At the University of Pennsylvania Trustees’ Fall Stated Meeting on Friday, November 9, Chairman David L. Cohen noted that the Trustees had an engaging lunch-time presentation on Thursday by the faculty co-directors of Penn First Plus, Camille Charles and Robert Ghrist along with four Penn First Plus students.

Then, Thursday evening, there was a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Ronald O. Perelman Center for Political Science and Economics. In addition to Wharton alumnus Ronald Perelman there to cut the ribbon, the event was attended by Vicki Kennedy, widow of Ted Kennedy, and Cindy McCain, widow of John McCain.

At the Stated Meeting, the Trustees passed a Memorial Resolution for Emeritus Trustee Jon M. Huntsman (W’59, HON’96) and, who died in February (Almanac February 13, 2018).

Mr. Cohen noted that Emeritus Trustee Robert P. Levy (C’52), had recently passed away and a Memorial Resolution will be presented at a subsequent meeting.

They also passed a Resolution of Appreciation for Julie Beren Platt (C’79), as she is concluding her tenure as president of Penn Alumni and is currently an overseer of the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.

A Resolution of Appreciation and a designation as Emeritus Trustee was passed for Michael J. Kowalski (W’74), chair of the Museum’s board of overseers for 12 years.

William W.M. Cheung (D’81, GD’82), was elected an Emeritus Trustee.

Connie Duckworth (WG’79), James Johnson (C’74, L’7) and Ramanan Raghavendran, (ENG’89, W’89, LPS’15)—having each served as Alumni Trustees since 2014—were elected as Term Trustees.

President Amy Gutmann referred to the invocation that had been given by Rev. Charles Howard which described the vigil held on campus near the Peace Symbol after the massacre in the Pittsburgh synagogue that killed and injured many people, including Penn alumnus Jerry Rabinowitz (C’73, Med,’77). President Gutmann described the geriatrician as a caring physician who had treated AIDS patients many years ago. She also said she was proud of the outpouring of love at Penn’s vigil on College Green.

President Gutmann said that the recent Perelman Center ribbon-cutting included a riveting discussion between Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent for NBC Andrea Mitchell, CW’67 and a trustee emerita, and 2018-2019 Presidential Professor of Practice Jeb Bush. The recently renovated and expanded building houses two of Penn’s most popular majors, economics and political science, in one place (Almanac September 11, 2018).

President Gutmann also noted the recent passing of Lucy Hackney (Almanac November 6, 2018), a cherished member of the Penn community who will be long remembered.

President Gutmann then presented two resolutions concerning John L. Jackson, Jr., the first a Resolution of Appreciation for his “dynamic and visionary leadership of the School of Social Policy and Practice, reaffirming the University’s enduring commitment to the values of social justice, social advocacy and social progress.” The second one was to appoint him as dean of the Annenberg School of Communication, effective January 1, 2019 (Almanac February 13, 2018). Also approved was a Resolution to Appoint Sara Bachman as dean of the School of Social Policy and Practice, effective January 1, 2019 (Almanac September 4, 2018).

Provost Wendell Pritchett reported that the Take Your Professor to Lunch and Host Your Class Program which was revitalized last year had its usage quintupled last semester and he expects it to continue at that pace.

EVP Craig Carnaroli reported on the financials for the three months ended September 30, 2018. He said that for the Consolidated University, total net assets were $18.6 billion, an increase of $2.1 billion over the prior September. The change in net assets from operations reflected an increase of $79 million, $32 million above the prior year. For the Academic Component, capital expenditures totaled $89 million, $21 million above the prior year with notable projects including Stemmler Hall, Richards Building and Houston Market renovations, and construction of the Wharton Academic Building and substation. The Health System had capital expenditures totaling $235 million, $114 million over the prior year.

Penn Med Dean and EVP for UPHS Larry Jameson reported that the Health System broke ground last month at Penn Medicine at Radnor for a new building.

The Academic Policy Committee presented two resolutions for approval: the Trustees approved the establishment of a master of science in genetic counseling and a master of science in biomedical informatics, both in the Perelman School of Medicine.

The Trustees approved the following resolutions from the Budget & Finance Committee: to authorize an additional $152.5 million for the design and construction of the New College House West; the design and construction of HVAC renovations at Kings Court, English House and Dubois College House, $24.8 million; Vance Hall interior renovations, $16.4 million; Huntsman Hall HVAC upgrades, phase 3, $5.3 million; Silverman Hall classroom renovations, $7.1 million; three-year lease renewal for Penn Wharton China Center in Beijing, $5.3 million; and acquisition of property in East Petersburg, Pennsylvania, by Lancaster General Hospital, $5.4 million.

There were also a series of resolutions to appoint numerous overseers to various boards.