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Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Will Penn State trustees remove Barry Fenchak from board? Special meeting scheduled
The Penn State board of trustees scheduled a special meeting for Monday to vote on removing one of its most outspoken board members. The board will meet virtually at 3 p.m. Monday, June 16 to consider a proposal recommending removing trustee Barry Fenchak from the board. A vote in favor of doing so would make Fenchak permanently ineligible to serve on the board again. Fenchak is an alumni-elected trustee whose three-year term expires June 30. He submitted materials and garnered enough signatures to appear on the trustee election ballot to run for a second term, but the board ruled he was unqualified and ineligible to appear on the ballot. He ran an unsuccessful write-in campaign. The board previously tried to permanently remove Fenchak from the board in the fall because of an incident that occurred after the board's July 2024 meeting. Fenchak loosely repeated a quote from the PG-rated movie 'A League of Their Own' in which Tom Hanks' character told a baseball umpire he looked like a 'penis with a little hat on' to a female staff member. A board subcommittee found it to be a code of conduct violation and unanimously recommended his removal. When the board tried to remove him, the issue went to court as part of a lawsuit Fenchak filed against the board. The judge blocked the board from removing him as trustee a day before the vote was scheduled, finding Fenchak had provided 'uncontradicted evidence of a broad pattern of retaliatory behavior' by the board. But the judge, Brian Marshall, lifted that preliminary injunction in May — paving way for his removal — after finding the basis for it had since become moot. He granted the injunction in the fall after Fenchak showed the board was trying to remove him in retaliation for his repeated requests for information, namely the university's approximately $4.57 billion endowment and a reportedly $1 billion athletic department contract with a ticketing and fan engagement agency. But in the seven months since, Fenchak was given 510 pages of information related to the endowment and a complete, unredacted copy of the contract with Elevate. He can no longer claim he is subject to removal from the board because of those specific requests, Marshall wrote in his ruling. Reporter Bret Pallotto contributed to this report.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Voting will soon begin for Penn State alumni-elected trustees. Who's on the ballot?
Penn State alumni can vote in the alumni trustee election beginning Monday as 17 candidates seek election to one of three open seats. Voting begins at 9 a.m. Monday and alumni have until 9 a.m. May 8 to cast their vote. University alumni will receive a ballot to the email address on file with the university. Alumni can also access the ballot at If they can't access the ballot there, they can contact YesElections at PennStateVotes@ or call 855-224-0832. There are nine trustees elected by alumni and the terms are staggered so three expire each year. This election will have one incumbent on the ballot. In the 2024 alumni election, 24,060 people out of 732,219 eligible voters participated in the election, according to the demographics report. The election cycle hasn't come without its own controversies. A judge recently ruled that current trustee Barry Fenchak may not appear on the ballot, upholding a decision the board's nominating subcommittee made earlier this year to deem him unqualified and ineligible to run. Fenchak, class of 1984, has since announced he will run a write-in campaign. Below are the candidates who will appear on the ballot, in alphabetical order, along with information provided as part of their position statements. More information on the candidates can be found at Jeffrey Ballou's family had to sacrifice a lot so he could attend Penn State Greater Allegheny, he said in his position statement. But the 'leadership neglect' at the university has put the campuses and the opportunity for students to attend Penn State at risk, he said. His listed priorities are to reinvigorate academic excellence, reimagine commonwealth campuses and provide trusted, proactive leadership. As someone who attended a commonwealth campus, he said it's crucial to have that viewpoint on the board. He emphasized the importance of leadership and experience, as well. 'With higher education's challenges, it matters to have someone entrusted with representing multi-billion-dollar brands, facilitated difficult discussions with global leaders and will use seasoned strategic planning experience alongside deep board service,' he said. His campaign website is Robert Bowsher plans to bring a fresh set of eyes to the board to help 'rein in wasteful spending,' he wrote in his position statement. Money management at Penn State should reflect the difficult economic times people are facing, he said, and would support efforts to make the university more affordable without compromising academics. He listed financial viability of the commonwealth campuses and growing Penn State's endowment as priorities, while emphasizing open and transparent board leadership. 'We must pursue every available avenue that maintains the financial viability of Penn State's Commonwealth Campuses. I will advocate for the University to maximize alternative revenue sources, including the Hershey Medical Center and the World Campus,' he said. 'Growing the University's endowment will also be a top priority. Now more than ever, we need to appeal to generous donors who can build an endowment that rivals every school in our recently expanded Big Ten Conference.' Joseph DeRenzo will focus on improving Penn State's standing in areas critical to its success, like strategic planning, financial health, student and alumni advocacy, and educational oversight, he wrote in his position statement. Healthcare professionals are underrepresented on the board, which highlights the need to strengthen the healthcare-related programs, he said. 'My experience leading multidisciplinary teams in clinical care and operations positions me to support these programs and drive innovation. My background working on integrative committees over the past 20 years, endeavoring to achieve consensus in establishing protocols for patient care and clinical operations, translates well to the necessary group dynamics needed within the Penn State Board of Trustees,' he said. If elected, he'll make sure all voices are heard and respected, and will use his leadership experience to collaborate and bring diverse perspectives together, he said. Jolie Elder knows she's an 'unorthodox' choice for the board, she wrote in her position statement, but she said her brilliant mind, 15 years of nonprofit government experience and perspective makes her a good candidate. She listed many questions about the university's finances, including why the cost of higher education outpaces inflation, why Penn State's allocation from the state has remained flat for years, the university's debt and enrollment of Pennsylvanians at University Park. She's supportive of a performance-based funding model and, if elected, would like to work with that. 'If crafted thoughtfully without loopholes, those guidelines could move our university in a sustainable direction toward generational success. As late adopters, we can learn from others states' experiences. Increasing Penn State's land-grant impact is a goal of our strategic plan,' she said. In his position statement, Trevor Hale wrote: 'I am running for election to the Penn State Board of Trustees to help ensure the long term positioning of Penn State as a world leader in higher education, seminal research, and service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Full stop. We have been, we are, and we need to continue to be needle movers.' Karen Keller said in her position statement that her passion for Penn State and her experiences, values and abilities will help the university move in the correct direction. She listed four areas of priorities, including student success and well-being, world-class research and faculty, developing leaders of tomorrow, and food insecurity. She noted the university needs to have a support system and educational opportunities in place to help students who are facing 'unprecedented challenges.' Additionally, higher education is facing faculty burnout and attrition, she said. 'Researchers are dealing with fewer funding opportunities and the lack of new faculty positions are leading to a reduction in innovative additions to departments. Cross- collaboration in teaching and research as well as proper stewardship of intellectual property is paramount to being efficient and effective,' Keller said. The university already has a number of ways to be at the forefront of fighting food insecurity, between the agriculture school, commonwealth campuses and extension programs, she said. More interaction with farmers, ag and environmental industries, and government agencies will be crucial, she said. Kelley Lynch has a simple but important reason for wanting to serve Penn State, she said in her position statement. She wants to make sure students continue to have the 'transformative' experiences, which she said is what Penn State students deserve. 'We are in a challenging yet exciting time for higher education. Penn State must be a leader in shaping its future, balance tradition with innovation to remain relevant and valuable. As we navigate these times, our approach must be rooted in building trust, being transparent, involving all stakeholders, and reimagining our land-grant mission,' Lynch said. She said focusing on net tuition revenue is crucial and also said resources must be built to offer lower-income students the opportunity to attend. As higher education evolves, she said Penn State needs to ensure its faculty are leaders in their fields, and the programs and degrees offered are valuable in the marketplace. That way, graduates are prepared to have successful careers. David Morgan plans to be a practical-minded board member and a good steward for all that Penn State stands for, he wrote in his position statement. He said he believes in a well-rounded and complete education, and keeping Penn State affordable, diverse, inclusive and safe. 'I understand that Penn State Health has encountered some challenges and that there are many concerns with the Commonwealth Campuses,' he said. 'To the Board, I bring no hidden agenda and will be a team player who is able to work through tough and perhaps at times contentious decisions still treating all viewpoints with the respect that they deserve.' His core values center around integrity, he said. 'My late father used to say 'Dave, nobody can ever fault your for doing the right thing' and 'the less said, the better.' I think both statements apply well to the possibility of being on the Penn State Board of Trustees. While never perfect, if one is trying to do what is right and not talking just to be heard, they are heading in the right direction,' he said. Uma Moriarity is seeking election to the board with Penn State Forward, and listed four key policy focus areas in her position statement to advance academic and institutional excellence: climate action, educational equity, governance reform and workers' rights. 'Moriarity has spent her career building the business case for sustainable capital allocation,' her position statement reads. 'She built her firm's ESG practice, which has grown into $2b in assets under management. She is ready to fix Penn State's budget deficit while securing institutional resilience with responsible investment policies and capital allocation practices. And through her Penn State service, she supports the faculty and students who make Penn State a climate leader — work she's excited to continue as a Trustee.' If elected trustee, she will promote equal opportunity and champion policies that would promote affordability for off-campus housing as an example. She believes collaborative decision-making ensures the university's direction is aligned with its mission and values, and if elected will be committed to ensuring all voices are heard. Jordan Mott's mission as a trustee candidate is to champion a culture of collaboration and transparency, he wrote in his position statement, and is committed to increasing enrollment and making Penn State accessible and affordable. As trustee, he said he would advocate for adopting advanced technologies to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of university operations so Penn State can stay at the forefront of innovation in higher ed. 'My vision extends beyond campus borders, focusing on strengthening the Penn State community both locally and globally, fostering a network of support, pride, and shared purpose. I am dedicated to ensuring that our university attracts and retains the highest caliber of talent — faculty, staff, current students, and prospective students — who embody excellence and a passion for growth,' he wrote. J. Gregory Pilewicz will bring an independent mindset to the board if elected, he wrote in his position statement, and is committed to Penn State being world class in education, research and student life. He's a C-level executive with success in building companies, improving operations and managing change, he said. He would leverage his knowledge in operations, strategic planning, financial management and more to support Penn State's mission and values. 'If elected, I will bring an independent mindset and be a well-informed contributor to the role of Trustee. I am committed to Penn State being world class in the areas of education, research, and student life. I prefer not to see increases in tuition, capital projects that challenge the university's financial well-being, or a fractured governance. These items, along with our branch campus system's success are high priorities for me. Lastly, I am also an enthusiastic proponent of the student-run organizations, clubs, leadership programs, Greek-life, and athletics that make PSU such a special and memorable experience,' he said. Dale Predmore listed three priorities he'd have if elected trustee in his position statement: cost containment, defining focus and alumni engagement. Penn State needs to be attainable and economically feasible for students, he wrote, and the best way to do that is through reduced expenses and increased efficiency in operations and administration — not tuition increases. Obstacles that students and alumni face are 'self-imposed by the university,' Predmore said, and Penn State needs to develop and sustain a culture of service toward students and alumni. 'I do not advocate for reduced academic rigor. I advocate for reduced administrative complexity. Our students and alumni should face three defining traits when dealing with the University — Ease … Access … Yes. Our alumni proudly proclaim We Are. Our University should proudly proclaim We Can,' he said. Pat Romano Jr.'s position statement states he will uphold the fiduciary duties as trustee. He wrote: 'I will honor the vows and agreements of the board while exercising sound financial oversight and engage fellow board members to reach goals. I believe that goals can be reached with transparency and accountability as we provide strategic direction for the near and long-term future.' Laurie Anne Stanell will show up, stand up and speak out to make sure Penn State remains a world-class academic institution, she said in her position statement. She listed several focus areas, including tuition control, board transparency and size, Greek life, presence in Harrisburg and meeting with students and faculty at University Park and commonwealth campuses. Penn State needs to find ways to keep costs down while dealing with state funding cuts, she said. When she was previously on the board, she said she voted against raising tuition and unnecessary spending. She's also in favor of decreasing the size of the board of trustees, saying: 'Trustees must be treated equally, since we are all equally accountable for the Board's actions. A smaller board means more highly engaged Trustees.' In terms of Greek life, she said Penn State has to 'affirm the laudable history' and contributions of the Greek life system. Her campaign page is Steven Wagman's priorities as a trustee include affordability, the well-being and safety of students, and modernizing campus facilities while being fiscally responsible, he wrote in his position statement. Wagman, who previously served on the board, worked to cut millions in costs to minimize tuition increases, he said, especially for lower-income and commonwealth campus students. 'I am a strong advocate of the CWC system, focused on revitalization, community connection, and enrollment growth. World Campus, and the CWC 2+2 programs, are an affordability and opportunity lever for Pennsylvania residents. Addressing demographic and campus gaps in degree completion requires innovative solutions beyond what is available currently,' he said. More needs to be done to ensure everyone feels a sense of belonging and can thrive at Penn State, he said, and pointed to food and housing insecurity, as well as mental health, as concerns and obstructions to degree completion. His LinkedIn page is Katherine Wheatle is seeking election to the board with Penn State Forward, and listed four key policy focus areas in her position statement to advance academic and institutional excellence: educational equity, workers' rights, governance reform and climate action. If elected trustee, she will use data and structural solutions to guarantee affordable education for all. 'Growing up, Wheatle attended public schools and received free/reduced lunch,' her position statement reads. 'She still owes student loan debt. Financial aid made her Penn State education possible. As a trustee, she will lead data-driven and structural solutions to guarantee an affordable education for all Penn Staters, including public University budget review and responsible endowment management so savings may be reallocated towards decreasing tuition and providing direct aid.' In terms of workers rights, as trustee she will fight for policies for labor union recognition, living wages and policies against harassment. An example listed for governance reform is to advocate for requiring the board review community recommendations publicly. Daniel Zahn is seeking election to the board with Penn State Forward, and listed four key policy focus areas in his position statement to advance academic and institutional excellence: governance reform, educational equity, workers' rights and climate action. Zahn has spent years improving the student conduct process, academic freedom and student rights, his statement reads, and will continue that as trustee. He would support policies that protect Penn Staters who voice concerns about decision-making from retaliation. Penn Staters should have a safe environment that pushes them to grow, his statement reads, but that can't happen if they have to focus on high tuition payments, housing or food insecurity, or other obstacles like violence or prejudice. 'Zahn attended Penn State because a scholarship made it his most affordable option,' his position statement reads. 'He worked part time, struggled to find affordable housing, faced antisemitism and homophobia, and is currently paying off student debt. He will advance policies to break down the barriers preventing Penn Staters from achieving their full potential.'
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Penn State trustee sues board over decision to keep him off of the alumni trustee ballot
A Penn State trustee is suing the board over its recently amended bylaws and a subcommittee's vote to keep him off of the ballot in the upcoming alumni trustee election. In a lawsuit filed Tuesday against the Penn State board of trustees, Barry Fenchak argued the board's bylaws, which were amended last summer, violate state law, and a subcommittee's vote to keep him off of the election ballot should be overturned. He's seeking to be on the ballot for the Penn State alumni trustee election that begins April 21. Fenchak is one of nine alumni-elected trustees and has been on the board since 2022. His term is up this year and he received the required signatures and submitted the appropriate paperwork to be on the ballot. But during a February nominating subcommittee meeting, the members deemed Fenchak 'unqualified' and ineligible to appear on the ballot. In a controversial decision last summer, the board updated its bylaws and gave the trustees a bigger say in who can appear on the ballot in the alumni trustee election. They created a nominating subcommittee and gave them the ability to review alumni trustee candidates and determine whether candidates are qualified to be on the ballot. Fenchak was the only one out of 19 candidates to be deemed unqualified and ineligible to be on the ballot. During the Feb. 26 subcommittee meeting, Trustee Daniel Delligatti said he had concerns about Fenchak because his record of service includes eight letters advising him he failed to abide by board standards of conduct. He specifically mentioned one letter, which detailed Fenchak's 'inappropriate behavior' toward a university employee last summer that violated the board's past expectations of memberships and current code of conduct. The inappropriate behavior refers to an incident after the board's July meeting, when Fenchak loosely repeated a quote from the PG-rated movie 'A League of Their Own' in which Tom Hanks' character told a baseball umpire he looked like a 'penis with a little hat on' to a female staff member. The board previously tried to permanently remove Fenchak from the board in the fall because of the incident. When the board tried to remove Fenchak in the fall, the issue went to court as part of a lawsuit Fenchak filed against the board. The judge halted the board from removing him as trustee. The lawsuit states the subcommittee's vote to keep Fenchak off of the ballot violated the judge's previous ruling that he could not be removed from the board by a vote. 'In doing, so the Defendants bypassed not only the will of the voters, but the very authority of this Court and the rule of law,' the lawsuit states. A Penn State spokesperson said the university 'generally does not comment on pending litigation.' The nine alumni-elected trustees serve staggered three-year terms with three seats becoming open each year. Alumni have from April 21 to May 8 to cast their vote in the trustee election. The lawsuit also asks the judge to void five sections of the amended bylaws, stating they violate Pennsylvania law. Those sections are about election or appointment to the board and term of office, qualifications for membership, the trustee code of conduct, the role and responsibilities of the trustees and trustee sanctions and removal. The trustee code of conduct section states in part that trustees must support the majority decisions of the board and cannot make negative or critical public statements about the board or university. Fenchak's lawsuit claims this is a violation of his, and every other trustee's, right of free speech. The lawsuit alleges that some policies have not been enforced equally across the alumni trustees and the board has engaged in a 'longstanding retaliatory campaign' against Fenchak and have only enforced policies against him alone. 'For instance, Defendants have repeatedly chosen to ignore serious misconduct by other trustees, including threats against other trustees — clear violations of the Trustee Code of Conduct — while simultaneously wielding the same Trustee Code of Conduct to punish Plaintiff for his free expression concerning policy disputes, or more troubling, his pursuit of critical information (which he is lawfully entitled to) concerning the assets, liabilities of the University,' the lawsuit states. Fenchak sued the university and the board of trustees chairman last summer to obtain financial information related to the university's endowment and 10-year contract with a ticketing sales agency.
