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.= The Lion’s Eye &
Vol. II, Issue 4. Penn State Brandywine
Media, Pennsylvania April 29, 2009
Brandywine Business Department
Getting a Makeover
By Jen Santangelo and Tom McGlinchey - Lion s Eye Staff Writers - Saskia edu and mS 180@ps edu
With the Sepinite of two faculty members, a new professor of Management
~ with Penn State ties coming to the campus, and a new department coordinator stepping
into place, the Penn State Brandywine Business Department will look a great deal dif-
ferent next fall.
The past two weeks have been very chaotic for the Business department, with
reported discussion of unfair personnel issues brought to light by a local newspaper
column and interviews with one exiting faculty member. The departure of both Dr.
James Roh, professor of Management and instructor Mark Baylor, a fixed-term Busi-
ness faculty member and department coordinator for the past several years has become a
~ focal point regarding the future of the Business program here at Penn State Brandywine.
Several rumors have been flying around regarding the reason of Roh’s depar-
ture. According to Dr. Paul deGategno, Dean of Academic Affairs, Roh will be leaving
"because although Brandywine offered him a new contract, he turned it down for a ten-
ured track job at Rowan University. DeGategno also stated that Dr. Mark Baylor, who
teaches a variety of classes in the Business department, is leaving for personnel issues,
but would not give any other reason than that to The Lion’s Eye.
“Personnel policy does not allow me to disclose any further than that,” said
deGategno. .
Baylor, however, sees things a bit differently. According to Baylor, the reason
Roh is departing from the Brandywine campus because an earlier offer of tenure was
later rescinded.
“Dr. deGategno over stepped his authority and should have honored the com-
mitment to Roh,” says Baylor. According to Baylor, Dr. Roh was promised a tenured
‘position upon completion of a dissertation for a PhD, but then it was rescinded.
“I believe that the University is treating James Roh unfairly,” Baylor states.
According to Baylor, he was told that his contract would not be renewed and
that by Commencement he should have his office cleared out for his departure. The
Schedule of Courses website shows that Baylor is on the books to teach a summer mar-
keting course, but Baylor says he will not be the instructor because of recent events. Dr.
James Roh declined comment for this article. |
When it comes to the faculty issue in the Business Department, deGategno said
that there are a few changes and ideas that he wants for the program, and is committed
to finding the right group of faculty who has strong credentials and background, as well
as a passion for conducting research.
With that said, deGategno said that the department has several strong and
dedicated faculty, both tenure track and non-tenure track, who meet that bill. In addi-
tion, ideas, new professor Diane Disney will be joining the department as a full-time
management professor in the fall. She is coming to Brandywine from Penn State Great
Valley, where she was the Chancellor.
A new coordinator will also be stepping up to the plate to run the program
for the upcoming 2009-2010 school year. DeGategno says that Associate Professor of
Corporate Communication Dr. Susan Fredricks will be taking on the task of coordinat-
usiness faculty members Mark Bay] "and James Roh (center) will be
departing Penn State Brandywine at the erid of this semester. Baylor contends his
contract not being. renewed i is because of his outspoken stance over issues concern-
ing Roh’s contract. Dean of Academic Affairs Paul deGategno (right) s says that the
: hanges i in personnel are not something that the university can speak about due to
pe licy, but that this is a chance for the Business department to take a new directio
hile concentrating 0 on n the things tha have worked i in the past. (photos courtesy of +
ing the Business program, doing such things as course scheduling and making academic -
advising decisions for the program.
DeGategno sees these changes as an opportunity for a new shift in direction for
the Business program here at Brandywine.
“The Business program is the largest major here at the campus, and we are
always looking to attract new students and compete with other Penn State Business pro-
grams state-wide, as well as retain the students already enrolled in the major,” he says.
In order to do this, deGategno believes that changes need to be made in addition to the
already solid methods of operation that are in place.
“The internship program for students in the Business Department is strong,
and I would like to have students be able to continue to take the theoretical processes
learned in class and practice them in the real world,” says deGategno. He wants the stu-
dents to have a two-sided “street” where they get a business aspect to the line of work,
but also have the education for the major that they are pursuing.
DeGategno wants to distribute the class loads. He would like to have a strong
day class schedule for the Business majors, but also have a solid and respectable night
course schedule.
As for the future of the program, deGategno would like to create a Business
Advisory Council, which will consist of campus faculty within the Business Department
and businessmen/women that work in the work force that may have graduated from
Penn State. He would also like to have more guest speakers come to the business classes
to share their experiences with the students of what the degree they have can do in the
real world.
Brandywine Student Affairs
Director Elected PCPA President
Special to The Lion's Eye
Matthew Shupp, Penn State Brandywine’s direc-
tor of student affairs, has been elected president of the
Pennsylvania College Personnel Association (PCPA), a
group providing leadership in the student development
profession.
PCPA, an organization of approximately 160
members, represents many institutions—public, pri-
vate, and two- and four-year—across the state of Penn-
sylvania. Shupp has been a member since 2002.
Prior to being named president, Shupp co-
chaired the organization’s 25th Anniversary Con-
ference in 2006 and held positions on the confer-
ence committee in 2007 and 2008. In his capacity
as president for a term of three years, Shupp will
oversee the executive board and represent PCPA
at the annual American College Personnel Association annual national convention.
“My hope is to carry on the momentum that PCPA has gained over the last few
years,” Shupp said, “as well as increase membership by exposing more graduate students
and new professionals to the benefits of joining such a worthwhile and resource-rich
organization.”
Shupp’s activities in the community do not end there. He is one of the authors
of the recently released book, “Maybe I Should: Case Studies on Ethics for Student Af-
fairs Professionals,” published by the American College Personnel Association (ACPA).
Specifically, Shupp contributed a case study entitled, “Student Affairs Petty Cash” to the
book, which is available through ACPA and University Press of America.
In addition, Shupp was invited to deliver the keynote address for Community
College of Philadelphia’s Phi Theta Kappa Induction Ceremony in March.