Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
Last Saturday, the Board of Managers convened for its annual meeting of the school year to act on the remainder of the 2009-2010 budget for the College.
For the final meeting of the year, the Board of Managers determined the final status of the budget and heard committee reports on the endowment and the final status of the budget. Vice President Maurice Eldridge also elaborates, “The annual meeting is the one at which it determines the officers of the Corporation going forward, considers the addition of new members as others’ terms end, committee leadership and the like.”
This Board meeting was particularly important because Board members discussed issues concerning the 2009-2010 College budget. It was passed and the Board will consider input of the students’ priorities on rollover funds from the recent election. StuCo Vice President, Nate Erskine ’10 elaborates: “Once we have found out how much rollover there is, we will allocate funds starting with the items identified as the highest priorities by students.”
The meeting also focused on student body and Board members working together to provide the best solution in face of the College’s limited budget. As a representative for the student body, Erskine elaborates, “I believe that the administration’s priorities are very much in line with those of students.” For instance, with students’ avid support for the College employees’ health care coverage, Eldridge summarizes, “There was no change in the College’s support of employee health care for the coming year.” Also, the salaries of all College employees will be the same as they were in the 2008-09 budget.
StuCo’s upcoming President Rachel Bell ’10 and Erskine were invited to speak at the general meeting about their plan. Erskine expands, “We recognized SBC for all of their hard work and good stewardship of the budget. Members of the Board were appreciative of the student efforts to their own part in helping out the college.” Board members also expressed interest in some of the student initiatives on the ballot including the idea of a green revolving loan fund.
Another important note: This meeting concluded with President Bloom’s final report to the Board as he prepares to leave next year. He received a standing ovation, a rare display in Board meetings, for his report and contributions to the College.