Ten members from the University Board of Trustees participated in Omicron Delta Kappa’s informal informational session last night to discuss concerns with student leaders.
The trustees addressed questions varying from student involvement in the University community to the extent of the power of the trustees. But the overriding topic was whether the University’s budget should be open.
Along with the budget discussion came the debate of whether Penn State was a public or a private university.
“Does it really make a difference?” asked Trustee Ben Novak. “If you are able to get the best from both worlds, I would think that you would be happy.”
The discussion of Penn State’s status led into, at times, heated debate about the University’s budget, and whether salaries should be included.
Trustee Jesse Arnelle said he believes the University would no longer attract the best professors, administrators or specialists if salaries were made public.
“If a person negotiates a contract under a closed budget, it would be an invasion of that person’s privacy if it were to be made public,” he said. “If we were to say this information has to be made public, we stand the chance of missing out on those people.”
Brad Haartz (graduate-industrial engineering) said he believes last night’s discussion was mutually beneficial.
“It was an excellent opportunity for both sides to hear each other,” he said. “Now, whether they take any of it to heart only they will know. I definitely think some of them did.”
Trustee member and state Sen. Roger Madigan said he also believes last night’s discussion was a success.
“I got a lot out of it, such as what students felt was important,” Madigan said. “As a legislator, I feel it is important for me to get information from my people and I feel as a trustee I am elected to represent all the constituents of the college community, and the more input I get, I can do a better job.”