Yesterday, some of Penn's most powerful decision-makers, the University Board of Trustees, weighed in on key University projects.
Six committees met and discussed prevalent issues in the first day of the board's winter meeting, one of three meetings held each year.
The Budget and Finance Committee discussed, among other things, the Undergraduate Financial Aid Initiative that is phasing loans out for families under certain income levels. The University also announced plans to partner with College Board on a pilot program that identifies high-performing lower-income students to continue to aid in attracting these students to Penn.
The Academic Policy Committee met to discuss leadership diversity. It was noted that 18 percent of full professors are female, but there are still a small number of females, as well as minorities, in leadership positions.
The committee also discussed ways to recruit and develop faculty leaders. Particular focus was placed on chair positions within the School of Arts and Sciences.
At the Campus Planning and Facilities Committee meeting, spotlight was placed on announcements of consultants that were chosen for various PennConnects projects, such as Franklin Field Pavilion and the Singh Center for Nanotechnology.
The Neighborhood Initiatives Committee highlighted new plans from the University for an internationally-themed high school to be opened in West Philadelphia in 2009. 19 percent of West Philadelphia schools have an affiliation with the university, such as the Penn Alexander School. The committee also discussed ways to decrease crime in the area. Establishments like Wizzard's and Koko Bongo were looked at in particular as negative influences on the community.
The Student Life Committee focused on Penn Athletics' plans for more new and renovated recreational spaces for intercollegiate athletics as well as intramurals. These include the Weiss Pavilion at Franklin Field and Penn Park. Penn Athletic director Steve Bilsky discussed the three phases of their plans to expand green areas and improve recreational spaces for students in the University's campaign for eastward expansion.
At the External Affairs Committee meeting, the University unveiled a new brochure and video designed to attract high-achieving, low-income students to Penn. They also addressed a number of issues in Congress affecting higher education such as recommendations from Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and ranking Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) for universities to disclose financial information about their endowments and the Higher Education Act provisions on endowment spending.
University officials expressed concern that Congress might attempt to impose price controls on tuition and get involved in endowment spending in other ways.
Some of the Daily Pennsylvanian editors also gathered during the meeting to discuss the newspaper with trustees.
