AICUP Message to Friends of Independent Higher Education
October 17, 2011
Senate Education Committee Discusses Changes to the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (SSHE)
The Senate Education Committee, chaired by Senator Jeff Piccola (R-Dauphin), held a hearing last week to discuss a package of seven (7) bills recently introduced to reduce mandates on the State System of Higher Education. The State System includes 14 state-owned universities such as Indiana, Lock Haven, West Chester, and Shippensburg. State System Chancellor John C. Cavanaugh testified before the Committee accompanied by Dr. Greg Weisenstein, President of West Chester University, and Dr. William Ruud, President of Shippensburg University. Senator Piccola began the hearing by noting that the prime sponsors of the bills included four Republicans and three Democrats, making this endeavor a unique bi-partisan effort. The prime sponsors of the bills either have a state system institution in their district or are an alumnus of a state system institution.
Chancellor Cavanaugh expressed his deep appreciation for the work of the Committee in bringing these bills forward. Cavanaugh discussed the various problems these bills were meant to rectify. For instance, he noted restrictions placed on state employees (including university faculty and staff) in raising money. He noted that there is even a lack of clarity about what a President of a SSHE institution can do to raise money to support the university and its students. The Chancellor also discussed the “adverse interest rules” that prohibit entrepreneurial activity by the university and prevent faculty and staff from participation in a joint effort with a company. Another bill would streamline the duplicate levels of procurement. Senator Piccola asked about opposition to this bill by the Attorney General’s office. According to the Chancellor, the Attorney General opposes this provision arguing that if the AG does not review the purchases, then that office could not represent the SSHE in court deliberations. Senator Piccola questioned this assertion.
The opportunity to offer professional doctorate degrees (currently restricted by state law to Indiana University only) was another area of discussion. The presidents lobbied for the opportunity to offer these degrees with West Chester President Weisenstein discussing the need for more doctorates in Biostatics (much in demand by pharmaceutical companies) and Shippensburg President Ruud noting the need for more doctorates in nursing.
Senator Andrew Dinniman (D- Chester) questioned the Chancellor regarding the impact of the 18% cut in state funding in last year’s budget. The Chancellor outlined changes made in the operation of the State System to reduce cost and expressed the desire not to burden students and their families with additional tuition.
The President of APSCUF (the state system faculty union) also testified. He expressed concerns about a repealer clause for collective bargaining at the institutions and was assured by Senator Dinniman that this was not the intent of the legislation. The union representative also had concerns about professional doctorate degrees and intellectual property changes. He said SSHE universities were meant to be teaching institutions, not research universities, and this might move them in a different direction. The bills are expected to move rapidly through the process and eventually end up as part of omnibus school code legislation. Bill numbers include: SBs 1133, 1211, 1221, 1239, 1242, 1289 and one bill is still to be introduced regarding intellectual property.
Did you know? The System currently has 120,000 students and 6,000 faculty.
AICUP Message to Friends of Independent Higher Education
October 17, 2011
Senate Education Committee Discusses Changes to the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (SSHE)
The Senate Education Committee, chaired by Senator Jeff Piccola (R-Dauphin), held a hearing last week to discuss a package of seven (7) bills recently introduced to reduce mandates on the State System of Higher Education. The State System includes 14 state-owned universities such as Indiana, Lock Haven, West Chester, and Shippensburg. State System Chancellor John C. Cavanaugh testified before the Committee accompanied by Dr. Greg Weisenstein, President of West Chester University, and Dr. William Ruud, President of Shippensburg University. Senator Piccola began the hearing by noting that the prime sponsors of the bills included four Republicans and three Democrats, making this endeavor a unique bi-partisan effort. The prime sponsors of the bills either have a state system institution in their district or are an alumnus of a state system institution.
Chancellor Cavanaugh expressed his deep appreciation for the work of the Committee in bringing these bills forward. Cavanaugh discussed the various problems these bills were meant to rectify. For instance, he noted restrictions placed on state employees (including university faculty and staff) in raising money. He noted that there is even a lack of clarity about what a President of a SSHE institution can do to raise money to support the university and its students. The Chancellor also discussed the “adverse interest rules” that prohibit entrepreneurial activity by the university and prevent faculty and staff from participation in a joint effort with a company. Another bill would streamline the duplicate levels of procurement. Senator Piccola asked about opposition to this bill by the Attorney General’s office. According to the Chancellor, the Attorney General opposes this provision arguing that if the AG does not review the purchases, then that office could not represent the SSHE in court deliberations. Senator Piccola questioned this assertion.
The opportunity to offer professional doctorate degrees (currently restricted by state law to Indiana University only) was another area of discussion. The presidents lobbied for the opportunity to offer these degrees with West Chester President Weisenstein discussing the need for more doctorates in Biostatics (much in demand by pharmaceutical companies) and Shippensburg President Ruud noting the need for more doctorates in nursing.
Senator Andrew Dinniman (D- Chester) questioned the Chancellor regarding the impact of the 18% cut in state funding in last year’s budget. The Chancellor outlined changes made in the operation of the State System to reduce cost and expressed the desire not to burden students and their families with additional tuition.
The President of APSCUF (the state system faculty union) also testified. He expressed concerns about a repealer clause for collective bargaining at the institutions and was assured by Senator Dinniman that this was not the intent of the legislation. The union representative also had concerns about professional doctorate degrees and intellectual property changes. He said SSHE universities were meant to be teaching institutions, not research universities, and this might move them in a different direction. The bills are expected to move rapidly through the process and eventually end up as part of omnibus school code legislation. Bill numbers include: SBs 1133, 1211, 1221, 1239, 1242, 1289 and one bill is still to be introduced regarding intellectual property.
Did you know? The System currently has 120,000 students and 6,000 faculty.