But more beholden to the political branches of state government, in particular the governor who effectively controls 10 of the 38 slots. While it’s true that the general citizenry has no direct say in determining who governs Penn State, it’s a corporatist model with specific sectors of the state guaranteed representation, specifically state government, agriculture, and business. Six trustees are “elected by organized agricultural societies within the Commonwealth” and another six represent business and industry within the state. Between the governor, the ag lobby, and in-state business interests, that’s a clear majority of the board.
And northwesty makes a good point about pensions. If Penn State faculty and staff aren’t state employees, how is it that they participate in Pennsylvania’s State Employees Retirement System (SERS)? States don’t normally open up their state employee pension systems to “private” entities.