Activities of MU Council of Trustees’ December 8 Public Meeting 

The MU Council of Trustees, meeting in regular session Wednesday (December 8), also heard–in a special report on renovations to and upgrading of sports facilities–that this will be the first major overhaul of the stadium since 1970, when the main grandstand and locker room facilities were erected. The first phase of the project will include the installation of new turf, the synthetic variety, and a new all-weather eight-lane track, which will include resurfaced jumping and vaulting areas. Also planned for the east end of the stadium complex is a temporary weight room. Phase I of the project is expected to be completed in time for the 2005 football season. Subsequent phases will address plans for a new press box, locker rooms, training facilities, and visitors’ seating.

The Biemesderfer track will not be accessible during the renovations, and the athletics departments will determine where events normally held there will be relocated. 

Also on the drawing board is the development of additional athletics fields immediately south of Stayer Education Center; completion is expected in 2006. A new baseball field is currently in the design stage. All these projects fit in with the plan to relocate the athletics departments and offices to Stayer, after it is refurbished and following The School of Education’s move to a new building to be constructed on the site of Landes Hall.

It is projected that all of these sports facility renovations, construction projects and relocations will be finished in 2007.

Two student athletes also spoke during the presentation. Walter Hawkins, who plays for the football team and is a sophomore speech-communication major, and Anne Wonsettler, a junior government major who is a member of the swimming team, discussed what it’s like to be involved in Division II NCAA sports: how they handle sports with their various academic demands, while also providing service to the regional community. 

Turning to business, the trustees approved the establishment of two new scholarships: They are as follows:
–The Ratzlaff Scholarship Fund, the annual income of which is awarded to an incoming biology major. The scholarship may be renewed for three years provided the student remains a biology major and maintains a QPA of 3.0 or greater.
–The William Randolph Hearst Endowed Scholarship, the annual income of which is awarded to students who are enrolled in the Lancaster Partnership Program and whose intent is to reside permanently in the United States upon completion of their studies. 

Council also approved the waiver of some components of the consolidated General Fee, excluding the Academic Support fee, for students who are taking professional development graduate credits at remote sites during the academic year (fall and spring semesters), effective January 2005. These wavered components include support for a student’s use of health services, student activities and programs, the shuttle bus, and services provided through the student center; the nature of these components is such that the remote-site students do not require on-campus services and, therefore, do not receive an MU identification card. The Academic Support Fee component of the General Fee covers materials and support for all credit courses and will continue to apply to these students.

Turning to informational items, the trustees were informed that three long-time faculty members will retire following the spring 2005 semester. Along with their retirement dates, they are: Paul S. Belgrade, professor of English, June 7; Geraldine Benson, assistant professor of library, June 29; and C.W. Price, professor of physics, May 27.

–Belgrade joined the Millersville staff in 1979 as an associate professor. In addition to his classroom duties, he has served as a journalism advisor to the student newspaper, The Snapper, as assistant chairperson of the English department, and as a part-time copy editor and staff writer for the Lancaster Sunday News.

Before coming to MU, he was an instructor and college newspaper advisor for Norfolk Community College, and, earlier, an editor for the Iowa Testing Program. A native of Greenfield, Mass., he earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of North Carolina, his master’s degrees at Springfield College and the University of Iowa, and his doctoral degree at the University of Maryland. 

–Benson came to Millersville in 1976 as a librarian. Since that time, she has been involved with a variety of changes at Ganser Library, particularly involving computerization of collections, etc. She also has conducted research on and was instrumental in broadening the library’s liaison program to benefit the overall campus community, and has been coordinator of MU’s Federal Depository Library Program. 

Born in Chicago, Benson worked for the Lancaster City School District and the University of Notre Dame library before coming to Millersville. She received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. 

–Price was hired by the University in 1971 as an assistant professor. During his tenure, he quickly rose through the ranks to become a full professor. Outside of the classroom, he has been involved with Millersville’s Science Lectureship program, and has been a member of the Curriculum and Academic Affairs and Professional Standards committees. He also has served in top positions with the Central Pennsylvania Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers, and has been involved with Lancaster’s North Museum. 

Prior to accepting his position at MU, he taught a year of high school in Vermont. A Burlington, Vermont, native, he received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Vermont, and his doctoral degree from Brown University.