The Meeting always begins with some sharing from each Trustee, both from the institution and also from the national chapter. Of significance in the sharing was the report on the progress in the UK towards the reformation of the British chapter. It was noted that many of the former colleges have become universities, and the Principals have become Vice Chancellors, emphasizing more of an academic rather than church affiliation. From Japan it was reported that a new area of “service and research” has been developed at Rikkyo University. This represents a strong initiation of service learning in the curriculum. In Canada, there are two strong universities in CUAC, but they are somewhat overshadowed by the theological colleges.

Hong Kong is pleased to be hosting the Triennial.  Chung Chi College is a combination of a public university and church college, with the latter being an “added value”. The Association of Episcopal Colleges (the US chapter) met in January 2007. The Association has been looking to implement the MDG’s as a way of the colleges and the Church working more closely together. India reports that there continues to be challenges to being a Christian college, and therefore the India Chapter of CUAC is particularly helpful for its members. They meet twice a year. The news from Cuttington in Liberia was positive, with a considerable growth in student numbers. However the University could benefit from faculty and staff development support, perhaps contributed by other CUAC institutions overseas.

The whole plan of the Triennial Conference was thoroughly reviewed at this meeting, and a decision was made to shorten it by one day. A key to this Triennial will be the “participant presentations”, where members present papers, reports and issues for the benefit of other members. A standard fee for the conference was set at $800 US, which does include a portion to be contributed towards a scholarship fund for participants from developing countries. The finances of CUAC were reviewed, and there was a $20,000 shortfall in the preceding year. While it was resolved to try to increase the number of subscriptions, it was nonetheless agreed that Dues should be increased by 5% for the 2007-2008 fiscal year. This will be the first change in subscriptions since 2001. A Conflict of Interest Policy was recommended to the Trustees for approval. This was accepted on a trial basis.

The General Secretary, in his report, raised the importance of building various instruments of networking, such as the Internet webpage, the Compass Points newsletter, the Triennial itself, but also faculty and student exchanges. The number of exchanges has been decreasing, and it was hoped that the networking of the Triennial would change that.  There have been significant developments in closer working relationships with the International Partnership of Service Learning and the United Board of Christian Higher Education in Asia. The Triennial will involve one day in common with these other organizations on the field of service-learning and intercultural learning. This is an important relationship, particularly in the East, and needs to be furthered.

If was noted there will be the Lambeth Conference coming up in late August of 2008. CUAC is a “network” of the Communion and therefore invited to be at the Conference. It was thought that all bishops who have CUAC colleges in their dioceses should be invited to a special CUAC reception during the Conference, and this was offered to be arranged by Christ Church Canterbury University.

The meeting concluded with a clarification of the priorities for CUAC for the coming year:

a . Triennial Conference
b . Revision of the 2007-8 Budget with dues increase
c . IPSL-CUAC Joint Programming
d . Strengthening of Regional Chapters
e . Prepare for Lambeth 2008
f .  Compass Points
g . Financial Development