Trustees’ December Meeting Coverage

The Executive Committee of the Trustees met on campus last Thursday. Trustee Chairman James Riepe said, “Dr. Gutmann’s learning curve has been accomplished at warp speed.” He referred to the several key positions that have recently been filled.

President Amy Gutmann said that there is “new momentum for the Penn Compact” with the appointment of Dr. Rebecca Bushnell—“an outstanding scholar, an innovative administrator and leader” as the successor to Dr. Samuel Preston who is stepping down as SAS dean this month. Dr. Gutmann also mentioned the two new vice presidents she has appointed: John Zeller, for development and alumni relations and Bonnie Gibson, for budget and management analysis, for whom the trustees passed a resolution making her appointment official.

Interim Provost Dr. Peter Conn said he wanted to express his sense of gratitude to Dr. Alan Kelly—“a remarkable leader”—who announced he intends to step down next year from the deanship of the School of Veterinary Medicine.

In the financial report, Mr. Craig Carnaroli said that the fiscal year is “off to a very good start.” UPHS divested Phoenixville Hospital, adding to the UPHS’s strong revenue growth.

In Dr. Arthur Rubenstein’s Penn Medicine report, he spoke of the national recognition received by the Penn Medicine organization “FOCUS on Health & Leadership for Women.”

Mr. John Clark presented four resolutions, on behalf of Budget & Finance Committee. The trustees authorized the design and construction of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the site of the former Hillel building, at 202 South 36th Street in the amount of $22 million, fully funded by the Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands and the Annenberg Foundation. The trustees also approved a resolution related to a partnership with Chestnut Hill HealthCare that would include a long-term clinical affiliation. The other two resolutions pertained to financing and refinancing.

  Almanac, Vol. 51, No. 14, December 7, 2004

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