Corporate leaders visit campus to discuss governance issues

The nation's leading experts on corporate governance from the fields of business, law, journalism and academia are visiting the University of Delaware this fall as participants in panel discussions sponsored by the UD Center for Corporate Governance.

This is the third semester for the discussions, in which panelists engage in lively debates on such topics as corporate ownership, shareholder power, executive compensation and financial reform.

The seminar started Sept. 6 and future sessions will be held from 9:30-10:45 Tuesday, Oct. 23, and Thursdays, Nov. 1 and Nov. 8, in Room 126 of MBNA America Hall.

"We are thrilled by the quality of people who are participating in the fall 2001 seminar," Charles Elson, Edgar S. Woolard Jr. Chair in Corporate Governance and director of the Center for Corporate Governance, said. "It is a tribute to the high regard these leaders have for the center, for the College of Business and Economics and for the University."

Elson also praised the active support of the seminar by members of the Delaware Court of Chancery, the nation's premiere
court of corporate law, who are regular panelists.

He said the University community is welcome to attend the engaging round-robin discussions.

Upcoming topics include:

TUESDAY, OCT. 23

"Corporate Democracy and the Shareholder Resolution," with panelists:

• Carol Bowie, director, corporate governance services, Investor Responsibility Research Center;
  
  
• Harry Goldsmith Sr., vice president and general counsel, Auto Zone;
  
  
• Alan Palmiter, professor, Wake Forest University;
  
  
• Linda Scott, director of investor affairs, New York State Retirement Fund;
  
  
• Myron Steele, justice, Delaware Supreme Court; and
  
  
• Sarah Teslik, executive director, Council of Institutional Investors.

THURSDAY, NOV. 1

"Audit Committee Reform and Financial Misconduct," with panelists:

• David M. Becker, general counsel, Securities and Exchange Commission;
  
• Don Langevoort, professor, Georgetown University Law Center; * Bethany McLean, senior writer, Fortune magazine;
  
  
• Mark Terrell, partner-in-charge, Audit Committee Institute, KPMG;
  
  
• John Noble, vice chancellor, Court of Chancery; and
  
  
• Joseph Walsh, justice, Delaware Supreme Court.

THURSDAY, NOV. 8

"Corporate Governance Guidelines," with panelists

• William B. Chandler III, chancellor, Court of Chancery;
  
  
• Margaret Foran, vice president for corporate governance, Pfizer;
  
  
• Constance Horner, Bookings Institute and Pfizer director;
  
  
• Ann Mule, general attorney and corporate secretary, Sunoco;
  
  
• Stephen Norman, secretary, Amexco; and
  
  
• Richard Steinberg, Pricewaterhouse Coopers.

Contact the Center for Corporate Governance at 831-6157 or go to the web site at [www.be.udel.edu/ccg/].