Board Approves Parameters for 2010-11 Budget Request

Published 08.07.2009

News

Board of Directors meeting summarizedThe Pennsylvania College of Technology Board of Directors on Thursday approved a list of recommended parameters to be used in preparing the college's 2010-11 state budget request.

The college's request is submitted to the state with Penn State's budget request.

President Davie Jane Gilmour acknowledged that, because the state has not yet passed its budget for 2009-10, adjustments may have to be made later.

The approved parameters are:


  • An operating appropriation of $12,317,000 this represents no change from the appropriation approved by the board for the 2009-10 budget year.

  • A Debt Service appropriation of $1,530,000.

  • A continuation of the Special appropriations, which are distributed from Penn State's Educational and General appropriation $365,000 for Operating and $31,000 for Debt Service.

  • A 4.8-percent increase in tuition and fees, per the college's five-year financial projections.

The board also approved a reorganization in Business Affairs.

Effective Sept. 1, Robert M. Fisher will become vice president for business operations, focusing upon The College Store, Dining Services, contracts and risk management, and investments. He will also work with the Penn College Foundation, serve on the Community Arts Center Board of Directors and serve as assistant treasurer to the Board of Directors.

Suzanne T. Stopper will become vice president for finance/chief financial officer, focusing on Financial Operations, long-range financial planning, procurement services, auditing and budget development.

The board heard a report from Tom F. Gregory, associate vice president for instruction, on Penn College's participation in The Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Center (PA TRAC), a program created as a one-stop resource for transfer students, administrators and faculty.

The statewide transfer program was created for the state's 14 community colleges and the 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, but private colleges and state-related institutions may participate voluntarily.

The goal of the initiative is to create at least 30 hours of foundation courses that can be easily transferred to any participating institution, as well as to establish an electronic portal for providing public access to transfer information.

Users of the system can access information on the courses that are available for transfer, course equivalencies and a list of courses that can transfer between two schools they designate. They can also view profiles on the participating institutions. The Penn College profile has been viewed 1,000 times since January, Gregory noted.

"We have a lot of inquiries from students about transfers. "¦ In general, we should find it a very useful tool," he said.

Carolyn R. Strickland, assistant vice president for academic services, spoke to the board about the college's plans to participate in Foundations of Excellence, a self-study initiative that helps colleges and universities develop a vision for the enhanced learning and retention of first-year students.

"I think it has incredible potential for us," Gilmour told the board.

Eugene M. McAvoy, assistant dean of integrated studies-programs and chair of College Council, presented a report on Governance activities and introduced his successor, Gerri F. Luke, the chair-elect and an associate professor of business administration/marketing.

Gilmour introduced academic school deans and assistant deans to the board and reported on activities leading up to the beginning of the fall semester on Aug. 17.

She also told the board about the college receiving honor-roll recognition in the The Chronicle of Higher Education's survey of "Great Colleges to Work For" and achieving top 10 rankings in 23 categories more than any other institution receiving "honor-roll" status.

"I think this is a significant accomplishment," said Board Chairman Robert E. Dunham. "It speaks well of everyone who works here."