The Committee discussed input received on Draft #1 of the Institutional Purpose Statement. Input and suggestions from the campus community clustered into several categories: 1. Content (a. strengthening the Christian heritage/spiritual/religious language of the statement; b. strengthening the diversity language in the statement; c. including "aesthetic" among the goals); 2. suggestions related to word choice; 3. suggestions related to format and ordering of various sections of the statement. The Committee will use the input and suggestions to draft a revised version at the September 1 meeting.

The Committee discussed a process for facilitating and advancing the community's consideration of the purpose statement and agreed to do the following:

* invite colleagues who provided input related to strengthening the Christian heritage/spiritual tone of Draft #1 of the purpose statement to draft a separate purpose statement for consideration.
* offer three versions of the purpose statement for consideration by faculty, students, staff, administration and Board of Trustees: 1. the College's current purpose statement, 2. the Institutional Purpose Committee's final draft, and 3. the invited draft.
* provide the three drafts for community discussion early in Fall term 1999.

The Committee agreed to meet on Wednesday mornings at 8:00 at the Fowler Alumni House.

The Committee adjourned at 10:00 a.m.