Trustees Approve Summer Construction, New Program
The Pacific University Board of Trustees met May 14-15, in advance of Commencement, for its regular May session.
Among the top business for the board was approving Pacific to confer degrees on students, including the 630 who walked at Commencement, and approving the 2015-2016 capital projects list.
This summer will be a busy one, particularly on the Forest Grove Campus, where the board approved a number of capital projects for the coming year.
Key among these projects is phase one of an effort to enhance our undergraduate science facilities. This project, which is funded by proceeds of bond refinancing and year-end funds, will involve renovations in Price Hall and Strain Science Center to add classrooms and labs, as well as remodeling of Pacific Hall to provide more classroom and study space for students, as well as a new elevator and second-floor restrooms. Additional upcoming projects are outlined online and include pedestrian safety additions to University Avenue that will impact traffic flow around the campus this summer.
Trustees also approved a new PhD program at Pacific. The PhD in health and education is an innovative joint effort between the College of Education and College of Health Professions. Built on a low-residency model, in which a cohort of students study via distance learning technology and meet for week-long intensive retreats, the program is designed for master’s and doctorate level educators and health professionals who want to increase their scholarly work and become educators and leaders in the healthcare and education fields.
In other business, the Board of Trustees approved KPMG LLP as auditors for the university’s 2014-2015 operations, reviewed and approved a revised version of its bylaws, and reviewed and approved an investment policy.
The board also officially welcomed new trustees to its ranks, including independent trustees Daniel James ‘87, Cameron Perry ’65 and Martin Moll, faculty trustee James Butler, and student trustee Josie Kochendorfer ’17.