Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY
MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL OF TRUSTEES
October 24, 2013
The Council of Trustees met on Thursday, October 24, 2013, at 4:00 p.m. in Stratton Administration
Building, room 301
PRESENT:
Ms. Letecia Garcia ..................................................................................................Blandon
Mr. Dennis Giorno (via conference call)………………………………....New Cumberland
Mr. Thomas H. Heck ........................................................................................ Wyomissing
Mr. James Ludlow ............................................................................................. Fogelsville
Ms. Dianne Lutz ..............................................................................................Wernersville
Mr. Richard Orwig, Chairperson ............................................................................. Reading
Mr. John Wabby ................................................................................................... Pottsville
ABSENT:
Dr. Charles Blocksidge ................................................................................. McKees Rocks
Mr. Anthony Iannelli……………………………………………………… …... Macungie
Mr. Guido Pichini ………………...…………………………………….Wyomissing Hills
Mr. Roger Schmidt, Secretary …………………………………………………….Leesport
ALSO PRESENT:
Dr. F. Javier Cevallos, President
Mr. Kent Dahlquist, Director of Dining and Housing and Residence Life
Mr. Matthew Delaney, Senior Director of Budget and Business Services
Dr. William Dempsey, Dean, College of Business
Ms. Letecia Garcia, Student Trustee
Mr. John Green, Associate Vice President, Communication, Marketing and External Affairs
Mr. Jeffrey Grimm, Assistant Vice President, KU Facilities
Mr. Nicholas Imbesi, President Student Government Board
Mr. Victor Jackson, Student, College of Business
Mr. Andrew Lee, CLA Manager
Dr. William Mowder, Dean, College of Visual and Performing Arts
Mr. John Nadolski, Comptroller
Mr. Jesus Peña, Esq., Associate Vice President for Equity and Compliance
Mr. Steve Rosa, CLA Partner
Ms. Kimberly Scranage, Vice President, Enrollment Management
Mr. Matthew Santos, University Relations Director
Mr. Jerry Silberman, Vice President for Administration and Finance
Ms. Tracey Thompson, Executive Director, KU Foundation
Dr. Claire Van Ens, Chair, Communication Studies and Theatre
Dr. Carlos Vargas, Provost
Mr. Robert Watrous, Dean of Students
Dr. Carole Wells, Vice Provost
1.
Call to Order
At 4:07 p.m., Chairperson Orwig called the meeting to order; a quorum being present.
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2.
Remarks by the Council Chairperson
Mr. Orwig welcomed new trustee, Jim Ludlow and gave the floor to Dr. Cevallos for his remarks.
After the remarks, the Auditors from CLA, Steve Rosa and Andrew Lee presented the financial
statement report. Following the presentation, Mr. Orwig asked Mr. Heck to move to approve the
Financial Statements. (Item 19)
3.
Remarks by the Student Government Association President
Mr. Nicholas Imbesi, President of the Student Government Board (SGB), notified the board that
they have organized a Safety Forum on November 6 with KU Police Chief John Dillon, Ms. Anne
Reel, Associate Director of Parking, Transport and Public Safety, Kutztown Borough Mayor
Sandy Green, and Kutztown Borough Police Chief Summers.
Mr. Imbesi noted that SGB will be engaging alumni at Fan Fest and outside the Stadium at the
homecoming festivities, and mentioned that SGB has formed a homecoming day parade
committee to work with the community to bring this tradition back for next year’s homecoming.
Mr. Imbesi shared that Senator Schwank will be attending SGB’s meeting on January 21 to give
an oversight of PASSHE’s funding situation.
Additionally, Mr. Imbesi noted that the Enrollment committee is working very diligently with
Ms. Scranage and Dr. Vargas in reviewing the enrollment trends.
To close, Mr. Imbesi mentioned that the Student Government Association vans will be used to
transport students to and from the Polls on November 5.
4.
Remarks by the University President
Dr. Cevallos welcomed Jim Ludlow, new trustee and Ms. Kimberly Scranage, Vice President for
Enrollment Management.
Dr. Cevallos notified the trustees of the loss of Mr. Jeff Unger, a regular photographer for the
University, who will be missed. Dr. Cevallos also noted that the Veterans center is almost ready
to open to help the growing number of prospective students who are returning from the military.
5.
Public Comments
No public comments were presented.
6.
Approval of Minutes, September 20, 2013
Upon motion duly made by Ms. Lutz, seconded by Mr. Wabby and carried, the minutes of the
September 19, 2013 meeting were approved.
7.
Summary of Discussions-Council Committee on Human Diversity
Ms. Garcia chaired the committee meeting. Ms. Garcia noted that the Assistant Vice President for
Administration and Finance position has been filled, and that candidates will be interviewed soon
for the Director of Library Services position. Ms. Garcia discussed disability services initiatives,
the honors society mentorship program, and the Multicultural Center’s efforts to bring diverse
students to KU from Reading School District.
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8.
Summary of Discussions-Council Committee on University Relations and Advancement
Ms. Lutz reported on committee discussions.
Ms. Lutz shared with the Council that the marketing and communication projects to increase
student enrollment are moving forward. Ms. Lutz mentioned that the University held successful
Open Houses in the Fall, with more being scheduled, targeting specific programs, such as STEM,
Visual and Performing Arts, and Music. Ms. Lutz noted that KU Presents! is up and running
again in Schaeffer Auditorium, with several sold out performances.
Ms. Lutz noted that The Setting the Stage Campaign has reached 97% of its goal. Mr. Ludlow
commented that he saw positive results focused initiatives regarding enrollment and alumni
engagement.
9.
Summary of Discussions-Council Committee on Academic and Student Affairs
Mr. Wabby reported on committee discussions. Mr. Wabby mentioned that the Career
Development Center, under the direction of Kerri Gardi, provides services in four key areas:
Major and Career Counseling; Internship and Job Searching; Work Preparation; and Graduate
School Preparation. The Center is focusing on providing their services to younger students to
help with retention.
10.
Student Presenter: Mr. Victor Jackson, College of Business
Mr. Wabby asked Dr. Dempsey, Dean of the College of Business, to introduce Viktor Jackson, a
student in the Accounting program. Mr. Jackson talked about his experiences at KU, noting that
he is a Berks County native, non-traditional student who came to KU to focus on finding a career.
He has been offered a position at PMG, a top accounting firm, starting in August of 2014. He
will be preparing for his CPA examine after December’s graduation. Mr. Jackson credits his
success to the resources provided by KU, especially the tutoring and internship programs. He has
interned at Air Products after getting a lead from Prof. Wagaman; and at Parente Beard from
“Meet the Firms Night”, coordinated by the College of Business.
11.
Faculty presenter: Dr. Claire Van Ens College of Visual and Performing Arts
Mr. Wabby asked Dr. Mowder, Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts to introduce
Dr. Van Ens, Chair of the Communication Studies and Theatre Department. Dr. Van Ens shared
that she, like Victor, was a nontraditional student who went back to college at age 35. She is a
proponent of the Community College System as a path to a four year degree and the California
State University easy and clean matriculation.
Dr. Van Ens mentioned that she enjoys working for KU and providing service to the campus.
During her chairmanship, the department has doubled in size, most likely attributable to its name
change. Through their classes, the department teaches over 300 students about public speaking,
writing, and interpersonal skills. Dr. Van Ens closed her remarks by saying she is thrilled with the
activity and success of her department.
12.
Internship Agreements with Various Institutions and Kutztown University
These agreements establish a relationship whereby students may participate in practical
experience outside the traditional classroom setting.
 Council on Chemical Abuse (COCA), Reading, PA – Social Work – new
 Alvernia University, Reading, PA – Counseling – new
Mr. Wabby moved to approve the Internship Agreements as presented. Mr. Heck seconded the
motion and it carried. (Exhibit A)
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13.
Affiliation Agreement with School District and the College of Education
This agreement establishes a relationship whereby Kutztown University students may participate
in a practicum or student teaching experience.
 Palisades School District, Kintnersville, PA – renewal
Mr. Wabby moved to approve the Affiliation Agreement as presented. Mr. Heck seconded the
motion and it carried. (Exhibit B)
14.
Agreement of Collaboration between Reutlingen University, Germany and Kutztown
University
This agreement of cooperation is designed as a study abroad/exchange program available to
faculty and students of both institutions in the area of Business Administration.
Mr. Wabby moved to approve the Agreement of Collaboration as presented. Mr. Heck seconded
the motion and it carried. (Exhibit C)
15.
Summary of Committee Discussions -- Committee on Finance, Property and Audit
Mr. Heck reported on committee discussions.
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. Wabby seconded the motion and it carried. (Exhibit D)
Purchases and Contracts under $100,000
Purchases and Contracts $100,000 and Over
2014-08 Natural Gas Purchase
2014-09 Natural Gas Distribution
2014-10 General Construction
2014-11 General Construction
Mr. Heck moved that the Council approve the Purchases and Contracts over$100,000 as
presented. Ms. Lutz seconded the motion and it carried. (Exhibit E)
17.
Dining Services Facility Update
Mr. Heck mentioned that the University is proposing the update of the student dining facility;
some of the proposed changes include modifications to the Student Meal Plan, which would
include unlimited meal plans, where students can access the dining facilities 24 hours a day.
These changes would allow KU to meet the need of the students and improve student retention
and recruitment. KU would be the first PASSHE school to have an anytime dining meal plan.
The proposed update schedule includes a three-year period of facility improvements, with Fall
2016 as completion date.
Mr. Heck moved that the Council approve the Dining Services Facility Update as presented. Mr.
Wabby seconded the motion and it carried. (Exhibit F)
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18.
Budget Amendment One
This item was presented for information purposes only. Action will be taken at the next meeting.
Mr. Heck moved that the Council approve the Budget Amendment One as presented. Mr. Wabby
seconded the motion and it carried.
19.
Financial Statement Presentation
Mr. Heck invited the auditors to present their report on the financial statement audit presentation.
Mr. Heck moved that the Council accept the Financial Statements as presented. Mr. Wabby
seconded the motion and it carried. (Exhibit G)
20.
Additional Action Items
No additional items were presented.
21.
PACT Update
It was noted that the PACT conference was held at Clarion University, where the Trustees had the
opportunity to meet the new Chancellor, and hear about his vision for the State System. Dr.
Cevallos, Dr. Blocksidge, Ms. Garcia, Mr. Pichini attended. Chancellor Brogan will visit KU on
November 12.
22.
As May Arise
None
The meeting was adjourned at 4:58 p.m.
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Secretary
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Chair
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