Marietta College Trustee Brochure

Election to the Board Candidates are recommended by the College President, Board Chair or Trusteeship Committee Chair, and reviewed by the Trusteeship Committee.

If the committee elects to endorse a candidate, formal voting by the full Board occurs during the May meeting. Successful candidates begin their 5-year term at the subsequent October Board meeting.

Members are eligible to be re-elected for a second 5-year term.

Schedule The College Board of Trustees meets on campus in Marietta three times per year. In addition we typically have a 2-3 day summer retreat either in Marietta or a convenient location. Our schedule is designed to coordinate with the major events on the College calendar — Homecoming in October, Founders Day in February and Commencement in May. Schedules are prepared for a 3-year period to allow members to plan their travel and time appropriately. In their first year, new Trustees attend a full-day orientation at the College the day before the October meeting.

Making the commitment to be on campus during our scheduled meetings is critical as we make the best decisions when we are all present and able to interact with each other.

Board Composition The Board is typically made up of approximately 30 members. The Chair of the MCAA (Marietta College Alumni Association) also serves as an ex-officio member, as does the College President. Members are a diverse group of men and women who represent a wide variety of professional and personal accomplishments, and is made up of 75% alumni and 25% non-alumni. Their experience and expertise add great value to the Board’s deliberations.

Committees A great deal of the Board’s work is done in committee. Every Trustee is assigned to 2 or 3 committees each year. Assignments are rotated to allow greater exposure to all facets of the College and to increase Trustee knowledge. The established committees are: Academic Activities, Administrative Operations, Advancement, Audit, Campus Life/Athletics, Enrollment, Finance, Investments and Trusteeship. There is also an Executive Committee made up of the Chairs from all committees. Time on the Board and committee experience should lead to future committee and Board leadership positions for Trustees.

Since its founding in 1835, Marietta College has provided a strong foundation for a lifetime of leadership, critical thinking and problem solving. Essential to that mission is the partnership that exists between the College leadership and the Board of Trustees in its governing role.

Becoming a member of our Board is an honor and carries with it a number of essential expectations and responsibilities. As you begin to explore what this means for you, we ask that you weigh carefully your decision to join and understand the commitment you are making to the College and its many constituents: students, faculty, staff, fellow Board members, alumni and the community.

Ours is an involved, participatory Board. We take our service to the College seriously, and that includes taking part in special events on campus that occur during our meetings, such as Founders Day and Commencement ceremonies. Immersing ourselves in campus activities with students and faculty, and interacting with the community connects us to both the current reality and historical legacy of the College.

We thank you for your interest and consideration, and we will be happy to answer any and all questions you may have.

Trustee Information Trustee responsibilities are outlined in the materials contained in our handbook.

Four of our guiding principles are to: become and remain knowledgeable, adhere to high ethical and personal standards, support the institution and the Board, and participate in its works. In addition, the outlined governing Board responsibilities and by-laws serve to inform and guide our actions. Trustees are to treat all materials, email exchanges and meeting discussions confidentially.

Members must complete a Conflict of Interest form annually in advance of the filing of the College’s 990 tax return. At the end of each academic year, Trustees complete an online survey that provides input on the performance of the President and the individual Board member. Meeting materials are distributed to Trustees electronically via Director’s Desk prior to each full Board meeting allowing members to be fully versed on upcoming discussions before the full Board session or committee meetings. Committees often conduct a teleconference in between full Board meetings to keep members informed or to conduct business as needed. Prior to each on-campus meeting, an information form is distributed that helps the College in arranging hotel accommodations and planning for meals and activities during the meeting. Upon election, Trustees complete a roster form that includes all contact information. Finally, Trustees are covered by the College Directors and Officers Liability Policy.

Trustee Giving Trustees set an example to others in many ways, especially their personal philanthropy to the College. All donors look to the Board to gauge support of the work being done so our leadership giving is essential. Annually we support The Marietta Fund campaign, which provides a significant percent of the College’s operating revenues. The written Trustee giving policy expectation is a minimum gift of $10,000 each year to The Marietta Fund. Trustee giving provides a strong foundation for capital growth initiatives and during their term of service a major or minor campaign may be launched that will require a gift pledge. Trustees are asked to consider Marietta College in their estate planning. Trustees are responsible for their own meeting related expenses.

Board of Marietta College Trustee Membership