Council of Trustees Convenes Again

One Book author Jess Row. Photo credit / Amy Lothian

By Jake Bernard

Staff Writer

One Book author Jess Row.  Photo credit / Amy Lothian
One Book author Jess Row. Photo credit / Amy Lothian

On Nov. 4, the Council of Trustees met at the Innovation Center for a second time to acknowledge the university’s recent and current events.

President Marcia G. Welsh opened the meeting with a comment regarding the university’s Greek life.

“I’m very proud that the fraternities and sororities are teaming up with the Salvation Army to help raise money to buy turkeys for families. I’m amazed of what our students do in this community.”

ESU’s fraternities and sororities have raised $6300 of their $7500 goal.

Yet, ESU’s Greek life aren’t the only contributors in making Thanksgiving a possibility for more families.  ESU’s SEPA front office held a silent auction that raised an additional $1300.

Aside from ESU’s involvement with Salvation Army, the meeting covered recapped another recent meeting , which discussed the strategic vision ESU has for the campus’s future.

The vision includes an impact in the development of education and housing areas. The plan will continue through the year of 2017.

“The strategic plan continues to energize the campus,” explained Welsh.

Welsh also shared that there are strategic vision pamphlets available throughout campus that include the details of the plan.

Welsh then moved on to the next topic, Homecoming.

This year’s homecoming held the highest alumni attendance of Welsh’s tenure.

Fundraising was a large part of this year’s homecoming as ESU auctioned off three alumni pins. Fifty percent of the money will go towards the theatre club’s upcoming field trip.

Next, the discussion shifted to this year’s One Book, One Campus.

Jess Row, the author of this year’s novel, was interviewed on campus on Oct. 27.

“I think the topic of this year’s book was very appropriate,” said Welsh.

ESU takes down Gannon.  Photo credit / David Colon
ESU takes down Gannon. Photo credit / David Colon

ESU’s Women’s Soccer team became the focus as Welsh described how the women defeated Gannon on Oct. 30 4-2 and advanced to the PSAC Quarterfinals where they defeated West Chester in penalties 4-3.

ESU’s Football Team defeated Bloomsburg 35-34 marking ESU’s first time defeating Bloomsburg at home since 2005.

Additionally, ESU’s Field Hockey team is now ranked number one by the NCAA.

The healthcare system was the next topic of the evening.

There will be a cost saving of 3.5 million dollars in the state’s health care system that has led to an increase in this year’s tuition by 3.5 percent and cost cutting in major departments.

“We have to control our expenses if we want to continue to survive this year,” explained Welsh.

The last topic discussed was the campus’ acknowledgement of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Students participated by decorating the campus in purple ribbons, and Student Senate took the campus by storm by hosting an awareness walk.

Email Jake at: jbernard1@live.esu.edu