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Why PSU created a VP job during hiring freeze

The changing relationships between volunteer fire companies and local governments, the lost village of Kinzua, and a voting system referendum.

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September 8, 2022
Inside this edition: Introducing our Penn State Transparency Tracker series, the changing relationships between fire companies and their local governments, and the lost village of Kinzua.
 
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Tracking Penn State's transparency
Abby Drey / Centre Daily Times

Why did Penn State create a new VP position during a hiring freeze?

The Penn State Transparency Tracker is an ongoing effort by Spotlight PA to document and share the ways in which the university is, and is not, being transparent with the community. Due to its special “state-related” designation, Penn State is not subject to open records laws beyond the public disclosure of basic financial information.
 
At the end of July, Penn State announced a “strategic hiring freeze” that would last until at least the summer of 2023. A July 28 internal memo sent by President Neeli Bendapudi and obtained by Spotlight PA stated open positions could only be posted if they are reviewed and deemed critical by a department head.

“Critical positions may include those that are necessary for safety, student success, compliance, or show a financial return on investment,” Bendapudi wrote in the memo.

On Aug. 8, Penn State announced the hiring of Matt Melvin for the newly created position of vice president for enrollment management. Melvin previously worked at the University of Kansas as the vice provost for enrollment management.

In response to the news, Spotlight PA asked Penn State the following questions on Aug. 17:

  • At a time when the university is under a “strategic hiring freeze,” there may be some concern about adding a new top-level position that reports directly to the president. Mr. Melvin previously made nearly $205,000 a year at the University of Kansas. Will Mr. Melvin be making a similar salary at Penn State? Will his salary be among the top 25 highest salaries Penn State publicly reports each year?
  • President Bendapudi’s internal memo from July 28 announcing the “strategic hiring freeze” mentions that critical positions that can be hired for during the freeze include “those that are necessary for safety, student success, compliance, or show a financial return on investment.” What category does Mr. Melvin’s new position fall under to deem it critical?
  • The Penn State announcement mentions that Melvin will lead the “newly established Enrollment Management Office.” Does the university plan to hire additional positions for this office? If so, how many? 
  • Finally, please send me a copy of the job opening that was posted publicly for the “vice president for enrollment management.”

Penn State responded on Aug. 18:

“As noted in our news release, the strategic hiring freeze announced Aug. 1 is not a complete freeze on all hiring,” Lisa Powers, senior director of university public relations, said in an email. “Searches to fill critical roles will still move forward as Penn State will continue to hire for positions that support the University in important ways. As you know, University enrollment at Commonwealth Campuses has been stagnant or declined in recent years, which has a negative impact on the overall fiscal health of Penn State and the communities it serves in fulfilling the University’s educational mission across the state.

"Among its Big Ten counterparts, Penn State is one of the few that did not have an enrollment management office separate from its undergraduate education office. The change to a dedicated enrollment management office was necessary so that significant enrollment challenges can receive the focus and senior-level support needed for optimal enrollment.
 
“With regard to a job posting, President Bendapudi determined that this position was a critical and necessary hire, in short order, and it is within her discretion to make such strategic hires as she deems appropriate without always going through a protracted process. As you also are aware, the University is addressing a structural deficit and this approach was viewed by her as the best way to meet the University’s needs in this area.”

Seeking clarity on a couple points, Spotlight PA followed up with these questions on Aug. 23:

  • The job for which Mr. Melvin was hired was not posted publicly for others to apply for?
  • And, since Penn State "did not have an enrollment management office separate from its undergraduate education office,” does the university plan to hire additional positions for this office? If so, how many? 

Penn State responded on Aug. 24:

“As indicated in my initial response, President Bendapudi determined that this position was a critical and necessary hire, in short order, and it is within her discretion to make such strategic hires,” Powers said in an email. “Dr. Melvin has been in his new role for 9 days and determinations on office staffing/structure have not been made beyond the fact that the existing areas of Undergraduate Admissions, the Office of Student Aid and the Office of the University Registrar will be part of this new strategic endeavor, as already noted.”

Wyatt Massey, Penn State investigative reporter

Help support the Penn State Transparency Tracker by submitting tips or questions to wmassey@spotlightpa.org. You can also share documents and other materials to help make our reporting more robust. Read more about sharing such information here

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📷 Local Gem
A gorgeous view on the Pine Creek Rail Trail in Tioga County near the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania — via @kirstin.with.an.eye. Want to be featured here? Send your best local pics to talkofthetown@spotlightpa.org.
📰 In Other News
» Faced with public opposition to Nittany Mall casino, is there anything College Township can do? (Centre Daily Times)

» Centre County school district, governments and utilities hope to go solar in a group buy (WPSU)

» Gov. Wolf to 'soon' disburse $30M to 4 universities — but no word yet on Penn State's plan (Centre Daily Times)

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» Inflation impacts municipal financial budgets (The Sentinel)

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📅 Events
Want us to list your event? Send it to us.

» Sept. 8: Rhiana Gunn-Wright, "one of the leading architects of the Green New Deal," speaks about climate activism at Penn State.

» Sept. 8: Gorinto Productions hosts its first Monthly Dance Party series at 3 Dots in State College, emphasizing "all-ages community engagement, positivity, and inclusivity."

» Sept. 8: Learn about the lost village of Kinzua from author Marcia Tuttle Kleinert at the Elk Township Historical Society Scandia Community Center.

» Sept. 8-11: Nittany Antique Machinery Fall Show at Penn's Cave & Wildlife Park features a flea market, tractor pulling contests, and more.

» Sept. 10: Enjoy arts, music, and food trucks at the Fall Music & Art Fest in Bradford.

» Sept. 11: Regional singer-songwriters and Penn State poets present original music and poetry at the Colerain Center for Education, Preservation and the Arts in Spruce Creek.
🧩 The Puzzler
An anagram is a word, phrase, or name formed by rearranging the letters of another. For example, "spotlight" also forms "stoplight."

Decode the anagram and send your answer to talkofthetown@spotlightpa.org. We'll shout out winners here, and one each week will get some Spotlight PA State College swag.

R E A C T I V E
 
Good luck!

Last week's answer: Study

Congrats to Steve B., who will receive Spotlight PA State College swag. Others who answered correctly: Brian S., Teri H., Warren D., Martha D., Donna D., Tish M., Annette B., Jade C.
Do you have events, community shoutouts, questions about our region, or tips on stories that we should pursue? Email our team.
 
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