The University Board of Trustees will convene this morning to begin their two-day winter meeting. By the close of the meeting tomorrow, Amy Gutmann will be elected Penn's next president.
Though the trustees will discuss business as usual when they assemble -- largely in committees -- Friday's meeting will end with the presidential vote. Gutmann's election will close the stated meeting, which will run from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday at the Inn at Penn.
"Al Shoemaker, who was previous chairman of the trustees, will place Dr. Gutmann's name in nomination," University Secretary Leslie Kruhly said. Following Shoemaker's official nomination, trustees and search committee members Deborah Marrow, Paul Williams, Michael Tarnopol and Egbert Perry will second the nomination.
The ceremonial election will be followed by a "celebratory procession from the Inn at Penn to Houston Hall," Kruhly said. Trustee Chairman James Riepe and President Emeritus Sheldon Hackney will be participating in the procession, along with Gutmann and University President Judith Rodin. The last time such an event occurred was after Rodin's election to the presidency in 1993 at the December trustee meeting of that year.
Following the procession, the trustees will officially close the two-day meeting with a lunch to "celebrate the fact that [Gutmann] has been nominated and elected as the next president," Kruhly said.
In addition to Gutmann's election, various special committees will convene during the two days of meetings and social events. The committees include facilities and campus planning, budget and finance, academic policy, student life and neighborhood initiatives. In total, the trustees are broken into 11 committees which deal with various aspects of the University.
"We have a number of resolutions in budget and finance, a lot of projects moving forward," Rodin said. The trustees will work on "continuing to make progress on the multiple fronts that we've been pursuing. I want to continue to drive the agenda forward with the trustees," Rodin added.
The College House System will be the topic of much discussion, as the trustees are slated to approve the renovations of Harnwell College House, the third and final high rise to achieve a major overhaul.
Additionally, the architects completing the new building for the McNeil Center for Early American Studies will be presenting some possible designs. Construction will begin next fall on a site in Hill Square, at 34th and Walnut streets.
Director of Athletics Steve Bilsky will also present to the trustees, giving an update on Penn's athletic and recreational programs.
The trustees meet as a body three times per year, in the winter, spring and fall. Kruhly expects a larger-than-usual attendance due to the presidential election.
"Many of the trustees are looking forward to welcoming Dr. Gutmann," Kruhly said.
In addition, Kruhly hoped that students would line the procession route so that they could "wave to Dr. Gutmann" as she passes by.
