Marywood’s Board of Trustees held three shared governance meetings on Sept. 9 with support staff, professional staff and faculty, according to Sr. Mary Persico, IHM, Ed. D., president of Marywood.

The Wood Word was able to interview members of the Board and faculty after the faculty’s meeting.

The task force reports from the Strategic Resource Allocation (SRA) process, which was started in Sept. 2015 to save the university money, were topics of conversation at the meetings, said Chair of the Board of Trustees Lisa Lori, Esq.

“We had a very productive meeting,” said Lori. “Lots of dialogue.”

The Coordinating Committee report was released to employees on Tuesday, Sept. 6. Lori said many people shared their concerns about the board making decisions and explained there will be a timeline before the board makes any decisions regarding the SRA process.

“I assure you no decisions will be made this weekend,” Lori said.

Sr. Mary said that the meeting included “very honest and difficult conversations.”

“Everyone said what they wanted to say,” Sr. Mary said. “I think the more we can talk and express feelings… we can listen and work together.”

The difficult conversations, according to Sr. Mary, included concerns raised by the faculty about the recommendations made by the Coordinating Committee in its report that differed from those in the Academic Task Force report.

“There has been some discussion the Coordinating Committee report did not coincide with the Task Force reports,” said Sr. Mary.

She explained that the best way to address the concerns is through working and listening.

“I think it might be important to get the Coordinating Committee members and task force members together to talk,” said Sr. Mary.

Professor of Psychology and Counseling and Faculty Senate President Dr. David Palmiter said the meeting was “very productive” and “very transparent.”

“It was an open exchange of concerns and wishes,” said Palmiter.

Dr. Joe Polizzi, associate professor of education, said Sr. Mary has a vision for the future.

“It was constructive,” said Polizzi. “[The] faculty and board are working together.”

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