Sunday night, the make-up of this year's Board of Trustees was finalized, and three students were appointed undergraduate representatives to the body. Although to many students the trustees are merely an unknown or mysterious association, it is the group's unfailing, behind-the-scenes effort that guides the University's financial progress and philosophical development.
Two issues are at the forefront of the trustees' agenda, as their first meeting of the year quickly approaches: The lack of student-housing on the Medford/Somerville campus was raised to the board last winter, and discussion of that issue will continue when the board reconvenes this November. Likewise, trustees will take the opportunity to discuss the presidential search, set to commence sometime in the near future, that follows John DiBiaggio's announcement of his intention to resign by 2002.
The 37 trustees are charged with the establishment and constant evaluation of Tufts' mission statement. The body appoints the University president, oversees Tufts' educational programs, and insures financial solvency. To accomplish these tasks, the trustees, 85 percent of whom are Tufts graduates, meet as a whole three times each year, and they are also divided into smaller committees that meet on a more regular basis.
Since the trustees do not deal directly with students, Business Agent Linda Dixon has the job of making trustees aware of the concerns and issues raised on campus. Dixon sets the trustee agenda, which requires her to be constantly aware of new developments in the administration or the student body that are to be presented at board meetings and to be in constant communication with the trustees.
Dixon explained that the reasons students may perceive the trustees as an aloof body is because it is their job to deal with the larger issues affecting the University and not to directly address undergraduate student life.
"The trustees find themselves in a very delicate balance," Dixon said. "They have very specific and important responsibilities and can not get off track. They must set the policy at the highest level and micromanage. Student affairs are not part of the agenda."
Dixon said that, while the trustees do not have time to deal with the details of student life, they still enjoy meeting students.
"Our student body is so impressive that it's such a delight for the trustees to see that they're doing something right. It's reaffirming and makes them proud," she said.
In recent years, the board has attempted to diversify itself, and it is currently one third female, 91 percent white, and has a median age of 59. It is a highly selective organism that actively seeks out and invites new members around the country who are devoted to Tufts and willing to invest themselves in witnessing it flourish. Trustees are elected for a five-year term, and have the opportunity to campaign a second time.
Once aboard, the members are divided into three main committees - Standing, Functional, and Ad Hoc - and various subcommittees, including administration and finance, academic affairs, and university development. On average, trustees are involved in between two and three committees.
William Meserve, who has been on the board for 18 years, and reached the status of Meritus Trustee, explained that the job of the trustees is anything but simple. "The Board of Trustees is the ultimate authority in the governing of a university," he said.
Trustees are often involved with the Board of Overseers, and there are currently 25 people who serve on both bodies. The Overseers is a group of 200 people who act as "champions" of Tufts around the country and abroad.
The undertakings of the Board of Trustees call for an immense amount of focus and involvement. "The role of the trustees can not dig around in details. Dealing with students is getting entangled in a job six levels below them. They are not being standoffish, but following due process." Dixon explained.
The Board of Trustees meets three times a year for intensive two-day periods. Each meeting has a separate focus; the trustees invite 40 faculty to November's meeting, the Tufts Community Union Senate graduate school Student Council to February's meeting, and alumni to the May meeting. One of the two days is designated for committee meetings, while the next day is an open discussion of the board.
The meeting planned for this November has been named the Outreach Effort. Trustees will convene for the first day at the Human Nutrition Research Center at the Tufts' School of Nutrition in Boston. They will meet on the Medford campus for the second day to meet Tufts faculty members. The agenda for the meeting will focus mainly on discussion about selecting Tufts' next president.
Dixon praises the trustees for their hard work and devotion to the University.
"They work hard because they care about this place," she said. "Seeing as to what is being done, entirely on volunteer terms, without any privileges or bonuses, the trustees must really, really care about this place... and it certainly couldn't go on without them."
