Henke misses trustees meeting for second time

HERSHEY -- Student Trustee Christina Henke missed her second meeting of the University Board of Trustees in a nearly three-year tenure this weekend, but no one is quite sure why.

Correction: When this article was originally published in the print version it incorrectly identified Student Trustee Christina Henke's reasons for missing the Friday and Saturday University Board of Trustee meetings in Hershey. Henke missed the meetings due to a family health emergency, she said. She had hoped to attend the Saturday meetings despite the emergency, but was unable to do so because of a delay, she said.

Graduate Student Association President Ken Martin said Friday he had heard unconfirmed reports that Henke left the University for a permanent position.

Repeated attempts to reach Henke during the past several days proved unsuccessful. Henke missed a January 1989 board meeting for academic concerns.

However, her departure would not excuse her absence from the meeting, Martin said.

"Even if she leaves the University she still serves in the position until a successor is appointed," he said.

The student trustee, appointed by the governor, serves a three-year term. Henke is nearly through with her term. Applications for the next student trustee are being accepted by the University Student Advisory Board until Friday. USAB recommends a candidate for the position to the governor's office.

But other trustees said conflicts do prevent 100 percent attendance at the meetings.

"I know she's very busy with her own studies," said board President J. Lloyd Huck. "I always like to have all of the trustees, but there are conflicts."

Board Vice President Mimi Coppersmith agreed conflicts come up, but said Henke's absence does cost the board a different viewpoint.

"Youth gives a perspective that most of us lack," she said.

Huck said Henke's attendance record was "pretty good for the trustees in general."