The Sun’s March 23 editorial entitled “On the Outside Looking In” is, frankly, a bit perplexing when I think about the openness that distinguishes President Skorton’s administration. When it comes to the well-being of our university, there can never be too much communication, especially in these times of financial challenge. A critical ingredient in that process is transparency of decision making, which has been a top priority for President Skorton from the very start of his administration. And, I am proud to say, that the administration and the Board of Trustees have redoubled efforts to be more transparent since the beginning of the financial crisis last fall.

A quick perusal of the University Budget Communications web page reveals just how often President Skorton and his senior team update the Cornell community on the university’s state of affairs. A virtual suggestion box (www.cuinfo.cornell.edu) was set up and has received over 650 suggestions about how to save money. To reach as many Cornellians as possible, the university has given the Cornell Daily Sun, the Cornell Chronicle, the Ithaca Journal, WHCU, WVBR and even Bloomberg and The Chronicle of Higher Education regular access to the decisions affecting the university, as occurred most recently, for instance, following the March meeting of the Board of Trustees. In addition to the fora held regularly since last October, President Skorton and other senior administrators meet regularly with faculty, student and staff leaders individually, in small groups or during their respective assemblies’ regular meetings. This was the case with the GPSA a month ago, and was the case this week with the University Assembly and the Student Assembly. In addition, the President holds regular “office hours” for students to interact directly with him. Day Hall remains open to any suggestion that will help make sure it is reaching as many Cornellians as possible.

Under President Skorton’s leadership, the participation of the campus in the decision making process has improved dramatically, thanks to his commitment to revitalize Cornell’s shared governance. The University Assembly’s pivotal role in redrafting the Campus Code of Conduct is a good example of how the campus community is engaging in the process. Furthermore, the Dean of the Faculty participates in nearly all of the meetings of the President’s senior staff.

At the same time, the level of engagement between the Board of Trustees and faculty, students and staff has increased dramatically in recent years. As individuals, we are meeting with students and faculty continually. As a group, we interact with members of the university community when needed, but we also recognize that our role is one of oversight, not management. The Board’s leadership meets on a regular basis with the University Faculty Committee, which is the elected leadership of the Faculty Senate; and, we invite regularly students and faculty to present and discuss issues at our committee meetings.

The Board of Trustees draws considerable strength from its faculty, student and employee members. They participate in every phase of the board’s deliberations and play a vital role in providing the insights necessary to anchor the decisions the Board is called upon to consider. Student, faculty and staff trustees actively participate in every issue, including the most sensitive such as the budget and conflict of interest policy, among others. In addition, along with the Dean of the Faculty who is elected by the University Senate, they are welcome to attend all committee meetings including those of the Executive Committee, except for private sessions held to discuss matters related to personnel and compensation.

I am proud that Cornell is an outlier among its peers when it comes to student, faculty and staff representation on the Board of Trustees. I am not aware of any university of Cornell’s stature that has student, faculty and staff voting representation on its board. I also am extremely proud of the wonderful individuals that make up the Cornell Board, be they alumni, governmental representatives, faculty, students or staff. And finally, I am proud of the leadership that President Skorton and Provost Fuchs along with their administrative and academic colleagues are providing our university. All of us are dedicated to the purpose of enhancing Cornell’s position as one of the best institutions of higher learning in the world.

We can always do better, but it is important to recognize when we are ahead.