PRINTER'S NO. 1762
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
167
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY RABB, PARKER, MADDEN, PIELLI, HILL-EVANS AND
GREEN, JUNE 27, 2023
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JUNE 27, 2023
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a
study on board member selection for the Board of Governors of
the State System of Higher Education and the Board of
Trustees of each State-related institution of higher
education.
WHEREAS, In fall 2020, only 19.4% of students enrolled at
State System of Higher Education (State System) schools were
minoritized students, while 75.1% were white; and
WHEREAS, In fall 2020, only 9.8% of faculty and staff at
State System schools were minoritized faculty and staff, while
83.8% were white; and
WHEREAS, The State System adopted diversity, equity and
inclusion (DEI) initiatives in August 2020 to, among other
goals, increase faculty, staff and student diversity; and
WHEREAS, The State-related schools have adopted similar
initiatives to increase their DEI efforts; and
WHEREAS, Students want to see that their school leaders are
people they can relate to and have their interests in mind; and
WHEREAS, While student bodies may be increasingly
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representative of the growing diversity of our broader
communities, proactive work must be done to change academic
leadership; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
State Government Commission to conduct a study on board member
selection for the Board of Governors of the State System of
Higher Education and the Board of Trustees of each State-related
institution of higher education; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission study
shall, at minimum, analyze the following:
(1) Information on how merit is considered in
recruiting, screening and appointing board members.
(2) Information on how merit is considered in the
reappointment of sitting board members.
(3) The gender and racial diversity of board members.
(4) Whether there are orientation and educational
programs for incoming or current board members;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission prepare
a report of the results of the study, which shall include
recommendations to:
(1) Ensure that board members are chosen based on merit
while also ensuring gender and racial diversity.
(2) Consider alternative methods of appointing a board.
(3) Set clear expectations for board members, including
orientation and educational programs for new and current
board members;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission issue
its report to the Governor, the chairperson and minority
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chairperson of the Education Committee of the Senate and the
chairperson and minority chairperson of the Education Committee
of the House of Representatives within one year of the adoption
of this resolution.
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