Growing up in Pennsylvania I always admired Penn State for its emphasis on education. I am a longtime donor and football fan of the university. I am a 2014 graduate of Penn State through World Campus.
I write this letter to express my displeasure over all the latest drastic changes taking place. The university recently asked Commonwealth Campus instructors and staff to consider taking a buyout to mitigate operating cost shortfalls. The Board of Trustees (BOT) then voted a $70 million initial expenditure for the Beaver Stadium renovation with a total cost of $700 million budget.
The BOT’s recent bylaw changes giving existing board members more say over who can be on the ballot for alumni-elected seats is an overstep of the board’s power. It allows the board to shape the composition of the board. It seems a final attempt by the BOT to get rid of the resolute alumni who understand what “We Are” and “student athlete” mean. It would further limit the “talent and creativity” that could be brought to the board as well as stifle debate. Coupled with the university’s failure to follow the Pennsylvania Sunshine Law, it would make elections less transparent, further conceal BOT fiduciary failures and create an environment ripe for exploitation.
One must question the university’s priorities with respect to its land-grant mission, which is described as teaching, research and service. It is hard to see how current changes will satisfy the working-class access to quality higher education. The university has dropped yearly in its academic ratings. College reviews often note that the return on investments with respect to starting salaries for Penn State graduates is poor. Reviews do not name academic programs but the emphasis on sports is mentioned.
The aforementioned actions by the BOT have affected my relationship with Penn State. I will stop making monetary donations to the university, which I have been giving to the University Libraries for the last several years, until the elections are back.
I feel obligated to inform potential high school students not to consider Penn State as it’s not worth the cost of tuition, whether in-state or out-of-state, and that the BOT seems to provide more funding to sports than to maintain and attract the best instructors.
I am deeply upset that Kelley Lynch, a past president of the Alumni Association and now a trustee, has betrayed her fellow alumni by voting to end fair alumni elections.
I am disappointed in the governor and his three department appointments (Education, Agriculture and Conservation & Natural Resources) to the BOT for their lack of oversight responsibilities to the citizens of Pennsylvania. While the rest of the state universities are struggling to meet their operating needs, they go along with a $700 million dollar renovation to Beaver Stadium as well as support through the Pennsylvania budget.
I personally hold President Bendapudi, Board Chair Matt Schuyler and Penn State Alumni Association Past President Kelley Lynch responsible for their actions against the Penn State alumni.
Peggy Stine,
Gaithersburg, Maryland
