University of Pittsburgh committee recommends updated trustee commitments, leader slate and trustee elections to full board

The Governance, Nominating, and Trusteeship Committee of the University of Pittsburgh Board of Trustees on the record approved four resolutions recommending revisions to trustee commitment statements, the reelection of the board’s chair and vice chair, the election or reelection of five term trustees and the nomination of several emeritus trustees for the full Board of Trustees to consider at its annual meeting on Thursday, May 8.

The committee’s chairperson, Robbie Luxpacher, opened the public meeting and said the session had been advertised under the Sunshine Act and was open to observers. Luxpacher noted that the committee’s materials included the minutes from the committee’s prior public meeting on 06/21/2024 and the draft resolutions the committee was forwarding to the full board.

Why it matters: the measures would change governance documents and leadership for the university’s Board of Trustees, clarify expectations for different classes of trustees, and convert certain special trustees into term trustees under an earlier transition plan approved by the board.

What the committee approved

- Statement of trustee commitments: The committee voted to recommend revised statements of trustee commitment and responsibilities, including a new statement for nonvoting ex officio trustees and a statement for emeritus trustees. The committee’s discussion credited Tom Hitter for assistance in aligning the statements with best practices in higher education governance. The resolution was approved by voice vote; the meeting record shows the motion carried.

- Reelection of board leaders: The committee recommended that the Board of Trustees reelect John J. Verbanek as chairperson and Lisa A. Golden as vice chairperson for one-year terms beginning July 1, 2025. The committee approved the recommendation; the transcript records that abstentions were noted during the roll call before the resolution was recorded as approved.

- Term trustees and conversion of special trustees: The committee recommended reelection of two current term trustees, Sandeo Bridget Jones and Adam C. Walker, to continue as term trustees beginning July 1, 2025. The committee also recommended that three trustees currently classified as special trustees — Majdi B. Abilaban, Deborah Sen and Brian S. Saleski — be moved to term-trustee status in line with a board-approved three-year transition plan dated 04/04/2024. The motion to recommend election or reelection of these five individuals was approved by voice vote.

- Emeritus trustees: The committee recommended that the full board consider granting honorary emeritus status to Eva Tanski Bloom, Mary Ellen Callahan, David C. Chaverne, Roberta A. Luxbacher, Larry J. Merlot, Emil M. Spadafore Jr., and David Tillstone, citing “exceptional contributions” and service to the university. The motion was approved; the transcript records that Robbie Luxpacher abstained on that resolution and the measure was recorded as approved.

Votes and procedure

The minutes from the prior meeting were moved for approval by John Sirmis and approved by voice vote. Several subsequent motions were made and seconded; the committee approved each of the four resolutions and recorded the results as approved on the record. Where the transcript records named abstentions or oppositions, those instances are noted in the actions section below; specific vote tallies were not provided in the committee’s public remarks.

Next steps and timing

All four resolutions approved by the committee will be presented to the full Board of Trustees for consideration at the annual meeting on Thursday, May 8, the committee chair said in closing. No additional business was raised and the committee adjourned.