SRU wants to extend president's contract
SLIPPERY ROCK — The Slippery Rock University trustees have recommended to the state chancellor that SRU President Cheryl Norton’s contract be extended.
They took that action June 5 at SRU.
In a media release, outgoing trustee chairman Tom Breth of Butler said Norton “has done a fantastic job in leading the university during the past three years.”
Trustee Jeff Smith of Butler said, “Although the president is evaluated annually, every three years the board of governors requires the trustees to appoint an evaluation committee which then works with an external consultant who has expertise in presidential and university leadership and provides an external perspective.”
The committee talked with a variety of people at SRU to assess Norton’s performance.
Breth said, “Norton has been able to guide the university during some very difficult financial times while continuing to expand and promote the academic excellence of the university.”
In the release, Norton said she was “humbled” by the recommendation and noted that “we have an outstanding team of staff and faculty working daily to ensure our students’ success.”
Athletic lab named
The trustees voted to name the athletic training laboratory in Patterson Hall in honor of Susan Hannam, dean of the College of Health Environment and Science, who is retiring after 28 years.
The request to honor Hannam by renaming the training lab was submitted by faculty in her college.
2 new degrees sought
The trustees also approved submitting two new degree programs to the State System of Higher Education for approval.
They are a bachelor in fine arts in dance and a bachelor of science in petroleum and natural gas engineering.
The dance degree is considered the foremost professional degree credential for undergraduate students seeking professional dance careers, said Ursula Payne, chair of the dance department.
The degree in petroleum and natural gas meets the demand of employers for graduates with engineering skill in that field, said Athula Heart, associate professor in physics and pre-engineering.
In other actions, trustees:
• Approved a contractually required 2.99 percent increase in the meal plan fees charged by AVI Food Systems for food services to campus.
• Elected trustee officers for 2015-16. Former state Sen. Mary Jo White of Franklin was elected chairman, Matt Lautman of Pittsburgh was elected vice chairman, and Smith was elected secretary.
• Set their quarterly meetings for Sept. 2-3, Dec. 3-4, March 17-18, 2016, and June 9-10, 2016.
