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Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Council of Trustees
Quarterly Business Meeting
Tuesday, July 24, 2018 - Approved September 27, 2018
The Quarterly Business Meeting of the Council of Trustees of Edinboro University (COT) was
held on Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at Edinboro University. This meeting was called to order at
2:00 p.m. by Dennis Frampton - Chair of the Edinboro University Council of Trustees.
This meeting followed a Study Session which was open to the public and an Executive Session
during which personnel items were discussed.
Recording of Attendance for the Business Meeting
Trustees present: Trustee Chaffee, Trustee Higham, Trustee Kennedy, Trustee Pape, Trustee
Pirrello, Trustee Shields, Trustee Wachter, and Chair Frampton.
The following members of the Edinboro University (EU) Administration were in attendance:
Dr. Michael Hannan, Interim President
Dr. James Fisher, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Mr. James Sheehan, Interim Vice President for Finance and Administration
Ms. Marilyn Goellner, Vice President for Advancement
Ms. Angela Burrows, Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Communications
Dr. Philomena Gill, Senior Executive Director, Academic Success
At the start of the Quarterly Business Meeting, Chair Frampton announced that the proceedings
of the Edinboro University Council of Trustees are recorded, therefore, public disclosure to those
in attendance via verbal announcement and written public notice avoids any violation of the
Pennsylvania Wire Tapping Act.
Chair Frampton moved to the first order of business – Public Comment and invited comments
from the public in attendance. Hearing no request from members of the public, Chair Frampton
moved to the next item of business.
Chair Frampton requested discussion or approval of the minutes from the Quarterly Business
Meeting held on May 11, 2018. There were no questions and/or corrections to the minutes as
presented and a motion was made from Trustee Pape, seconded by Trustee Shields to accept the
minutes as presented from the Quarterly Business Meeting held on May 11, 2018. The motion
carried with unanimous approval.
Chair Frampton then moved to New Business and read the Order of Succession Plan presented
by Dr. Hannan. He then asked for a motion to approve which was provided by Trustee Higham
and seconded by Trustee Kennedy. The motion carried with unanimous approval.
Edinboro University Council of Trustee Quarterly Business Meeting – July 24, 2018- Approved Sept. 27, 2018
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President Report:









Interim President Hannan discussed the plan to improve the academic profile and
reputation of the University. This fall is the second year of raised admission standards.
We are cognizant of the need to provide access and our admissions standards are at an
attainable level for students, but also provide some assurance that the student can be
successful in college.
We are seeing some progress from the fall 2017 increase in admission standards as our
percentage of students with a 3.0 or higher high school GPA was the highest among all
PASSHE schools. Our admission rate fell from almost 99% a few years ago to 92% last
year, and is currently in the low 80% range, which is more consistent with some of the
more successful schools in the state system.
We expect to see a rise in our second year retention rate by several percentage points.
We are working to make sure that all students have the academic and student support
needed to be successful.
Our focus this year is on recruitment and retention and, after this year, expect enrollment
to grow. We have invested in targeted recruitment efforts for traditional, transfer and
adult students.
We have new marketing materials ready to launch for this fall to better tell the Edinboro
story and represent our identity.
We are working to involve all constituents in recruitment and retention efforts. Current
and retired faculty and staff, alumni, students and other friends of the University will be
used to tell our story and welcome and retain our students.

Academic and Student Affairs Report:




Provost Fisher presented four new programs for COT approval:
o BS in Accounting
o BS in Data Analytics
o BS in Fermentation Science
o BS in Geographic Information Science
Chair Frampton called for a vote regarding these four new programs. Trustee Chaffee
moved to approve and Trustee Wachter seconded. All were in favor and the motion
carried unanimously.
Provost Fisher presented the following program reorganizations:
o BA in Biology to BS in Health Sciences with concentrations in:
Pre-Chiropractic
Pre-Physical Therapy
Pre-Physician Assistant
Pre-Dental
Pre-Medical
Pre-Chiropractic – Logan/NYCC 3+3 (New)
Pre-Medical – LECOM 3+4
Pre-Medical – LECOM 4+4 (New)

Edinboro University Council of Trustee Quarterly Business Meeting – July 24, 2018- Approved Sept. 27, 2018
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Pre-Optometry (New)
Pre-Occupational Therapy (New)
o BS in Industrial and Engineering Administration to BS in Applied Technical
Leadership
o Master of Education in Teacher Leadership – New Concentrations:
ESL Specialist
Online Instruction
Social Studies
English
Teacher Certification
o BA in Geography to BA in Environmental Studies
Chair Frampton requested a motion regarding the reorganized programs. Trustee Wachter
motioned for approval and Trustee Higham seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Chair Frampton also asked that the record show that there was an executive session prior to the
business meeting.

Finance and Administration Report:





Interim VP Sheehan recognized that the Bursar Office under the leadership of Shari
Gould completed a personalized collection effort that resulted in a collection of
$1,069,626 in accounts receivable for the 2017-18 fiscal year.
A new controller, William Buttz, has been hired to take over when Wayne Ochs retires at
the end of August.
Mr. Sheehan announced that Matt Cettin and IR came within 2.3% of the target for
enrollment and budget for FY2018.
Interim VP Sheehan presented three Action Items: Contracts and Purchases; 2018-2019
Fee Schedule revisions; and the Proposed 2018-2019 Operating Budget.

A motion was made by Trustee Chaffee to approve the Contracts and Purchases for April,
May and June 2018 and seconded by Trustee Shields. All were in favor and the motion
carried unanimously.
A motion was then made by Trustee Shields to approve the 2018-2019 Fee Schedule revisions.
The motion was seconded by Trustee Higham. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Trustee Wachter to table the Proposed 2018-2019 Operating Budget
and this motion was seconded by Trustee Shields. All were in favor and the motion to table
the Proposed 2018-2019 Operating Budget carried unanimously.

Edinboro University Council of Trustee Quarterly Business Meeting – July 24, 2018- Approved Sept. 27, 2018
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Enrollment Management Report:





Senior Executive Director of the Academic Success Center Philomena Gill discussed the
revamped New Student Orientation.
The Financial Aid Office instituted a student concierge service to assist students and
make them more comfortable so they are more open and less nervous when interacting
with this office. This service will continue into the new academic year.
The Admissions Office will have the Common Application implemented in August 2018
for the 2019 recruitment cycle.
The Veterans Success Center collaborated with the U.S. Army Heritage and Education
Center to conduct Veterans Ambassador training on campus. Fourteen individuals
participated including those from the Edinboro campus, Erie community and individuals
from Ohio.

University Advancement Report:








VP Goellner announced that the Advancement Office reached its $3 million goal.
Focus this year is on the Planned Giving Program.
Planning for the Capital Campaign is continuing.
VP Goellner introduced Ms. Amanda Sissem, new Director of Alumni Engagement.
First crowd-funding initiative – Boro Pit is in progress.
The office is transitioning from a desktop alumni data base to a web based program that
can be accessed from anywhere on the road.
Always looking at giving trends, online giving has increased 56% at Edinboro this year.

Marketing and Communications Report:



Marketing is working closely with Admissions and two partners, EAB and BD&E to
position Edinboro to attract more students.
A variety of campaigns are currently ongoing aimed at recruitment and retention:
o Beyond the Boro campaign – touting student outcomes and alumni success stories
o Shaping the Class campaign – Edinboro Elite, aimed at attracting high achieving
high school students
o Great Outdoor campaign – ongoing push to increase awareness of what’s going
on around campus and nearby
o Looking Good campaign – Branding of campus buildings
o Campaign to aggressively market ROTC
o Campaign working with Athletics – to encourage students to attend athletic events

Trustee Shields announced that he completed his three years as PACT President. He encouraged
Trustee members to become more involved in PACT as this group has become more active.
Trustee Higham announced that USI reported a negative budget due to declining enrollment and

Edinboro University Council of Trustee Quarterly Business Meeting – July 24, 2018- Approved Sept. 27, 2018
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online book sales. Chair Frampton reported that the Foundation Board President is now Chuck
Scalise and that they are recruiting new board members.
The next Council of Trustees meeting will be September 27, 2018. With no further business,
Trustee Pirrello moved to adjourn and Trustee Chaffee seconded the motion, which was
approved unanimously. The Business meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kerri Watson, Interim Executive Assistant to the President

Edinboro University Council of Trustee Quarterly Business Meeting – July 24, 2018- Approved Sept. 27, 2018
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