I would like to take this opportunity to report on my first meeting as a member of the Penn State Board of Trustees.
During the public session, several matters were discussed:
Let me explain my votes:
During the public session, several matters were discussed:
- The return to on-campus learning;
- An expansion project at the Hershey Medical Center to provide private acute care patient rooms;
- The replacement of Erie Hall at Penn State’s Erie Campus;
- The renovation and expansion of the PAW Center at Penn State’s Dubois Campus;
- The operating budget for the 2021-2022 fiscal year;
- A request for an increase in tuition; and
- A proposal regarding the revocation of university awards or distinctions.
Let me explain my votes:
- I voted for the replacement of Erie Hall on the Erie Campus. The building being replaced is costly to maintain, is beyond its life expectancy, and does not provide appropriate services for our students at the Erie Campus. There has been a strong increase in applications for the Erie Campus, and its future is bright;
- I also voted for the renovation and expansion of the PAW Center at our Dubois Campus for similar reasons that I voted for the replacement of Erie Hall;
- Although I was in favor of merit raises for faculty and staff, I voted against the overall budget, a 2.5% increase in tuition for in-state students and a 2.75% increase in tuition for out-of-state students; and
- I voted against the proposal regarding the revocation of university awards or distinctions, which gave unbridled discretion to the Penn State President. My vote expressed my belief the Board of Trustees as a whole would be better served maintaining the right, conferred by the Bylaws, to withdraw honors bestowed by the Board of Trustees.
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