Tag Archives: Trustee

Feb 4 2012

Where Did the Silence Come From?


Given the governance missteps at Penn State, I propose that university bylaws be changed to eliminate the six business and industry trustee seats that have been the core of the board for many years.

Ideally, those six would be replaced with more alumni trustees who are elected in a transparent process.

In 2002, then Penn State board chairman Edward Hintz, Jr. (an industrial trustee) appointed a committee to study and recommend changes to the process for electing industrial trustees. The outcome of the study was a name change to “business and industry” trustees, and the election was eliminated.Not surprisingly, some are the largest financial contributors reported by the university. These trustees birthed and facilitated the Spanier regime.

A fresh start would include eliminating the appointed six-member business and industry group and replacing them with six additional alumni trustees, openly and democratically elected. Their removal would be a giant step toward restoring openness and sunshine, replacing the silence and haze that have been so pervasive.

–Robert Horst, past trustee

Jan 29 2012

Board of Trustees Didn’t Follow Their Bylaws


Broken rules, Broken lives

 

Per the Standing Orders of the Board of Trustees of the Pennsylvania State University:
ORDER VIII. RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE CONDUCT OF PUBLIC MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, ITS STANDING COMMITTEES AND ITS SPECIAL COMMITTEES
(13) Executive Sessions of the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees, its Executive Committee, its Standing Committees, and its Special Committees may hold an executive session for one or more of the following reasons: (a) To discuss any matter involving the employment, appointment, termination of employment, terms and conditions of employment, evaluation of performance, promotion or disciplining of any specific prospective officer or employee or current officer or employee employed or appointed by the University, or former officer or employee, provided, however, that the individual employees or appointees whose rights could be adversely affected may request, in writing, that the matter or matters be discussed at an open meeting.

Jan 17 2012

Election Shouldn’t Be One Issue Campaign


While we are all pretty upset about how the Penn State board of Trustees handled the recent scandal, I think it is important to remember that the role of the board is much more than one issue that brought other problems to the forefront. While the catalyst for all that we are currently upset about was definitely the firing of Joe Paterno and the handling of the whole affair (inept at best), the problem runs much deeper. When I look at the make up of the board of trustees (which most of us alums have ignored for years–yes, we are partially to blame for not watching the hen house), I think it was just a matter of time before something catastrophic would occur. Here we are, 2012, with a major legal and public relations blunder on our hands. I believe that only by working on the board’s structure and the policies and procedures that resulted in this mess can we clean up the “closed” hierarchy that currently runs the show. We need more clarity, less “pompous,” and a responsibility to our students, faculty, and alumni that seems to have been lost in the quest to become the “fat cat.” As a member of the board of trustees, I would take the past debacle and work to make sure that Penn State does better by learning from the mistakes–whatever they are–and they go well beyond firing Joe Paterno.
Jan 14 2012

Minutes of Executive Session-Sandusky Scandal


Report of Executive Sessions

Chairman Garban reported that the Board of Trustees had met in Executive Session to discussion personnel

matters, to consult with its attorney or other professional advisors, and University business. The resultant

actions included:

A. In view of the situation and unfolding circumstances at Penn State, the Board of Trustees

determined, and Dr. Spanier concurred, that it was best for the President to step down effective

November 9.

B. The Board of Trustees determined that it is in the best interest of Penn State for Joe Paterno to no

longer serve as head football coach, effective November 9.

C. The appointment of Rodney A. Erickson as President of The Pennsylvania State University effective

November 9. The Board is pleased that Dr. Erickson accepted the challenge to lead the University

at this important time, and believes that he will provide the necessary stability and direction as we

pursue our University’s land grant mission of education, research and outreach. President Erickson

has the Board’s complete confidence and support.

President Erickson will continue in this role until the Board determines an appropriate time to begin

a transition to new leadership. At that time a nationwide search will be conducted, although no specific

schedule has been established at this point. The Board plans to keep the University community

informed of any changes.

D. The Board of Trustees received a request from athletic director Tim Curley to be placed on

administrative leave so that he can devote the time needed to defend himself against recent

allegations by the Pennsylvania State Attorney General, effective November 6.

E. The Board of Trustees was advised that interim senior vice president for Finance and Business

Gary C. Schultz will return to retirement so that he can devote the time needed to defend himself

against recent allegations by the Pennsylvania State Attorney General, effective November 6.

F. A Special Investigations Task Force has been established and work is underway to identify the

members. A statement was released on Tuesday, November 8, noting that the task force will

undertake a full and complete investigation of the circumstances that gave rise to the Grand Jury

Report. It will be commissioned to determine what failures occurred, who is responsible, and what

measures are necessary to insure that this never happens again. There will be full accountability for

those found responsible. All resources will be made available for the committee to fulfill its charge

and there will be no restrictions placed on its scope or activities. Upon the completion of this

investigation, a complete report will be presented at a future public session of the Board of Trustees.

The special task force will be chaired by Trustee Ken Frazier and Trustee Ron Tomalis will serve as

the vice-chair. Chairman Garban called on Trustee Frazier for remarks, which are included in their

entirety:

“Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would just start by saying that the special

committee will take very seriously its charge of conducting a complete and

independent and separate investigation which will be viewed as rigorous, objective,

and impartial into the matters that you just discussed. I would also say that the

Board has made it clear that sexual abuse, and in particular, child sexual abuse is

completely unacceptable in any setting, but it has absolutely no place at Penn State

University, and because of that, the special task force will bring all of its resources,

including independent counsel to determining whether or not officers and employees

of the University acted responsibly in connection with these allegations and whether,

going forward, we need any changes to the University’s policies or procedures to

ensure the protection of children in the future. So, I will only say that, along with

Secretary Tomalis, we will do everything in our power to ensure that we give the

community, our students, their parents, and our alums the best indication that we’ve

looked at everything, talked to everyone, looked at all the documents that we can,

with the help of outside counsel, and that we are going to get to the bottom of all of

these matters. I appreciate your support and I look forward to reporting back in the

future.”

Chairman Garban closed by noting the University and this Board have many challenges and issues that we

will face over the coming days, months, and perhaps years. He reiterated the Board’s support for President

Erickson and the leadership team of the University as we move forward. Penn State has always strived for

honesty, integrity and the highest moral standards in all of its programs. We are dedicated to protecting those

who are placed in our care. Collectively, we promise that we are committed to restoring public trust in the

University. He thanked Vice Chair John Surma who provided the utmost support, decisive leadership, and

commitment to the University in these recent, difficult days. His service will always be appreciated. Chairman

Garban and Vice Chair Surma will continue to work together, with the Board, and move this University forward.

The meeting adjourned at 11:20 a.m.

Jan 14 2012

Minutes of November Board Meeting PSU


MINUTES OF MEETING

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

VOLUME 259

November 11, 2011

A meeting of the Board of Trustees was held in the Alumni Ballroom of The Nittany Lion Inn, University Park,

Pennsylvania, at 9:50 a.m. on November 11, 2011.

The following Trustees were present: Garban (chairman), Surma (vice chairman), Alexander, Allan, Arnelle,

Broadhurst, Clemens, Corbett, Dambly, Deviney, DiBerardinis, Eckel, Erickson, Frazier, Greig, Hayes,

Hetherington, Hintz, Jones, Joyner, Khoury, Lubert, Masser, Myers, Peetz, Riley, Shaffer, Silvis, Strumpf,

Suhey, Surma, and Tomalis; Governor’s Representative Branstetter; and Trustees Emeriti Brosius,

Coppersmith, Huck, Junker, Metzgar, Robinson, Rowell, and Wolff.

Present by invitation were faculty representatives Backer, Hagen, and Hufnagel; student representatives Bard,

and Lozano; staff members Ammerman, Baldwin, DiEugenio, Foley, Hanes, Kirsch, Mahon, Mulroy-

Degenhart, Pangborn, Paz, Poole, Sims, and Weidemann.

Chairman Garban thanked and introduced Dr. Rodney Erickson as the President of The Pennsylvania State

University. He noted that all on the Board pledged support to President Erickson and the administrative team

as we work together and collectively for the future of this institution that we love. President Erickson was met

with a standing ovation and his remarks are included below in their entirety:

“Thank you, Chairman Garban, I am honored and humbled by your appointment of

me as president. I want to thank you for placing your confidence in me–and the other

members of Penn State’s administrative team as we move forward. We are indeed a team,

one that pulls together day-in-and-day-out.

“I’d like to take the opportunity to introduce my wife, Shari, who is a wonderfully loyal

Penn Stater despite being a University of Iowa Hawkeye. She’s been the love of my life for

the past 43 years since we first met, and she keeps me well grounded.

“As you know, I’ve been with Penn State for more than 34 years, and I am deeply

committed to this institution, first and foremost to our students; and to those who make it

happen every day-our faculty and staff; and to those who have great pride and a sense of

family in Penn State-our alumni and friends reaching from the Commonwealth to the far

corners of the world.

“I accept this new leadership role under circumstances that I never could have

imagined. It has been truly difficult to comprehend the terrible nature of the allegations that

were revealed in the Attorney General’s presentment last week. My heart aches for the

victims and their families, and my mind searches for answers, like millions of others across

the nation.

“This is a tragedy for many lives, and it will take all of us some time to come to grips

with the full magnitude of all the damage that has been done.

“I want to thank the Board of Trustees for your leadership and guidance through this

difficult time. Your deliberations and decisive actions have now set a course for the

University’s future.

“Later today we will hear of the formation of a Special Committee to undertake a full

and complete investigation of the circumstances that gave rise to the Grand Jury Report.

Healing cannot occur until we understand how responsibilities to these children failed and

how we can prevent such tragedies in the future.

“I am grateful for the Board’s commitment to Penn State’s mission and your

stewardship of the University. Each of you shares my personal resolve to re-energize our

commitment to be the best that we can be, individually and collectively, to strive for

excellence in everything that we do, and to represent the highest standards for honesty and

integrity.