Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY
MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL OF TRUSTEES
October 23, 2014
The Council of Trustees met on Thursday, October 23, at 4:01 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
Ms. Dianne Lutz ..............................................................................................Wernersville
Mr. Guido Pichini ………………...…………………………………….Wyomissing Hills
Mr. John Wabby, Chairperson .............................................................................. Pottsville
ABSENT:
Mr. Roger Schmidt…............. …………………………………………………….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
Ms. Brooke Hamm, 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
Ms. Tracey Thompson, Executive Director, KU Foundation
Dr. John Vafeas, Chair, Department of Social Work
Dr. Carlos Vargas-Aburto, Acting President
Dr. Carole Wells, Vice Provost
1.
Call to Order
At 4:01 p.m., Chairperson Wabby called the meeting to order; a quorum being present.
2.
Remarks by the Council Chairperson
Mr. Wabby thanked all for attending Homecoming weekend and the Andre Reed event.
He noted that the PACT Workshop on Effective Governance was held on Thursday, October 2 in
Harrisburg and that he, along with Trustee Blocksidge, Trustee Ludlow, Trustee Pichini and
Acting President Vargas attended the conference from Kutztown University. Chancellor Brogan
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welcomed over sixty guests to the conference. Remarks were made by Michele Mandell, Trustee
from California University of PA and PACT Second Vice President as well as Dr. Peter Garland,
Executive Vice Chancellor, PASSHE. Sessions were held in the following areas: New Academic
Programs: Excellence and Relevance; University Financial Health; Calibrating Tuition Charges
and Student Markets. Presentations will be sent to every council member. Trustee Pichini gave
closing remarks.
The Spring PACT Conference will be on April 16-17, 2015 at the Hilton Harrisburg.
Mr. Wabby deferred further remarks to Dr. Vargas.
3.
Remarks by the Student Government Association President
Dr. Vargas presented his remarks prior to Mr. Joseph Scoboria. Following the Acting President’s
remarks, Mr. Scoboria stated that the Student Government Board is saddened by the passing of
Professor Schaeffer and sends their sympathy to the Schaeffer family and friends. Mr. Scoboria
reported this year’s homecoming activities were the best in many years. The students came
together for the many events leading up to the concert on Saturday night. Some of the events
included the Andre Reed Reception and Field Dedication as well as the Chance the Rapper
concert. Approximately eight hundred students attended the concert. Mr. Scoboria also
mentioned that Piper Kerman, author of Orange is the New Black, was speaking on campus this
evening. He noted that Election Day is fast approaching. SGB had a Burgers and Ballots drive
last week. Mr. Scoboria thanked APSCUF for their commitment to provide transportation to the
students to the polls on Election Day. SGB finalized posters to be placed in the residence halls so
students are informed about the voting location and transportation options. District Attorney John
Adams attendance at an SGB meeting has been rescheduled to November 18. This meeting will
be a safety meeting with Chief Dillon and KUBOK in attendance. SGB is working on legislation
to create an additional standing committee on diversity.
4.
Remarks by Dr. Carlos Vargas-Aburto, University Acting President
Thanked everyone for their participation in homecoming and Andre Reed events.
Dr. Vargas noted that the Kutztown University Department of Electronic Media won two Crystal
Pillars at the Mid Atlantic regional Emmy awards for the National Academy of Television Arts &
Science on September 20 in Philadelphia, PA. The awards are for excellence in the category of
Sports-Live Event and in the category of College/University Student Production-Arts and
Entertainment/Cultural Affairs. This is our third year of submitting entries.
Dr. John Riley’s Political Science class will be filmed on Tuesday, October 28 for a future airing
on C-SPAN3’s American History TV. C-SPAN3 is currently available in 43 million digital cable
TV households and is streamed live online at C-SPAN.org
Megan Soucy, a senior communications major from Basking Ridge, N.J., was featured by
the State System for receiving a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship,
sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
The program offers grants for undergraduate students of limited financial means to
pursue academic studies or credit-bearing, career-oriented internships abroad. Recipients
compete for the awards against students from colleges and universities across the United
States. Megan spent part of this past summer in Togo, Africa, where she worked with
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Association Germano Togolaise (AGERTO), a nonprofit, non-governmental organization
that seeks to create lasting solutions to poverty and environmental sustainability.
The Kutztown University Visual Arts Program (KUVA) has been invited to participate in the
38th annual Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) Craft Show, held from November 6 - 9 at the
Pennsylvania Convention Center. Kutztown is one of only four colleges in the country and the
only public school invited to participate.
As KU approaches its Sesquicentennial, preparations are already underway to make the 20152016 academic year a special one. The thirteen month long celebration will recognize the
institution's 150 years of existence, which began as Keystone Normal School on September 15,
1866.
On September 17, Information Technology increased the university bandwidth to 1GB service for
both the ResNet and Academic Networks.
The KU Campus Store had a Grand Re-Opening Celebration on Thursday, September 25 to
celebrate the new store. This renovation project was fully funded by KUSSI with no impact on
student fees, University funding, or our store pricing. New look, same great prices!
The Kutztown University Marching Unit performed on September 28 in the 2014 Collegiate
Marching Band Festival in Allentown. Twelve of the fourteen state system schools participated
in the festival with the Morgan State University, the University of Massachusetts, the University
of Delaware, Boston University and several others. KUMU caught the attention of State System
of Higher Education Chancellor Frank Brogan who stopped by to congratulate the band on an
outstanding performance.
The Office of Admissions hosted their first of three Fall Open Houses on October 3. We hosted
267 students plus their family members for a total of 598 people on campus at this event. Our
next two open houses are Friday, October 24 and November 14.
The KU Internship and Job Fair was held on October 8, in the MSU multipurpose room. There
were 58 employers registered to attend to seek applicants from all majors. This was a great
opportunity for students to connect with businesses, get involved, learn and look into future
career opportunities.
On Friday, October 24, Kutztown University will become home to the largest collection of rare
xylophones, marimbas and vibraphones in the nation. U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Dana Kimble,
retired percussion instructor at West Point Military Academy, has chosen KU to be the permanent
home for his collection of rare instruments owned by the late Clair Omar Musser, a worldrenowned percussionist.
Photography Club of KU and Hawk Mountain Collaboration: The Photo Club and Hawk
Mountain are working together to give KU students and staff the opportunity to photograph at the
sanctuary and participate in an exhibition that will be on view in the Hawk Mountain Visitor's
Center and then travel to KU. This project is available to all KU students, staff, and faculty.
Photography equipment may be available for loan for this project.
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is holding a Science, Technology and Math Open
House on Saturday, October 25. They are expecting about 300 visitors that will have the
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opportunity to talk with faculty, current students, alumni and admissions personnel. The event
will include tours of the campus and STEM academic facilities.
On Saturday November 1, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences plans to host a STEM-Merit
Badge University for Boy Scouts from both Hawk Mountain and Minsi Trails councils on
Saturday, November 1.
The College of Visual and Performing Arts will host an Open House on November 3 and
currently has 158 students pre-registered to attend. Combined with their parents and families, we
are expecting over 400 visitors on campus that day. As registration is still open, we expect those
numbers to increase. CVPA holds one open house every year in the fall. These open houses give
students the opportunity to have their art portfolio reviewed or to perform a music audition.
These numbers are higher than any previous CVPA Open House and we expect them to increase
as we get closer to the event.
Members of the Kutztown University baseball team had a once-in-a-lifetime experience on
Monday, September 15. In honor of their recent conference championship, the Golden Bears were
invited by Senator Lisa Baker to the State Capitol building, given a tour of the facilities, and
recognized during the afternoon session of Senate.
Kutztown University head women's soccer coach Erik Burstein broke the program's all-time wins
record with October 14th’s 2-0 victory over Seton Hill University at Keystone Field. Burstein is in
his eighth year at the helm of the Golden Bears and improved his career record at Kutztown to
98-45-11, breaking Jeff Schellenberger's record of 97 from 1989-91 and 1998-2006.
With profound sadness and a heavy heart, Dr. Carlos Vargas-Aburto informed the committee of
the passing of Professor Randy Schaeffer. It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that we
announce the passing of Professor Randy Schaeffer '72. He was an associate professor of
mathematics, taught undergraduate and graduate level courses in mathematics and mathematics
education, and supervised student teachers in mathematics at Kutztown University since 1980. In
recent years, Professor Schaeffer helped revise the general education curriculum for the
university and oversee the implementation of the new general education requirements. He also
served on the University’s Sesquicentennial Committee. Chairman Wabby, remarked and asked
for a moment of silence.
5.
Public Comments
Dr. Paul Quinn commented on his relationship with Professor Schaeffer as one of his mentors at
Kutztown University and that he will be missed on this campus.
APSCUF approved a change to the SRI.
6.
Approval of Minutes, September 18. 2014
Upon motion duly made by Dr. Blocksidge seconded by Mr. Heck and carried, the minutes of the
September 18, 2014 meeting were approved.
7.
Summary of Discussions-Council Committee on Human Diversity
Ms. Lutz reported on committee discussions. Faculty searches are ongoing and the Presidential
Search is moving forward through the Presidential Search Committee. The Office of Disability
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Services will be participating in the PASSHE Diversity Summit on November 12 through 14 at
Millersville University. Ms. Lutz also reported on the discussion of the Protection of Minors Act
that will take effect next year.
8.
Summary of Discussions-Council Committee on University Relations and Advancement
No report was presented.
9.
Summary of Discussions-Council Committee on Academic and Student Affairs
Dr. Blocksidge reported on committee discussions. He noted that Nancy Wunderly, Director of
Admissions gave a presentation. Dr. Blocksidge was pleased to report that applications and
acceptance numbers have increased from last year. Dr. Blocksidge invited Michelle Kiec,
Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to introduce Ms. Brooke Hamm, the
student presenter.
10.
Student Presenter: Ms. Brooke Hamm, College of Visual & Performing Arts
Dr. Blocksidge invited Ms. Brooke Hamm, a Communication Studies major with Professional
Writing and Public Relations minors to present to the group. Her personal motto has always
been, “you won’t know until you try.” Ms. Hamm explained how she selected Kutztown
University. She will be the first person in her family to graduate from college and will achieve
her degree in three and a half years, graduating in December. Ms. Hamm commented on how
participating in student organizations and extracurricular activities helped her develop her skills
well beyond the classroom. She is looking forward to pursuing her career with the knowledge
and talent she has gained through all of her experiences at Kutztown University.
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)
12.
Affiliation Agreements with School District and College of Education
Dr. Blocksidge moved to approve the Affiliations Agreements as presented. Mr. Ludlow seconded
the motion and it carried. (Exhibit)
13.
Reverse Transfer Agreement
Dr. Blocksidge moved to approve the Reverse Transfer Agreement as presented. Mr. Heck
seconded the motion and it carried. (Exhibit)
14.
Summary of Committee Discussions -- Committee on Finance, Property and Audit
Mr. Heck reported on committee discussions.
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15.
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)
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 )
16.
Budget Amendment One
Mr. Heck reported on the information presented. (Exhibit)
17.
As May Arise
The meeting was adjourned at 4:32 p.m.
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