October 29, 2014
Statement in response to lawsuit filed today in federal court in Philadelphia
Contact: Kevin Hensil, khensil@passhe.edu
From State System Spokesman Kenn Marshall:
鈥淚t is our practice not to comment specifically on ongoing ligation.
鈥淐heyney University鈥檚 role within Pennsylvania鈥檚 State System of Higher Education
and the Commonwealth is important. Our collective goal is to ensure that every student
who attends the university receives a high-quality educational experience.
鈥淭he State System as a whole鈥攊ncluding the Office of the Chancellor, the Board of
Governors, Cheyney University鈥檚 Council of Trustees, and university leadership鈥攊s
focused on Cheyney鈥檚 future. We have been working closely together to identify and
address the opportunities and challenges facing the university, especially those that
have a direct impact on students.
鈥淎s an example, the university is developing a new academic plan that will ensure
students have access to relevant programs that will help prepare them for success
in their lives and careers. Staff from the chancellor鈥檚 office also has been providing
on-campus support to the university throughout the fall semester to assist in the
reconciling of financial aid records to ensure students receive all of the financial
assistance to which they are entitled.
鈥淎s part of a longer-term plan, we are identifying other areas for enhancement within
the university such as the university鈥檚 business and student support services; facilities
(including student housing); and technology infrastructure, among others.鈥�
Pennsylvania鈥檚 State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher
education in the Commonwealth, with about 110,000 students. The 14 State System universities
offer degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study.
The universities are Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro,
Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock
and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania. The universities also operate branch
campuses in Oil City (Clarion), Freeport and Punxsutawney (IUP) and Clearfield (Lock
Haven), and offer classes and programs at several regional centers, including the
Dixon University Center in Harrisburg and in Center City in Philadelphia.
Facts about Cheyney University:
鈥heyney receives the highest amount of funding per student at any of the State System
universities for its general operations, as well as the largest amount of capital
funding provided to any of the universities in recent years.
鈥he amount of state appropriation provided per student at Cheyney University is more
than three times the State System average鈥�$14,145 per Cheyney student compared to
a System average of $4,529 per student. The percentage of the educational and general
budget paid with state funds is significantly higher at Cheyney than at any other
State System university.
鈥heyney鈥檚 base funding last year was approximately $750,000 higher than it was a
decade ago鈥攁n increase of more than 6 percent. At the same time, the 14 State System
universities combined received approximately $37 million less in base funding from
the state than they did in 2004-05鈥攁 drop of nearly 9 percent.
鈥ince 2008, a total of $97 million in capital funds has been provided to Cheyney
for the construction of a new residence hall, new science center and new wastewater
treatment plant and the renovation of Humphries and Browne halls. That is at least
$20 million more than any other university has received and more than twice the average
provided all State System universities during that time.
鈥ince 2007, the State System has provided almost $10 million to Cheyney in addition
to its base funding to supplement the university鈥檚 operating budget.
鈥ince the summer of 2008, the State System has provided an additional $2.5 million
in consulting services and support staff when requested by the university to provide
assistance in the areas of fiscal management, capital projects, human resources and
student financial aid.
鈥ore than $20 million in scholarships鈥攁pproximately $1.2 million a year鈥攈ave been
awarded to high-achieving Cheyney students who are selected for the Keystone Honors
Academy. Students in this program have a significantly higher retention and graduation
rate than their peers nationally.