UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Board of Trustees met and moved upon a number of items of business during meetings on Sept. 11 and 12 at the University Park campus.
During its meeting on Sept. 12, the board:
- Approved a request for fiscal year 2026-27 appropriations for operations: Trustees approved Penn State’s plan to request $410.5 million from the state legislature for the 2026-27 fiscal year. The request includes a $49 million increase from Penn State's general support appropriation of $242.1 million for 2024-25 and would be used to keep tuition rates steady for all undergraduates for 2027-28.
- Revised Penn State’s capital plan: The board approved an update to the University’s five-year capital plan, which runs from fiscal year 2023-24 through 2027-28. The revision adds $24.4 million to the existing plan to account for increases in a number of renovation projects, as well as a new project to renovate the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center at the University Park campus.
- Approved a contract revision for the president: Trustees voted to adjust President Neeli Bendapudi’s total compensation in recognition of her leadership in strengthening the University during one of the most challenging times in higher education.
- Approved a real estate sale: Trustees finalized the divestiture of approximately 0.381 acres near the intersection of Fox Hill and Fillmore roads in Patton and Benner townships in Centre County to Airport Park State College and Berks New Homes for $21,800.
- Reappointed three non-University employees to the Penn State Investment Council: The board reappointed Randy E. Black, James P. Brandau and Colleen Ostrowski to the Penn State Investment Council, each with three-year terms ending on Dec. 31, 2028.
- Approved the election of directors to the Corporation for Penn State.
A proposed plan to sell the operating assets of Penn State’s public media station and service WPSU to Philadelphia-based public media organization WHYY was rejected in the Sept. 11 meeting of the board’s Finance and Investment Committee. The University has budgeted funds for WPSU’s operations through the end of June 2026 and will now develop a wind down plan ending, at the latest, on June 30, 2026.
Board chair kicks off new academic year
At the start of Friday’s full board session, Board Chair David Kleppinger welcomed incoming and returning students for the 2025-26 academic year, and highlighted the recent Ag Progress Days event, which drew more than 42,000 visitors and showcased Penn State’s leadership in agriculture innovation, research and technology.
Kleppinger welcomed three new administrative fellows for the academic year, including:
- Danielle Downs, professor of kinesiology and obstetrics, who will be mentored by Andrew Read, senior vice president for Research;
- Tammy Spevak, associate director of academic services and retention at Penn State Hazleton, who will be mentored by Andrea Dowhower, vice president for Student Affairs; and
- Pauline Thompson, professor of psychology at Penn State Brandywine, who will be mentored by Senior Vice Provost Kathy Bieschke.
Kleppinger recognized Ron Darbeau, chancellor and dean at Penn State Altoona, who will chair Penn State’s Academic Leadership Council through July 2026.
The board chair also briefly discussed the past year and recent trustees’ retreat, emphasizing how members could be more impactful in helping to restore trust in higher education and advance Penn State’s priorities.
“Trustees identified ways we can be even more effective advocates by mapping our relationships, coordinating outreach and engaging more directly with legislators and communities,” Kleppinger said.
Bendapudi reiterates the critical need for, impact of research
After spotlighting areas of student success, research advancements, philanthropy and statewide service, Bendapudi addressed the current uncertainty in the research landscape in her report to the board.
“While we are deeply proud of the achievements of our research community — whose discoveries continue to elevate Penn State’s standing and expand our reach — we also recognize that they, like all of us, are navigating a time of uncertainty,” Bendapudi said. “So our commitment to their work must not waiver.”
The president outlined the measures the University is taking — including planning for various scenarios, working with major science funders and Penn State’s “Research or Regress” awareness campaign — to advocate for continued research support and showcase how the University’s research is having a concrete impact in improving lives, helping to grow the economy and bolstering the nation’s security.
Bendapudi also highlighted the work of Steve Greybush, professor of meteorology and associate director of the Center for Advanced Data Assimilation and Predictability Techniques, and Christian Spallone, a master’s student in meteorology and atmospheric science, whose efforts at the intersection of meteorology, artificial intelligence and high-performance computing are helping to improve weather forecasting on Earth and expanding knowledge of extreme weather on Mars.
Alumni Association update
Trustees heard an informational report on the Penn State Alumni Association from Alyssa Wilcox, vice president for Development and Alumni Relations. Wilcox offered an overview of the Alumni Association’s campaigns as her unit engaged more than 225,000 people across athletic events, THON, collaborations with academic units, volunteer activities, and chapter and affiliate group activities during the 2025 fiscal year.
Committee discussions
During the Research and Technology Committee’s meeting on Sept. 11, David Horton, vice president for Penn State Information Technology, offered a review of the University’s information technology (IT) strategy and risk. Horton discussed Penn State IT’s strategic priorities, the current state and future state of IT on the University’s campuses, priorities for investment, and return on investment. He concluded his discussion with an overview of Penn State’s capabilities to detect, assess and respond to security threats.
At the Student Success Committee meeting on Sept. 11, trustees received an update on the University’s Academic Portfolio and Program (APPR), with a report and key recommendations being submitted to Executive Vice President and Provost Fotis Sotiropoulos for review. The committee also heard an update on the review of a policy that applies a surcharge to undergraduate students who are enrolled with more than 19 credits in a semester.
Up next
The Board of Trustees will meet next on Nov. 6 and 7 at the University Park campus.