HUB-Robeson Center Advisory Board
2/4/2013 Meeting
Minutes
Call to Order – Mary Edgington
Attendees: Heide Port, Chuck Vescio, Keiwana Jones, Dave Rench, Kristin Wong, Rich Byers,
Armani Beck, Cortlyn Hagman, Dawn Amsberry, Ai-Mei Zhu, Mary Edgington, Carlos Wiley
Welcome –
Mary Edgington welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Comments from the Public –
None.
Approval of the Minutes –
A motion was made by Dave Rench to approve the minutes from the meeting of December 12,
2012 and a second was made by Rich Byers. The board voted in favor of accepting the minutes.
Old BusinessPlaque Committee –
Dave stated that the committee is still completing research on the plaques that are currently in the
HUB and trying to find the responsible parties for the awards. They are only looking at the
plaques in public spaces, not in individual offices. The committee is finding it difficult to locate
the owner of one award. A contact has been found for the Barash Award but no one knows who
is responsible for ordering the name plates. The committee is still searching for the right contact.
Space Allocation Committee –
The applications have been received and the committee will meet on Friday, 2/8 to begin the
review process.
Update from the PRCC –
There is nothing new to report from the PRCC right now. The office is cold so the doors are
being kept closed. The PRCC is open! Come on in!
Mary shared that the building is presently undergoing replacement of all HVAC piping for the
heating and cooling systems in the building. It will be another 4 months until the project is
complete.
Update from USA –
Mary shared that the HUB renovation/expansion architects are visiting every 2 weeks at this
point since we are getting so close to construction (this summer). With the announcement in
December of the Computer Store closing, it has put a kink in the renovation design. The
architects are in the process of revamping the design since that announcement. Food Services
has also hired an outside food consultant to review possible changes in that area. The project
will go before the Board of Trustees in May.
The trailers will begin to appear on the lawn after Spring Break. The Bookstore will move out
into the trailers the end of May. The architects are putting together a 3D video to show the
progression of the expansion. Mary will share once it is available.
USA/Events Management will begin to manage the reservation of the Executive Education
Building for space in the evenings and weekends. This is a great venue for retreats or meetings.
It will be on EMS with visuals soon and it is located next to the Nittany Lion Inn.
Schwab Auditorium will be managed by USA starting in the fall. There is an extensive
renovation of the building scheduled for this summer to prepare for the fall. A full time Manager
will be hired and managed by USA. The job has been posted.
There are currently 3 staff vacancies in USA. Susan LeGalley from Fraternity and Sorority Life
moved to Indiana for another position, the Volunteer Service position in Student Activities is
open and a Galleries Assistant position is available. The timing is good for these searches.
New Business –
A new committee needs to be formed to discuss sustainability. USA/HUB currently does not
have a policy in place for appliance use in the offices. We are trying to conserve energy and
there are many groups asking to put various appliances in the offices. Once this policy is
created, it will be adopted for the staff in the building as well and will be announced for
implementation at the beginning of the fall. Armani Beck will sit on this committee. Mary will
add others to this committee who are currently not sitting on any other boards and if anyone else
is interested, please let her know!
Dave Rench asked if sustainable options were being added to the expansion project. Mary stated
that yes, the building must meet LEED specifications as all new construction on Penn State’s
campuses must now follow that certification.
Open Discussion –
Keiwana Jones asked why there are no color printers available in the HUB for students. Mary
stated that none are available at this time but she will check on the feasibility of this for the
expansion. In the survey, the students did ask for more printers but did not specify type.
Dave Rench asked if there would be sustainable food prep areas for students to use and if there
would be more lounges available for use. Mary stated that there would be more lounges added
but they would not be organization specific. They will be open for anyone to use.
Meeting was adjourned.