Allison Baker

The strategic goals for IUP from 2023-2028 focus on enhancing the student experience, growing market share, and expanding educational opportunities to new student groups. Key strategies include building a best-in-class student support infrastructure, aligning marketing and recruiting resources, and developing alternate revenue streams. The plan also emphasizes engaging the internal and external IUP team, fostering a culture of student-centeredness, and making difficult decisions to reorder resources and remove barriers to student success.

The IUP Council of Trustees met to discuss various issues, including the university's future in the face of disruptive times in higher education, strategies for addressing challenges related to enrollment, staffing, and academic offerings, and the reaffirmation of IUP's designation as an R2 research university. The council also addressed the university's budget, announcing that IUP has paid off its university-held debt and balanced the auxiliary budget through changes in housing fees and dining plans. Additionally, the council approved a resolution of commendation for the women's volleyball team, approved a five-year priority capital project spending plan, and approved the awarding of an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree to Lt. Col. Barry D. Gasdek. Updates were provided on the proposed college of osteopathic medicine, progress on the Crimson Core general education program, and the Graduate First Destination Outcomes Report. The University Advancement Committee reported on fundraising, alumni engagement, and donor cultivation efforts, including progress on the Impact 150 Campaign.

The Indiana University of Pennsylvania Council of Trustees reviewed the proposed student fees for the academic years 2025-26 and 2026-27. A key focus was the introduction of a new Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry Arts Lab Fee, necessitated by the transition of the Academy of Culinary Arts to a credit-bearing structure. This fee aims to cover the costs of ingredients, supplies, and equipment maintenance essential for hands-on learning in culinary labs. The proposed fee is $250.00 per lab, totaling $1,000 per student per academic year, and will be allocated to the Culinary Academic Fund Center.

The IUP Council of Trustees convened to discuss several key issues. The council introduced a new faculty liaison and approved the minutes from the previous quarterly meeting. The President reported on the university's progress, including student success initiatives, academic restructuring, and the proposed college of osteopathic medicine. The council also reviewed and approved the university's audited financial statements, the Comprehensive Planning Process budget, and certifying resolutions for university external financial support. Additionally, the council approved proposed student fees and endorsed revisions to the Residential Housing Scholarship Program. Updates were provided on academic affairs, student affairs, enrollment management, and university advancement. Finally, the council approved President Driscoll's annual review report and the student trustee nominee.

The meeting included updates on IUP's Academic Program Review and Restructuring, highlighting progress on program review curricular actions and the implementation of the new Academic Affairs structure. There was a presentation on the revised Crimson Core framework for general education, including its components, implementation timeline, and alignment with other Academic Affairs initiatives. Progress toward establishing IUP's proposed college of osteopathic medicine was discussed, covering market demand, costs, fundraising, staffing, clinical placements, facilities planning, and accreditation. The committee recommended the approval of an honorary doctor of public service degree to be presented to Governor Joshua Shapiro. Additionally, the committee recommended the approval of actions from the IUP-APSCUF Representative Council meetings, including program revisions, changes to the Liberal Studies framework, new undergraduate policies, revisions to undergraduate and graduate policies, programs placed in moratorium, and new programs. The committee also recommended the approval of three college name changes.