The MSU Board of Trustees discussed the past, present and future state of the university at its annual retreat Thursday and Friday in Traverse City. Discussions included MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon's performance during the first year and a half of her leadership, Simon's Boldness by Design plan, updates on university projects and ways the board can expand its governance at MSU.

Simon, Fred Poston, vice president for finance and operations and treasurer, and Provost Kim Wilcox also attended the retreat.

Chairman David Porteous said the trip allows the board to examine where the university has been, and where it's going institutionally.

"The value of the retreat is predominantly an opportunity for (the board) to spend time together with the administration and provide a very effective opportunity to get to know one another on a personal basis but, most importantly, to engage in lengthy discussions about the future of the university," Porteous said.

The board concluded it was pleased with Simon's performance thus far and is looking forward to initiatives within Boldness by Design, Simon's plan for the university to transition from a land-grant to world-grant institution.

"Her first year and a half really validates the confidence that the board placed in her and the importance we placed on having a president familiar with the university," Porteous said.

Within the context of Boldness by Design, the board discussed stewardship at MSU, international reach, the student experience at MSU, research, the economic community and family engagement.

The board also addressed the capital campaign and the West Michigan Medical School expansion, Simon said. The capital campaign seeks to raise $1.2 billion in private donations by 2007.

"The real challenge is always to be better, and that includes our status in Washington, in Lansing and around the state," Simon said.

The medical expansion was not a major focus at the retreat, Porteous said, because the board's hand in the development ended after it voted in favor of the plan in April 2006.

"We just talked about what we needed to do in terms of fundraising at (the West Michigan Medical School)," Simon said.

Funding talks sparked conversation about how the board could contribute to bring in more endowments, Porteous said.

He said MSU is "exceptional with investment returns."

Porteous attributed the university's financial success to financial advice and reviews from Cambridge Associates LLC, the university's financial advisers for the past 30 years and the administration's and board's finance and audit committee. Cambridge Associates met the board Friday in Traverse City to talk about the university's finances and to brainstorm other opportunities to maximize investment potential.

Strategies for enhancing the board's governance at MSU were also discussed Friday. One idea that will be implemented this academic year is giving each board meeting a theme as it relates to Boldness by Design.

"It provides an opportunity for not just the board, but the whole university to see on (any) given month an aspect of Boldness by Design and what we're doing at Michigan State," Porteous said.