The Penn State Board of Trustees will meet today to elect a new chair person and discuss a proposal for the School of International Affairs.

The School of International Affairs would be housed within the Dickinson School of Law's Lewis Katz Building -- a project that commenced yesterday with a groundbreaking ceremony.

At the ceremony, Cynthia Baldwin, Board of Trustees chairwoman, noted that it will "distinguish Penn State from all other schools."

Baldwin, whose three-year term as chairwoman ends today, said Jim Broadhurst, vice chairman, is likely to take her place.

"I'm looking forward to that," Broadhurst said. "It's a real privilege, and I think that it should be an exciting opportunity working with

the leadership of the board, the administration, and especially being sensitive to the most important issues of the students."

Construction of an addition to the East Campus Steam Plant and an addition to the Computer Building will also be discussed.

Geoff Rushton, Penn State spokesman, said there are no major construction projects to be discussed.

"Right now, [the construction of the Dickinson School of Law] is the major Physical Plant item," Rushton said.

Rushton also said that a report will examine the Penn State Harrisburg campus.

"We will take a look at some possibilities over a period of time beginning with the things they can look at now and improve on over the future," he said.

Another report will take a comprehensive look at environmental initiatives at Penn State, Rushton said.

"It will look at energy efficiency issues that the university has undertaken and will continue to undertake," Rushton said.

Recipients of the 2007 Distinguished Alumni Award will also be announced.

The Board of Trustees meeting is in the boardroom of the Nittany Lion Inn, 200 W. Park Ave., and is open to the general public.

The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a report from Penn State President Graham Spanier.