Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY
MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL OF TRUSTEES
February 26, 2015
The Council of Trustees met on Thursday, February 26, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. in Stratton Administration
Center, room 301.
PRESENT:
Dr. Charles Blocksidge ................................................................................. McKees Rocks
Ms. Letecia Garcia ....................................................................................................Topton
Mr. Dennis Giorno ........... ………………………………………………...…....Harrisburg
Mr. Thomas Heck, Secretary ............................................................................ Wyomissing
Mr. James Ludlow ............................................................................................. Fogelsville
Mr. Guido Pichini ………………...…………………………………….Wyomissing Hills
Ms. Dianne Lutz ..............................................................................................Wernersville
Mr. Roger Schmidt ................ …………………………………………………….Leesport
Mr. John Wabby, Chairperson .............................................................................. Pottsville
ABSENT:
Mr. Anthony Iannelli…………………………………………………… .... …... Macungie
ALSO PRESENT:
Mr. Terry Brown, Director of Facilities Project Services
Mr. Angela Carr, Student Presenter
Mr. Matt Delaney, Senior Director of Budget and Business Services
Mr. Ron Devlin, Reading Eagle Reporter
Dr. Darrell Garber, Dean, College of Education
Mr. John Green, Associate Vice President, Communication, Marketing and External Affairs
Mr. David Johnson, University Relations
Mr. Jesus Peña, Esq., Associate Vice President for Equity and Compliance
Mr. Brent Penny, Assistant Vice President for Administration and Finance
Mr. Matt Santos, Director of University Relations
Mr. Joseph Scoboria, President, Student Government Board
Mr. Jerry Silberman, Vice President for Administration and Finance
Mr. Ken Steward, Associate Vice President for Academic Finance
Ms. Tracey Thompson, Executive Director, KU Foundation
Dr. Carlos Vargas-Aburto, Acting President
Dr. Carole Wells, Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies
1.
Call to Order
At 3:10 p.m., Chairperson Wabby called the meeting to order; a quorum being present.
2.
Remarks by the Council Chairperson
Mr. Wabby noted that the Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education is hosting a reception
on Monday, March 2, 2015 in which Mr. Pichini will be a speaker.
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3.
Remarks by the Student Government Board President
Mr. Scoboria noted that the semester was off to a strong start. There has been great
communication between the staff and organization. Presentations were made to the Student
Government Board from Dr. Trisha Scarcia-King regarding the customer service project and from
Dr. Vargas, Mr. Silberman, and Mr. Penny on the per credit tuition model. An open forum for the
model is scheduled and a simplified version of the model may be placed on KUnited for the
students to read and vote on. He noted that the board passed a special leave policy for members
of clubs and organizations. Mr. Scoboria is looking forward to participating with more than half
of the Student Government Board in the first Accepted Student Day of the semester on Saturday,
February 28. The group will also be participating in Advocacy Days in Harrisburg on April 14
and 15. This is the third year that our student leaders will be participating. Mr. Scoboria shared
his intention to run for reelection as Student Government Board President.
4.
Remarks by Dr. Carlos Vargas-Aburto, University Acting President
Dr. Vargas thanked Joe Scoboria for his service and leadership.
More than 1,700 students were named to the fall 2014 Dean's List at Kutztown University. The
total is an increase of 100 students compared to fall of 2013. To be eligible for the list, an
undergraduate student must be registered for at least 12 credits and have a minimum grade point
average of 3.60.
In an effort to make KU the safest environment possible, the Women’s Center and GLBTQ
Resource Center have teamed up with Greek Life, Athletics and University Relations and
Marketing to launch the “It’s On Us” initiative. “It’s On Us” is a national awareness campaign
developed by the White House to help put an end to sexual assault on college campuses. “It's On
Us” asks everyone -- men and women across America -- to make a personal commitment to step
off the sidelines and be part of the solution to campus sexual assault. Look for videos and ads
featuring KU students in the weeks ahead, or visit itsonus.org to join the effort.
The Kutztown chapter of the Society of Physics Students (SPS) has been presented with a
Distinguished SPS Chapter award. In choosing award recipients, the SPS looks at each chapter's
participation and activities on campus and in the community to determine which chapter best
represents their mission. The SPS is a professional association explicitly designed for students
which exists to help students transform themselves into contributing members of the professional
community. The SPS was formed in 1968 and has over 700 chapters on campuses across the
country. About 5,000 students take part in chapter activities each year, making SPS the fourth
largest physics society in the country. KU joins Princeton University, the University of
Delaware, Moravian and the Pennsylvania State University in earning the award. The SPS
Kutztown chapter's efforts on campus and in the community include the annual laser light shows
at Kutztown University's planetarium and the annual "Cantalobber" Contest, among other
activities. For a complete list of SPS distinguished chapters, visit
http://www.spsnational.org/programs/awards/2014/oca.htm.
Laura Bieber of Coopersburg is working for the Pennsylvania Department of State as part of a 15week internship sponsored by Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education. Bieber is a
senior public administration major and political science minor at Kutztown University of
Pennsylvania. She is one of 13 students participating in The Harrisburg Internship Semester
(THIS) program, which provides students the opportunity to work in all areas of state government
while earning a full semester's worth of credits. THIS invites students from each of the State
System universities to participate.
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The KU men’s and women’s rugby clubs have committed to the 2015 Penn Mutual Collegiate
Rugby Championship, May 30-31 in Philadelphia. The event is the largest and longest-running
collegiate Rugby 7's Championship in the world. A total of 20 schools will compete for the men’s
title, and eight for the women’s crown. Penn Mutual is in the first of a three-year title sponsorship
for the event, and NBC Sports is returning as both broadcaster and event partner. The Golden
Bear men fell to the University of California in the nationally televised title game last year, while
the KU women advanced to the semi-finals before being eliminated by Penn State.
Dr. Vargas asked the Council to posthumously grant emeritus status to Professor Randy
Schaeffer.
Mr. Pichini made a motion to posthumously grant emeritus status to Professor Randy Schaeffer.
Dr. Blocksidge seconded the motion and it carried.
5.
Public Comments
None
6.
Approval of Minutes, December 11, 2014
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Heck seconded by Mr. Schmidt the minutes of the December 11,
2014 meeting were approved.
7.
Approval of Minutes, February 16, 2015
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Ludlow seconded by Ms. Garcia and carried, the minutes of the
February 16, 2015 meeting were approved.
8.
Summary of Discussions-Council Committee on Human Diversity
Ms. Lutz reported on committee discussions. Several events and programs were discussed
including Disability Transition Day Academy on February 25, the Annual Commission on
Human Diversity Conference on February 27, a Frederick Douglass Institute event on March 18
and the Scholar in Residence program from March 22 – 27.
Ms. Garcia added that six bathrooms on campus will be designated as gender neutral.
9.
Summary of Discussions-Council Committee on University Relations and Advancement
Mr. Schmidt reported on committee discussions, noting that the winter Tower Magazine was
published; planning for the Sesquicentennial Celebration is ongoing; the men’s and women’s
basketball teams have made the PSAC playoffs; and wrestler, Ziad Haddad is on his way to
another NCAA Division II heavyweight championship. He stated that the Kutztown University
Foundation has created a “Just in Time” student emergency fund to help those students who face
a financial crisis and have nowhere else to turn. Students must apply and be recommended by a
faculty member or administrator. Mr. Schmidt reported that the foundation is having success in
soliciting annual fund dollars and that alumni outreach is going well with two sold out family
night events this semester.
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10.
Summary of Discussions-Council Committee on Academic and Student Affairs
Dr. Blocksidge reported on committee discussions. He noted that the student presenter is Ms.
Angie Carr from the College of Education and asked Dr. Garber to introduce her.
11.
Student Presenter: Ms. Angela Carr, College of Education
Ms. Carr chose to attend KU based on the positive experience her sister had as a transfer student.
Ms. Carr received her undergraduate in professional writing and returned to Kutztown for a
master’s degree in counseling; specifically in couples, marriage, and family therapy. Ms. Carr is
a research assistant for Dr. Helen Hamlet. Dr. Hamlet has been a wonderful mentor and has
encouraged Ms. Carr to pursue her Ph.D. Ms. Carr shared her appreciation of the professors and
the education she is receiving at Kutztown. She stated that her experience will help in her future
career.
Dr. Blocksidge thanked Ms. Carr and noted that he is proud to hear about her experience at
Kutztown University and her accomplishments.
12.
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 A)
13.
Affiliation Agreements with School District/Non-School District and Kutztown University
Student Teachers
Dr. Blocksidge moved to approve the Affiliation Agreements as presented. Ms. Lutz seconded the
motion and it carried. (Exhibit B)
14.
Summary of Committee Discussions -- Committee on Finance, Property and Audit
Mr. Heck reported on committee discussions.
15.
Consent Agenda Items
Mr. Heck reported that the committee thoroughly reviewed the consent agenda items.
Purchases and Contracts under $100,000
Mr. Heck moved that the Council approve the Purchases and Contracts under $100,000 as
presented. Mr. Ludlow seconded the motion and it carried. (Exhibit C)
Purchases and Contracts $100,000 and Over
2015-23
Document Imaging Software – Amendment 1
2015-24
Heat Pump Chassis Replacement for Old Main D/E Wing
2015-25
Purchase of Heating Oil
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 D)
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16.
2015-2016 Auxiliary Fees
Mr. Heck reported that the 2015-2016 Auxiliary Fees proposal was reviewed in the committee
meeting. He asked Mr. Silberman to summarize the information in the 2015-2016 Auxiliary
Fees. Mr. Silberman explained that the majority of the student fees will be frozen for the
upcoming year including: Housing, Student Union, Recreation Center, and Transportation
Services. He noted that they are seeking a modest increase in Dining Services. Mr. Heck
thanked Mr. Silberman for his summarization.
17.
Washington Center Internship Fee
Mr. Heck noted that the Washington Center Internship Fee was discussed in the committee
meeting and asked Mr. Silberman to report on the item. Mr. Silberman explained that along with
their tuition, students who take advantage of this internship program must pay an additional fee of
$5,600. This proposed fee is to offset program costs and faculty expenses after accounting for
University tuition and fees since the student will receive academic credit for participating in a
sanctioned internship.
18.
Additional Action Items
There were no additional action items.
19.
PACT Update
Mr. Wabby noted that the 2015 Spring PACT Leadership Conference will be held on April 16 –
17. The registration deadline for overnight accommodations is Friday, March 6. April 9 is the
registration deadline if overnight accommodations are not needed. He encouraged the Trustees to
attend and informed them that the conference agenda and registration form have been included in
their folders. He also noted that Mr. Pichini and Chancellor Brogan will be presenting.
20.
As May Arise
At 3:50 p.m., the Council voted to go in to executive session to discuss personnel matters. At
4:17 p.m., the meeting reconvened with no action taken.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:18 p.m.
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Secretary
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Chair
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