Penn State news by
Penn State's student blog

Topics

More

State Senate Committee Approves Board of Trustees Reform Bill

By Jenn Miller

Without opposition, a state senate committee approved a bill Tuesday that would reorganize the Board of Trustees, and the legislation will now move to the full senate for consideration.

The senate’s State Government Committee voted 11-0 in favor of Senate Bill 1240, the Penn State University Board of Trustees Reorganization Act, which would reduce the board of trustees from 30 to 23 voting members.

State Sen. John Yudichak, a Penn State graduate who represents Luzerne and Carbon counties, drafted the bill.

“Today’s vote was culmination of months of thoughtful deliberation on governance reform at Penn State and helps move the university forward in creating a more effective, more engaged Board of Trustees,” Yudichak said in a prepared statement.

State Sen. Jake Corman, R-Centre County, is a co-sponsor of the bill.

The bill would reduce the board from 30 voting members to 23 as of Jan. 1 with eight elected by alumni, five appointed by the governor and approved by the senate, five representing the agriculture industry, and five representing business and industry.

Additionally, the bill removes the governor, president of the university and secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources from the board as of Jan. 1 and gives the General Assembly sole authority to determine the composition of the board.

The legislation would also make agriculture and education secretaries non-voting members and prohibit all state row officers, such as treasurer or auditor general, from serving on the board.

The bill also requires the establishment of a five-member selection committee to review and recommend to the full board appointments to the board.

Under the bill, office limits are set at three years per term. Board members serving when the act goes into effect may finish the term for which they were appointed or elected.

Yudichak introduced the legislation earlier this year. Proponents say the changes will ensure the board is “accountable and transparent.”

Penn State hopes the General Assembly will await further action until the board finishes its committee process to develop further plans for reform.

Penn State Spokesperson Lisa Powers noted that over the past two years the board has adopted several changes to its structure in response to internal and external reviews, including that of Auditor General Jack Wagner. For example, implementing 12-year term limits for board representatives; making the governor and university president non-voting members; restructuring committees, which included adding faculty and student members; and adding a public comment portion to its board meetings.

The board’s Governance Committee has been holding meetings for several months to develop a plan for additional reform.

“Further changes to the make-up of the board are currently under consideration by the Governance Committee, which is reviewing data and recommendations from multiple sources,” Powers says. “We hope that the legislature will continue its discussions with the board and wait to see the recommendations of the Governance Committee, before further consideration of this legislation.”

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

StateCollege.com

Posts from our partner website StateCollege.com.

DuBois Goodwill Sells Rare Lego Piece For Over $18,000

While it took some time for Goodwill experts to know what they had on their hands, initial offers for the piece came in at $30,000.

New Defensive Coordinator Tom Allen Brings Key Wrinkles To Penn State Football’s Defense

“We try to keep things simple so we can play fast.”

Women’s History Month: Five Influential Penn State Alumnae

To celebrate Women’s History Month, learn more about five influential Penn State alumnae.

Follow on Another Platform
113kFollowers
164kFollowers
59.4kFollowers
4,570Subscribers
Other posts by StateCollege.com

Penn State Targets Football Ticket Brokers As Renewal Process Begins

Penn State stopped the renewal process for nearly 500 football season ticket holders after they were deemed to be “ticket brokers.”

Medical Marijuana Dispensary To Open At Former Home D Location

Herwig’s Austrian Bistro Sets Closing Date