President Lester Lefton announced at the Board of Trustees meeting today that he, along with the 10 members of his cabinet, will donate his pay raise. The money will go to a scholarship fund that will assist students who are struggling to pay tuition due to the economic recession.

Lefton said he doesn’t know how much the scholarship will be worth until the amount of the salary increases are announced.

Lefton also announced plans to give Risman Plaza a facelift. Phase one of the project will cost $3.3 million for which Lefton said he has been “tucking money away.” He said the main idea of renovating the plaza is for it to have a good first impression on potential students.

Lefton said the second and third phases of the process will occur later, which will involve moving Risman Drive and adding grass and greenery. Each will cost $2.6 million. He predicts phase one of the project to be complete by next year’s homecoming celebration, in time for Kent State’s centennial in 2010.

Other things discussed at the Board of Trustees meeting included:

• the promotion of Stan Wearden to the dean of the College of Communication and Information.

• approval of creating an International Institute for Human Service Workforce Research and Development.

• approval of the establishment of a combined baccalaureate/master’s program in gerontology and nursing home administration.

• approval of establishing an undergraduate degree in public health.

Trustee members Sandra Harbrecht and Gina Spencer both ended their terms today. Both are Kent State alumni.

Contact principal reporter Allison Smith at [email protected].