April 12, 2022
Dear Horned Frogs,
The Texas Christian University Board of Trustees met April 6 through April 8 for a Board planning retreat followed by the annual Spring Board Meeting. These meetings celebrated the themes we have been focused on for the past year – Culture, Connection and our Countdown to TCU’s 150th Celebration.
Our Board meetings and retreats offer the opportunity for our Board and leadership to reflect upon progress, discuss strategic opportunities, review risks, reaffirm priorities and set the stage for continued success and strong stewardship of our University. The Board retreat was chaired by Trustee Charlotte French, in collaboration with Board Retreat Planning Subcommittee members including Chairman Mark Johnson, Vice Chair Kit Moncrief, and Trustees Eddie Clark, Jay Kizer (ex-officio), Glenton Richards, Stewart Richards, Adelaide Royer, Jan Scully and Mike Wright. Danielle Mairs (TCU Class of ’99) served as facilitator, and our graphic recorder Katherine Torrini captured the discussions on visual boards as done at previous Board retreats.
After in-depth discussions and presentations, several significant decisions and initiatives were discussed during the three-day session and enacted during the full Board meeting on Friday, April 8. The four goals as outlined in the Board’s strategic plan, Vision in Action: Lead On, served as the backdrop for discussions. Board retreat outcomes will be provided at a later date when finalized.
Key discussions and approvals on important initiatives included:
University Budget
The Board approved the 2022-2023 University budget, underscoring the priorities outlined over the past year to manage operational expenses, increase financial aid to attract high-performing and diverse students, and prioritize initiatives that enhance TCU’s academic reputation and student experience. The approved budget supports the University’s academic mission while preserving long-term sustainability. Key details include:
- Compensation and Merit increases: As part of the budget discussions, the Board approved a 4% merit pool for employees who qualify for performance-based merit increases. Due to continued strong enrollment and the fiscal measures put into place over the course of the pandemic, we are able to follow the Fall 2021 one-time payment with a spring 2022 merit pool allocation.
- Key Capital Projects: Strategic capital projects were approved to move forward in various stages of planning, construction and approval process. These include:
- Design for the East Campus Residence Halls and Dining Project to support construction completion in time for fall 2024 move-in.
- Design for the TCU School of Medicine campus, also supporting construction completion for fall 2024.
- Improvements to Jarvis Hall, pending additional information and donor involvement.
- Previously approved projects currently underway -- the M.E. Sadler Hall Repurposing Project and design phase for the Mary Couts Burnett Library West End Renovation Project.
Discussion commenced on next projects to be considered following the end of the building moratorium. These include:
- Ed Landreth Hall
- Future Residence Halls
The Board also charged the Buildings & Grounds Committee to commission a new campus master plan study.
TCU President Search Update: Trustee Sheryl Adkins-Green, chair of the Advisory Search Committee for the new leadership position of president, stated that the search is on schedule to begin during 2022 as previously discussed. The search will commence in the coming months and will include listening sessions for 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.
Governance Group Panel: As part of an annual tradition and under the theme of TCU Today, Governance Group leaders provided insights into TCU today through their lens as leaders of their respective groups.
Special thanks to these leaders for their stellar service this past year—Dr. Joddy Murray (Faculty Senate), Dr. Vanessa Roberts Bryan (Staff Assembly), Lau’Rent Honeycutt (Student Government Association), and Leslie Ekpe (Graduate Student Association).
TCU’s Sesquicentennial: The theme of this year’s Board retreat, Culture & Connection: 150 Years, underscored the significant and exciting Sesquicentennial opportunities ahead. TCU has formed an executive committee and eight working subcommittees covering areas ranging from marketing and communications to publications and programs. These committees and volunteers from across campus will help plan events and activities over a 16-month period beginning fall 2022 and culminating in winter 2023, that commemorate this historic milestone for our University. For more information or to get involved in planning efforts, please visit the TCU 150th website.
The Board of Trustees agenda was full and they discussed many items of significance. The above are among the University’s priorities, but continue reading for additional detail regarding these initiatives and other topics.
On behalf of the Board and myself, I extend my deepest gratitude to you for your contributions to our community. We have a lot to celebrate, especially your unique role in TCU’s continued leadership in academic, experiential and intellectual growth. Thank you for all that you do to make TCU an inspiring, nurturing, high-performing, values-centered leader in higher education. It is not an exaggeration to say that our actions today, impact TCU for our next 150 years.
Sincerely,
Victor J. Boschini, Jr.
Chancellor
ENROLLMENT, SPRING 2022 12th CLASS DAY
TCU’s enrollment metrics continue to be strong, due to in part to TCU’s effort to safely return students to classroom learning, increased recruiting, marketing and communication efforts, and a focus on student success through community and culture. The 12th class day, designated for official Texas census data reporting, fell on January 26, 2022. The report indicates several metrics for healthy enrollment and retention:
- Total Enrollment: 11,372, up 4.3%
- Undergraduate: 9,684, up 4.7%; Graduate: 1,688, up 1.8%
- Retention of Fall 2021 Entering Students, First Time in College: 96.9%
- Retention of Fall 2021 Entering Transfer Students: 92.3%
- From Spring of 2018 to Spring 2022, undergraduate diverse students have increased from 24% to 27%
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 2023. The accrediting process happens once every decade and requires a thorough examination and reporting for many areas of academic and administrative competency every 10 years. Several leaders presented on various topics related to SACSCOC:
The Board approved an expanded mission statement which satisfies accrediting requirements, as presented by Chancellor Boschini and approved by the Faculty Senate. The Board and leadership reaffirmed the strength and relevance of the core mission statement, as well as the need to modify per new guidelines. It reads:
The mission of Texas Christian University, a private comprehensive university, is to educate individuals to think and act as ethical leaders and responsible citizens in the global community through research and creative activities, scholarship, service, and programs of teaching and learning offered through the doctoral level.
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg presented the SACSCOC QEP (Quality Enhancement Plan), which is a required portion of the reaffirmation process to improve specific student learning outcomes, including assessment of student learning. The QEP is focused on TCU’s DEI Essential Competency in the Core Curriculum.
TCU SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Amid the rigorous clinical, academic and training activities for School of Medicine students, faculty and staff, we have celebrated significant announcements this spring 2022. TCU is committed to continuing its strong stewardship and support of these newest Horned Frogs. In addition to contributing to TCU’s academic reputation, our M.D. students become part of a strong heritage of clinical and health professions at TCU, including our nationally recognized nursing program. In January, TCU announced that the School of Medicine would now be the TCU School of Medicine, under the sole governance and operation of TCU. In February 2022, TCU announced the acquisition of five acres of land in the heart of the medical district adjacent to several clinical partners, where the TCU School of Medicine campus will be located. This strategic expansion of TCU’s campus into the burgeoning medical district expands the footprint and impact of TCU’s programs.
TCU is now recruiting for the fourth class (Class of 2026) and, as with previous years, we anticipate an abundance of talented candidates. Last year’s class of 60 students was chosen from a pool of more than 8,100 applications. Student success was celebrated by sharing a long list of medical students who, in addition to their academic duties, continue to show leadership in national organizations, as military veterans, as volunteers for non-profit activities and more.
After a successful LCME provisional accreditation process, the SOM is now actively preparing for submission of materials in fall 2022, followed by a site visit in spring 2023.
BOARD GOVERNANCE UPDATES
We remain exceptionally grateful for the leadership and expertise offered by our Board of Trustees, as well as their investment of time and resources in TCU’s success. The Board discussed several longstanding governance topics including Trustee expectations, duties and responsibilities. Trustee Kade L. Matthews was thanked for his active service and was elected to Emeritus status. No Honorary Trustees were named at this time.
Twelve members of the existing Trustee Class of 2022 have been re-elected for four-year terms: Leanne S. Acuff, Allie Beth McMurtry Allman, Edward A. Clark, Brenda Almes Cline, G. Hunter Enis, Kathryn Thompson Farmer, Dee J. Kelly, Jr., Thomas F. Meagher, Jr., John H. Pinkerton, LaDainian Tomlinson, F. Howard Walsh III and J. Roger Williams.
The Board will welcome new Trustees for the term beginning June 1, 2022: Katherine Boehly, Steven Mafrige, Ross Matthews and Dr. Frank Moore.
The recommended slate of Officers was approved to begin service effective June 1, 2022: Chairman Mark L. Johnson, Vice Chair Kit Tennison Moncrief, Secretary Jean M. Pickett, and Treasurer Dr. William Nunez.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION/CHIEF INCLUSION OFFICER
Following a national search, Dr. Jonathan Benjamin-Alvarado was named senior advisor to the chancellor and chief inclusion officer in March 2022. He will begin at TCU this June. We are grateful to Aisha Torrey-Sawyer for serving in an interim capacity, the search committee and to Trung Nguyen, Ph.D., for serving as search committee chair for this key member of the Cabinet and advisor to the Chancellor.
The Board received updates on speakers and programs related to DEI strategy and Inclusive Excellence. Of note, for the fourth year in a row, TCU has received the INSIGHT into Diversity Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, which recognizes outstanding and actionable commitment to diversity and inclusion. TCU’s Race & Reconciliation Initiative will celebrate its second annual Reconciliation Day on April 20. All Horned Frogs are invited to attend.
DEAN SEARCHES
Trustee Sheryl Adkins-Green, chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, delivered a report on the recently completed Dean searches. Each nationwide search produced qualified and accomplished candidates to ensure the continued elevation of TCU’s academic reputation. In concert with our long-serving and established academic leaders, these newly appointed leaders will advance our mission to educate and serve students.
Amy Hardison Tully, D.M.A., was named Teresa Ann Carter King Dean of the College of Fine Arts. She brings extensive experience in higher education administration, most recently serving at the College of Arts and Sciences at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan.
Longtime faculty member and interim Dean of the John V. Roach Honors College Ron Pitcock, Ph.D., was named Dean and Wassenich Family Endowed Chair of the Roach Honors College. Dean Pitcock also serves as the director of prestigious scholarships for the University and holds the J. Vaughn and Evelyne H. Wilson Honors Fellowship.
In fall of 2021, Reginald A. Wilburn, Ph.D., was appointed Dean of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, joining Michael Kruger, Ph.D., who was appointed Dean of the College of Science & Engineering, in summer 2021.
Provost Dahlberg expressed her sincere thanks to the search committee members, search committee chairs and Board members for the thorough process which led to identifying and recruiting these talented academic leaders.
FACULTY TENURE AND PROMOTION
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 51 faculty members, plus 15 emeritus candidates.
LEAD ON: A CAMPAIGN FOR TCU
Trustee Ron Parker, chair of the Development Committee, provided updates for Lead On: A Campaign for TCU and University Advancement. Steady progress is being made thanks to more than 50,600 donors who have generously invested over $782 million in TCU through campaign efforts to date. Of this total, more than $534 million has been raised for our people and programs, and over $264 million for student scholarships. Campaign completion is expected to align with the culmination of Sesquicentennial activities in late 2023. Leadership of the Campaign includes Co-Chairs Ron Parker and Dee J. Kelly, Jr. and Honorary Co-Chairs Kit Moncrief and Luther King, Jr.
TCU VALUES
As the University nears its Sesquicentennial, Vice Chancellor Kathy Cavins-Tull is leading an inclusive process to re-examine and recommit to TCU’s core values. Following the Board’s involvement in a values exercise, the campus will undergo a yearlong conversation about University values, and will eventually return to the Board for input and final approval.
NOTIFICATION OF HONORARY DEGREES
The Board was notified of Honorary Degrees approved by the Executive Committee for Dr. David Richard Schmidt, Dr. James Ireland Cash, Jr. and Dr. Jennifer Kaye Giddings Brooks. Dr. Schmidt’s Bachelor of Arts in History was awarded on March 18, 2022. Honorary Degrees for alumni Dr. Cash and Dr. Brooks were approved for Honorary Degrees, which will be awarded at an upcoming Commencement Ceremony.
RESOLUTIONS IN MEMORIAM
Resolutions in Memoriam were presented to honor two extraordinary colleagues who left an indelible mark on our TCU community.
Honorary Trustee W.A. “Tex” Moncrief, Jr. passed away on December 29, 2021 and leaves a legacy of philanthropy at TCU and across the community.
Emeritus Trustee John V. Roach passed away on March 20, 2022. Mr. Roach served as a dedicated TCU Trustee beginning in 1981 and was highly involved for the remainder of his life. He held the office of Chairman of the Board of Trustees from 1990-2005 – a time of tremendous growth for the University.
