UPDATES
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the accrediting body for universities across the southeast and Texas universities, is on schedule for its planned accreditation visit in March 2023. The accrediting process happens once every decade and requires thorough examination and reporting for areas of academic and administrative competency.
ANNE BURNETT MARION SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
The Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at Texas Christian University is proud to honor the late Mrs. Marion’s legacy as the school continues to grow and represent a substantial asset for Fort Worth, the State of Texas, and beyond.
This summer, the Burnett School of Medicine broke ground on its new campus, a four-story, approximately 100,000 square-foot medical education building located at the corner of West Rosedale and South Henderson streets in the heart of the medical district. It will be home to 240 medical students and hundreds of faculty and staff. The Burnett School of Medicine is already making an exponential impact on our community through Graduate Medical Education (GME) residency programs, training programs and the creation of the TCU Clinical Trial Research Consortium.
In July, the class of 2026 (fourth class of medical students) was welcomed to TCU. All four classes of medical students are progressing, and several students have achieved national recognition. The first class will find out where they match for residency in March 2023 and the first graduates will participate in the Spring 2023 Commencement exercises, coinciding with TCU’s 150th.
The Burnett School of Medicine currently has provisional accreditation with the LCME and this month will submit materials for Full Accreditation, followed by an in-person site visit in February 2023.
SESQUICENTENNIAL UPDATES: LEAD ON: CELEBRATING 150 YEARS of TCU
The Board received updates on activities supporting the Sesquicentennial year, including environmental signage, the website that examines TCU’s past, present and future, publications and upcoming events. They discussed the recent New York mural event to launch the national marketing campaign and the bell ringing at the New York Stock Exchange as opportunities to build excitement and national awareness for TCU leading into this historic year. Leadership offered their thanks for the hundreds across campus who have been preparing for TCU’s 150th including the executive committee, eight working subcommittees and Tracy Syler-Jones, vice chancellor for Marketing & Communication. For more information or to get involved in planning efforts, please visit the TCU 150th website.
INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS
Committee chairman and Trustee Elliott Hill reported updates from Athletics, noting the current success of the football program under its new coach, Sonny Dykes, and the beginning of the basketball seasons. Of significance is the demonstrable Horned Frog spirit and large student body presence at games, including the top five student attendance numbers in school history. Women’s soccer will make its seventh consecutive appearance the NCAA Tournament this year. The Big 12 conference welcomed new commissioner Brett Yormark and continues to be a dynamic leader in the Power 5.
Athletics received approval to proceed with planning and design for an expansion of TCU’s human performance facilities supporting strength and conditioning, rest and recovery, nutrition and well-being. This project includes renovation of the Bob Lilly Performance Center and expansion of key offerings for student-athletes.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION INITIATIVES
The Board received updates on progress with diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives to include discrimination policy updates. The Board passed a resolution on discrimination policies 1.008 and 1.009 as presented by the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) in keeping with the Texas Education Code’s requirement that educational institutions revise existing harassment and discrimination policies as necessary every two years.
Other highlights included TCU receiving INSIGHT Into Diversity’s Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award for the fifth year in a row and an update on successful campus programming, including the recent third annual Diversity Day Conference for the TCU community. After concluding the Nov. 10 panel discussion with Dr. James Cash, the Race and Reconciliation Initiative (RRI) looks forward to all Horned Frogs participating in RRI Week and Reconciliation Day events in spring 2023.
LEAD ON: A CAMPAIGN FOR TCU
Trustee Ron Parker, chair of the Development Committee, reported on Lead On: A Campaign for TCU and provided updates on progress made as we enter into the campaign’s final phase. More than 53,500 generous donors have invested over $866 million in TCU to date as a part of Lead On: A Campaign for TCU, which includes more than $613 million invested in our people and programs and over $284 million invested in student scholarships. The Committee expects the campaign completion to align with TCU’s 150th celebration activities in the fall of 2023. Leadership of the Campaign includes Co-Chairs Ron Parker and Dee J. Kelly, Jr. and Honorary Co-Chairs Kit Moncrief and Dr. Luther King, Jr.
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS UPDATES
The Board continued its conversations and discussion related to TCU’s academic reputation and potential next steps to strengthen TCU’s research agenda. Trustees received information on current academic rankings, as well as updates from Institutional Research.
Trustee Sheryl Adkins-Green, chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, updated Trustees on the search for a Dean of the Mary Couts Burnett Library, following the planned retirement of Dean Tracy Hull in the summer of 2023. After thoughtful review at multiple levels within the University, per the process outlined in the Handbook for Faculty and Staff, and upon the recommendation of the Provost and the Chancellor, the Board approved tenure and promotion recommendations as presented for two faculty members.
STUDENT RELATIONS UPDATES
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Kathy Cavins-Tull and Student Relations Committee Chair Rusty Reid reported on campus housing, which remains at full occupancy with 97% of first-year students living on campus. The construction of two new residence halls and a dining hall on East Campus are expected to open by 2025 to expand housing options. Student Affairs will continue to focus on student well-being, student engagement and career and professional development through its comprehensive programs recognized by The Princeton Review with eight top ten rankings. The inclusive process to re-examine and recommit to TCU’s core values will continue throughout our Sesquicentennial year and will return to the Board for input and final approval.
RESOLUTIONS IN MEMORIAM
Resolutions in Memoriam were presented with gratitude to honor two colleagues who had a profound impact on TCU, the late Chancellor Emeritus Dr. William E. “Bill” Tucker ’56 and the late Trustee Rev. James C. Suggs ’54.
Chancellor Tucker was a visionary and beloved leader during a pivotal time of growth for TCU, 1979-1998. He was defined by his sterling character and regarded as an extraordinary man who remained a dedicated member of the Horned Frog community his entire life. His impact as a leader and mentor continued after retiring from TCU until his passing on October 14, 2022.
Trustee Rev. Suggs was a devoted church leader in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and respected for his many contributions and leadership in the church community. He served as an Ex Officio member of the TCU Board of Trustees during the 1980s. After living a purposeful life, he passed away on July 6, 2022.
