Penn State's Board of Trustees met on Friday, Sept. 7, 2007, on Penn State's University Park campus. The following items were presented to the board for action or informational purposes:
President Spanier unveils 2007 State of the University Address
Penn State President Graham B. Spanier for the second year in a row has turned to a video format for his annual State-of-the-University Address, which was released today (Sept. 7) at the University's Board of Trustees meeting. This visual account of Penn State's accomplishments over the past year contains a heavy focus on energy initiatives, green research, medical breakthroughs and student engagement. Throughout the 23-minute presentation, students and faculty can be seen conducting research that tackles complex environmental challenges such as the creation of biofuels, green-roof research and energy conservation. In addition, Spanier's annual address highlights faculty advances in areas such as molecular biology, materials science, and health, displaying only a small portion of Penn State's more than $700 million research enterprise -- the most comprehensive in the country.
To view the 2007 State-of-the-University Address, visit http://president.psu.edu/sou/articles/sou2007.html online. A transcript also is available at the site.
Penn State president's contract renewed for another five-year term
Penn State's Board of Trustees today (Sept. 7) announced the reappointment of Penn State President Graham B. Spanier for another five-year term. Spanier was named president in 1995. "Graham Spanier is one of the truly exceptional presidents in higher education today," said Jim Broadhurst, chairman of Penn State's Board of Trustees. "His leadership over the past 12 years has taken Penn State to new heights in teaching, research and outreach, while effectively overseeing the largest capital construction program in the history of the University. He is very good at approaching important decisions strategically, managing large amounts of detailed information, and enhancing the culture in a student-centered environment." Spanier oversees one of the most comprehensive universities in the nation, with 24 campuses, 89,050 students, 39,464 employees, 1,700 buildings, The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, and a broad array of academic and research programs.
Read the full story at http://live.psu.edu/story/25757
Penn State reports continued progress in diversity initiatives
Penn State continues to make steady progress in transforming into a multicultural and diverse university that prepares its students for life and work in the 21st century. In an informational report to Penn State's Board of Trustees, W. Terrell Jones, vice provost for educational equity, and Victoria Sanchez, assistant vice provost for educational equity, provided today a review of the University's progress in "A Framework to Foster Diversity at Penn State: 2004-2009." "A Framework to Foster Diversity at Penn State: 2004-2009" is a continuation of the first "Framework to Foster Diversity at Penn State 1998-2003," which provided comprehensive strategic direction to the University's diversity initiatives.
Read the full story at http://live.psu.edu/story/25759
Smeal College of Business focuses on strategy of excellence
By enhancing the overall experience of students at all levels, driving faculty excellence and program innovation, and strengthening connections to the business world, Penn State's Smeal College of Business is committed to solidifying its position among the elite public business schools in the nation. With an enrollment of more than 5,800 students in its undergraduate and graduate programs combined, Smeal is one of the largest business schools in the world. The college currently ranks as high as 10th among public undergraduate and MBA programs and first among public executive education providers in assessments of quality by various media outlets. "Our true goal is not to achieve a specific position in the rankings," said Dean James B. Thomas in a report to the Penn State Board of Trustees today (Sept. 7). "Instead, it's about supporting a mindset of excellence that spans the entire community. We're confident about where we need to focus our strategic efforts to fully realize our potential as a leading business school."
Read the full story at http://live.psu.edu/story/25760
Maintaining academic integrity a priority at Penn State
Penn State is working with its faculty to take a more proactive role in using innovative technology and strategies to prevent cheating on tests and papers. The university's ability to maintain its academic integrity is essential to preserve the quality of a Penn State education. Dr. Robert N. Pangborn, vice president and dean of Undergraduate Education and three of his colleagues gave an informational report to the Board of Trustees today (Sept. 7) on the challenges of this issue for the university. "We're paying such close attention to academic integrity because we care about our students' learning," said John Harwood, senior director, Teaching and Learning with Technology, an expert in the emerging trends and issues that derive from a technology-intensive learning environment such as cyber plagiarism.
Read the full story at http://live.psu.edu/story/25761
Trustees approve proposed appropriation request for 2008-09
Penn State's Board of Trustees today (Sept. 7) approved the University's proposed 2008-09 budget plan and state appropriation request. The University is seeking an appropriation increase from the Commonwealth of $24.2 million, or 6.9 percent. Of this amount, $18.3 million is requested for the Educational and General line-item, and $4.9 million for its other line-items. An increase of slightly more than $1 million also is being requested in State and Federal Medical Assistance funding provided to the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center through the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. Penn State's 2008-09 budget request reflects the University's need to keep pace with the rising costs associated with carrying out its land-grant, public university mission and the need to continue providing high-quality programs for its students. "The funds will be used to help support the University's basic operating cost increases, with emphases on competitive faculty and staff salary adjustments, escalating health-care costs, deferred maintenance and facilities improvements, and strategic academic program initiatives," said Penn State President Graham B. Spanier.
Read the full story at http://live.psu.edu/story/25764
Board approves capital budget request, hears update on five-year capital plan
Penn State's Board of Trustees today (Sept. 7) received an update on Penn State's capital construction plan for the next five years. The Board also authorized the University to request $142.3 million from the Pennsylvania Legislature to renew existing facilities and replace Fenske Building, home of the chemical engineering department. Penn State's capital budget funds new construction and renovation projects at all 24 Penn State locations across the Commonwealth.
Read the full story at http://live.psu.edu/story/25766
Trustees see revised operating budget
A change in Penn State's appropriation from the state has resulted in a revised budget being presented today (Sept. 7) to the Board of Trustees. At its meeting on July 13, the board approved an operating budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2007, which included an estimated state appropriation. Subsequently, Gov. Ed Rendell signed Penn State's appropriation bill of $334.2 million. In addition, $14.5 million of state and federal medical assistance funds for the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center also will be provided through the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.
Read the full story at http://live.psu.edu/story/25763
Penn State Berks presents campus master plan to Board of Trustees
Penn State Berks presented its Campus Master Plan to the University Board of Trustees today (Sept. 7). The plan defines opportunities and capacity for accommodating growth that the University may choose to pursue as future needs become more clearly defined. The plan is divided into three parts. The first part looks at current priorities -- opportunities in the University's Capital Plan (funded by the University) and projects that may be funded by the campus over the next five years. Current priorities include the construction of a 60,000-square-foot classroom building, which will house Engineering; Business; Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management; and Information Sciences and Technology, according to Kim Berry, chief operating officer at Penn State Berks. The building will provide classroom and office space for faculty and staff in the division, who are currently housed in the Luerssen Building. When the new classroom building is completed, attention will turn to renovating the Luerssen Building to provide more support for science programs, as well as student and faculty research.
Read the full story at http://live.psu.edu/story/25765
Trustees renew appointments of members to the Penn State Investment Council
Penn State's Board of Trustees has renewed the appointments of five non-University representatives to the Penn State Investment Council. The board established the council in September 2000 to provide direct oversight of the University's endowment and long-term investment program in response to Penn State's increasing asset base and complex marketing strategies. The council regularly reviews asset allocation, new asset classes, investment strategies and manager performance, and provides semi-annual updates and reports regarding investment performance to the Board of Trustees.
Read the full story at http://live.psu.edu/story/25762