and regulations enacted by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, the composition, duties and powers of the ´ºÃÎÖ±²¥ Board of Trustees are articulated within the university's bylaws. The board is charged with the fiduciary management of the institution, including determination of fees, establishment of personnel management policy, staff services, and the general business of the institution. Among its responsibilities, the board elects the president with the approval of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, adopts an annual plan of financial operation, awards degrees in approved fields, and develops the mission statement for the university consistent with the mission of the Commonwealth's system of public higher education.
The board of trustees consists of 11 voting members. Ten members are appointed by the governor, at least two are alumni of the university and one of whom is elected thereto by the university alumni association. Elected alumni members shall be elected every five years. Members are appointed to serve for five year terms, but no member shall be appointed for more than two consecutive terms. Student members are elected by the student body and serve one year.
Regular meetings of the full board are held four times annually and are open to the public with the exception of executive sessions. Committees of the board convene prior to each open meeting and on an as-needed basis. The board currently has five standing committees: executive, academic affairs and student life, risk management and audit, finance and facilities, advancement, marketing and communications. Meetings usually take place on the ´ºÃÎÖ±²¥ campus.
Public Records Requests
Visit the public records requests page for contact information and submission guidelines for public records requests.
General Overview and Overseer Listing
- Matthew Beckett, Student Trustee
- A. Thomas Billings ’72, ’75G, EdD
- Elizabeth Cabral ’17
- Alyce Davis ’75, EdD
- Dino DiPalma
- Stephen Immerman, EdD
- Thatcher Kezar ’88
- James Lampassi ’81, Vice Chair
- Claude Lancome
- Samanda Morales ’98, Chair
SSU Trustee Community Open Forum Topics: If you'd like to suggest a question or topic for an upcoming full Board of Trustees meeting,
Board Meeting Calendar
Academic Year 2026 (all meetings are remote unless otherwise noted below)
Trustee Committee Meetings—begin at 3 pm unless otherwise noted
Wednesday, September 24, 2025 – in person/hybrid – Charlotte Forten (Forten 123) at Harrington Campus next to Starbucks
Wednesday, October 15, 2025 – AUDIT Committee – begins at 4 pm (followed by regular board meeting)
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Regular Board Meetings—begin at 5 pm unless otherwise noted
Wednesday, October 15, 2025 – this meeting follows the Audit Committee meeting
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Wednesday, June 3, 2026 – in-person/hybrid – Petrowski Conference Room (Marsh Hall 210) at Harrington Campus, above the dining commons
Special Meetings
Off-site – December 2025 – TBD *
Other meetings will be announced when scheduled
Posting of Meeting Agendas and Meeting Format
Except in cases of emergency, final agendas with anticipated discussion topics are posted 48-hours in advance of the meeting.
Remote meetings – Please note that Governor Healey has extended provisions pertaining to the Open Meeting Law to March 31, 2025. Login information will be provided within the posted agendas.
, along with university policies and reports.
Public record requests should be sent to Rita Colucci, general counsel, at publicrecords@salemstate.edu. Rita Colucci is also the designated records access officer (RAO) for ´ºÃÎÖ±²¥.