Trustees prepare for rigorous agenda

In its first meeting of the fall, the University's Executive Committee of Trustees will convene in the Faculty Club today at 2 p.m. to consider an agenda focusing on budget considerations involving the University Health System and appointments to graduate schools' Boards of Overseers. In addition to the Executive Committee meeting, the Trustees will also hold a budget and finance meeting at 10:15 a.m. in the Faculty Club. Both meetings are open to the public. Members of the Executive Committee will consider a resolution to adjust the operating and capital budgets of the Health system, reflecting a July 1 merger with Phoenixville Hospital in Pennsylvania, according to Jason Horger of the Office of the Secretary. In addition, members will discuss a resolution to approve the appointment of the initial Board of Trustees for the Phoenixville Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Health System. At the Executive Committee meeting, University President Judith Rodin will deliver the President's Report and Provost Stanley Chodorow will issue the Academic Report. Executive Vice President John Fry will present a report on the University's finances, and Medical School Dean William Kelley will speak about the status of the health system. Members will also consider a resolution on the appointment of Kathryn Engebretson as vice president for finance, as well as a resolution concerning faculty appointments and promotions. And the Trustees will consider numerous potential appointments, including Ian Berg to the Board of Overseers of the University Museum and various faculty members to the Boards of Trustees of the Education, Veterinary Medicine, Wharton, Dental Medicine and Nursing schools. The Executive Committee customarily meets four times each year, with the entire board of Trustees convening an additional three times yearly -- in November, February and June. At the last full Board meeting in June, members approved a budget of $1.098 billion, a 5.4 percent increase over last year's budget. The budget required University administrators to improve efficiency and productivity. These goals are expected to be met by the ongoing administrative restructuring efforts that began several years ago.