Reality Check Part 2: Process Trumps Politics

Reality Check Part 2:  Process Trumps Politics

So in my last post, we discussed at some length the governance structure of the Board and what steps, if any, might be taken to modify that structure.  But I emphasized a key point that I think bears repeating:  all paths for governance reform lead through Harrisburg.  And I believe it is very unlikely that Harrisburg will do anything that would diminish its voice or reduce the political value of its involvement with Penn State.

So, if structural change is unlikely what about the practices, policies and procedures of our Board?

The good news?  In my view. we …

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Reality Check: Governance Evolution, Not Revolution at Penn State

Reality Check:  Governance Evolution, Not Revolution at Penn State

Every Penn Stater I talk to about the events leading up to November of 2011 shares a common emotion.  Many are hurt, some feel betrayed, but all are angry.

That anger has many roots, but perhaps the most common among the alumni with whom I’ve talked is a general feeling that the Board acted in haste and that actions were taken without adequate consideration of their impact. They acted too quickly, without all the facts.

I’ve served on non-profit Boards and I’ve advised Boards of some of the …

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What will it take? The promise and perils of privatization at Penn State.

What will it take? The promise and perils of privatization at Penn State.

Is it time to take the “State” out of Penn State?

One of the questions that was presented to me by several alumni during Saturday’s “Meet n’ Greet” was the question of Penn State’s future — in the face of declining state support, can we remain state-related, or should we instead be pursuing privatization?

This is a pretty complicated question, and this post will likely be one of my longest.  But let me offer a quick executive summary:  even though some would say the Cornell model provides an …

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Pennsylvania: Want a voice at Penn State? Commit to sustainable funding.

Pennsylvania:  Want a voice at Penn State?  Commit to sustainable funding.

To me, it’s very simple.

Pennsylvania’s funding for higher education, and Penn State specifically, has been a target of significant state budget cuts.  Last year, a proposed 50 percent reduction in funding was ultimately reduced to a 20 percent cut, and this year, Penn State faces a proposed 30 percent reduction in state funding.  Current trends indicate Penn State’s funding is on a crash course toward zero.

Governor Corbett asserts that this funding represents only a small part of Penn State’s operating budget, 1.8 percent.  But that …

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They’re more tech-savvy, more community-minded, and better connected.

Spent the day on campus at Penn State and it gave me a great opportunity to spend time with students, faculty, and members of the administration.

My schedule on campus began with a meeting of the Information Sciences & Technology Advisory Board, and a brief Q&A with President Erickson, including a discussion on the future of funding for our University, the role of the State, and the continued need for the University to properly manage costs to remain competitive and affordable.

While that dialogue is critically important, …

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Toni Pergolin is another Penn Stater doing Great Things!

Toni Pergolin, (’85) is doing great things with great people.  Toni is the CEO at Bancroft in Haddonfield, NJ.  Bancroft is a non-profit that serves more than 1500 children and adults with intellectual disabilities, acquired brain injuries and autism.

I first met Toni Pergolin in 2004, when I was serving as the newly installed Chairman of the Finance Committee at Bancroft.  At the time, we were facing a significant range of financial and operational challenges, and we had undertaken a turnaround.  Toni came to us from …

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Ballot Position Drawing

Ballot Position Drawing

My son, Sean, a sophomore at University Park, agreed to do the honor of representing me at the drawing for the 2012 ballot positions. With 86 candidates running for the 3 alumni seats, a little luck doesn’t hurt.

Sean drew number 24, placing me in the top third of a long ballot which like real estate, can be all about location, location, location.

Sean said it was a great experience, and he enjoyed meeting many of the other candidates for this year’s board of trustee alumni elections.

Thanks, …

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