From
the Trustee Docket
Penn State Intercom......September
19, 2002
Information technology
revolutionizes daily life
The University Board of Trustees heard on Sept. 12 about technology's impact on University functions. Information Technology Services (ITS) -- the vehicle through which technological advances are realized at Penn State -- enables the University community to efficiently utilize appropriate information technology tools in its learning, teaching, research, outreach, administration and support activities.
For the full story by Allison Kessler, visit http://www.psu.edu/ur/2002/bot12sept02it.html.
2003-04 capital budget
request gains approval 
The Board of Trustees on Sept. 13 authorized the University to request $272.38 million for capital budget projects from the state legislature for the 2003-04 fiscal year. The capital budget funds new construction and renovation projects at all 24 Penn State locations across the commonwealth. The 2003-04 fiscal request includes $151.5 million for new construction and renovation projects, and $22.38 million for original equipment. The remaining $98.5 million in the budget is a request for re-authorization of projects previously approved by the state legislature but in jeopardy of lapsing due to sunset provisions in the Capital Authorization Bill.
For the full story by Tysen Kendig, visit http://www.psu.edu/ur/2002/bot13sept02capbudget.html.
Trustees hear report on
fraternity, sorority life
In 1887, the first fraternity chapter was established at the University and in 1922, sororities were permitted -- on an experimental basis. Today there are 86 fraternities and sororities at the University Park campus, making it the largest in the nation based on the number of chapters represented on any college campus. The Board of Trustees on Sept. 13 heard a report on the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life from Scott P. Phelan, director, and William W. Asbury, vice president for student affairs.
For the full story by Amy Neil, visit http://www.psu.edu/ur/2002/bot13sept02greeklife.html.
Exchange with Game Commission
allows continued public use
Centre Region residents can continue using nearly 950 acres of the "living filter" fields and forests, and other croplands and forested land, in Patton Township for recreation and public hunting for at least another 25 years, according to a land exchange agreement between the University and the Pennsylvania Game Commission that was approved by the Board of Trustees on Sept. 13.
For the full story by Gary Cramer, visit http://www.psu.edu/ur/2002/bot13sept02landexchange.html.
Projects planned for Erie, Fayette
and Hershey Medical Center
The Board of Trustees on Sept. 13 approved sketch/preliminary plans for a new residence hall for Penn State Erie and a new multi-purpose building for Penn State Fayette, and final plans for new patient parking at The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. For the full story by Gary Cramer, visit http://www.psu.edu/ur/2002/bot13sept02miscopp.html.
Trustees renew terms for
Investment Council representatives
The Board of Trustees renewed the one-year terms of its five non-University representatives to the Penn State Investment Council on Sept. 13.
The board established the council in September 2000 to provide direct oversight of the University's endowment and long-term investment program in response to Penn State's increasing asset base and complex marketing strategies. The council regularly reviews asset allocation, new asset classes, investment strategies, and manager performance, and provides semi-annual updates and reports regarding investment performance to the Board of Trustees.
For the full story by Allison Kessler, visit http://www.psu.edu/ur/2002/bot13sept02invest.html.
Information on
Undergraduate Programs
Altoona College
Bachelor of arts in communications and minor in communications: New major and new minor
The curriculum of the bachelor of arts in communications will provide a general grounding in traditional media forms along with work in the area of media convergence. Students will be required to do course work at both the practical and theoretical level. In the convergent media news service courses, which form the most distinctive component of the program, students will produce and deliver a college news service in print, broadcasting and in a multimedia online format.
The communications minor will provide students an academic program of media studies that will introduce them to approaches used to understand the mass media. Students in the minor will have an opportunity to examine the theory and principles of communications systems and processes as well as learn in the advanced courses the research methods used for their systematic analysis.
College of Arts and Architecture
Art education for museums and cultural institutions option for the bachelor of science degree in art education: Change in name from art education for cultural and social agencies option
The name of the cultural and social agencies option of the art education program was changed to the museums and cultural institutions option to reflect current terminology and usage in the field of art education, especially within the area of museum studies. In addition, the new title communicates the nature of the student’s program more clearly to potential employers.
Capital College
American studies at Penn State Harrisburg: New minor
American studies is an interdisciplinary field that explores the patterns of life and thought of the American peoples, past and present. Its courses are grouped into three general areas of history, society and culture, and it has special offerings in public history and heritage studies, material culture and cultural history. The program encourages students to integrate theories, methods and findings from various fields, including history, literature, folklore, ethnography, politics, art, architecture and music. It also encourages applications of this knowledge to public history and cultural conservation.
College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
Mining option and the mineral processing option for the bachelor of science major in mining engineering: Drop of options
The need no longer exists to offer options in mining engineering. Currently, there are no students enrolled in the mineral processing option. The last students within the mining option graduated in Fall 2000. Dropping the options will not affect the curriculum, nor will it affect any other unit of the University.
College of the Liberal Arts
Communication arts and sciences major and minor: Change in name from bachelor of arts major and minor in speech communication
In January, the Board of Trustees approved a name change for the Department of Speech Communication to the Department of Communication Arts and Sciences. The proposed name change of the major and minor reflects this new identity of the department. Many course names and descriptions have been revised to reflect the current department title, omitting references to speech communication.
Bachelor of science degree in organizational leadership delivered through Outreach and Cooperative Extension: New program
The degree draws on many of the disciplines of the liberal arts to focus on leadership issues within work and employment. Students select courses in English, crime, law and justice, economics, political science, sociology, labor and industrial relations, communication arts and sciences, and psychology. Students will develop proficiency in research methodology, critical analysis, communication skills and the application of theory directed toward understanding how organizations function, both formally and informally, and how individuals operate within organizations.
The program will be delivered through Outreach and Cooperative Extension and will not be available to University park resident students. Students enrolled in the OLEAD major will have access to courses delivered online and through other avenues. The necessary courses either already are available or are on a College of the Liberal Arts implementation calendar that appears reasonable. The College of the Liberal Arts states explicitly that it is prepared to have other colleges offer OLEAD and deliver it in keeping with accepted academic standards, in the manner most appropriate to the offering college.