Trustees meeting to include talks on Penn's image, budget

The University's governing board will convene today and tomorrow to discuss Penn's operating budget, external affairs and development efforts. The Board of Trustees, which meets three times per year, will also look at how the University presents itself amid controversy, a discussion provoked by two recent issues: the NCAA ineligibility incident involving College senior and all-Ivy League football player Mitch Marrow, and the U.S. Department of Education's investigation into Penn's crime-reporting methods. By voluntarily forfeiting all games in which the academically-ineligible Marrow played, Penn avoided further censure by the NCAA and the Ivy League. The University also recently received a favorable DOE ruling that found the University in compliance with most crime-reporting laws. Despite those two outcomes, the Trustees are still interested in how Penn is portrayed by the mass media in situations like these, Executive Assistant to the University Secretary Jason Horger said. Additionally, the Trustees will vote on a resolution aimed at refinancing University indebtedness, after weighing in investments, facilities and campus planning. The University's debt stood at $994 million on June 30, 1997. The major question facing the Trustees last year involved raising funds to cover the costs of the Agenda for Excellence, Penn's five-year strategic plan emphasizing major improvements for all 12 schools. At the time, University President Judith Rodin said the Agenda would set the University back $1 billion. According to Rodin, Penn is continuing to seek private donors and foundation support for the Agenda. Vending concerns plagued administrators last week as they worked quickly to bring a vending ordinance bill before City Council in time for the Trustees meeting, Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell said. The bill -- which would regulate vending on and around campus -- was introduced last Thursday so that administrators could petition the Trustees for funds to cover the five fresh air food plazas that are separate from the ordinance, Blackwell said. Although Horger noted that vending is not on the agenda, he said the Trustees may discuss the issue at the External Affairs Committee meeting today. Vice President for Government, Community and Public Affairs Carol Scheman will brief the Trustees on issues ranging from the federal research budget to student financial aid. The Trustees External Affairs and Budget and Finance committees meet today in the Faculty Club at 2 p.m. and 4:45 p.m., respectively. The Academic Policy and Student Life Committee meets tomorrow at the Kelly Writers House at 10 a.m., and the Trustees' main meeting takes place tomorrow at 2 p.m. in the Faculty Club.