September 2023 Board of Trustees Meeting Recap
October 2, 2023
Dear members of the Saint Louis University community,
The Saint Louis University Board of Trustees held its first meeting of the new academic year on Sept. 23. During the meeting, we officially welcomed the eight new trustees and one returning member announced in July.
In my report, I noted that we started this academic year with significant energy and momentum, in the context of a challenging environment for higher education institutions. To carry that forward in the coming months, we will continue to focus on the major priorities we established last year — priorities directly aligned with our mission, our vision and the four Universal Apostolic Preferences of the Society of Jesus:
- Academic excellence
- Holistic student well-being and success
- Values-driven culture and climate
- Sound financial planning and budgeting that supports our mission
Within these priorities, we will focus on three key areas this academic year, which we believe will help us continue to grow enrollment and enhance SLU's national and global reputation in an increasingly competitive landscape:
- Creating an exceptional experience that meets the unique needs of our changing student, faculty, and staff populations.
- Clarify and amplify the distinctive elements of our identity as a global Jesuit research institution – internally and externally.
- Build SLU’s future as a top-tier research institution.
Below is a brief recap of other discussions and action items from the September meeting.
Executive Officers Approval
As they do each fall, the trustees approved the executive officers who will serve SLU this academic year, including the provost, vice presidents and University treasurer, along with the secretary and assistant secretary to the Board.
Committee Updates
- Provost Mike Lewis, Ph.D., provided updates on fall enrollment, including impressive
increases for the SLU Madrid campus and those programs marketed as part of the Global
Graduate initiative, as well as improved retention rates among Pell-eligible, underrepresented
and first-generation students. Provost Lewis also highlighted the SLU Prison Program,
celebrating its 15th anniversary this year.
- Christine Jacobs, M.D., dean of the School of Medicine and vice president for medical affairs, shared that one-third of this year’s incoming medical class are SLU graduates, reflecting the school’s commitment to producing physicians for our region. Dr. Jacobs also gave an update on SLU’s ongoing partnership with SSM and the mobile health clinic, which will launch soon.
- David Heimburger, vice president and chief financial officer, offered an overview of the close of the most recent fiscal year, as well as the initial budget outlook for fiscal year 2024. Though the total enrollment numbers are strong this fall, both the first-year class and net tuition revenue are less than initially budgeted. The executive team will work collaboratively and within their divisions to end the year with a balanced budget, by thoughtfully managing expenses and identifying revenue opportunities.
- Sarah Cunningham, Ed.D., vice president for student development, highlighted Fall Welcome, FreshCheck Day and the JED Campus initiative, among other areas. She also announced that the Student Health Center will serve as a clinical site for current SLU nursing students for the first time, another excellent example of units partnering to support our students in different ways.
Faculty, Staff and Student Presentations
- Biology professor Allison Miller, Ph.D., and women’s soccer head coach Katie Shields
discussed their shared passion for leading highly effective teams. Having offered
similar insights during a panel discussion at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in May, Dr. Miller and Coach Shields
exemplify how creativity and collaboration will move us forward as a University.
- Three students — Hebron Bekele (computer science), Caroline Christ (chemistry), and Connor Niebruegge (history and education) — talked about how they are advancing knowledge through undergraduate research. At SLU, we are intentionally building opportunities for high-impact, applied learning experiences, and the Board was impressed by these students and the stand-out scholarship they are generating.
Every presentation at a Board meeting — especially those from our students, faculty, and staff — reminds our dedicated trustees why they have chosen to help guide and support our university. And each new academic year offers all of us unique opportunities to join together in this noble effort to transform society in the spirit of the Gospels and to create a hope-filled future.
Sincerely,
Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D.
President