President sends end-of-semester message to faculty and staff

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State President Eric J. Barron on May 19 sent a wide-ranging message to University employees, highlighting significant accomplishments — such as Invent Penn State — and opening the conversation on a series of upcoming challenges, including budget deliberations and possible salary increases (see videos below).

In his end-of-semester video message, Barron touches upon some of his key initiatives that have taken hold, and also broaches subjects of personal importance to faculty and staff members that are likely to be discussed in greater detail in the coming months.

Broken out into four separate sections, the videos in total are around 14 minutes long, but viewers can skip through various parts to the topic that interests them most. The topics include ongoing state budget negotiations and the impact on Penn State; upcoming changes to health care benefits at the University; Invent Penn State successes; and more (see below). Video segments for each topical area run from 2 minutes to 4 minutes a piece.

“As a wrap-up for this semester, I wanted to be able to capture just a few minutes of faculty and staff time to tell our internal audience about a handful of initiatives and some challenges that we, as a University community, will face in the coming months,” said Barron. “I also wanted to take a quick break at semester’s end to thank all faculty and staff for their work every day on behalf of our students, the Commonwealth and Penn State overall.

“Your commitment to being a truly great university – to reach an enduring level of excellence – is what defines Penn State,” Barron said as a message to employees.

The video messages follow.

Budget/Health care costs/salaries

In this video segment, President Barron discusses a number of interrelated topics that directly impact employees.

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Fundraising

As a significant source of funds for student scholarships and groundbreaking research by faculty, Penn State is looking at its next fundraising campaign with aspirations to be an even stronger university.

Barron discusses his vision for Penn State’s next campaign.

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Campus climate

Penn State is consistently striving to build a truly diverse, inclusive and equitable institution and to prepare students to be citizens of the world.

In this segment, President Barron underscores his steadfast commitment to maintaining an open and welcoming environment for students, faculty and staff from all walks of life. He also touches upon the significant issues of sexual misconduct that have a major impact on campus climate.

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Economic and entrepreneurial engine

Through a broad initiative known as Invent Penn State, Penn State has the opportunity to transform our state’s economy and raise its entrepreneurial spirit as well. Listen and watch as President Barron discusses one of his key programs and its recent successes, with more anticipated in the future.