The University of Pittsburgh Board of Trustees on July 11 adopted changes to the board's standing committees, creating a new standing Well‑Being committee and approving a package of trustee and university director elections recommended by the governance, nominating and trusteeship committee.

Peter Varaschetti, chair of the governance, nominating and trusteeship committee, told the board the committee recommended updating committee composition "to better align with the university's strategic plan and lead to the more effective conduct of the board's oversight responsibilities." The board voted to adopt the Well‑Being committee charter, which the committee said will "provide general oversight and guidance to the university's efforts to remain a welcoming university, an employer of choice, and an organization for which people will maintain a lifelong connection."

The committee also moved to transition certain special trustees to term trustees and recommended the election of Jeffrey D. Marcek as a term trustee effective July 11, 2025; the board approved that election by voice vote. The governance committee recommended reelection of Louis R. Sistello, Vaughn S. Claggett and James P. Covert, and the election of Peter C. Barschetti as university directors on the UPMC board; the full board approved those actions during the meeting. One trustee recorded an abstention on the UPMC resolution.

Committee chair Varaschetti said the new Well‑Being committee is intended to increase board attention on the university community's welfare — students, faculty, staff and alumni — and to provide oversight as the university implements the newly announced Office of Institutional Engagement and Well‑Being. The committee characterizes that office as an evolution of prior equity and compliance functions and said it will be led by Clyde Wilson Pickett, who will direct civil rights compliance, Title IX and ADA accessibility work previously handled by the former Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

The governance changes and elections were presented as part of an effort to align board oversight with the university's strategic priorities and recent administrative changes. The actions passed on voice votes after motion and second, with routine roll call not requested in the public meeting.