Academic Matters

In accordance with University Bylaws, the Board provided authorization for the President and Chancellor to confer degrees upon those who have fulfilled the appropriate course requirements. On the recommendation of the Academic Affairs committees of the Senate and the Board, the Board additionally approved thirteen candidates to be added to a list for consideration for an honorary degree at the 2023 University Commencement or a subsequent University Commencement. On the recommendation of the Executive Vice President for NYU Langone Health, the Board approved the appointment of Gladys Ayala as Dean of the Long Island School of Medicine, effective January 1, 2023. The Board also approved the Vision, Mission, and Core Principles of NYU Abu Dhabi.

Other Action Items

The Board unanimously approved a resolution to formally recognize the distinguished tenure of Lynne P. Brown, Senior Vice President for University Relations and Public Affairs, who is retiring at the end of October 2022.

Trustee Related Matters

The Board approved the appointment of Brett Rochkind to the Committee on Trustees. The Board additionally approved the re-election of five members of the NYU Institute of Fine Arts Board of Trustees; the election of five new members and re-election of fourteen members to the NYU School of Law Foundation Board of Trustees; and the election of one new member and re-election of sixteen members to each of the Boards of Trustees of the NYU Langone Health System, NYU Langone Hospitals, and the NYU Grossman School of Medicine Advisory Board. Finally, on the recommendation of each respective committee, the Board approved amendments to the charters of the Investment Committee, Compensation Committee, and Facilities and Real Estate Committee.

Select Committee Reports

  • The Academic Affairs Committee reported on a presentation it received from Georgina Dopico, Interim Provost, on academic priorities, including faculty retention and hiring, academic equity, the student experience, and academic community. The Committee also reported on the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development’s plans to utilize NYU’s new building at 181 Mercer Street, beginning in the spring 2023 semester.
  • The Alumni Affairs and University Life Committee reported that they received a presentation by the NYU Student Affairs office on a strategic plan which is focused on how NYU can better serve its students, as well as a presentation on the trajectory for alumni engagement.
  • The Audit and Compliance Committee reported that it received reports from the Office of Internal Audit and Enterprise Risk Management and the Office of Compliance and Risk Management regarding each office’s accomplishments over the prior year and approved work plans from each office for the upcoming year. The Committee additionally reported that it received a quarterly report on cybersecurity, as well as a report on New York City’s Local Law 97 requiring reduced carbon emissions and the significant efforts already undertaken by the University to be in compliance by 2024.
  • The Development Committee reported on new initiatives for development, including those directed towards engaging parents of current students and recent alumni.
  • The Facilities and Real Estate Committee reported on a discussion of a potential opportunity to acquire a new building in an exceptional location close to campus and public transportation. The Committee additionally reported that it received updates on the University’s major construction projects, notably 181 Mercer Street, which remains on schedule to open in January 2023.
  • The Finance Committee reported on presentations on the fiscal year 2022 forecast for NYU Langone Health and the University. The Committee also received the fall 2022 preliminary enrollment report, which indicated that the University had exceeded its targets for undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree student enrollment, and that the University has been successful in its efforts to increase financial aid to meet demonstrated need, resulting in increased student yield rates. The Committee additionally reported that Stephanie Pianka, Senior Vice President for Finance and Budget and Chief Financial Officer, presented an analysis of the impact of inflation on the University’s finances.  
  • The Investment Committee reported that it received updates on the University’s endowment performance.

Partnership with Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)

Linda Mills, Vice Chancellor and Senior Vice Provost for Global Programs and University Life, presented to the Board on a new collaboration with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), a leading science and technology institution in Daejeon, South Korea, that will include collaboration with the Tandon School of Engineering, as well as other parts of the University. She presented background on KAIST, each institution’s interest and goals in forming a partnership, and the strengths that each institution will bring to the collaboration.

President’s Report

President Andrew Hamilton reported on the University’s continued academic excellence, including its position in recent university rankings, noting that NYU continues to rise on several respected higher education institution rankings. Notably, he highlighted that NYU recently moved up from #28 to #25 in U.S. News & World Report, its highest ranking to date in the publication. He also reported on the University’s record-breaking research performance and the strong incoming class of fall 2022.

President Hamilton reported on the progress and upcoming completion of the building at 181 Mercer Street, with its anticipated opening being January 2023. He noted that the building will house classrooms, study spaces, theaters, rehearsal rooms, and a new state-of-the-art athletic center. He also discussed the University’s growth in Brooklyn.

President Hamilton reported on the successful start of the semester at NYU Shanghai and NYU Abu Dhabi. He also reported that he recently traveled to Abu Dhabi and stopped to visit NYU global sites in London, Berlin, and Prague, where he welcomed students and met with leadership. President Hamilton additionally noted that he met and welcomed 13 displaced Ukrainian students who will be studying at NYU Prague as part of University efforts to aid students affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Finally, President Hamilton reported on the financial health of the University, noting that capital investments over the past several years have allowed the University to expand the campus, renovate dormitories, and continue to invest in academic initiatives and capital replacement and maintenance needed for buildings.