The Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, Oct. 10 in Paul Loser Hall to discuss recent achievements, upcoming building initiatives and potential programs at the College.
First, the Board swore in new trustees: Treby Williams and the alternate student trustee, junior chemistry major Ryan Boyne.
“I think it is extremely important that representation extends all the way to the Board of Trustees, for it allows for student input,” Boyne said. “Although at times the students’ best interest may not be in the College’s best interest.”
For the past 17 years, the U.S. News & World Report recognized the College as the No.1 public institution in the North. President R. Barbara Gitenstein shared her excitement, because this year the College was also ranked as No.1 in commitment to undergraduate education out of both public and private colleges in the North.
“Last year was an extraordinarily successful year at The College of New Jersey,” Gitenstein said in her report.
The College continues to build even with recent building projects having been completed.
“The students are thrilled with the updates to Cromwell,” Gitenstein said about the recent renovations to the residence hall.
The President is looking forward to the Campus Town project as well.
“We’re very pleased to finally see shovels in the ground,” Gitenstein said.
She expressed her pride in the students for their astounding attendance at the Campus Town groundbreaking ceremony with Gov. Chris Christie.
“I was very, very proud of our student participation,” she said.
Rutgers University only had 150 students show up for their College Ave. redevelopment groundbreaking ceremony, whereas the College had about 500 students attend.
The College also continues work on the STEM building initiative and the Brower Student Center renovations.
“The Brower Student Center project is still very preliminary, but it looks like its going to be very exciting,” vice chair Bradley Brewster said.
The board approved a motion to raise the salary of Gitenstein. She will receive a one-time 3.172 percent salary increase due to her effective leadership last year in propelling the Campus Town plans to fruition.
“I wouldn’t say that I would do it for nothing, but I do love this college,” Gitenstein said.
The next Trenton State College Corporation meeting is scheduled for Oct. 17 at 8 a.m. in Loser Hall.
John Castaldo, former executive director of Athletics was appointed to executive director of Alumni Affairs in September. This year, the Alumni Association plans to focus on volunteerism and encouraging undergraduates to get involved in the Association.
Secretary Eleanor Horne listed the outstanding accomplishments of students at the College. This year, the College has 42 international students, 419 students studying abroad and 14 Fulbright Scholarship student applicants.
The efforts, especially those of the Bonner Program, in the Community Engaged Learning program have vastly improved community and college relations, Horne said.
The CEL Learning program involves 2,000 students each year in the Ewing Community.
“Can you imagine living next to 6,000 students?” Horne asked. “That can be a really trying experience.”
Athletes and coaches registered for fall sports were required to attend training sessions about the dangers of sex, drugs and alcohol. These prophylactic measures will continue for the spring semester.
The College hopes to raise money by sending nursing faculty to some local hospitals to help train RNs to BSNs.
The next public Board of Trustees meeting will be on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
