Reflections Following the December Board of Trustees Meeting
December 17, 2025
Dear SLU faculty and staff,
In early November, I sent a report and reflection on my first 125 days as president. Our December Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting offers another opportunity to share updates with you.
The BOT meeting addressed issues that have been top of mind for senior leaders, related to our Jesuit mission, our teaching and research endeavors, our administrative operations, and our recently-launched strategic planning process.
Focusing on our Jesuit values, our students, and our core academic mission
This year, we are creating new opportunities for trustees to gain direct and rich insights into SLU’s work.
Mission Formation: SLU’s recent Mission Priority Examen identified strengthening the formation of trustees and University leaders as one of several key priorities. In response, the Board has elected to include a mission exercise during each meeting, to hold a local one-day mission retreat each year, and to organize a pilgrimage to Ignatian sites in Spain and Rome once every three years. During the December meeting, Vice President of Mission and Identity David Suwalsky, S.J., Director of Mission Formation Virginia Herbers, and Associate General Counsel J.P. Hasman led trustees in the first reflective exercise grounded in Ignatian principles of attention and reverence.
Academic Spotlights: Beginning with the September meeting, we introduced an evening academic spotlight event in conjunction with the Board meeting, during which trustees tour labs and facilities, hear research presentations, and spend time with faculty, staff and students in a particular college or school. Trustees visited the School of Science and Engineering in September and the School of Medicine in December. Upcoming spotlights will feature the College of Arts and Sciences (February) and the Chaifetz School of Business (May).
Student Conversations: Also beginning in September, trustees and students are coming together during each meeting for conversation over breakfast. Student Government Association members and leaders of club sports joined trustees for breakfast in September and December, respectively.
Launching the Strategic Planning Process
I shared an update on the strategic planning process with the Board, highlighting that we are taking a focused approach in this strategic plan. When completed next summer, the plan will outline specific actions that will most effectively advance our mission and set SLU apart in a complex and competitive higher education landscape. The strategic planning steering committee is charged with seeking the widest possible substantive input from the SLU community. Part of the Board’s February meeting will be devoted to focused dialogue around the ideas emerging from widespread University engagement. You can read more about the planning process on this internal website.
Academic and Administrative Updates
Artificial Intelligence: I shared a brief overview of SLU’s ongoing efforts to explore, test, implement, and establish governance related to artificial intelligence in our teaching, research, and administrative functions. The University is developing a central governance structure and piloting core AI tools, and academic and administrative units are introducing AI platforms, hosting workshops and discussions, and developing academic programs. With the leadership of VP and CIO Kyle Collins, we will work toward a cohesive institutional strategy that will support the ethical and effective use of AI to improve operations and advance strategic goals.
Academic Program Review: The trustees approved motions to close several academic programs, including the Bachelor of Science in Biostatistics, and the Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctorate in Meteorology. These closures were presented to the Board according to processes set forth in the Faculty Manual and academic policies. Faculty in the respective departments brought these programs forward for closure due to low enrollment; the programs have also developed teach-out plans for any remaining students.
Enrollment: Provost Mike Lewis updated trustees on SLU’s fall 2026 enrollment efforts and recruitment process. Because the University approved next year’s undergraduate tuition rates in September, the University will begin sending out financial aid offers much earlier than in past years.
Federal Student Loan Updates: Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management Jean Marie Cox discussed the impact of forthcoming changes to federal student loan borrowing limits for students in undergraduate, graduate and professional programs, and for parents of undergraduate students. Changes to federal guidelines will affect first-time borrowers beginning in fall 2026.
Stewarding SLU’s Resources
FY26 Budget: Vice President David Heimburger reported the University is meeting its FY26 budget goals so far, and his team is carefully monitoring revenue in some areas to determine if any budget adjustments are necessary.
FY27 Tuition Rates: The trustees approved undergraduate tuition rates in September and graduate and professional tuition rates in December.
Cost and Affordability: Trustees and executive leaders continue to be concerned about the impact of tuition increases and the affordability of a SLU education. To deepen our understanding of national trends and issues, we invited representatives from the Strada Foundation to share their research-based insights on higher education affordability and cost transparency. Strada highlighted the ways perceptions of affordability and a lack of transparency in cost of attendance negatively affect the public’s trust in higher education institutions. While there are no easy answers to these challenges, this overview of recent research helped frame questions for ongoing discussion.
What’s coming up next
When we return to campus in January, we will continue to make progress on the University’s highest priorities.
Strategic Planning: I encourage your active participation in the strategic planning process. Campus convenings will begin on the first day of spring semester. You may register here to participate in person, via Zoom, or through a short survey.
Budget Planning: We will also share updates on the FY27 budget planning process, which is designed to help us meet expense reduction goals as we identify resources to invest in strategic growth opportunities.
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In my report to the Board, I reflected on my many conversations with SLU faculty, staff, students, and alumni during ongoing visits to academic and administrative units, over meals, and at events. Your commitment to SLU continues to fuel my enthusiasm for this University and our future.
We have so many strengths and assets on which to build. I look forward to our continued work together.
Edward Feser, Ph.D.
President