For immediate release: Feb. 24, 2011

BLOOMSBURG — Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania’s Council of Trustees approved a 4.5 percent increase in room and board fees for 2011-2012 during the quarterly meeting Wednesday, Feb. 23. The action raises the fees from the current $3,311 to $3,469 per semester.

The Trustees also approved an increase in the Kehr Union operating fee for next year, from 1.55 percent to 3 percent of in-state tuition. All other student fees remain at the current rates. Tuition for 2011-2012 will be set by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Board of Governors in July.

Trustees accepted resolutions recognizing the contributions of two members who were attending their last meeting — student Trustee Raylene Brill, who will graduate in May, and Trustee Marie Conley Lammando, a 1994 BU graduate who has served on the council since 2001. Lammando resigned due to increased work responsibilities, but will continue to serve on PASSHE’s Board of Governors.

“This is truly the best professional experience I’ve ever had,” Lammando said. “I appreciate and respect what you do as a campus. This is and will be the highlight of my career.”

In other action during the meeting, the Trustees:

• Recognized emeritus status for retired faculty Margaret Till, biology, and Gilbert Darbouze, languages and cultures; Carol Barnett, who retired as director of the Career Development Center; and Roger Hartman, retired carpenter.
• Announced “tremendously positive” results from BU President David Soltz’s formal three-year evaluation. Trustees Chair Robert Dampman ’65 said 69 individuals were interviewed over two days. The result, he said, was that we have a “good administration with a tremendous feel for this school.”
• Approved the prioritized capital project request, a list of projects recommended for state funding during the next five years. The projects, in order, are renovation and addition to Waller Administration Building, renovation of McCormick Center for Human Services and construction of a facilities maintenance building on the upper campus.
• Heard presentations on the BU Toy Library and the Living and Learning Communities.

Bloomsburg University is one of 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university serves approximately 9,000 students, offering comprehensive programs of study in the colleges of Education, Business, Liberal Arts and Science and Technology.