HEARD ON CAMPUS – PRESIDENT GRAHAM B. SPANIER
“Penn State has become a recognized leader, both nationally and internationally, in homeland defense and crisis response, including collaborative relationships with and sponsorship from many federal and national agencies. During this time of crisis, I am proud to say that faculty at Penn State are eager to serve the national interest in any way possible.”Penn State President Graham B. Spanier in his opening remarks to the University’s Board of Trustees today at their regular meeting on the University Park campus. Spanier detailed the development of several technologies involving University departments and faculty that contribute to national defense, including among others: antibiotics effective against potential biological warfare agents such as anthrax; ultra-light, high-strength materials for U.S. ships; materials that minimize flying debris during explosions; and “smart fences” that detect intruders at sensitive locations such as airports and embassies. To view full text of Spanier’s remarks to the Board, go to http://www.psu.edu/ur/2001/bot16novspanier.html
GRAD SCHOOL WORKS TO INCREASE DIVERSITY, FELLOWSHIPS
Penn State’s Graduate School continues to explore ways to diversify its student body and increase opportunities for financial assistance through graduate fellowships. An informational report to the Board of Trustees today (Nov. 16) by Eva Pell, vice president for research and dean of the Graduate School, detailed how these efforts are shaping the school’s enrollment and the wide array of quality program offerings. Based on the most recent report from the Survey of Earned Doctorates, graduate education at Penn State climbed to 8th in national rankings. A total of 90 doctoral, 114 academic master’s and 78 professional master’s degree programs enroll an overall graduate enrollment for the Fall 2001 semester of 10,306 students; 6,289 of those students are enrolled at University Park. For the full story, visit http://www.psu.edu/ur/2001/bot16novgrad.html.
BOARD APPROVES DEPT. OF DERMATOLOGY
The Board of Trustees today (Nov. 16) unanimously approved a proposal granting full departmental status to the division of dermatology at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Penn State College of Medicine. The decision means potential expansion of clinical programs, which will increase the ability to care for dermatology patients in the region and generate more revenue for the Medical Center. As a department, dermatology also expects to expand its research and educational programs. Departmental status will also improve the ability of dermatology researchers at PSHMC/COM to draw down increased funds for research and improve efforts to recruit and retain talented faculty, residents and fellows. Retention and recruitment are vital to strengthening educational and research missions. For the full story, visit http://www.psu.edu/ur/2001/bot16novdermatology.html.
PSU MEETS ENROLLMENT PLAN OBJECTIVES
Penn State’s fall 2001 enrollment figures reflect the University’s continuing efforts to keep growth modest and controlled, Penn State’s Board of Trustees was told today (Nov. 16). Penn State restructured its statewide system in 1996 to provide increased opportunities for students to complete their degrees at a campus other than University Park. “Penn State is meeting its goals to stabilize enrollment at the University Park campus and to allow for modest growth in the number of juniors and seniors at other campus locations,” said John Romano, vice provost and dean for enrollment management. “University Park enrollment is within the targeted range, and upper division enrollment at the campus colleges has increased as planned due to the increase in the number of baccalaureate degree programs offered at the campuses.” For the full story, visit http://www.psu.edu/ur/2001/bot16novenroll.html.
GOLF COURSE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS TO BE BUILT
Penn State's Board of Trustees today heard of a proposal for the development of a championship, daily fee golf course that would be built on University property adjacent to the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel. Gary Schultz, Senior Vice President of Finance and Business, while introducing the project said, "About a year and a half ago, Matt and Chris Bahr approached us with the concept of developing a golf course on University lands north of Innovation Park." Indicating that some work had been done since then, Schultz went on to say, "We believe we are now at an appropriate point to more fully explore this proposal." For the full story, visit http://www.psu.edu/ur/2001/bot16novgolfcourse.html.
UNIVERSITY LEASES LAND TO AMBULANCE SERVICE
The Penn State Board of Trustees today (Nov. 16) approved a $1 per year land lease to the Alpha Community Ambulance Service to enable the service to build a new facility to better serve the Centre Region, State College and the University Park campus. The 60-year-old Alpha Community Ambulance Service will relocate its corporate headquarters, currently located along South Atherton Street, to a 4-acre parcel of University land along College Avenue on the east side of campus in College Township. For the full story, visit http://www.psu.edu/ur/2001/bot16novlandlease.html.
ARCHITECT, PLANS FOR CAMPUS PROJECTS APPROVED
The Penn State Board of Trustees today (Nov. 16) approved the appointment of an architect for an addition to Perry Hall at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, preliminary plans for an addition to Penn State Berks’ Franco Building and final plans for a new Administration Building at Penn State Beaver. For the full story, visit http://www.psu.edu/ur/2001/bot16novopp.html.