Trustees to decide on fracking issue for campus

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa.-- Decision day is coming to Westminster on Nov. 3 when it comes to the issue of fracking for shale gas under campus property.  The Westminster Board of Trustees meets this weekend. Campus officials say the board will make a decision about whether to lease the 340 acres of campus property to natural gas drillers.

College President Rick Dorman says the board can go in three different directions.  He says the board can say yes or no or defer from taking any action.

The property committee of the board has been gathering information about the controversial fracking process. The college could receive up to a million dollars up front for signing a gas lease.  In an October all-campus meeting in the chapel, members of the community, faculty, staff and students gathered to hear about the pros and cons associated to the drilling process.  Several also offered input to the board.  All the speakers spoke against approving a leasing option.

New Wilmington resident Tim Smith urges the Borad to reject any plans to lease college property for gas drilling from WCN 24/7 on VIMEO on Vimeo.

Westminster psychology professor and New Wilmington resident Sandra Webster spoke out against leasing college property to shale gas drillers.   from WCN 24/7 on VIMEO on Vimeo.

Nora Boerner speaks out against Westmisnter leasing to shale gas drillers from WCN 24/7 on VIMEO on Vimeo.