University Times

In advance of the University’s Board of Trustees winter meeting on Feb. 22, 10 board committees met recently to approve mission statements and recommend them for approval by the full board.

The action was “in keeping with best practices for institutional governance, which recommend the periodic review of Board of Trustees mission statements,” the resolutions stated.

In addition to updating its mission statement, the affirmative action committee is seeking the board’s approval to change its name to the affirmative action, diversity and inclusion committee.

The new mission statements updated the documents’ language but made no major changes, Jean Ferketish, secretary of the Board of Trustees and assistant chancellor, told the University Times.

All 15 of the board’s committees will have approved mission statements before the full board meeting, she said.

Academic affairs/libraries

“As a committee of the Board of Trustees of the University of Pittsburgh, the academic affairs/libraries committee shall have general oversight of the University’s educational policies and plans, including long-range development of the educational mission of the University; educational operations, including matters pertaining to instruction, research and assessment; establishment of each new educational campus, school, major program and degree; the University’s central library system and other libraries, and information systems. The committee shall also have general oversight of matters pertaining to the faculty, including quality, standards of performance and welfare.”

Affirmative action, diversity and inclusion

“As a committee of the Board of Trustees of the University of Pittsburgh, the affirmative action, diversity and inclusion committee provides general oversight and policy guidance for creating a campus environment which values equality of opportunity; respects the diversity and dignity of all people; is free from discrimination and harassment, and which embraces steps to support and advance these values consistent with the University’s mission. This includes policies and programs pertaining to: enrolling, retaining and graduating students representing all aspects of diversity; providing accessibility, accommodation and inclusion for veterans and individuals with disabilities; enhancing diversity in the racial/ethnic and gender composition of faculty and staff at all levels and engaging qualified diversity business enterprises, including minority- and women-owned businesses, as suppliers of goods and services.”

Athletics

“As a committee of the Board of Trustees of the University of Pittsburgh, the athletics committee shall oversee, review, provide policy guidance as needed and report periodically to the board on the activities, policies and operations of the Department of Athletics.

In applying this oversight the athletics committees’ principal standard for performance evaluation of the Department of Athletics and the intercollegiate athletics programs will be the mission statement of the Department of Athletics.”

Budget

“As a committee of the Board of Trustees of the University of Pittsburgh, the budget committee shall provide general oversight and guidance regarding the sufficiency and allocation of the University’s fiscal resources, particularly its unrestricted resources, for the furtherance of the University’s academic mission. This shall be accomplished by reviewing and approving the annual operating and capital budgets for the University, reviewing periodic financial statements of the University that compare actual revenues and expenditures to those that were budgeted, reviewing periodic reports that compare actual capital expenditures with budgeted amounts, assessing key financial ratios, evaluating liquidity needs, monitoring the change in net assets and overseeing and approving the issuance of debt.

“With respect to the capital budget, construction projects over $2 million shall be reviewed and approved by the property and facilities committee and then forwarded to the budget committee. The budget committee shall be responsible for ascertaining the integration of the capital budget with the operating budget, for determining the financial implications of the capital budget and for annually endorsing and recommending the capital budget and the operating budget to the Board of Trustees for approval. The committee will periodically report to the board on its activities.”

Conflict of interest

“As a committee of the Board of Trustees of the University of Pittsburgh, the conflict of interest committee shall assist the board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to matters involving conflicts of interest involving members of the Board of Trustees. The committee shall provide general oversight and policy guidance pertaining to the University’s conflict of interest policy for trustees.

“Any trustee who is uncertain about a potential conflict of interest in any matter may request that the committee of conflict of interest make a determination as to whether a conflict may exist. The committee shall be responsible for overseeing that each trustee complies with the conflict of interest policy and that a process is in place to assure that the review occurs on an annual basis.

“The committee shall consist of the chairperson of the Board of Trustees as chairperson, the chairperson of the budget committee of the Board of Trustees and the chairperson of the audit committee of the Board of Trustees.”

Health sciences

“As a committee of the Board of Trustees of the University of Pittsburgh, the committee for the health sciences shall have general oversight of the Schools of the Health Sciences’ educational and research activities. The health sciences committee works in cooperation with the academic affairs/libraries committee, which has oversight of all academic matters for the entire University. Additionally, it shall oversee the academic affiliations of the schools of the health sciences with hospitals, pharmacies, laboratories, clinics and other organizations involved in health care, teaching and research.”

Institutional advancement

“As a committee of the Board of Trustees of the University of Pittsburgh, the institutional advancement committee provides oversight and guidance for the planning, policies, promotion and implementation of advancement objectives. The committee encourages financial support through contributions from individuals, foundations, corporations, alumni groups and other sources. Committee members shall be actively involved in solicitation when appropriate, assuming roles in both personal leadership and in recruiting other volunteers. Committee members shall provide advice on alumni relations matters and on the development, design and implementation of all fundraising campaigns, including the annual giving and athletic fundraising.”

Nominating

“As a committee of the Board of Trustees of the University of Pittsburgh, the nominating committee has the responsibility for identifying, evaluating, cultivating and recommending to the Board of Trustees candidates for election as trustees of the University of Pittsburgh in the following categories: term, alumni, special and emeritus. The nominating committee also sets criteria for trustees in these categories, subject to and consistent with such requirements as may be specified by law or the University’s bylaws. The committee may also suggest nominees for commonwealth trustees to the appropriate Pennsylvania appointing authority.

“As prescribed in the bylaws of the University, the nominating committee shall recommend annually to the Board of Trustees a candidate for election as chairperson of the board and, at the discretion of the board chair, candidates for one or more vice chairpersons. In what is anticipated to be the last term of the chairperson, the nominating committee may recommend to the board election of a chairperson-elect to serve for a one-year term or for the balance of the term of the incumbent chairperson, whichever ends first. Upon completion of the term of the incumbent chairperson, the chairperson-elect shall be the chairperson of the Board of Trustees.

“The nominating committee also recommends the election of trustees of the University of Pittsburgh to serve as trustees of the University of Pittsburgh Trust board; individuals to serve as University directors of the UPMC board, in compliance with the bylaws of UPMC, and other board positions that may arise.”

Risk and compliance

“As a committee of the Board of Trustees of the University of Pittsburgh, the risk and compliance committee shall assist the board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the risks inherent in the business of the University and the control processes with respect to such risks; the risk profile of the University; the risk management, compliance and control activities of the University; the integrity of the University’s systems of operational controls regarding legal and regulatory compliance, and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, including without limitation, with respect to the conduct of the University’s business.

“The risk and compliance committee has been granted by the Board of Trustees the authority to review any matter or activity involving risk management or compliance activities and to approve the retention of external professionals to render advice and counsel as needed. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the committee will perform duties and responsibilities as delineated in the risk and compliance committee charter.”

Student affairs

“As a committee of the Board of Trustees of the University of Pittsburgh, the student affairs committee provides general oversight and policy guidance for nonacademic matters of student life in order to promote a campus environment that encourages both academic success and personal development. The committee provides advice and recommendations regarding student-related programs, services, extracurricular activities and student organizations. The committee provides an opportunity for direct communication between students and members of the University’s Board of Trustees.”

—Kimberly K. Barlow