Penn's Board of Trustees will meet this weekend at the Inn at Penn to focus on the University's endowment, Philadelphia's ailing schools and the University's academic-based service programs in West Philadelphia.
In addition, a key item on the agenda for the first of the body's three meetings scheduled for this year will be a discussion of the vacancy left by the coming departure of Executive Vice President John Fry at the end of this academic year. Fry will leave to become president of Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa., officials from that school announced yesterday.
The Trustees, Penn's top decision-making body, will meet in committees on Thursday afternoon and Friday, and will reconvene at a full meeting to vote on numerous resolutions.
Discussions on Penn's new Strategic Plan will make up one of the more significant portions of the meeting. The long-term plan is geared toward the continued improvement of the University's academic environment, financial status and physical appearance.
"The main emphasis is getting input on how the plan has evolved and the Trustees' reactions, advice and guidance," said University Secretary Leslie Kruhly, who is in charge of planning the board's meetings.
University President Judith Rodin, Provost Robert Barchi and Fry will be presenting the Trustees with a draft of the new Strategic Plan at a luncheon this afternoon.
The Trustees will also be formally approving those invited to serve on the board of Penn Medicine, a unifying governing board of the University of Pennsylvania Health System.
At their meeting in November, the Trustees opted to postpone plans to turn the system into a not-for-profit entity separate from, but controlled by, the University, deciding instead to create Penn Medicine.
The Trustees also approved the bylaws for Penn Medicine at that time.
Another highlight of the meeting will be the Trustee luncheon with student scholars, an opportunity for the Trustees to meet a group of students who have made notable academic achievements.
The luncheon, which is scheduled for Friday afternoon, will feature a speech by Wharton Professor Michael Useem, who recently published a book entitled Leadership Moments in Today's World.
Kruhly said that approximately 20 students would be attending.
About 60 trustees will be present at the meeting, although some may not be able to attend for the entire two-day period.
Including the emeriti Trustees, the board consists of 87 members.
