These discussions can even be uncomfortable, but having them helps us make PLU a better university. My five years as a regent have been a truly eye-opening experience. Being a regent has helped me grow as an individual and has allowed me to give something back to the school that educated my four children. More important, it has shown me the value of collaborative decision making. At one of the board's first training conferences we were told to question everything and to communicate, communicate, communicate.
Board members believe rigorous debate and thoughtful discussion leads to better decisions.
We were encouraged to ask questions while gathering facts, to communicate our ideas openly on each issue and to listen to others' opinions. An example of this process is our recent decision to build an apartment-style residence hall. Our diverse group had different opinions on how each of those steps should be achieved. But through careful research, working through our differences in opinion and ultimately agreeing on the best option, we have come up with a plan that will get the new building completed on time and on budget. For the board to be effective, we need your input.