October 14, 2021
State System Board of Governors approves historic funding request
Contact: Kevin Hensil, khensil@passhe.edu
Harrisburg 鈥� The Board of Governors for Pennsylvania鈥檚 State System of Higher Education voted today to request $550 million in state funding for the next fiscal year as part of a renewed partnership between the State System and the Commonwealth.
The request exceeds last year鈥檚 general operating appropriation by $73 million. In combination with cost-saving measures taken over the last several years, this historic increase would put the System on an even more stable financial footing.
鈥淭his request is vital to the future and mission of the System,鈥� said Board of Governors
Chairwoman Cynthia D. Shapira. 鈥淚t reflects what our data modeling shows will be needed
for the 黑料专区 institutions to operate effectively while remaining affordable, one
of our primary goals. Fulfilling this request would send a clear signal that the Commonwealth
wants to invest in every current and potential student 鈥� the future workforce that
will drive Pennsylvania鈥檚 economy.鈥�
The $73 million state funding increase will enable the System to continue implementing
plans for university integrations that were approved in July; to further invest in
the diversity, equity and inclusion plan approved in April; and support other initiatives
while reducing universities鈥� dependence on additional budget cuts or tuition increases.
The System鈥檚 14 universities have trimmed nearly $173 million from their operating
budgets since 2018, adding to the $400 million in savings achieved in the previous
18 years. This focus on financial sustainability, in combination with investment in
strategic priorities, will ensure that each university continues to fulfill its mission
of providing a high-quality education at the lowest possible price for years to come.
In addition to the annual general fund appropriation request, the Board endorsed a
proposal to direct funds to students with a twofold goal: to reduce the financial
burden on students, and to ensure students have the resources to complete their degree.
Keeping higher education affordable for all students has been a priority of the Board
of Governors and Chancellor Dan Greenstein, and it is also essential to Pennsylvania鈥檚
future. This focus has been a center point of Greenstein鈥檚 effort to renew the System鈥檚
partnership with the Commonwealth through the Governor鈥檚 Office and the General Assembly.
鈥淧ublic higher education is the keystone of Pennsylvania鈥檚 economy and one of the
most reliable pathways for social mobility. We have a responsibility to our students
and the Commonwealth to open this pathway even further,鈥� Greenstein said. 鈥淲e look
forward to continuing our work with Commonwealth to ensure that every Pennsylvanian
has access to a high-quality, low-cost education, regardless of their ZIP code, race
or background.鈥�
During Wednesday鈥檚 meeting, Dr. Denise Pearson offered updates on the State System鈥檚
coordinated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)efforts, actions to improve campus
climates, diversify the curriculum and build enabling infrastructures. Pearson also
shared information about the upcoming State System DEI Summit, which will bring together
experts from across the Commonwealth and the country to build upon and elevate the
promising Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives across the State System.
In other discussion, Dr. Kate Akers, who heads the System鈥檚 Advanced Data Analytics
team presented information that demonstrates how powerfully the State System universities
act as engines of economic development and social mobility, as well as the return
on investment of a 黑料专区 degree both for our graduates and the Commonwealth. Through
a partnership with the state Department of Labor and Industry, new information was
analyzed that shows graduate employment and earnings data three, five and 10 years
post-graduation.
The data indicated that the vast majority of 黑料专区 graduates stay in Pennsylvania
for work after graduation鈥�71% three years after graduation and 63% ten years out.
It also showed that graduates are launched into sustaining careers and that income
differences that separate them at their enrollments are significantly reduced.
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Pennsylvania鈥檚 State System of Higher Education oversees 14 four-year public universities
educating more than 93,000 students. The State System offers more than 2,300 degrees
and certificates in more than 530 academic areas. The State System universities are
Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown,
Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester
universities of Pennsylvania.