TUAA Alumni Council Reelecting Incumbent Trustees

TUAA Alumni Council

Reelecting Incumbent Trustees

The Issue

Concern That Alumni Trustees Will Become Structurally a Second Class of Trustee Due To Uncertainty About Their Continuing For A Second Term As A Result Of Current Reelection Procedure

TUAA Alumni Council | 2

The Tufts Board of Trustees

Size set by University Bylaws: Not less than 28 nor more than 41

30 Charter Trustees elected by members of the Board

10 Alumni Trustees elected by and from the Alumni

President of the University

Charter and Alumni Trustees serve for terms of five years

No distinction between the duties and responsibilities of Charter and Alumni Trustees: One Board


Trustee Reelection Process

Charter Trustees: Review and recommendation of Board’s Committee on Trusteeship; Reelection by the Board

Alumni Trustees: Review and recommendation of Tufts Alumni Council Nominating Committee (following input from Committee on Trusteeship); Reelection by Alumni body as a whole in an election in which there are at least two and no more than three candidates for each position to be filled


The Alumni Trustee Reelection Track Record

Since 2006, only 2 of 6 Incumbent Alumni Trustees nominated for election have been reelected

Trend likely to continue as more Alumni Trustees cycle trough their initial term

The added step of having Incumbent Alumni Trustees be reelected in a challenged general election has created limitations on the ability of very capable Alumni Trustees to be put in leadership positions on the Board because of uncertainties about their length of service


TUAA Review Process

Request By President Bacow to consider a solution

Executive Committee established an Ad Hoc Governance Committee to review a variety of issues

Subcommittee consisting of Brian McCarthy, Bill O’Reilly, Jon Oxman and Ed Swan considered and suggested changes to the incumbent alumni trustee reelection process

Ad Hoc Governance Committee reviewed and recommended changes to the Executive Committee

Executive Committee reviewed and, since a TUAA By-law amendment would be required, determined that this Information Session with the Council take place first

Tufts Alumni Council | 6

The Proposal

Trusteeship Committee provides input on level of engagement and achievements of incumbent alumni trustees whose terms are ending to Tufts Alumni Council Nominating Committee by early November of year preceding election

Alumni Council Nominating Committee determines whether or not to recommend that an incumbent trustee be nominated for reelection to a second (and final) term

If determination made not to recommend reelection, then new candidates nominated for initial terms pursuant to existing Tufts University Alumni Association By-laws

If determination made to recommend reelection, then Alumni Council votes on reelection, not alumni body as a whole

If incumbent not reelected by Alumni Council, then a vacancy would exist until the next year


Representative Time Table

Fall Year 1

Input from Trusteeship Committee

Recommendation by TUAA Nominating Committee

Spring Year 2

Alumni Council Election for current trustee candidates nominated for second term

Alumni body election for new trustee candidates nominated for first term


Reasons For Approval of Changes

Once a candidate has been elected by the alumni as a whole, reelection by the alumni’s elected representatives, the Alumni Council, doesn’t detract from legitimacy

Alumni Council Nominating Committee and actively engaged Alumni Council members are in best position to understand the contributions of the incumbent since elections are conducted with limited electioneering

Provides greater certainty for continuation of outstanding incumbent alumni trustees

Viewed as being in the best long term interest of Tufts University and the Alumni Association


Reasons Against Approval

Don’t change historical procedure

Prior to alumni election process, Trustees should make Alumni Trustees they want to keep Charter Trustees. If no vacancies, select among all incumbents, not just Charter Trustees

Following an alumni election, Board of Trustees can always fill vacancies with incumbents who have not been reelected, (2 have been named to fill Charter trustee vacancies, although these are not always available)

Being elected a Trustee is an honor that should be available to many qualified alumni. This would limit the number of available vacancies and reduce number of alumni who will have the opportunity to serve on the Board of Trustees


Upcoming Reelection Schedule

2012: Elected 2007- Two vacancies, One eligible for a second term

2013: Elected 2008- Two vacancies, Both eligible for a second term

2014 Elected 2009- Two vacancies, Both eligible for a second term

2015 Elected 2010- Two vacancies, Both eligible for a second term

2016 Elected 2011- Two vacancies, One eligible for a second term


Next Steps

This is Information Session Only

Executive Committee Seeks Sense of Alumni Council

If Decision Made to Proceed, Vote on Proposal to be taken at Fall Council Meeting


Documents

TUAA Alumni Council Reelecting Incumbent Trustees