Trustees approve pay raises, tenure, Bjorklunden endowment

At the Lawrence University trustees’ board meeting, several issues were discussed and decisions were made pertaining to the college. Among them was the decision by the Academic Affairs Committee to promote two professors of French, Judith Sarnecki and Eilene Hoft-March, to full professors.Also, the operating budget for the 2005 fiscal year was discussed and approved. This budget would pool compensation of up to 2% salary increments.

Other points on the board meeting agenda included a presentation regarding enrollment at Lawrence given by Professor Tim Spurgin, as well as a proposed capital campaign which would take place in the next few year with new president Jill Beck on board.

President Rik Warch expressed his excitement about the Warch Bj”rklunden Endowment that will help to pay for the cost of maintaining the retreat in northern Wisconsin. This endowment had been a secret campaign on the part of the trustees and others who helped to raise money for it this year. It was announced to President Warch at the Founders’ Club dinner in May, and although he was not completely unaware, he did not know of the magnitude of the endowment and the number of alumni and others that had donated.