| Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education | |
| Type: | State university system |
| Faculty: | 5,500 |
| Chancellor: | Daniel Greenstein |
| Students: | 82,688 students (2023)[1] |
| City: | Harrisburg |
| State: | Pennsylvania |
| Country: | United States |
| Campus: | 10 universities |
| Athletics Affiliations: | NCAA Division II – PSAC |
| Academic Affiliations: | Keystone Library Network |
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) is an American 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.
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.
Chancellor Dan Greenstein announced in an "open letter to all students, faculty, staff, and supporters of PASSHE" in July 2024, that he would be concluding his six-year tenure as Chancellor effective October 11, 2024. He concluded with the postscript, "P.S. I will let you know of my next steps when I am free to share the information in September."[6]
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.[7] [8] [9] [10] [11] It has faced opposition by the Lock Haven City Council,[12] the Clinton County Commissioners,[13] the Clear Coalition,[14] the Party for Socialism and Liberation Chester County, PASSHE Defenders,[15] AFSCME Council 13,[16] Pennsylvania AFL–CIO,[17] APSCUF[17] [18] and from public comments. Groups like APSCUF, AFSCME, and the Pennsylvania AFL–CIO held a press conference May 3, 2021,[17] 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[19] and at the state capital Harrisburg.[20] 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.[21] 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."[21]
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,[22] 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.[23] Additionally, APSCUF held their own public comment hearings.[24]
The NCAA would have to approve the continued separation of the athletic programs at the merged institutions.[25] 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."[26]
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.[27] 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.[28] [29]
The system includes ten universities in Pennsylvania:
Starting in the 2022–2023 academic year, six of the PASSHE campuses were consolidated into two universities.[31]
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".[34] The Dixon University Center was then purchased by the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg.[35] [36]
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."[37]
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.[38]
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.[39]
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".[40]
Additionally, Act 188 states "The Board of Governors shall provide for the holding of regular and special meetings. Eleven (11) governorsattending shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business and, unless a greater number is required bythe bylaws of the board, the act of a majority of the governors present at any meeting shall be deemed the act of theboard. ((b) amended June 23, 1988, P.L.457, No.77)".[40]
More than 82,000 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.
In total the university campuses comprise approximately 4700acres. A total of 862 buildings with nearly 25e6sqft 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.