BU Trustees endorse Middle Level Degree Program
BU's Council of Trustees endorsed a bachelor's degree program for teachers of fourth through eighth graders during the Feb. 25 meeting.
In his presentation to the Trustees, Charles Starkey, chair of the early childhood and elementary education department, said the certification addresses a Pennsylvania Department of Education requirement. Pending approval from the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Board of Governors, BU will offer the Bachelor of Science in Education in middle level education.
In other action during the quarterly meeting, the Trustees approved an overall 3 percent increase in room and board fees for 2009-10. Preston Herring, vice president for university and student affairs, said increased costs related to food, staffing and the new upper campus apartments set to open this fall make it necessary to increase room fees by 3.5 percent and board fees by 2.5 percent. For a student with a typical meal plan and on-campus housing, the room and board fee will increase from $3,018 to $3,113 per semester.
The Trustees also approved an increase in the transportation fee from $15 to $20 per semester to cover the cost of more frequent bus runs to the new upper campus apartments. The PASSHE Board of Governors will set 2009-10 tuition for BU and her 13 sister institutions at a meeting this summer.
President David Soltz with professor emeritus Emeric Shultz, who was recognized at the Trustees meeting.
From left: chair of the Council of Trustees Steven Barth with student trustee Nicole Najpauer and president David Soltz.
The Trustees also:
- Approved resolutions honoring former Trustees Robert Gibble and Bill Kelly and departing student Trustee Nicole Najpauer, who will graduate in May.
- Approved the Capital Project Request for 2009-10 to 2013-14 listing the Waller Administration Building renovation/ addition and McCormick Center addition.
- Heard a presentation on the Institute for Instructional Technology by Timothy Phillips, director; Eric Milks, instructional designer; and Rachel Fiedler, graduate student. The presentation focused on a training program prepared for the Kellogg's plant in Muncy, including an e-learning module with assessment and a training/operations manual.
- Accepted the 2007-08 audit following a presentation by Andrea Caladie of Parente Randolph. BU received an "unqualified opinion," which Caladie called "the highest level of assurance we can provide."