Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education
TypeState university system
EstablishedJuly 1, 1983 (1983-07-01)
Academic affiliations
Keystone Library Network
ChancellorDaniel Greenstein
Academic staff
5,500
Students84,600 students (2022)[1]
Location
Harrisburg
,
Pennsylvania
,
United States
Campus10 universities
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division II – PSAC
Websitewww.passhe.edu

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) is a state agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that oversees 10 state-owned universities. Collectively, it is the largest provider of higher education in the commonwealth. All of the schools are primarily NCAA Division II members and affiliated with the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).[2][3]

PASSHE should not be confused with Pennsylvania's other state-funded university system, the Commonwealth System of Higher Education that includes the land grant university (Pennsylvania State University), three historically private universities (Temple University, Lincoln University, and University of Pittsburgh), and the related campuses of the four institutions.

History

The Normal School Act of 1857 was passed on the last day of session on May 20, 1857.[4] Its passage created 12 normal school districts in the state in which to establish private corporations answerable to the State Superintendent of Common Schools.[5] Afterward, the School Code of 1911 mandated that the Commonwealth purchase all the normal schools. The normal schools evolved from state normal schools, to state teacher's colleges, to state colleges. Act 188, which was signed into law on November 12, 1982, and came into effect on July 1, 1983, established the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, and converted those state colleges into universities.

2022 consolidations

A plan to merge six of the current PASSHE institutions into two multi-campus universities is ongoing as of July 2021. There was opposition to the plan.[6][7][8][9][10] It has faced opposition by the Lock Haven City Council,[11] the Clinton County Commissioners,[12] the Clear Coalition,[13] the Party for Socialism and Liberation Chester County, PASSHE Defenders,[14] AFSCME Council 13,[15] Pennsylvania AFL–CIO,[16] APSCUF[16][17] and from public comments. Groups like APSCUF, AFSCME, and the Pennsylvania AFL–CIO held a press conference May 3, 2021,[16] to speak out in opposition to the consolidation. PASSHE Defenders & the Party for Socialism & Liberation Chester County held rallies across the state at the campuses slated for consolidation[18] and at the state capital Harrisburg.[19] The plan being a part of the larger state system redesign was projected to have disastrous effects according to a report out of the Political Economy Research Institute (PERI) of the University of Massachusetts Amherst.[20] The report titled "The Economic Impact of the PASSHE Employment Reductions" outlines "[The] large cuts in staffing, both of faculty and of professional and classified staff in good unionized jobs, constitute the core of the restructuring. The cuts, amounting to 14 percent of overall PASSHE employment, are of a magnitude equivalent to the largest private-sector plant closings and mass layoffs of the previous decade in Pennsylvania."[20]

Under the plan, two sets of three schools would merge into single institutions effective July 1, 2022—Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield in the state's northeast, and California, Clarion, and Edinboro in western Pennsylvania. Each three-school group would have a new name, but the plan called for all institutions involved in these mergers to retain their current campus identities and athletic programs. The PASSHE board of governors approved the plan on April 28, 2021, which opened a 60-day public comment period.

The comment period originally was set to have two public comment hearings throughout the 60-day public comment period as outlined in Act 50,[21] only taking place on June 9 and 10. However after public pressure the Board of Governors announced the addition of two additional hearings the same days.[22] Additionally, APSCUF held their own public comment hearings.[23]

The NCAA would have to approve the continued separation of the athletic programs at the merged institutions.[24] The board voted unanimously to approve the merger on July 14, but a system press release stated that "the efforts to complete the two integrations will take years."[25]

Funding

State higher education funding across the country has seen significant cuts. In particular Pennsylvania saw an almost 34% cut in state funding from 2008 to 2018.[26] PASSHE over the past two decades has been cut harshly in regards to state funding. As the early 2000's they received over $700 million adjusted to 2022's dollars by the state. However the 2021–2022 academic year they received below $500 million.[27][28]

The system includes ten universities in Pennsylvania:

University Location Founded Enrollment Endowment Athletics
Affiliation Nickname
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania Cheyney 1837 618 $1.67 million Independent Wolves
   
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania Bloomsburg
(Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania)		 2022 14,933 NCAA Div II
PSAC		 Huskies
   
Lock Haven
(Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania)		 Bald Eagles
   
Mansfield
(Mansfield University of Pennsylvania)		 Mounties
   
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania East Stroudsburg 1893 7,234 $22.2 million NCAA Div II
PSAC		 Warriors
   
Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indiana 1875 9,794 $60.6 million [29] NCAA Div II
PSAC		 Crimson Hawks
   
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Kutztown 1866 8,309 $31.9 million NCAA Div II
PSAC		 Golden Bears
   
Millersville University of Pennsylvania Millersville 1855 8,505 $43.9 million NCAA Div II
PSAC		 Marauders
   
Pennsylvania Western University California
(PennWest California)		 2022 14,447 NCAA Div II
PSAC		 Vulcans
   
Clarion
(PennWest Clarion)		 Golden Eagles
   
Edinboro
(PennWest Edinboro)		 Fighting Scots
   
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Shippensburg 1871 8,253 $36.9 million NCAA Div II
PSAC		 Raiders
   
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock 1889 8,806 $16.5 million NCAA Div II
PSAC		 The Rock
   
West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester 1871 17,719 $47.2 million NCAA Div II
PSAC, ECAC		 Golden Rams
   

Consolidations in 2022

Starting in the 2022–2023 academic year, six of the PASSHE campuses were consolidated into two universities.[30]

  • Pennsylvania Western University, comprising the former California, Clarion, and Edinboro universities.[30]
  • Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, comprising the former Lock Haven, Bloomsburg, and Mansfield universities. These three institutions, while merged operationally with a common leadership and administrative structure, retain their distinct names and logos and appear as three unrelated universities for branding purposes.[31] However, the three universities were legally merged into a single university under the accreditation of Bloomsburg University, henceforth known as Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania by its accrediting body.[32]

State System universities also operate four branch campuses. The Office of the Chancellor is situated in the capital city of Harrisburg.

As reported in November 2020, "The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education was given the green light from the General Assembly to sell the Dixon University Center".[33] The Dixon University Center was then purchased by the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg.[34][35]

Mission

As established by the founding legislation, Act 188 of 1982, the primary mission of the State System of Higher Education "is the provision of instruction for undergraduate and graduate students to and beyond the Master's degree in the liberal arts and sciences, and in the applied fields, including the teaching profession." Additionally, the purpose of the State System is "to provide high quality education at the lowest possible cost to students."[36]

Governance

A 20-member Board of Governors oversees the system. Additional power is vested in the Councils of Trustees at the constituent universities.

Board of Governor's membership includes: four state legislators, three students, the Governor of the Commonwealth (or a designee), the Pennsylvania Secretary of Education (or a designee), and 11 citizens appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state senate.[37]

The Board of Governors sets general policy for the State System. They also set recommendations regarding individual university tuition and the university technology fee. They have meetings typically on a quarterly basis.[38]

Act 188 of 1982 states, "Funding for the Board of Governors and chancellor shall come from all operating funds available to the State colleges and State-owned university, but shall not exceed one-half of one per centum (.5%) of such funds. For purposes of this section, the phrase “operating funds” means any federal appropriation, any state appropriation, any student tuition fees and any student fees for room and board".[39]

Additionally, Act 188 states "The Board of Governors shall provide for the holding of regular and special meetings. Eleven (11) governors attending shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business and, unless a greater number is required by the bylaws of the board, the act of a majority of the governors present at any meeting shall be deemed the act of the board. ((b) amended June 23, 1988, P.L.457, No.77)".[39]

Current enrollment and alumni

Almost 85,000 undergraduate and graduate, part-time and full-time, students attend State System universities. Nearly 90 percent are Pennsylvania residents and 80 percent remain in Pennsylvania after graduation. Nearly 20 percent of the total student population are underrepresented minority. There are more than 800,000 State System alumni, including more than 518,000 who live and work in Pennsylvania.

Facilities and employees

In total the university campuses comprise approximately 4,700 acres (19 km2). A total of 862 buildings with nearly 25 million square feet (2.3 km2) house classrooms, residences, administrative offices, and student support services. The State System employs more than 13,700 professional and support staff, most covered by collective bargaining agreements. The various libraries are connected through the cooperative Keystone Library Network.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Murphy, Jan (October 13, 2022). "After Pennsylvania system mergers, overall enrollment is down — but first-year numbers are up". Higher ED. Drive. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  2. ↑ Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. Psacsports.org. Retrieved on August 9, 2013.
  3. ↑ NCAA Division Division II Member Sports Links. Web1.ncaa.org. Retrieved on August 9, 2013.
  4. ↑ John Edward Merryman, The Indiana Story 1875–1975: Pennsylvania's First State University ... Clearfield, Pennsylvania: Kurtz Brothers, 1976 (p. 18).
  5. ↑ Merryman, pp. 18–20
  6. ↑ "PASSHE integration plan faces fierce opposition". City & State PA. June 11, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Grad student cutting lawns to pay off college debt gives officials a lecture on Pa. state university mergers". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  8. ↑ Snyder, Susan (June 9, 2021). "Commenters overwhelmingly opposed Pa. state university mergers during first day's hearings". inquirer.com. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Pennsylvanians Criticize Plans To Merge California, Clarion and Edinboro Universities". 90.5 WESA. June 9, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  10. ↑ Wolford, Stacy (June 10, 2021). "Speakers oppose Pa. state university mergers". The Mon Valley Independent. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  11. ↑ "City Council opposes LHU integration". lockhaven.com. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Commissioners voice opposition to LHU merger". lockhaven.com. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  13. ↑ "CLEAR Coalition advocates against PASSHE consolidation, cites economic importance". WHP-TV. April 6, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  14. ↑ "PASSHE Defenders". Twitter. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  15. ↑ Kauffman, William (April 28, 2021). "PRESS RELEASE: PASSHE consolidation plan worse than expected for workers". AFSCME Council 13. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  16. 1 2 3 "APSCUF & Labor Speaks Out Against PASSHE Consolidation". Pennsylvania Spotlight. May 3, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  17. ↑ Murphy, Jan (April 7, 2021). "Faculty oppose Pa. state universities' proposed consolidation plans". pennlive. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  18. ↑ "'An injury to one is an injury to all'". lockhaven.com. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  19. ↑ Staff, Liberation. "Penn. higher education under attack by its own Board of Governors – Liberation News". Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  20. 1 2 Weinstein, Kim. "PERI - The Economic Impact of the PASSHE Employment Reductions". peri.umass.edu. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  21. ↑ "2020 Act 50". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  22. ↑ "Press Releases - State System provides increased opportunities..." www.passhe.edu. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  23. ↑ "APSCUF-organized public-comment sessions about university consolidations | APSCUF".
  24. ↑ Prose, J. D. (April 28, 2021). "PASSHE OKs merger plan for six state colleges. What would change". York Daily Record. York, PA. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  25. ↑ "Board of Governors approve student-centered university integration plans" (Press release). Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  26. ↑ "State Higher Education Funding Cuts Have Pushed Costs to Students, Worsened Inequality". Center for Budget and Policy Priorities. October 24, 2019. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  27. ↑ "2022–2023 Appropriations Request" (PDF). Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education. 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  28. ↑ "State Dollars Per Student Continue to Be Historically Low". The Quad of West Chester University. April 11, 2022. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  29. ↑ "U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20". National Association of College and University Business Officers. February 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  30. 1 2 Murphy, Jan (October 14, 2021). "Welcome to 'Penn West University'; 3 merged western Pennsylvania colleges get new name, but will keep some of old identities". The Morning Call. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  31. ↑ Murphy, Jan (March 2, 2022). "Three Pa. state universities are given a new name that surprisingly wasn't already taken". Penn Live. Archived from the original on March 3, 2022. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  32. ↑ "Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania - Statement of Accreditation". Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  33. ↑ "Pa. State university system ready to sell its Harrisburg headquarters". November 27, 2020.
  34. ↑ "Jewish Federation to buy Pa.'s state university system's HQ on 6.5 acres in Harrisburg". October 8, 2021.
  35. ↑ "'A major milestone': Jewish Federation finalizes purchase of Dixon University Center". April 2022.
  36. ↑ PASSHE Board of Governors, Leading the Way, July 2004.
  37. ↑ "Act 188 of 1982". Pennsylvania General Assembly. July 6, 2016. Retrieved September 2, 2018 – via PASSHE.
  38. ↑ "Board of Governors Meeting Information | PA State System of Higher Education".
  39. 1 2 "Article XX-A The State System of Higher Education" (PDF). PASSHE. November 12, 1982. Retrieved October 3, 2022.

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