Dear Pomona College Community,
The Pomona College Board of Trustees convened on March 6, 2026. The following is a summary of the events, actions, and discussions from the meeting weekend.
In the course of routine Board business, trustees approved the consent agenda, which included the minutes from the December 12, 2025 Board meeting and the approval of candidates for the December 2025 Bachelor of Arts degree. The Board also took up several matters related to the College's ongoing Shared Governance Initiative, approving the Statement of Shared Governance and Principles of Decision-Making and endorsing the Threshold Conditions for Effective Shared Governance. Together, these documents establish a clear and principled framework for institutional decision-making, grounded in transparency, defined roles, and collaboration across constituencies. They mark an important milestone and a foundational step in strengthening shared governance at Pomona, with additional work to follow in the months ahead.
The Board also received reports from its standing committees and took several significant actions. On the recommendation of the Facilities and Environment Committee, the Board approved moving forward with construction of the Center for Global Engagement. The Finance Committee brought forward its recommendation on tuition, fees, room, and board for the 2026–27 academic year, which the Board likewise approved.
Trustees also engaged in several strategic discussions of importance to the College’s future, including an admissions case study exercise designed to allow trustees to engage more directly with the College’s approach to enrollment and student selection. The Board also received a due diligence update on the Claremont Graduate University partnership opportunity, with discussion led in part by Ben Keim, Chair of the Faculty, and members of the Partnership Opportunity Working Group. In addition, Brent Carbajal, Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the College, presented an overview of a potential restructuring of the Academic Affairs division, including a shift toward a provost model, outlining the rationale for the change and how it could strengthen coordination, clarify roles, and support long-term academic planning.
Throughout the retreat weekend, trustees had meaningful opportunities to engage with faculty through a range of programming, including small-group discussions, shared meals, and plenary sessions centered on the future of the liberal arts and higher education more broadly.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement with the College. I look forward to connecting again after the Board's annual meeting in May.
Sincerely,
Geoff
Geoff Pearson
Secretary to the Board of Trustees
Director of Board Engagement