Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY
MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL OF TRUSTEES
April 24, 2014
The Council of Trustees met on Thursday, April 24, at 4:08 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. Anthony Iannelli……………………………………………………… …... Macungie
Mr. James Ludlow ............................................................................................. Fogelsville
Ms. Dianne Lutz ..............................................................................................Wernersville
Mr. Richard Orwig, Chairperson ............................................................................. Reading
Mr. Guido Pichini ………………...…………………………………….Wyomissing Hills
Mr. Roger Schmidt, Secretary …………………………………………………….Leesport
Mr. John Wabby ................................................................................................... Pottsville
ABSENT:
Dr. Charles Blocksidge ................................................................................. McKees Rocks
ALSO PRESENT:
Dr. F. Javier Cevallos, President
Ms. Elsa G. Collins, Chief of Staff
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. Nicholas Imbesi, President Student Government Board
Mr. David Johnson, University Relations
Mr. Eric Laub, Instructor, Physical Sciences
Ms. Tessa Patton, Vice President-Elect, Student Government Board
Mr. Brent Penny, Assistant Vice President, Administration and Finance
Mr. Jesus Peña, Esq., Associate Vice President for Equity and Compliance
Mr. Matthew Santos, University Relations Director
Mr. Joseph Scoboria, President-Elect, Student Government Board
Ms. Kimberly Scranage, Vice President, Enrollment Management
Mr. Jerry Silberman, Vice President of Administration and Finance
Ms. Tracey Thompson, Executive Director, KU Foundation
Dr. Carlos Vargas, Provost
Mr. Robert Watrous, Dean of Students
Dr. Carole Wells, Vice Provost
Dr. Anne Zayaitz, Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
1.
Call to Order
At 4:08 p.m., Chairperson Orwig called the meeting to order; a quorum being present. He noted
that Mr. Dennis Giorno is participating via conference call.
2.
Remarks by the Council Chairperson
There were no remarks from the Chairperson.
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3.
Remarks by the Student Government Association President
Mr. Nicolas Imbesi noted that this would be his last Council of Trustees meeting, as he is
graduating in three weeks. He wished to thank the Council for their support and the working
relationship they developed with the Student Government Board. He introduced Mr. Joseph
Scoboria, President-elect and Ms. Tessa Patton, Vice President-elect, who will take office
effective May 31.
Mr. Imbesi noted that an ad hoc committee has been established to propose some ideas to get the
voting site back to Kutztown University.
The Council gave Mr. Imbesi a round of applause for all his work and efforts during his tenure as
President of Student Government Board.
4.
Remarks by the University President
Dr. Cevallos thanked Mr. Imbesi for his leadership and congratulated him on his graduation. He
highlight a note that was published online about one of our students, Lauren Schlitt, a lacrosse
player who was born deaf and has managed to be a successful student and a lacrosse player.
Dr. Cevallos also noted that our Women’s bowling team was named the Northeast Conference
(NEC) Winter Team Sportsmanship Award Winner. This is the second time the team receives this
recognition.
The president also noted that BearFest is ongoing this week, with celebrations outdoors and
indoors. Additionally, he mentioned that the University will be hosting the 7s Rugby Tournament,
with 18 teams coming from all over the country.
Dr. Cevallos noted a copy of the “Excelencia” Report was available on the Trustees’ packets.
This report was released last week and tracks the success of Latino students, state by state. He
noted that KU made the list, and is the only PASSHE university listed.
Dr. Cevallos finalized by noting that Commencement will be celebrated on May 10, with close to
1350 students getting their degree.
5.
Public Comments
No public comments were made.
6.
Approval of Minutes, March 27, 2014
Upon motion duly made by Ms. Lutz seconded by Mr. Schmidt and carried, the minutes of the
March 27, 2014 meeting were approved.
7.
Summary of Discussions-Council Committee on Human Diversity
Ms. Lutz reported on committee discussions.
Ms. Lutz noted that faculty searches are being monitored, and the national search for the assistant
vice president of enrollment management has commenced.
The Department of Disability Services is organizing the Delta Alpha Pi induction ceremony for
students with disabilities, and during the ceremony, students recognize faculty that are supportive
of students with disabilities.
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Ms. Lutz noted that Dolores Hess, Director of Health and Wellness Services, has been appointed
by Congressman Meehan to serve on the Sexual Violence Advisory Council.
Ms. Lutz also listed all the events that are forthcoming in the next month.
8.
Summary of Discussions-Council Committee on University Relations and Advancement
Mr. Iannelli reported on committee discussions.
Mr. Iannelli shared with the Council that the KU mobile website is in the final stage of
production. This mobile website will allow user friendly viewing on smart phones and mobile
devices.
Mr. Iannelli noted that the recently hired head football coach, Mr. Jim Clements has joined KU
and has started to lead spring practices. He also noted that junior student Ziad Haddad has been
recently named the NCAA Division II Wrestler of the Year.
Trustee Iannelli mentioned that the weather made it a difficult season for spring sports, as
Lacrosse Baseball and Softball spent most of the month trying to determine what days and where
they were going to play.
KU Presents! held several performances, with almost three-quarters of the tickets sold. Kevin
Eubanks was the last performance of the season, as he kicked off the Berks Jazz Fest.
Mr. Iannelli noted that the Folk Arts Murals by Ernst Hartenfeld from Weisenber Township,
donated by Mary and Robert Sodaitis, have been installed in the Sharadin Farm House.
Mr. Iannelli also provided an update on capital and annual campaign results. He mentioned that
the Kutztown University Foundation Board of Directors voted not to move forward with the sale
of the Golden Bear Village South.
Mr. Iannelli noted that the Foundation launched a Legacy of Service Appeal, to honor Dr. F.
Javier Cevallos for his twelve years of dedicated service to the University. This will be a targeted
fundraising appeal aimed at raising funds primarily for unrestricted scholarships.
9.
Media Campaign Update
Mr. Green presented the video ads that have been airing in Kutztown University’s vicinity, to
support the efforts to recruit new students and improve retention.
10.
Summary of Discussions-Council Committee on Academic and Student Affairs
Mr. Wabby reported on committee discussions. Mr. Wabby mentioned that Ms. Kimberly
Scranage presented on the enrollment management plan results as of this semester. Mr. Wabby
noted that out of the 25 strategies, 2 were completed, 14 are on target, 5 are in progress, and 2 are
below expectation.
Mr. Wabby also noted that the committee welcomed Dr. Bruce Sharking, who presented on the
services provided by the Counseling and Psychological Services Department. Mr. Wabby
highlighted the important role this department plays within the university, as their key
responsibilities are on supporting students with crisis intervention and providing consultation on
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psychological issues. Mr. Wabby highlighted that the challenge for this department is the high
demand of services and the limited resources to which they have access.
11.
Faculty Presenter: Eric Laub, Department of Physical Sciences
Mr. Wabby asked Dr. Zayaitz to introduce the faculty presenter, Prof. Eric Laub, an Instructor in
the Department of Physical Sciences. Dr. Zayaitz noted that Prof. Laub has been an instructor at
KU since 2003. Prof. Laub presented his work with drones and how they can be used to support
instruction in majors such as geography, physical sciences, and anthropology. The Trustees were
thrilled to witness a live drone demonstration.
12.
Candidates for Degree
Mr. Wabby presented the list of students candidates for degree.
Mr. Wabby moved to approve the list of Candidates for Degree as presented. Mr. Schmidt
seconded the motion and it carried. (Exhibit A)
13.
Summary of Committee Discussions -- Committee on Finance, Property and Audit
Mr. Heck reported on committee discussions.
14.
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. Ludlow seconded the motion and it carried. (Exhibit B)
Purchases and Contracts under $100,000
Purchases and Contracts $100,000 and Over
2014-43 Essential Repair Services Facilities Requirements Contract (1 of 2)
2014-44 Essential Repair Services Facilities Requirements Contract (2 of 2)
2014-45 Checkpoint Firewall Security Appliance 12600 NGP purchase
2014-46 Removal and Installation of new Copper Cable C-20 South Campus
2014-47 Cable TV Services (Academic & Resnet)
2014-48 Residence Hall WiFi Project (Golden Bear South)
2014-49 Residence Hall Wifi Project (Golden Bear South)
Mr. Heck noted that two additional contracts were added. 2014-48 & 2014-49
Mr. Heck moved that the Council approve the Purchases and Contracts over $100,000 as
presented. Mr. Wabby seconded the motion and it carried. (Exhibit C)
15.
Revised Identity Theft Prevention Policy
This policy was developed to help protect employees, customers, university contractors and the
university from damages to the loss or misuse of sensitive information, and to comply with the
rules issued by the Federal Trade Commission pursuant to the Fair and Accurate Credit
Transactions Act.
Mr. Heck moved that the Council approve the Purchases and Contracts over $100,000 as
presented. Mr. Pichini seconded the motion and it carried. (Exhibit D)
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16.
Berks Hall Renovation Project
This item was presented for information purposes only. Action will be taken at the next meeting.
This project involves life cycle and code required upgrades to Berks Hall. Modifications will
include accessibility improvements and upgrades to mechanical, electrical, plumbing, data, and
fire alarm systems. Construction will begin June of 2014 and will continue through July of 2015.
17.
Auxiliary Budget
This item was presented for information purposes only; however, the Committee presented it for
action.
The University has decided to freeze the majority of the auxiliary fees for 2014-15, which has
impacted the revenue budgets for many of the auxiliary units. In order to present balanced
budgets for each of these units, the University has made the necessary expense budget
adjustments.
Mr. Heck moved that the Council approve the Auxiliary Budget as presented. Mr. Ludlow
seconded the motion and it carried. (Exhibit E)
18.
Capital Projects Budget
This item was presented for information purposes only; however, the Committee presented it for
action.
Mr. Heck moved that the Council approve the Capital Project Budget as presented. Mr. Pichini
seconded the motion and it carried. (Exhibit F)
19.
Additional Action Items
No additional items were presented.
20.
Report from Nominating Committee
Mr. Tony Iannelli, chair of the Nominating Committee, presented the slate of officers for the
2014-2015 academic year, as follows:
Mr. Jack Wabby, Chair
Dr. Charles Blocksidge, Vice Chair
Mr. Thomas Heck, Secretary
Action will be taken at the next meeting.
21.
2014-2015 Meeting Schedule
The proposed meeting schedule for the 2014-2015 academic year was presented as information.
Action will be taken at the next meeting.
22.
PACT Update
Mr. Orwig noted that the PACT conference was held in Harrisburg, with very good attendance
from Kutztown University, and the attendees were able to enjoy excellent presentations. Mr.
Pichini noted that the next meeting will be hosted again in Harrisburg. The plan is to organize a
conference that allows the interaction of both Board of Governors and Council of Trustees
members, and look for ideas on how to work better together. Mr. Pichini noted this conference
will be more like an ideas-generating conference rather than just presentations.
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23.
As May Arise
No new items were presented.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:55p.m.
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