At the Washington University in St. Louis Board of Trustees meeting held Thursday and Friday, March 1 and 2, the trustees heard presentations from researchers at the School of Medicine and received a report from Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton that included updates on admissions, athletics, construction, research, and faculty honors and awards.
On Thursday, six medical school faculty members gave talks on their research, which ranges from early intervention in childhood depression to addressing higher rates of cancer in minority communities by focusing on prevention.
During Friday’s business meeting, Alex S. Evers, MD, the Henry E. Mallinckrodt Professor of Anesthesiology and head of the Department of Anesthesiology, and Walter A. Boyle, MD, professor of anesthesiology, gave a presentation on “Washington University/BJC Electronic Intensive Care Unit.”
Admissions
In his report to the board, Wrighton noted that Admissions is adding a second early-decision application option. Currently, students may apply to the university as an early-decision candidate by Nov. 1 and receive their admission decision by Dec. 15.
For the fall 2019 admissions cycle, students will have an additional opportunity to apply as an early-decision candidate by Jan. 2. This will allow more students time to research their options and choose Washington University as their first choice. Early Decision II candidates will receive their admission decision by Feb. 15.
Among special programming Admissions will offer this spring to admitted students are two Celebration Days, during which students from underrepresented backgrounds will be flown to campus as university guests to experience an overnight program planned by current students.
Athletics
In reporting on athletics, Wrighton noted that the men’s and women’s basketball teams are headed to the NCAA Tournament, with the No. 4-ranked men’s basketball team hosting 2018 NCAA Division III first- and second-round play March 2-3 at the Field House. The women’s basketball team was to play against Wheaton (Ill.) College in the first round March 2 in Holland, Mich.
The indoor men’s track and field team captured the 2018 UAA Championship, while women placed second. The title for Washington University was its 16th in program history.
Construction
The chancellor also gave updates on numerous campus construction projects, including the completion of renovation on Bryan Hall, the Millstone Plaza and the new Olin Library Main Street and Tower. He noted that renovation on January Hall began in February and construction is underway on a new garage to serve the 560 Music Center, with completion by June.
He was happy to report that the transformation of the east end of the Danforth Campus was progressing extremely well, with Jubel Hall expected to be “topped out” by April, Weil Hall enclosed by July and the underground parking garage right on schedule.
On the Medical Campus, two new 12-story towers opened in January that are designed to enhance care and comfort to women, infants and cancer patients.
Construction continues at the 4480 building, which is being expanded to house WashU IT, and the old Shriners building, which is being repurposed as apartment-style housing to be completed by June.
Upgrades are underway to the Central West End MetroLink station at the medical school and construction on the new MetroLink station near Duncan and Boyle Avenues at the Cortex Innovation Community is nearing completion.
In other business, the trustees passed memorial resolutions in memory of Henrietta W. Freedman, a former member of the board and founder of the university’s Lifelong Learning Institute, who died Jan. 4 at age 95, and Raymond H. Wittcoff, a trustee emeritus and member of the School of Medicine’s National Council, who died Jan. 2 at age 96.
Student representatives to the board provided comments. Presenting were Peter G. Dissinger, a senior in Olin Business School, and Ramin M. Lalezari, a dual-degree student completing an MD and an MBA.
In addition, the trustees, under Chair Craig D. Schnuck, chairman emeritus of Schnuck Markets Inc., heard reports from the following committees: development, educational policy, global engagement, honorary degree and Leading Together; and received written reports from the audit, medical finance, university finance and Alumni Board of Governors committees.
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