Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY
MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL OF TRUSTEES
September 18, 2014
The Council of Trustees met on Thursday, September 18, at 4:02 p.m. in Stratton Administration Center,
room 301
PRESENT:
Dr. Charles Blocksidge ................................................................................ McKees Rocks
Ms. Letecia Garcia ..................................................................................................Blandon
Mr. Dennis Giorno ............................... ………………………………....New Cumberland
Mr. Anthony Iannelli…………………………………………………… .... …... Macungie
Mr. Thomas H. Heck ........................................................................................ Wyomissing
Mr. James Ludlow ............................................................................................. Fogelsville
Mr. Guido Pichini ………………...…………………………………….Wyomissing Hills
Mr. John Wabby, Chairperson .............................................................................. Pottsville
ABSENT:
Ms. Dianne Lutz ..............................................................................................Wernersville
Mr. Roger Schmidt, Secretary …………………………………………………….Leesport
ALSO PRESENT:
Mr. Matthew Delaney, Budget Office
Mr. Ron Devlin, Reading Eagle Reporter
Mr. John Green, Associate Vice President, Communication, Marketing and External Affairs
Mr. Jeffrey Grimm, Assistant Vice President, KU Facilities
Mr. David Johnson, University Relations
Dr. Deryl Johnson, University Senate President
Dr. James Mackin, Acting Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs
Ms. Danielle Moyer, Student Presenter
Mr. Brent Penny, Assistant Vice President, Administration and Finance
Mr. Jesus Peña, Esq., Associate Vice President for Equity and Compliance
Mr. Matt Santos, Director of University Relations
Mr. Joseph Scoboria, President, Student Government Board
Mr. Jerry Silberman, Vice President of Administration and Finance
Ms. Tracey Thompson, Executive Director, KU Foundation
Dr. John Vafeas, Chair, Department of Social Work
Dr. Carlos Vargas-Aburto, Acting President
Mr. Robert Watrous, Dean of Students
Dr. Carole Wells, Vice Provost
1.
Call to Order
At 4:02 p.m., Chairperson Wabby called the meeting to order; a quorum being present.
2.
Remarks by the Council Chairperson
Mr. Wabby held his remarks for later in the meeting.
842
3.
Remarks by the Student Government Association President
Mr. Joseph Scoboria noted that the Student Government Board (SGB) is off to a good start.
Homecoming is October 18. SGB has worked hard all summer on the main student homecoming
event, Chance the Rapper.
The group is also working on safety efforts. In October, Kutztown University Acting Chief of
Police, John Dillon and Berks County District Attorney, John Adams will be attending an SGB
meeting to discuss school district narcotics unit that are set up in the surrounding area.
The SGB retreat was held at South Mountain YMCA, where the organization discussed their
goals for this year. Their main goals are student voice and student representation. The group has
been working since last year and throughout the summer to continue the efforts to bring the
polling location back to campus. SGB is committed to helping the Council of Trustees.
4.
Remarks by Dr. Carlos Vargas-Aburto, University Acting President
Dr. Carlos Vargas-Aburto noted that the Kutztown University Small Business Development
Center (KUSBDC) was awarded $50,000 from the US Small Business Administration for
their submission to the Growth Accelerator Fund competition. The process was extremely
competitive with more than 800 applicants. The KUSBDC accelerator pitch focused on
providing marketing assistance to ten established food manufacturers in the Greater Reading
Region.
Reverse Transfer Agreements were signed with Montgomery County Community College on
August 20 and with Reading Area Community College on September 15. These agreements
benefit community college students who transfer to Kutztown University before attaining an
associate’s degree.
Physical Sciences professor, Dr. Ed Simpson will be featured on an upcoming segment on the
Weather Channel program “Strangest Weather on Earth.” Professor Simpson was interviewed by
Pioneer Productions for a segment on the Salton Sea in California. The airing date is November 9
at 9:00 p.m.
On September 8, the U.S. News and World Report of Best Colleges and Universities was
released. Kutztown University was ranked for the 5th year in a row.
The Electronic Media program unveiled its new production trailer which was first used to televise
KU’s September 13 home football game. The department has been nominated for four MidAtlantic Regional Emmy’s.
The enrollment fall freeze snapshot was taken at the end of business on September 15.
Preliminary enrollment for fall 2014 is 9,216; a 3.12% loss over fall 2013 enrollment of 9,513.
The loss of enrollment from fall 2012 to 2013 was 2.96%. PASSHE official enrollment data will
be presented to the Board of Governors at their October meeting.
The Kutztown University football team beat IUP on September 13 for the first time in university
history by a score of 44 - 7.
843
5.
Public Comments
Dr. Paul Quinn, Kutztown University ASPCUF President, commented that APSCUF is very
pleased with the way the university is going this year. He noted that the message of the student
learning experience is taking hold within the campus community. Acting President Vargas has
been the first president to attend an APSCUF Executive Council Meeting. He also noted that
there is a flow of communication and a sense that everyone is working together to make the
university better.
6.
Approval of Minutes, June 19, 2014
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Heck seconded by Mr. Ludlow and carried, the minutes of the
June 19, 2014 meeting were approved.
7.
Summary of Discussions-Council Committee on Human Diversity
Ms. Garcia reported on committee discussions.
She noted that the search was completed for the Director of Disability Services.
Trustee Garcia distributed publications from various groups on campus and highlighted some
programs and initiatives. The Granted Access Project is a program that provides Reading area
students the opportunity to experience what Kutztown University has to offer. Student
Involvement has begun the Turbo vote initiative to help Kutztown University students register to
vote quickly and easily. The Women’s Center and GLBTQ have been collaborating with other
student organizations on campus to provide programming and events.
Ms. Garcia informed the committee of some recent of code of conduct changes that address
crimes associated with the Violence Against Women Act.
Ms. Garcia updated the committee on the University’s Title IX compliance efforts. Over the
summer, a team of ten Kutztown University staff attended the PASSHE Title IX Training at Lock
Haven University. Jesus Peña, Esq. is the University’s Title IX coordinator.
8.
Summary of Discussions-Council Committee on University Relations and Advancement
Mr. Iannelli reported on committee discussions.
Kutztown University Foundation’s fundraising efforts are off to a good start this fiscal year.
$475,125 in cash and pledges has been raised to date. This represents a 60% increase over the
cash and pledges raised during the first ten weeks of the last fiscal year.
The Foundation provided $823,000 in scholarship funds to Kutztown University during the last
fiscal year.
An event sponsored by the Foundation and Alumni Relations, sent a strong delegation from
Kutztown University to Canton, Ohio this summer to see Andre Reed ’05 enshrined in the Pro
Football Hall of Fame.
Trustee Iannelli noted that the Annual Fund is underway. Last year, the annual campaign raised
more than $2.4 million in gifts of cash, stock and gifts-in-kind, which surpassed our PASSHE
goals.
844
University Relations provided coverage of the induction of Andre Reed into the Pro Football Hall
of Fame via social media, a blog, our website, and through photo galleries.
The division also successfully transitioned away football game radio broadcasts to Kutztown
University Radio (KUR), resulting in high listenership for first game at Slippery Rock.
On August 13, 109 potential football players arrived for 10 days of preseason football camp.
KU Presents! has more than doubled last year’s subscriber number, with 298 subscribers and are
moving forward to establish a central Box Office.
The PA German Heritage Center’s Seed Project is going extremely well. They are in the process
of harvesting a very good crop of cucumbers: Landis White Cucumber; varieties of beans and
several varieties of heirloom tomatoes that will be processed and the seeds will be packaged and
made ready for sale. This program will generate more than $5,000 for the Heritage Center in its
first year.
9.
Naming of Kutztown University’s Stadium
Mr. Iannelli read the Council of Trustee Resolution for the Naming of Kutztown University’s
Andre Reed Stadium and moved to approve the naming of Kutztown University’s Stadium as
presented. Mr. Heck seconded the motion and it carried. (Exhibit A)
Mr. Wabby noted that joining him for the Football Hall of Fame inductions in Canton, Ohio on
August 1-2 were Dr. Blocksidge and Mr. Pichini, who also represented PASSHE.
Other representatives from the University included Acting President Vargas; KU Foundation
Executive Director, Tracey Thompson; Athletic Director, Greg Bamberger;
and Associate Vice President for Communications, Marketing and External Relations, John
Green.
A bus, sponsored by Kutztown University Foundation and Alumni Relations, consisting of
approximately 25 additional fans from KU made the trip. Several KU alumni made the trip on
their own.
The primary activities included the Gold Jacket Dinner in downtown Canton on Friday night.
All past members of the Hall of Fame in attendance were introduced, and Andre Reed and the
other five new inductees received their jackets. The event was televised by NFL Network.
The Hall of Fame Induction took place on Saturday night in Fawcett Stadium adjacent to the Hall
of Fame. The inductions were televised nationally on ESPN and the NFL Network. Andre’s
speech was very moving. He talked about his time at Kutztown and mentioned his quarterbacks
and key coaches.
It was a great event to attend and an excellent night for Kutztown University. KU is looking
forward to Andre being on campus on October 17-18 to recognize him as a Golden Bear!
Mr. Pichini noted that Andre Reed is the first player from the state system to be inducted into the
Professional Football Hall of Fame.
845
10.
Summary of Discussions-Council Committee on Academic and Student Affairs
Dr. Blocksidge reported on committee discussions.
11.
Internship Agreements with various Institutions and Kutztown University
Dr. Blocksidge presented the list of Internship Agreements which establish a relationship
whereby students may participate in practical experience outside the traditional classroom setting.
Dr. Blocksidge moved to approve the Internship Agreements as presented. Mr. Giorno seconded
the motion and it carried. (Exhibit B)
12.
Affiliation Agreements with School District and College of Education
Dr. Blocksidge moved to approve the Affiliations Agreements as presented. Mr. Heck seconded
the motion and it carried. (Exhibit C)
13.
Reverse Transfer Agreement
Dr. Blocksidge moved to approve the Reverse Transfer Agreement as presented. Mr. Ludlow
seconded the motion and it carried. (Exhibit D)
Dr. Vargas noted that Kutztown University and Reading Area Community College signed a
reverse transfer agreement on September 15, 2014.
14.
Student Presenter: Danielle K. Moyer, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Dr. Blocksidge invited Dr. Anne Zayaitz, Dean to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, to
introduce the student presenter, Danielle K. Moyer, a geology major. Ms. Moyer explained that
while still in high school, she attended the Women in Science Program at Kutztown University.
That experience began her relationship with faculty members who encouraged her thirst for
knowledge and adventure. From those relationships, she fell in love with the geology program
and the faculty at Kutztown. Ms. Moyer gave a presentation about her experiences on the
Research Cruise: Jurassic Ocean Crust Magnetic Survey 2011, the South Dakota Scholl of Mines
and Technology’s Volcanology Field Camp in Iceland and her summer internship at the
Chincoteague Bay Field Station. Dr. Blocksidge thanked Ms. Moyer for her presentation.
Dr. Blocksidge invited Dr. John Vafeas, Chair, Department of Social Work, to speak about the
department. Dr. Vafeas reported that the department is thriving with explosive progress in the
last several years. In 1996 the baccalaureate program in social work was accredited; in 2006 the
master program in social work was accredited; and in 2015 the department is proposing to have a
doctorate program in social work in collaboration with Millersville University. The department
has elevated programming to respond to the needs of the community. Growth of the program can
be attributed directly to the service to community.
15.
Summary of Committee Discussions -- Committee on Finance, Property and Audit
Mr. Heck reported on committee discussions.
846
16.
Consent Agenda Items
Mr. Heck reported that the committee thoroughly reviewed the consent agenda items.
Mr. Heck moved that the Council approve the Purchases and Contracts under $100,000 as
presented. Mr. Iannelli seconded the motion and it carried. (Exhibit E)
Purchases and Contracts under $100,000
Purchases and Contracts $100,000 and Over
2015-1
Oracle/PeopleSoft Yearly Technical Support
Mr. Heck moved that the Council approve the Purchases and Contracts over $100,000 as
presented. Mr. Ludlow seconded the motion and it carried. (Exhibit F)
17.
Appointment Dr. William Mowder, Dean of College of Visual and Performing Arts to the
Presidential Search Committee
Mr. Wabby, noted that Dr. Garber withdrew from the committee due to personal reasons and
presented Dr. Mowder to replace him as the University Executive not Reporting Directly to the
President on the Presidential Search Committee.
Mr. Heck moved that the Council approves appointment of Dr. Mowder on the Presidential
Search Committee as proposed. Dr. Blocksidge seconded the motion and it carried.
Mr. Wabby also noted that Mr. Scoboria is the SGB Representative on the Presidential Search
Committee and Ms. Tessa Patton is the SGB alternate.
18.
As May Arise
Mr. Wabby noted that the Presidential Search Committee will meet for the first time on Friday,
September 19. Open Forums for community, faculty, staff and students will also be held. Once
the process begins, proceedings will be confidential and any public updates will be made through
the Presidential Search website.
Mr. Pichini noted that the PACT Meeting will be held on October 2, from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
in Harrisburg.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:57 p.m.
_________________________
Date
______________________________
Secretary
_________________________
Date
______________________________
Chair
847