MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF TRUSTEES
CLARION UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
NOVEMBER 18, 2010
ROOM 108 EAGLE COMMONS, CLARION CAMPUS
CLARION, PA 16214
7:00 P.M.
I. RECORDING OF ATTENDANCE
The meeting was called to order by Mr. James, Chairperson, with the following
Trustees present:
Dr. Syed Ali-Zaidi
Mrs. Susanne Burns
Ms. JD Dunbar
Mr. R. Lee James, Chairperson
Mr. James Kifer, Vice Chairperson
Mr. Christopher Myers
Ms. Donna Oberlander
Mr. Howard Shreckengost, Secretary
The following trustees were absent from the meeting:
Mr. Ross Cioppa
Mr. Larry Pickett
Mr. Jeffrey Szumigale
The following members of the University administration attended the meeting:
Mr. Paul Bylaska, Vice President for Finance and Administration
Dr. Jocelind Gant, Assistant to the President for Social Equity and Assistant Vice
President for International Programs
Dr. Valentine James, Provost and Academic Vice President
Dr. Christopher Reber, Executive Dean, Venango Campus
Mr. Harry Tripp, Vice President for Student and University Affairs
Dr. Karen Whitney, President
II.

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 16, 2010
A motion was made by Mr. Shreckengost, seconded by Mr. Kifer, that the
minutes of the September 16, 2010 regular meeting of the Council of Trustees be
approved as distributed by mail. The motion carried unanimously.

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III.

COMMUNICATIONS
A.

Public Comments - None

B.

Report of Student Senate
Student Senate President Ben Sturtz reported on activities of Student
Senate, including training for 12 new Senators, approval of funding
requests and three new student organizations, and efforts to enhance the
involvement of Student Senate in campus and community events. He
noted that Student Senate had won 2nd place in the ALF float competition,
1st place honors in the Ovarian Cancer Kickball event, and had hosted a
successful annual Social Equity Banquet.

C.

Report of Faculty Senate
Professor Mark Franchino, Vice Chairperson of Faculty Senate, reported
that his group had completed the formation of various Senate committees
and subcommittees, reviewed nearly 100 course proposals, would be
examining data from Clarion University’s participation in the National
Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), and were involved in efforts
related to the university’s General Education program and Middle States
self-study.

D.

Council Chairperson’s Report
In his report, Mr. James encouraged trustees to participate in the
university’s Winter Commencement on Saturday, December 18, at 2:00
p.m. in Tippin Gymnasium. He also requested that trustees mark their
calendars for the Friday, April 15, 2011 inauguration of Dr. Karen Whitney
as the 16th President of Clarion University. He noted that the inaugural
events would include a luncheon, installation ceremony, and public
reception and that they would be held in conjunction with the university’s
annual Academic Excellence celebration.

IV.

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PRESIDENT
A.

President
Information Items
1.

Enrollment Management

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Dr. Whitney reported that for Fall 2010, the university’s enrollment
stood at 7,315 while the PA State System of Higher Education’s
total enrollment was 119,513.
2.

State System Update
Dr. Whitney shared news of the PA State System, noting a recent
visit by Chancellor Cavanaugh to Clarion and Venango campuses,
a PASSHE strategic initiatives document, and collective bargaining
negotiations.

3.

500-Day Presidential Plan
Dr. Whitney provided the trustees with an executive summary of
her recently completed Listening Report, based on feedback she
had received from an online survey completed by over 150
respondents, three open forums, numerous group and
departmental meetings and personal conversations with over 2,000
individuals over the course of 90 days. She also shared a draft of
her Presidential 500-Day Plan and invited trustees to review the
document and provide comments to her.

B.

Academic Affairs
Information Items
1.

Faculty Sabbaticals
Dr. James called the trustees’ attention to a listing in the agenda of
faculty that had been granted sabbaticals for the 2011-2012
academic year or a portion of it.

2.

Update on New Program Proposals
Dr. James reported that revisions were being made at the university
level to a number of program proposals that had been advanced to
the PASSHE and returned to Clarion for clarification. He noted that
the university’s Doctor of Nursing proposal was making its way
through the curriculum review process.

3.

Update on Re-accreditation of Library Science Program
Dr. James announced that the accreditation review of the
university’s Master of Science in Library Science had been

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completed and that a decision from the accrediting body was
expected in January, 2011.

C.

Finance and Administration
Information Items
1.

Budget Update
Mr. Bylaska indicated that the President’s Executive and Deans’
Council were engaged in a collaborative effort to gather and review
data to position the university to meet what was expected to be a
challenging financial situation. He reported good news regarding
utility costs, noting that collaborative purchasing efforts had helped
to secure lower rates for natural gas and electricity.

2.

Status of Facilities Report
Mr. Bylaska reviewed projects on the Status of Facilities Report
attached to the trustees’ agenda. He noted that a preliminary
design on the renovation of Becht Hall into a student success
center was expected by Thanksgiving with construction
commencing in summer 2011. He further noted that architect
estimates for the Tippin Gymnasium project came in higher than
expected, the renovation of the Boiler Plant was almost completed,
and funding was being sought to address ground water issues at
the Venango Campus. Providing an update on the Venango
Nursing Simulation Lab project, Executive Dean Chris Reber noted
that good conversations were being held with individuals and
foundations and that $200,000 had been raised while an additional
$500,000 was still needed.

D.

Student and University Affairs
Action Item
1.

Certification of Foundation Compliance with Board of Governors
Policy 1985-04, University External Financial Support
Mr. Tripp introduced Mr. Michael Keefer, CEO of the Clarion
University Foundation, Inc. Mr. Keefer reported that for FY09-10,
the Foundation had provided $6.476 million in support to Clarion
University, while the University had funded the Foundation $1.17
million in support of its operation. He indicated that the return to the
university included scholarships and grants, campus activities and

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programs, and fundraising and support services. Dr. Whitney
expressed her gratitude for the Foundation, noting that it was the
finest of any PASSHE university.
A motion was made by Mrs. Burns, seconded by Ms.
Dunbar, to approve the following resolution. The motion carried
unanimously.
RESOLVED, that the Council of Trustees, Clarion University
of Pennsylvania, upon recommendation of the President, hereby
certifies that the Clarion University Foundation, Inc., complies with
the Board of Governors Policy 1985-04.
Information Items
1.

CORE Drug and Alcohol Survey Results
Mr. Tripp introduced Ms. Susan Bornak, Dean of Student
Development, and Mr. Jimmy McGee, Coordinator for Wellness
Programs, who shared the results of the 2010 CORE Drug and
Alcohol Survey which measured student values and beliefs around
drugs and alcohol. Ms. Bornak highlighted changes in student
survey responses from 2005 to 2010, noting decreases in
consumption and improvements in student awareness about the
university’s alcohol and drug prevention programs. Mr. McGee cited
initiatives that had contributed to the positive results (Greek Plan,
NCAA Life Skills Initiative, Orientation, State Liquor Control Board
grant), as well as the involvement of a university/community task
force, Student Senate, and faculty. Mr. James commended Mr.
McGee on the aggressive efforts that had been undertaken.

2.

Fund-raising Report
Mr. Tripp reported that the Clarion University Foundation, Inc. had
raised a little over $1.1 million since the beginning of FY10-11. He
introduced David Love, Director of Marketing and Communication,
who shared sample 30 and 60 second spots from a recent series of
new television advertisements that were produced to increase the
number of students who visit the university’s web site or campus.

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V.

REPORT OF COMMITTEES
A.

Executive Committee
Mr. James indicated that the Executive Committee had not met in
November.

B.

Finance Committee
A motion was made by Ms. Dunbar, seconded by Mr. Kifer, that the
following resolution be approved. The motion carried unanimously.
RESOLVED, that the Council of Trustees, Clarion University,
approve the Finance Committee Report dated July 10, 2010.

C.

Honorary Degree Committee
Mr. James reported that the Honorary Degree Committee had met on
November 11 to review six nominations for the honorary degree. He
noted that the committee had advanced the names of four individuals to
the President. Dr. Whitney addressed the qualifications of the following
nominees:
a.
b.
c.
d.

Enrique Conterno, senior vice president and president of the
diabetes business unit, USA Lilly
Eve Ensler, playwright and activist to end violence against women
and girls
Jim Kelly, former Buffalo Bills quarterback and founder of Hunter’s
Hope Foundation
William Strickland, President/CEO, Manchester Bidwell Corporation

A motion was made by Mr. Shreckengost, seconded by Ms.
Dunbar, to approve the four candidates for the honorary degree. The
motion carried.
Dr. Whitney indicated that she would begin approaching the candidates to
determine their willingness to accept the honorary degree and that she
would provide an update to the trustees.

VI.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None

VII.

NEW BUSINESS - None

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VIII.

ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Mr. Kifer, seconded by Dr. Ali-Zaidi, to adjourn the
meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted

_________________________
Howard Shreckengost, Secretary
Council of Trustees

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