Georgetown University : Board of Directors Reviews Financials, Approves Master's Degree at June Meeting

June 10, 2019 - Georgetown's board of directors received positive reports about the university's fiscal-year budget, honored outgoing board members and approved a new Master of Arts in Engaged and Public Humanities at its June meeting.

The board approved a balanced budget for FY2020.

This approval followed review by the board's finance committee of the university's FY2019 budget performance, which includes an overall operating margin improvement of approximately $26.7 million over the same period in FY2018.

The improved performance is the result of carefully planned budgeting, with growth across almost all Georgetown revenue sources.

Innovative Learning

The newly approved Master of Arts in Engaged and Public Humanities, through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, is designed to train students deeply in the humanities and the applicability of this area in diverse settings both within and outside of higher education.

The program will give graduates the ability to pursue complex research projects in a wide range of areas, and the creative vision and training to bring their expertise to bear on a variety of problems common to the human experience.

Core courses in the history and culture of the public humanities - combined with internships or field research at institutions as varied as the FBI, the Aspen Institute and the Folger Shakespeare Library - will prepare students for the many positions that value humanities expertise.

Honoring Board Service

The board honored its outgoing members for their many years of devoted service, including John Idol, chair and CEO of Michael Kors; Antony P. Ressler (SFS'82), chair and CEO of Ares Management GP LLC; Shéhérazade Semsar-de Boisséson (SFS'90, G'90), managing director of Europe, POLITICO; Justin B. Smith (SFS'91), CEO, Bloomberg Media Group; and Laurence A. Tosi (C'90, G'94, L'94).

Tenure Review Changes

Changes in the rank and tenure review process also were approved by the Board at the meeting, adopting key recommendations from the Report of the Presidential Task Force to Examine Tenure and Promotion Policies and Procedures. In the coming weeks, faculty will receive specific information and guidance regarding the changes.

Student Referendum

The Board of Directors discussed the April Student Referendum in its meetings last week. Additionally, in advance of the Board meeting, a group of Board members met with student leaders to discuss the referendum proposal and deepen their understanding of the referendum's goals and objectives. The Board plans to engage in follow-up discussions with student leaders.