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- Thread starter stormingnorm
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I love the PSU BoT proposal. Hopefully a majority in each chamber can see how dysfunctional the current scheme is.
It's been clear for a very, very long time that the only solution lies with the legislature. We'll see if they will actually do anything this time- I have my doubts.
Here's a synopsis of the proposal
MEMORANDUM
Posted: March 14, 2018 12:33 PM
From: Representative Aaron Bernstine and Rep. Jim Christiana, Rep. John Maher
To: All House members
Subject: State-Related Institution Transparency and Accountability
We plan to introduce a three bill package promoting transparency and accountability in Pennsylvania’s state-related institutions. These institutions receive considerable funding from the Commonwealth, but are not held to the same standards as the State System of Higher Education institutions.
The state-related institutions are as follows:
(1) Temple University
(2) The University of Pittsburgh
(3) The Pennsylvania State University
(4) Lincoln University
Please join us in co-sponsoring these important pieces of legislation to ensure that Pennsylvania’s state-related institutions are acting as responsible stewards of taxpayer resources.
Document #1
Description: Proposal #1: This legislation expands the extent of documents and financial information that is statutorily required for state-related institutions through the Right-to-Know law. Currently they are not subject to the law, but the law requires the institutions to make a report of some limited financial information including certain employees’ salaries to the General Assembly, Auditor General and Governor.
Document #2
Description: Proposal #2: This legislation subjects members of the Board of Trustees and other employees of state-related institutions who are responsible for taking or recommending official action to the requirements of Pennsylvania’s Ethics Act. This would require these individuals to file statements of financial interest.
Document #3
Description: Proposal #3: This legislation makes substantial changes to structure and operation of the Penn State Board of Trustees, many of which are also recommendations noted by the Auditor General in a recent performance audit report. Specifically, this legislation will limit the size of the board to twenty-one voting members and one nonvoting member, as follows:
This legislation also provides for a majority of trustees to constitute a quorum, establishes three-year terms for trustees, and limits the total number of years served by a trustee to nine years in the aggregate.
MEMORANDUM
Posted: March 14, 2018 12:33 PM
From: Representative Aaron Bernstine and Rep. Jim Christiana, Rep. John Maher
To: All House members
Subject: State-Related Institution Transparency and Accountability
We plan to introduce a three bill package promoting transparency and accountability in Pennsylvania’s state-related institutions. These institutions receive considerable funding from the Commonwealth, but are not held to the same standards as the State System of Higher Education institutions.
The state-related institutions are as follows:
(1) Temple University
(2) The University of Pittsburgh
(3) The Pennsylvania State University
(4) Lincoln University
Please join us in co-sponsoring these important pieces of legislation to ensure that Pennsylvania’s state-related institutions are acting as responsible stewards of taxpayer resources.
Document #1
Description: Proposal #1: This legislation expands the extent of documents and financial information that is statutorily required for state-related institutions through the Right-to-Know law. Currently they are not subject to the law, but the law requires the institutions to make a report of some limited financial information including certain employees’ salaries to the General Assembly, Auditor General and Governor.
Document #2
Description: Proposal #2: This legislation subjects members of the Board of Trustees and other employees of state-related institutions who are responsible for taking or recommending official action to the requirements of Pennsylvania’s Ethics Act. This would require these individuals to file statements of financial interest.
Document #3
Description: Proposal #3: This legislation makes substantial changes to structure and operation of the Penn State Board of Trustees, many of which are also recommendations noted by the Auditor General in a recent performance audit report. Specifically, this legislation will limit the size of the board to twenty-one voting members and one nonvoting member, as follows:
- The Governor, who will serve as the nonvoting member;
- The Secretary of Education;
- The Secretary of Agriculture;
- The Secretary of Conservation and Natural Resources;
- Nine alumni representatives (elected by alumni);
- Three members representing business and industry interests elected by business and industry associations;
- Three members representing agricultural interests elected by agricultural associations; and
- Three at-large members, one of whom must be a student enrolled at the institution.
This legislation also provides for a majority of trustees to constitute a quorum, establishes three-year terms for trustees, and limits the total number of years served by a trustee to nine years in the aggregate.
Bump! I don’t live in Pennsylvania But if I did, I would be on the phone encouraging this type of action. Oh, and I would make numerous calls.
How do the three at large members get selected?Call 'em anyway..... let them know you are a concerned Alum (or a concerned "human being"):
Contact numbers: Aaron Bernstein - (717) 783-8322; AG DePasquale - (717) 787-2543; John Maher - (717) 783-1522; Jim Christiana - (724) 728-7655; Jake Corman- (717)787-1377. Call and voice your support.
I've just released the below statement regarding the legislation to both local and national news media.
Brandon Short Candidate For the Pennsylvania State University Board of Trustees - Supports New PA Higher Education Transparency Legislation
Former New York Giant and Goldman Sachs Banker Supports New PA transparency legislation
Brandon Short’s Statement
“The lack of transparency and accountability in the governance of public universities is a national issue. In Pennsylvania, this problem is magnified where taxpayer dollars are appropriated to public universities which are not held to high standards of transparency and accountability.
Pennsylvania public universities are underfunded and it is important that the State increase its investment in higher education. However, it's equally important that the leadership at PA public universities operate openly and transparently and that their interests are aligned with one of the school’s main constituents – Pennsylvania taxpayers.
I fully support the proposed legislation co-authored by Representatives Aaron Bernstine, Jim Christiana, and John Maher which would improve the quality of education at public universities and align the interests of Universities with the interests of the citizens of the State.”
Brandon Short Candidate For the Pennsylvania State University Board of Trustees - Supports New PA Higher Education Transparency Legislation
Former New York Giant and Goldman Sachs Banker Supports New PA transparency legislation
Brandon Short’s Statement
“The lack of transparency and accountability in the governance of public universities is a national issue. In Pennsylvania, this problem is magnified where taxpayer dollars are appropriated to public universities which are not held to high standards of transparency and accountability.
Pennsylvania public universities are underfunded and it is important that the State increase its investment in higher education. However, it's equally important that the leadership at PA public universities operate openly and transparently and that their interests are aligned with one of the school’s main constituents – Pennsylvania taxpayers.
I fully support the proposed legislation co-authored by Representatives Aaron Bernstine, Jim Christiana, and John Maher which would improve the quality of education at public universities and align the interests of Universities with the interests of the citizens of the State.”
They will probably immediately vote to increase the number of members so that as a response to this recommendation, they will get back to current numbers.
6 B&I
6 Ag
3 State Dept Heads
6 Governor Appointes
3 “At Large” (for all intents and purposes, selected by the control group - Lubert Dambly Inc)
1 Student (selected not by the students, but by the control group)
1 Faculty (Han, the UpwardState proxy)
1 Immediate Past PSUAA Chieftan (Kevin Steele, the non-alum)
And Wolf and Barron as non-voting members (w Wolf usuallyrepresented by his proxy)
Thanks.
Interesting that the 3 sponsors are all GOPers. In the senate, the main backers in the past have been Democrats (e.g., Yudichak). Dare we dream of a bipartisan effort here?
In general when observing typical politicians, you see that one side decides their previously held beliefs are no longer valid since they are now being espoused by the other side. So dream away, but remember it's just a dream.
PSU is the honey pot ... in the end, they cannot resist putting their paws in the honey pot. Pols, board members .... all the same.
in this country? nope- it's too late, everyone is dizzy from circling the drain
Bc Wolf was never the savior he ran to be. It was pandering, got this board hook, line, and sinker. At this point I'm not sure anyone who actually aligned with the alumni could win the governors mansion without being turned to the control group, ala Corman.
Call 'em anyway..... let them know you are a concerned Alum (or a concerned "human being"):
Contact numbers: Aaron Bernstein - (717) 783-8322; AG DePasquale - (717) 787-2543; John Maher - (717) 783-1522; Jim Christiana - (724) 728-7655; Jake Corman
Bump. Make the calls and spread the word.
