The 2024 spring semester’s first public Shippensburg University Council of Trustees meeting was held on Friday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. in the Ceddia Union Building MPR. 

Topics discussed included budgetary updates, student affairs updates and a presentation on the “Landscape of Teacher Education at Shippensburg University.”

The afternoon meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a roll call before the floor was opened for questions, of which there were none. SU President Charles Patterson gave his opening report on university budget and financing updates for the spring 2024 semester.

Patterson’s opening remarks were followed by a report from the Division of Academic Affairs, which was given by Interim Provost and Vice President Nicole Hill. Hill discussed recent grants that were awarded to the university, which included a grant for the Shippensburg University Police Department and a grant for local Appalachian Trail conservation. Hill also brought attention to SU’s upcoming Career Week, which will start on March 28.

A large portion of meeting time was given to the “Landscape of Teacher Education” presentation. The presentation was dedicated to recent changes in Shippensburg’s education department. Focus was put on how the university is training a future generation of educators. The university’s childhood education program was accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Part of the education department’s goal to prepare future teachers is to give SU students in the education program experience with technology, artificial intelligence and interacting with students in a classroom environment.

To achieve these goals, the education department has received the Professional Development Organization Grant for Early Childhood Educators, the Prep2Practice Grant for Math Teachers, and the Student Teacher Stipend Grant from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency and Pennsylvania Department of Education.

The university hopes that these state grants will be available for all students interested in pursuing a career in education.

The statements made by the Division of Student Affairs were also of note. Lorie Sheetz, vice president and dean of students, remarked how the Shippensburg campus has been recovering in the post-COVID period. The fall 2023 semester had the most students living on campus since pre-pandemic.

Another area of improvement was the campus counseling services, which saw 630 appointments in the fall semester. Of these appointments, 93% said they felt comfortable and satisfied following their visit. Sheetz also highlighted improvements coming to Big Red’s Cupboard. The program will soon provide classroom materials like pens and pencils for students in need.

The Division of Student Affairs presentation was followed by reports given by APSCUF, SCUPA and the Alumni Association. Lastly, the Student Government Association gave information on the upcoming election for offices, which will begin Feb. 26 and end Feb. 29. The SGA also gave remarks on a recent safety walk members held with SUPD, which focused on investigating accessibility and safety issues around campus.

Before the Council of Trustees meeting was adjourned, Chair of Trustees Doug Harbach honored previous Chair L. Michael Ross as he retired from the Council of Trustees. The next Council of Trustees meeting will be held on May 3, in the CUB MPR.

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