COUNCIL OF PRESIDENTS MEETING
Hershey Lodge & Convention Center
Meeting Room: Empire D
October 29-30, 2015
*Updated* Agenda
Thursday, October 29, 2015:
11:00am Call to order T. Leary
Opening Comments/Agenda Review T. Leary
Approval of Minutes
Action: Approval of the meeting minutes of August 12 – 13, 2015
TAB I: Minutes of August 12 – 13, 2015
Preparation for Guests
11:45am TAACCCTII Update J. Linksz
12:00pm Working Lunch
Evaluation of Commission Lobbyist E. Bolden
Commission Update
Organizational Issues
College Ready Summit – Feedback and Next Steps
PAC4
AICUP Collaboration
PASSHE Collaboration
Affinity Group Recommendations
• Accuplacer Statewide Agreement
Rural Regional College - status
1:00pm Guest: Dr. Wil Del Pilar, Deputy Secretary of Postsecondary and Higher Education,
Pennsylvania Department of Education
2:00pm Guest TAB 2: Heads Up Initiative
2:30pm
3:30pm Guest: Representative Stan Saylor, Chair, House Education Committee
TAB 3: HR 102
4:30pm
Legislative & Budget Update E. Bolden
T. Crisci
TAB 4: FY 16 - 17 Budget Request
SB 760 Pennsylvania DREAM Act
HB 1552 State Reciprocity for Online Programs/SARA
SB 501 Paycheck Protection
Break
6:00pm Reception
6:30pm Dinner
The dinner discussion will focus on campus security issues. The Commission’s survey of the colleges will
be shared and discussed. In addition, interest in convening the security staff at the colleges for a forum will
be assessed, and if there is interest, what the appropriate forum would be and who should be invited.
8:00pm Adjourn
Friday, October 30, 2015:
8:00am Call to Order T. Leary
• Breakfast: Presidents Roundtable
8:45am Capital Update A. Weitz
9:30am Guests: Jim Grandon, Chair, Council of Higher Education and Karen Molchanow, Executive
Director, State Board of Education
9:45am Break
10:00am Group Discussion
The COP will divide into three groups to discuss the following issues:
-Justification for FY 16-17 Budget Request
-Free Community College in Pennsylvania
-Long term funding for Pennsylvania’s Community Colleges
TAB 5: Background Information – Appropriations History
Recommended Components of a Free Community College
Proposal
TAB 6: Supplementary Materials
3-Year Loan Default Rates FY 2012
Fall 2014 Enrollment and Credits
PASSHE “State of the System” Address Article
PASSHE FY2016-17 Budget Request Article
PASSHE Enrollment Declines Article
Closing Summary and Adjournment T. Leary
12:00pm Boxed lunch available
Next Meetings:
• Trustees Regional Meetings – November 17, 18, and 19, 2015 – CCP, LCCC, and CCBC respectively
• Board of Directors conference call – 9am – 10am – December 4, 2015
• Council of Presidents Meeting – January 4 – 5, 2016 – Hershey Lodge, Hershey, PA
• National Legislative Summit – February 8 – 11, 2016 – Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Washington DC
Please note that COP meetings are private and guests have been so advised. Please refrain from using social media to share information regarding guests or discussions at
COP meetings unless consent has been given.
MINUTES
PENNSYLVANIA COMMISSION FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES
COUNCIL OF PRESIDENTS MEETING
August 12-13, 2015
Members Present: Allegheny Quintin Bullock
Beaver Chris Reber
Bucks Stephanie Shanblatt
Butler Nicholas Neupauer
Delaware Jerry Parker
Harrisburg John ‘Ski’ Sygielski
Lehigh Carbon Ann Bieber
Luzerne Tom Leary
Montgomery Jim Linksz
Northampton Mark Erickson
PA Highlands Walter Asonevich
Philadelphia Guy Generals (Wednesday 8/12 only)
Westmoreland Tuesday Stanley
Members Absent: Reading Anna Weitz (except for participation on Thursday
8/13 via telephone for discussion re: capital)
PACCC Staff Present: Elizabeth Bolden
Wednesday August 12
T. Leary called the meeting to order at 11:15 am. T. Leary thanked everyone for attending, N. Neupauer for
his leadership, and T. Stanley for hosting this meeting. T. Leary introduced Dr. Jim Linksz, who is serving as
the interim President of Montgomery County Community College.
N. Neupauer moved to accept the minutes of the meeting of April 13-14, 2015 with a second by T. Stanley.
The motion was adopted.
E. Bolden provided an update on Commission organizational issues. She noted that a Search Committee co-
chaired by S. Shanblatt (Bucks) and Q. Bullock (CCAC) and also comprised of C. Schwartz (Montgomery),
B. Hayden (Beaver) and E. Bolden (Commission) will begin work to fill the position of Director of Research.
The Social Media and Communications Report was distributed and discussed.
The Commission Policy Manual was distributed and discussed, particularly the requirement to retain a
reserves amount equal to 50% of the operating budget. The COP agreed to adopt the Commission Policy
Manual as distributed and that subsequent changes to the Commission Policy Manual should be first reviewed
with the Executive Committee to determine if they can be implemented or if they require review and
approval by the COP.
E. Bolden noted the new vendor sponsorship policy which requires an affirmative recommendation by a
sitting President for materials to be included in a COP packet, and an affirmative recommendation by a sitting
President and approval by the Executive Committee Chair for a vendor to present at a COP meeting.
Relevant requests will be forwarded to Affinity Group chairs for follow up at the Affinity Group Chair’s
discretion.
The COP discussed the health/dental/vision benefit package for employees and E. Bolden’s recommendation.
The COP expressed a preference to modify the benefit package/E. Bolden’s recommendation to more closely
align the Commission benefit package with those offered by the colleges, which would require an employee
premium copay and a greater than 50% premium copay for employee dependents. The COP noted these
changes should be made to attract qualified applicants to the vacant position. E. Bolden will revise the
recommendation and circulate to the Chair/Vice Chair. The need for the COP to subsequently support the
budgetary impact of these changes at the Annual Meeting was discussed.
The COP met in Executive Session for approximately 20 minutes.
J. Noah Brown, President & CEO, and Jee Hang Lee, Vice President for Public Policy and External Relations at
ACCT joined the group via telephone. N. Brown explained the benefits offered by ACCT, including
legislative advocacy, CEO search services, Board Governance, special projects, and public policy reports, and
urged the Presidents to attend the upcoming meeting in San Diego. He noted that any President/Trustee that
wished to attend should contact him directly to access the early bird registration discount price even though
the deadline has passed and asked Presidents/Trustees to let him know if there are other ways that ACCT
can be helpful to and support the colleges in Pennsylvania. J. Lee discussed developments associated with
America’s College Promise, reauthorization of the Higher Education Act and current proposals related to
risk sharing.
E. Bolden shared the locations of the 2015 Regional Trustee Meetings as follows:
Southeast – Community College of Philadelphia
Northeast – Lehigh Carbon Community College
Southwest - Community College of Beaver County
The COP agreed that the agenda for the regional trustee meetings should include a presentation coordinated
by the host college of an innovative or interesting practice at their college or in the region.
E. Bolden provided an update on upcoming Commission activities. She reviewed the agenda for the College
Ready Summit scheduled for October 28 at the Harrisburg Hilton. The College Ready Summit is a single
event replacing the former Developmental Educators Summit and Student Success Forum.
Materials explaining the work of the Higher Education for Higher Standards Coalition were distributed.
E. Bolden encouraged the Presidents to review these materials and advise the Commission if they are
interested in becoming a member of this group. If there is a group of Presidents that plan to join the
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coalition, there may be an opportunity for a group sign-on in conjunction with the College Ready Summit.
Presidents are asked to notify E. Bolden if they plan to join the coalition.
E. Bolden explained the status of the Phi Theta Kappa Completion Challenge. Eleven of 14 college
commitment forms have been received at the Commission, and follow up is taking place with the colleges
whose forms are incomplete. PAC4 is the week of October 19. Events are being planned and colleges are
encouraged to engage their delegations in the General Assembly. The Commission will plan state-level
events.
The COP discussed the Jobs for the Future announcement of a new round of grant funding to support
student success centers. The COP requested that E. Bolden continue to monitor developments associated
with this grant opportunity and follow up with potential partners in this work to determine if the
Commission could develop and submit a competitive application.
E. Bolden provided an update on the financials associated with the 2015 Annual Meeting. The COP
requested that registration fees be adjusted to cover meeting costs. In addition, the COP requested that the
colleges be given an option for box lunches or tickets to the cafeteria for Lobby Day lunch.
E. Bolden noted that the 2015-2016 Tuition and Fees Schedule was included in Tab 3 of the COP meeting
packet, as well as a summary of the planned tuition schedule for other postsecondary education institutions
in the Commonwealth.
G. Generals provided an update on TAACCCT I. A copy of the report will be placed in the President’s
Forum. J. Linksz provided an update on TAACCCT II.
T. Crisci joined the meeting to discuss the status of the Commonwealth’s budget, a strategy for advocating
for the passage of the FY 2015-2016 budget, and establishment of the Commission FY 2016-2017 budget
request. C. Reber suggested that the Commission request an operating appropriation for community
colleges equal to $235,741,000, adjusted for inflation using the CPI. The COP also agreed to request level
funding in the capital appropriation, mandate relief and implementation of a policy goal. If Dual Enrollment is
not included in the FY 2015-2016 budget, it will carry forward as the Commission’s policy goal for FY 2016-
2017. If Dual Enrollment is included in this year’s budget, the Commission will consider summer student
financial aid as possible policy priorities for FY 2016-2017.
The COP discussed the importance of collective advocacy. Colleges are asked to keep the Commission (and
T. Crisci) informed of any legislative advocacy that is unusual or that could be misinterpreted.
The COP discussed enrollment at the colleges and strategies and programs being used to impact enrollment.
T. Stanley introduced Dr. Kristy Bishop, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services at
Westmoreland County Community College who gave a presentation on the development and
implementation of Missouri’s mandated system of performance measures for all of higher education.
K. Bishop explained the measures, the definitions, the benchmarks, and the impact, including the unintended
consequences of the performance funding system. In response to a question by E. Bolden regarding the
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management of the performance system at the state level, K. Bishop explained that a 2-person office
oversees the system that affects 12 community colleges. A copy of K. Bishop’s presentation will be placed in
the President’s Forum.
T. Leary thanked the Presidents for their participation. The COP took a break and reconvened at 6:30 pm
for a working dinner.
J. Parker and N. Neupauer provided a summary of the work completed by the Economic Modeling
Workgroup. The COP reviewed the potential metrics identified by the workgroups and identified metrics
for further study as follows: graduation rate, transfer rate, retention (semester to semester), persistence
(year to year), development to college-level progression, closing the achievement gap, enrollment of
economically disadvantaged students, enrollment of first-generation students, credit and non-credit FTE
enrollment, workforce development – credential attainment, and workforce development – job placement.
J. Linksz noted the need to consider metrics that reflect both the mission and performance of community
colleges.
The Commission will thank everyone in the workgroups for their work to date. As Commission staff are
able, research will continue on the metrics identified for further consideration. Additional work on this
project will continue after a new Director of Research is on staff at the Commission.
The COP prioritized Commission activities for the remainder of the fiscal year as follows:
Advocacy/Funding
Student Success & Completion
Financial Sustainability
T. Leary thanked M. Erikson for agreeing to host the 2016 summer meeting at Northampton and adjourned
the meeting at 8:02 pm.
Thursday August 13, 2015
T. Leary called the meeting to order at 7:50 am.
E. Bolden introduced Lieutenant Colonel Shawn P. Bell from the Pennsylvania National Guard who joined the
meeting to discuss cyber security and the need to increase the number of individuals in the workforce with
cyber security credentials. Lt. Col. Bell summarized the National Centers for Academic Excellence (CAE) in
Information Assurance (IA)/Cyber Defense (CD) program which is administered by the National Security
Agency. Information about this program will be placed in the President’s Forum.
N. Neupauer asked if there had been a review of programs to determine if they met the criteria. Lt. Col. Bell
explained that it had not been done.
Q. Bullock noted that CCAC will host a cyber security conference in June 2016.
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E. Bolden provided an update on meetings with the Wolf Administration. Meetings with L&I, DCED, PDE,
and Corrections continue to build knowledge and support of the colleges. Wil Del Pilar is the new Deputy
Secretary for Postsecondary and Higher Education at PDE. The COP requested that Deputy Secretary Del
Pilar be invited to a COP meeting. E. Bolden also shared PDE’s request for the colleges to offer a session at
the SAS Institute in Hershey on December 7-8. Presidents are asked to notify E. Bolden if they are
interested in presenting at the SAS Institute.
E. Bolden explained initiatives underway in partnership with the Department of Corrections, including the
Improved Reentry Education Grant (the Commission sent a letter of support pledging to share best practices
in student identification, counseling and support), the Pell experimental sites initiatives and the Secretary’s
goal of redesigning correctional education. Presidents are asked to notify E. Bolden if they are interested in
participating in these initiatives and workgroups.
A. Weitz joined the meeting via telephone to lead a discussion of capital issues.
Colleges shared with A. Weitz issues associated with the online application process. These comments will be
shared with PDE as soon as they are compiled.
Q. Bullock asked if the COP was interested in recommending to PDE that the framework be amended to
allow for project substitutions in certain circumstances. The COP discussed this possibility and agreed that
project amendments, where the goal of the project is the same but where the scope or cost has been
reduced and/or where financing has changed but not increased costs, would be helpful. E. Bolden will draft
language for the COP consideration.
A. Bieber provided an update on the work of the PACCC-PASSHE Steering Committee, plans for the
September 24 joint meeting, the Transfer Workgroup, and the Public Relations and Messaging Workgroup.
D. Gross joined the meeting via telephone to participate in the COP conversation regarding public
statements for a joint press announcement on September 24. The COP identified statements to present to
the Public Relations and Messaging Workgroup:
Strong public support for public postsecondary education in the Commonwealth is essential for
Pennsylvania’s long term viability.
Investing in public higher education generates significant return on investment for taxpayers and the
Commonwealth. According to a national study, the net total impact of community colleges on the U.S.
economy was $809 billion in added income. A similar study of PASSHE’s impact found that (insert PASSHE
Economic Impact Study data).
The state system and Pennsylvania’s community colleges are partnering to ensure seamless pathways for
students to achieve a postsecondary education credential in an affordable manner.
The COP suggested less emphasis on the number of employees or jobs created (see statement #5 on
handout 5C) and preferred to use specific terms to identify the two entities (PASSHE & the community
colleges) rather than using the term “we.” Finally the COP noted the need to emphasize workforce
development in the statements, and specify “and Pennsylvania’s community colleges.”
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E. Bolden noted that these statements will be provided to D. Gross and the community college members of
the Public Relations and Messaging Work Group so that they could begin the collaborative discussion with
PASSHE. The document will be reviewed by the Steering Committee and then circulated to the COP for
their review and approval.
E. Bolden confirmed that the COP preferred to use the same meeting format (start at lunch, work through
dinner and adjourn by noon on the second day) for the October COP Meeting. A representative of L&I will
be invited to the meeting. The October meeting will also include an evaluation of the Commission’s lobbyist.
Presidents were asked to please notify E. Bolden of any items or discussions they would like added to the
agenda.
S. Shanblatt thanked the presidents for their participation and adjourned the meeting at 9:55 am.
At 10:30 am, the COP was joined by Dr. Carl Strikwerda, President of Elizabethtown College, Dr. Suzanne
Mellon, President of Carlow College, Dr. Mary Finger, President of Seton Hill University, and Don Francis,
President of AICUP. The group shared information regarding each institution’s priorities and existing
partnerships with community colleges, and identified areas for future collaboration. The group agreed to
explore joint marketing and recruiting (perhaps posters depicting students who have transferred from a CC
to an AICUP institution), improved education regarding the affordability of AICUP institutions, reverse
transfer agreements, partnerships in which students who do not meet immediate admissions criteria to an
AICUP institution might be directed to a partner community college for dual admission and subsequent
transfer to the AICUP institution after certain criteria are met, and joint research projects. N. Neupauer
suggested the formation of regional consortia that would provide community college students increased
opportunities to transfer to AICUP institutions with junior standing, as well as a faculty exchange within a
regional consortium. N. Neupauer agreed to lead the discussion of the establishment of a regional consortia
in western Pennsylvania. D. Frances and E. Bolden will follow up.
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FACT SHEET: Providing More Americans
with Affordable Access to Education and
Job Training Opportunities to Help Grow the
Middle Class
Source: The White House
Education and job training are among the surest pathways to the middle class. To mark the
beginning of the school year, the President, the First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden, and Secretary Arne
Duncan will travel across the country in the coming days to highlight the need for affordable,
quality career and education choices for students and to discuss some of the many ways the
Administration is working to provide all Americans with the skills and knowledge they need to
acquire good-paying jobs and grow the economy.
Education and job training are among the surest pathways to the middle class. To mark the
beginning of the school year, the President, the First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden, and Secretary Arne
Duncan will travel across the country in the coming days to highlight the need for affordable,
quality career and education choices for students and to discuss some of the many ways the
Administration is working to provide all Americans with the skills and knowledge they need to
acquire good-paying jobs and grow the economy.
Today, at Macomb Community College in Warren, Michigan, the President will announce new
steps to expand apprenticeships and to continue to build momentum nationwide to make
community college free for responsible students. Specifically, the President will announce:
Grants to provide ”earn and learn” training opportunities to 34,000 new
apprentices: The Department of Labor is awarding $175 million in American Apprenticeship
Grants to 46 public-private partnerships marrying the efforts of employers, organized labor, non-
profits, local governments, and educational institutions to expand high-quality apprenticeships.
The winning grantees have pledged to train and hire more than 34,000 new apprentices in high-
growth and high-tech industries including health care, IT and advanced manufacturing over the
next five years.
The creation of the College Promise Advisory Board to further efforts to make
two years of community college free: Today, the President will announce the independent
creation of the College Promise Advisory Board, led by Chair Dr. Jill Biden, and Vice-Chair
former Wyoming Governor Jim Geringer and directed by former Under Secretary of Education,
Martha Kanter. The board will bring together luminaries and leaders to highlight successes in
places like Tennessee, Chicago, and Michigan, share best practices and models, and recruit more
of their peers to join the cause. Learn more at CollegePromise.org.
The launch of Heads Up America, an independent Campaign to raise awareness
about the importance of America’s community colleges: An initiative of the College
Promise Advisory Board and digital agency, Huge, the the Heads Up America campaign will
work to create a movement to support community colleges around the country. It will give
students, teachers, counselors, administrators, alumni, businesses, and other leaders a role in
spreading the word about the value and impact that universal access to community college will
have on our future. Heads Up America will call on everyone to join the movement to make two
years of community college free for responsible students around the country. As part of Heads
Up America, the College Promise Advisory Board will release a PSA featuring students,
community college alumni and celebrities. Learn more at HeadsUpAmerica.us.
The President is returning to Macomb Community College in Warren, Michigan, where in 2009
he first launched an effort to encourage more community college graduates and invest in
community college programs that meet local needs. Macomb Community College is one of the
winning American Apprenticeship grantees announced today. Macomb, a member of the
Investing in Manufacturing Community Partnership, has a successful track record of
apprenticeship in manufacturing, partnering with over 300 companies and with 160 apprentices
in training, and is looking to expand both the number of apprentices it trains in manufacturing
and to grow into new IT occupations, including health care IT. Their success in expanding
opportunity to more students mirrors what’s happening at institutions across the nation. Macomb
also participates in Kalamazoo Promise, through which anonymous donors pay up to 100 percent
of tuition at any of Michigan's state colleges or universities for graduates of the public high
schools of Kalamazoo. Roughly 5,000 students have benefited over the past eight years.
Kalamazoo’s success has inspired a dozen cities across Michigan from Detroit to Battle Creek to
launch similar scholarships for their local public school students.
American Apprenticeship Grants
The President is committed to creating more opportunities for hard-working Americans to get
ahead by advancing job-driven training initiatives that help American workers acquire the skills
they need to succeed in good jobs that are available now. Hands-on apprenticeships, where
workers earn and learn at the same time, are a proven path to good, secure middle class jobs. In
fact, 87 percent of apprentices are employed after completing their programs, with an average
starting wage above $50,000. And the return on investment for employers is impressive – studies
from across the globe suggest that for every dollar spent on apprenticeship, employers get an
average of $1.47 back in increased productivity, reduced waste, and greater front-line innovation.
The $175 million in American Apprenticeship Grants that the President is announcing today will
help train and hire more than 34,000 new apprentices in high-growth and high-tech industries as
diverse as health care, IT, and advanced manufacturing while scaling up proven programs in
construction, transportation, and energy over the next five years.
American Apprenticeship Grants will help expand apprenticeships into growing industries while
also aligning apprenticeship with pathways for further learning and career advancement, scaling
apprenticeship models that work, and providing access to apprenticeship for all of America’s
talent. For example:
• Silicon Valley High Tech Apprenticeship Initiative (Santa Clara, CA): Led by Mission College,
this IT apprenticeship will train over 300 apprentices to deploy and maintain the critical IT
systems and infrastructure now ubiquitous in everyday life in partnership with some of the
biggest developers of those systems including Cisco Systems and VMWare.
• AHIMA Managing the Talent Pipeline in Health Information Management (national program):
Working with healthcare employers ranging from Pfizer to the Seattle Children’s Hospital, the
AHIMA Foundation is using a competency-based, on-the-job apprenticeship training program in
healthcare informatics to help recent college graduates and career changers break into well-
paying healthcare data management careers.
• OpenTech Los Angeles Regional Apprenticeship Collaborative (Los Angeles, CA): In
partnership with employers such as DIRECTV, Toyota, Farmers Insurance, and AltaMed, this
apprenticeship program is setting a goal to train 1,000 at-risk youth for careers in high-growth IT
and biotechnology jobs.
• Focus: HOPE American Apprenticeship Program (Detroit, MI): Focus: HOPE has been a
leading non-profit community training provider in Detroit for over twenty years. Its adult
education programs help workers acquire the gateway skills needed to advance to better
employment. With its American Apprenticeship Grant, Focus: HOPE will expand these proven
programs while adding new disciplines to keep up with the changing technology powering
advanced manufacturing jobs.
• International Transportation Learning Center (Silver Spring, MD): Partnering with Wider
Opportunities for Women and the Amalgamated Transit Union, the International Transportation
Learning Center will expand apprenticeship programs proven to yield a safety and performance
dividend in transit rail industries. The grants will scale up their apprenticeship for signal
maintainers and transit coach operators to nearly 1,300 workers in metropolitan areas across the
United States.
To learn more about the efforts of all 46 winning American Apprenticeship grantees,
click HERE.
The American Apprenticeship Grants build on tremendous progress underway. Since the
President’s call to action in his State of the Union 2014, the United States has added more than
55,000 new apprenticeship opportunities, the largest increase in nearly a decade. And action
from employers, colleges, labor, states, and local governments are building on that momentum.
• Employers, colleges, and labor leading on apprenticeship: Over 140 employers,
colleges, and labor organizations have signed on to be ApprenticeshipUSA
LEADERS (Leaders of Excellence in Apprenticeship Development, Education and
Research) by expanding their own training programs and encouraging their peers to
get on board. Together, employers in the LEADERS program have pledged to create
nearly 20,000 new apprenticeship positions. And during National Apprenticeship
Week, starting November 2nd, across the country, these LEADERS will showcase
their efforts at open houses for workers interested in apprenticeship.
• States and local governments taking homegrown action to expand apprenticeship:
Fourteen states, through local leadership from governors, mayors, and state
representatives have expanded apprenticeship by more than 20% - including
Michigan, which launched a state-wide skilled trades training fund to support
apprenticeship, California which unlocked additional funds to cover training costs,
and Kentucky which created a novel, statewide youth apprenticeship program.
• Colleges awarding double credit by linking apprenticeship to college degrees: Over
200 colleges across the country have joined the Registered Apprenticeship College
Consortium (RACC) by awarding college credit towards a degree for completion of
an apprenticeship program.
In addition, yesterday, the White House and the Department of Labor also released a Progress
Update on Job Driven Training and Apprenticeships, detailing the success of the
Administration’s jobs-driven training efforts, which have directed more than $1.2 billion in
competitive grants and $8 billion in non-competitive formula funding for training investments
into job-driven strategies. As the report details, following the Vice President’s Job-Driven
Training review last year, federal agencies have taken actions to make programs serving over 21
million Americans every year more effective and accountable for matching and training
Americans into good jobs that employers need to fill.
The success of these job-driven training efforts proves just what we can accomplish when we
invest in the proven models that build the skills required for workers to succeed and access the
middle class. In his FY 2016 Budget, the President increased funding for job training and
employment services, and called for Congress to invest $100 million in competitive grants to
strengthen state and industry apprenticeships and to create a $2 billion Apprenticeship Training
Fund to help double the number of apprentices in America.
In contrast, the Senate and House budget bills fail to support the bipartisan Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the most significant reform to our national workforce
system in nearly 20 years, which last year passed the Senate 97 to 3. The Senate funds the core
WIOA and Wagner-Peyser employment and training programs at $650 million less than the
President’s Budget, while the House bill reduces the funding by nearly $500 million, harming
our ability to compete and removing opportunities for workers to gain the skills they need to
move into the middle class.
Under the Republican bills, next year 2 million fewer workers would receive job training and
help getting back to work, as compared to the President’s Budget. The Senate bill, in particular,
slashes funding for emergency grants to help workers whose jobs are lost as a result of mass
layoffs and natural disasters, providing only $74 million for program year 2016 – $167 million
(69 percent) less than the President’s Budget.
America’s College Promise
Nearly a century ago, a movement that made high school widely available helped lead to rapid
growth in the educational attainment of Americans, driving decades of economic growth and
prosperity. America thrived in the 20th century in large part because we had the most educated
workforce in the world. But other nations have matched or exceeded our success. Now, more
than ever, Americans need more knowledge and skills to meet the demands of a growing global
economy without having to take on decades of debt before they even embark on their careers.
Today, the President will announce the following Administration and independent actions,
building on the America’s College Promise proposal he announced in January 2015 to make two
years of community college free for responsible students, letting students earn the first half of a
bachelor’s degree and earn skills needed in the workforce at no cost:
• The creation of the independent College Promise Advisory Board: Chaired by Dr.
Jill Biden, Vice-Chaired by former Wyoming Governor Jim Geringer and directed by former
Under Secretary of Education, Martha Kanter, the board will bring together luminaries and
leaders, share best practices and ideas for models to make community college free, and serve as a
way for those leaders to recruit more of their peers to join the cause. Board members include:
º Ellen Alberding, President & Board Member, The Joyce Foundation
º Matthew C. Boulay, Program Officer for Veterans Program, Kisco Foundation
º Randy Boyd, Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community
Development
º J. Noah Brown, President & CEO, Association of Community College Trustees
º Walter G. Bumphus, President & CEO, American Association of Community Colleges
º Christopher Cabaldon, Mayor, West Sacramento
º Phil Clegg, Executive Director, American Student Association of Community Colleges
º Alexandra Flores-Quilty, President, United States Student Association
º Brian A. Gallagher, President & CEO, United Way Worldwide
º Lily Eskelsen García, President, National Education Association
º Richard D. George, President & CEO, Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation
º Mark Haas, Oregon State Senator, District 14
º Anne Johnson, Executive Director, Generation Progress
º Martha Kanter, College Promise Campaign
º Chauncy Lennon, Managing Director of Global Philanthropy, JPMorgan Chase
º Harold O. Levy, Executive Director, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
º Stanley S. Litow, Vice President of Corporate Citizenship & Corporate Affairs and President,
IBM Foundation
º Andrew N. Liveris, CEO, The Dow Chemical Company
º Joe May, Chancellor, Dallas County Community College District
º Gail O. Mellow, President, LaGuardia Community College
º Jen Mishory, Executive Director, Young Invincibles
º William F. L. Moses, Managing Director of Education, Kresge Foundation
º Eduardo J. Padron, President, Miami Dade Community College
º Wade Randlett, CEO, Transportation Fuels Division of General Biofuels
º Lauren A. Segal, President & CEO, Scholarship America
º Randy Smith, President, Rural Community College Alliance
º Thomas J. Snyder, President, Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana
º LaVerne Evans Srinivasan, Vice President, Education Programs, Carnegie Corporation of New
York
º Karen A. Stout, President & CEO, Achieving the Dream
º Scott J. Svonkin, President of the Board of Trustees, Los Angeles Community College District
º William H. Swanson, Chairman & CEO (retired), Raytheon Company
º Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers
• The launch of Heads Up America, an independent Campaign to raise awareness
about the importance of America’s community colleges: An initiative of the College
Promise Advisory Board and digital agency, Huge, the Heads Up America campaign will work
to create a movement to support community colleges around the country. It will give students,
teachers, counselors, administrators, alumni, business and other leaders a role in spreading the
word about the value and impact that universal access to community college will have on our
future. Heads Up America will call on everyone to join the movement to make two years of
community college free for responsible students around the country. As part of Heads Up
America, the College Promise Advisory Board will release a PSA featuring students, community
college alumni and celebrities.
• The release of a White House report on the nation’s progress toward free
community college for responsible students: The report describes growing momentum
behind efforts to make at least two years of college the norm, just like high school is today.
President Obama’s plan was inspired by efforts in Tennessee and Chicago. So far this year, new
programs have been launched statewide in Oregon and Minnesota and in communities in
Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Ohio. Since January, legislators in 11 additional states proposed new
programs. Community colleges are ready for action: a quarter of community college Presidents
believe it is likely that their institutions will offer a tuition-free (or nearly free) program within
the next two years, almost doubling the number of free programs available. Students are ready,
too: Tennessee’s newly launched state-wide program for free community college had nearly
60,000 students apply this year, and the state expects that ultimately 15,000 students will enroll
in the program this fall.
• The Administration has also undertaken efforts to better align community
college programs to in-demand jobs: As described in the report, over the past four years,
nearly 700 community colleges have received $2 billion in federal funding to design education
and training programs, working closely with employers and industry that prepare workers for
jobs in-demand in their regional economies, such as health care, IT and energy. These programs
have shown early success – through the end of FY2014, more than 1,900 new or modified
training programs have been launched. In addition, among the more than 176,000 individuals
who had enrolled in these programs 85 percent either completed a program or continued the
program into a second year.To expand on these successes, the President proposed $200 million
for an American Technical Training Fund in this year’s budget that would award competitive
grants to programs that have strong employer partnerships and include work-based learning
opportunities, provide accelerated training, and are scheduled to accommodate part-time work.
Programs could be created within current community colleges or other training institutions.
America’s College Promise and the campaign throughout the country to deliver two years of free
community college to hard working students are part of the President’s continuing record of
success to make college more affordable. The President has doubled investments in college
scholarships by expanding Pell Grants and American Opportunity Tax Credit; made student
loans more affordable by cutting interest rates and allowing borrowers to cap student loan
payments at 10 percent of income; and is promoting innovation and competition to bring down
costs and improve college quality.
PRINTER'S NO. 567
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
102No. Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY SAYLOR AND ROEBUCK, FEBRUARY 18, 2015
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 18, 2015
A RESOLUTION
1 Establishing the select subcommittee on Technical Education and
2 Career Readiness to investigate, review and make
3 recommendations concerning career training programs to ensure
4 that every student has the opportunity to pursue a meaningful
5 career.
6 WHEREAS, One of a society's most important responsibilities
7 is the education of its citizens; and
8 WHEREAS, The citizens of this Commonwealth are educated
9 through a system of public and nonpublic schools and
10 institutions of higher education, which includes a wide variety
11 of secondary level career and technical centers and programs and
12 postsecondary institutions that focus on career preparation and
13 training; and
14 WHEREAS, The goal of this Commonwealth's system of education
15 is to provide each student with sufficient preparation to pursue
16 meaningful, family-sustaining employment; and
17 WHEREAS, It is important that this Commonwealth remain
18 competitive in an ever-changing global economy; and
19 WHEREAS, Employers are more likely to locate in regions with
20 an abundant supply of potential employees; and
1 WHEREAS, Many employers report a strong need for more
2 technically skilled employees to fill available positions; and
3 WHEREAS, It is important to ensure that the education
4 available to young people and adults provides the training
5 necessary for the pursuit of a fulfilling and financially secure
6 career; therefore be it
7 RESOLVED, That the Committee on Education be authorized and
8 directed to establish a select subcommittee on technical
9 education and career readiness to do all of the following:
10 (1) investigate, review and make findings and
11 recommendations regarding:
12 (i) existing secondary level career and technical
13 centers and programs and postsecondary institutions that
14 focus on career preparation and training, including the
15 partnerships that exist within and among these groups;
16 (ii) how to better foster connections among the
17 secondary technical education, postsecondary technical
18 education and business communities in order to promote
19 thriving career pathways;
20 (iii) how to eliminate negative biases held by
21 students and parents regarding technical education, and
22 educate all Pennsylvanians regarding the benefits of
23 technical education and the many opportunities available
24 in careers that require technical knowledge and skills;
25 and
26 (2) review other states' best practices and programs in
27 the area of technical education and career readiness; and
28 (3) develop proposals which:
29 (i) encourage Pennsylvania's secondary and
30 postsecondary educational institutions to expand career
20150HR0102PN0567 -2-
1 training programs that will help meet the needs of
2 current and future employers;
3 (ii) supplement and enhance existing career
4 programs;
5 (iii) provide support to the secondary and
6 postsecondary technical education communities; and
7 (4) ensure that every student in Pennsylvania has the
8 opportunity to pursue a meaningful career;
9 and be it further
10 RESOLVED, That the select subcommittee consist of six members
11 of the Committee on Education, with four members appointed by
12 the chairman of the committee and two members appointed by the
13 minority chairman of the committee; and be it further
14 RESOLVED, That the chairman and the minority chairman of the
15 Committee on Education shall be ex-officio members of the select
16 subcommittee; and be it further
17 RESOLVED, That the chairman of the Committee on Education
18 appoint the chairman of the select subcommittee from among the
19 members of the select subcommittee; and be it further
20 RESOLVED, That the select subcommittee hold hearings, call
21 witnesses, take testimony and make its investigations at such
22 places as it deems necessary in this Commonwealth, and may
23 instruct any person to appear before it to answer questions
24 touching matters properly being inquired into by the select
25 subcommittee and to produce books, papers, records, accounts,
26 reports and documents as the select subcommittee deems
27 necessary; and be it further
28 RESOLVED, That the Committee on Education assist the select
29 subcommittee to the fullest extent possible; and be it further
30 RESOLVED, That the select subcommittee submit a report of its
20150HR0102PN0567 -3-
1 findings together with its recommendations for any appropriate
2 legislation or other action to the Committee on Education and to
3 the House of Representatives no later than November 30, 2016.
20150HR0102PN0567 -4-
Community Colleges Operating Appropriation
Background
Pennsylvania’s 14 community colleges are the primary provider of education and workforce training in
the state. In the 2013-2014 academic year, 344,000 credit and noncredit students were served at one of
Pennsylvania’s community colleges. Students who enroll in a community college prepare to transfer
to four year institutions, participate in programs that prepare them to enter the workforce, or enhance
skills to advance within their existing careers. The colleges also provide customized training for
Pennsylvania employers. In FY2013-2014, employers invested more than $10 million in employee
training through direct contracted services with Pennsylvania community colleges.
Change Requested
The Commission for Community Colleges requests that the Community College Operating Line Item
appropriation be increased to $242,259,000 for FY 16-17 per the Governor’s recommendation1.
This proposed funding level is still below that which the colleges should have received simply to keep
pace with inflation, and well below the state support for other postsecondary institutions in
Pennsylvania. However, it represents a level of state support which can provide a foundation for future
discussions about the appropriate funding levels for postsecondary education in the Commonwealth.
Most importantly, this funding level would reverse the effects of the funding reduction to the colleges
in FY 11-12, as well as provide a nominal adjustment for increased expenses including but not limited
to inflation, educational costs - particularly those associated with equipment needs for highly
specialized and technical programs, energy and other physical plant operating costs, and employee
benefits and pensions.
1 Governor’s Executive Budget 2015-2016. “Appropriations within this Program,” page E17-17. Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, Office of the Budget.
The appropriation history for the Community Colleges line item is below:
Fiscal Year Operating Appropriation
2006-07 222,679,000
2007-08 229,359,000
2008-09 236,240,000
2009-10 235,741,000
2010-11 235,741,000
2011-12 212,167,000
2012-13 212,167,000
2013-14 212,167,000
2014-15 215,667,000
2015-16 230,723,000 Recommended
2016-17 242,259,000 Recommended
Benefits
The recommended funding level will:
Provide a significant return on investment for the Commonwealth taxpayers. A recent
national study found that for every $1 that taxpayers invest in community colleges, they
receive a cumulative return of $6.80.2
Strengthen Pennsylvania’s economy. A 2013 study from the Economic Analysis and
Research Network suggests that providing expanded access to high quality education
not only benefits residents, but is likely the single most important investment a state can
make to improve its economy.3 This finding is also supported in a 2012 report by the
State Higher Education Executive Officers which found that expanding a state’s higher
education degree attainment is an essential and powerful strategy for economic
development.4
Provide funding to allow the colleges to make investments in quality programs aligned
with workforce needs.
2 http://www.aacc.nche.edu/About/Documents/USA_AGG_MainReport_Final_021114.pdf
3 http://www.epi.org/files/2013/A%20well-educated%20workforce%20is%20key%20to%20state%20prosperity.pdf
4http://www.sheeo.org/sites/default/files/publications/Econ%20Benefit%20of%20Degrees%20Report%20with%20Appendi
ces.pdf
Community College Capital Fund
Background
Pennsylvania’s Community Colleges receive financial support for capital improvements through
the Transfer to the Community College Capital Fund appropriation.
Status
The anticipated FY 15-16 Transfer to Community College Capital Fund is $48.869 million. If
approved, the appropriation will fund projects at Pennsylvania’s community colleges including
capital lease obligations, debt service payments for previously-approved capital projects and
payments for newly-approved and critical capital projects.
However, there is still significant unmet need at the colleges. The Pennsylvania Commission for
Community Colleges partnered with Stantec, an international architecture firm, to survey the
capital needs of Pennsylvania’s 14 community colleges for the period 2014-2019. The survey
results reveal a total capital need of nearly $727 million for 227 projects. Individual capital
project costs range from a low of $11,500 to a high of $82.5 million. However, nearly two-thirds
(148 of 227) of the capital projects could be completed for $1 million or less in total costs per
project.1
Request
The Commission for Community Colleges requests that for FY 16-17, $48.869 million be
transferred to the Community College Capital Fund.
Benefits
The colleges’ ability to complete capital projects with this funding is critical to their continued
successful operations. These funds support a range of small and large projects to support the
expansion and upgrade of the college’s academic and workforce programs, as well as install
energy conservation measures. Projects completed with these funds will increase economic
activity at the local level and will provide the colleges with the resources to modernize their
facilities to meet student needs.
1 http://pacommunitycolleges.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Stantec-PACCC-final-report.pdf
Dual Enrollment
Background
Dual enrollment programs provide secondary students with an opportunity to get a head start on
earning college credit while still in high school. Dual enrollment programs vary in their specifics, but
generally offer students rigorous curricula and prepare them for college coursework and expectations.
In addition, accelerated learning gives students the motivation, financial incentive, and confidence to
continue on to college. Earning early college credits often decreases the time and cost of obtaining a
college degree.
Status
According to the Education Commission of the States, forty-seven states plus Washington, D.C offer
dual enrollment programs for students.1
The Pennsylvania Department of Education previously administered a grant program to support dual
enrollment opportunities for students (see Article XVI-B of the Public School Code, 24 P.S. §§ 1601-
B-1615-B). This program awarded grants to school districts and area vocational-technical schools to
fund dual enrollment opportunities.
The appropriation that supported the grant program for dual enrollment was eliminated in FY 2011-12.
As a result, there have been significant changes in dual enrollment programs statewide. A variety of
structures and funding mechanisms were implemented: in some locations, costs were shifted to
students and their families, in other locations, colleges reduced and/or eliminated tuition and/or fees to
preserve this important opportunity to students. Unfortunately in some locations, programs were
discontinued.
Pennsylvania’s community colleges have been enthusiastic partners with secondary education in
offering dual enrollment opportunities for students. Student enrollment in dual enrollment courses at
Pennsylvania’s community colleges steadily increased for several years, but growth has stalled with
the lack of state support.
Change Requested
The Commission recommends the Commonwealth establish a $10M program at PHEAA to cover the
costs of tuition and fees (the largest expense associated with dual enrollment programs) for students
who are enrolled in approved dual enrollment opportunities at one of Pennsylvania’s fourteen
community colleges.
1 http://ecs.force.com/mbdata/mbprofallRT?Rep=DE13A
The Commission recommends this program be established within PHEAA due to their record of
successfully implementing targeted student financial assistance programs such as Pennsylvania TIP
and Ready to Succeed. In addition, the agency already has successful working relationships with the
community colleges.
Focusing on community colleges as the preferred provider in this program will ensure that funding is
used in the most efficient manner possible to ensure the most access for students. For the 2014-2015
academic year, annual average tuition and fees at Pennsylvania’s community colleges totaled $3,686.
That amount is significantly less than average tuition and fees at PASSHE, and costs less than many of
the private colleges and universities in Pennsylvania. Using the most cost effective provider of public
postsecondary education in the Commonwealth to provide the coursework will maximize the number
of students who are able to take advantage of the program.
Benefits of Change
Dual enrollment programs offer significant benefits, including reducing the average time-to-degree and
increasing the likelihood of graduation for participating students. According to a study published by
the Education Commission of the States, dual enrollment positively influences college degree
attainment, even after controlling for student, family, schooling achievements, and school context
factors.2
Because of the relatively low tuition levels at Pennsylvania’s community colleges, a $10M
appropriation for this purpose could fund approximately 27,000 3-credit courses for students at
Pennsylvania’s community colleges.
Method of Change & Proposed Timetable
The Commission proposes that funds be included in the FY 16-17 budget, and that PHEAA be
authorized to develop parameters of the program in consultation with secondary and postsecondary
education providers.
2 http://www.ecs.org/rs/Studies/DetailStudy.aspx?study_ID=a0r70000003q8KsAAI and
http://ccrc.tc.columbia.edu/media/k2/attachments/broadening-benefits-dual-enrollment-rp.pdf
PRINTER'S NO. 808
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
760No. Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY SMUCKER, BLAKE, SCHWANK, WILLIAMS, TARTAGLIONE,
LEACH AND BREWSTER, APRIL 23, 2015
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, APRIL 23, 2015
AN ACT
1 Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
2 act relating to the public school system, including certain
3 provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
4 schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
5 laws relating thereto," providing for in-State tuition for
6 undocumented individuals.
7 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
8 hereby enacts as follows:
9 Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
10 as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding an
11 article to read:
12 ARTICLE XX-H
13 DEVELOPMENT, RELIEF AND EDUCATION
14 FOR ALIEN MINORS (DREAM)
15 Section 2001-H. Definitions.
16 The following words and phrases when used in this article
17 shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
18 context clearly indicates otherwise:
19 "Department." The Department of Education of the
20 Commonwealth.
1 "Individual." An undocumented person who is not a citizen or
2 national of the United States. The term does not include a
3 nonimmigrant alien as defined in 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15)
4 (relating to definitions).
5 "PHEAA." The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance
6 Agency.
7 "Public institution of higher education." Any of the
8 following:
9 (1) A community college under Article XIX-A.
10 (2) A university within the State System of Higher
11 Education under Article XX-A.
12 (3) A State-related institution as defined in section
13 1502-A.
14 Section 2002-H. Eligibility.
15 An individual shall be exempt from paying the out-of-State or
16 international tuition rate at a public institution of higher
17 education in this Commonwealth if the individual meets both of
18 the following requirements:
19 (1) Beginning with the 2007-2008 school year, attended a
20 public or nonpublic secondary school in this Commonwealth for
21 at least two years.
22 (2) Beginning with the 2009-2010 school year, graduated
23 from a public or nonpublic secondary school in this
24 Commonwealth or received the equivalent of a high school
25 diploma in this Commonwealth.
26 Section 2003-H. Requirements.
27 To be considered eligible under this article, an individual
28 must:
29 (1) Enter as a student in a public institution of higher
30 education in this Commonwealth not earlier than the 2013 fall
20150SB0760PN0808 -2-
1 semester.
2 (2) If not a permanent resident, provide to the public
3 institution of higher education an affidavit stating that the
4 individual will file an application to become a permanent
5 resident within 30 days after the individual becomes eligible
6 to do so.
7 Section 2004-H. Public institution of higher education
8 requirements.
9 A public institution of higher education that admits an
10 individual under this article shall:
11 (1) Keep a record of the number of individuals admitted
12 under this article and annually report this information to
13 the department.
14 (2) Adopt appropriate policies to implement the
15 provisions of this article.
16 Section 2005-H. Financial aid.
17 Any individual applying to or accepted by a public
18 institution of higher education under this article may apply for
19 and receive financial aid with PHEAA.
20 Section 2006-H. Departmental requirements.
21 The department shall submit to the chairman and minority
22 chairman of the Education Committee of the Senate and the
23 chairman and minority chairman of the Education Committee of the
24 House of Representatives an annual report consisting of a
25 compilation of the reports submitted to the department under
26 section 2004-H.
27 Section 2007-H. Confidentiality.
28 Information obtained from an individual for the purposes of
29 implementing this article is confidential. A public institution
30 of higher education that receives an affidavit under section
20150SB0760PN0808 -3-
1 2003-H(2) shall treat the affidavit as an education record of
2 the individual under the provisions of the Family Educational
3 Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (Public Law 90-247, 20 U.S.C. §
4 1232g).
5 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2015, or
6 immediately, whichever is later.
20150SB0760PN0808 -4-
PRINTER'S NO. 2178
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
1552No. Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY ROAE, SONNEY, MALONEY, JAMES, DRISCOLL, TOPPER,
DAVIS, PHILLIPS-HILL, MILLARD, READSHAW, WATSON, EVANKOVICH,
RAPP, MURT AND SANTORA, SEPTEMBER 16, 2015
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, SEPTEMBER 16, 2015
AN ACT
1 Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
2 act relating to the public school system, including certain
3 provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
4 schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
5 laws relating thereto," in preliminary provisions, providing
6 for powers and duties of the Secretary of Education.
7 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
8 hereby enacts as follows:
9 Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
10 as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
11 section to read:
12 Section 124. Powers and Duties of the Secretary of
13 Education.--(a) On behalf of the Commonwealth, the Secretary of
14 Education shall have the authority and duty to enter into and
15 administer membership in a regional compact and an interstate
16 reciprocity agreement for the provision of postsecondary
17 distance education by the following:
18 (1) Institutions of higher education to students in other
19 states, territories and districts party to such agreement.
1 (2) Postsecondary institutions in other states, territories
2 or districts that are a party to such agreement to students in
3 this Commonwealth.
4 (b) The Department of Education may charge administrative
5 fees to institutions of higher education that choose to
6 participate in the agreement, not to exceed the amount necessary
7 to pay the administrative costs of the agreement. The department
8 may promulgate final-omitted regulations pursuant to the act of
9 June 25, 1982 (P.L.633, No.181), known as the "Regulatory Review
10 Act," necessary to implement this subsection, provided that such
11 final-omitted regulations shall expire June 30, 2018. After June
12 30, 2018, any revisions to the administrative fees charged under
13 this subsection shall be made through regulations promulgated
14 under the Regulatory Review Act.
15 (c) The Postsecondary Distance Education Interstate
16 Reciprocity Agreement Restricted Receipts Account is established
17 as a special restricted receipts account within the General Fund
18 of the State Treasury, from which the Department of Education
19 may draw moneys for the purpose of agreement expenses, the costs
20 of administering and implementing the agreement and all other
21 costs associated with the activities of the department related
22 to implementation of this section. This account shall consist of
23 all administrative fees deposited under subsection (b) and State
24 funds appropriated for use under this section. The restricted
25 receipts account shall be subject to audit by the Auditor
26 General.
27 (d) For purposes of this section, "institution of higher
28 education" shall have the meaning given in section 118.
29 Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
20150HB1552PN2178 -2-
PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 497 PRINTER'S NO. 1315
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
501No. Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY EICHELBERGER, SCARNATI, BARTOLOTTA, YAW, AUMENT,
CORMAN, FOLMER, WHITE, SMUCKER, HUTCHINSON, STEFANO, ALLOWAY,
VULAKOVICH, GORDNER, MENSCH AND WAGNER, FEBRUARY 20, 2015
AS AMENDED ON THIRD CONSIDERATION, OCTOBER 13, 2015
AN ACT
1 Providing for protection of paychecks of certain workers, AND <--
2 for the collection of membership dues and political <--
3 contributions; and repealing certain provisions of The <--
4 Administrative Code of 1929 and the Public Employee Fair
5 Share Fee Law.
6 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
7 hereby enacts as follows:
8 Section 1. Short title.
9 This act shall be known and may be cited as the Protection of
10 Employee Wages Act OR MARY'S LAW. <--
11 Section 2. Public policy.
12 The General Assembly finds and declares that it is the public
13 policy of this Commonwealth and the purpose of this act to
14 promote orderly and constructive relationships between employers
15 and their employees and that this overall policy may be
16 accomplished, at least in part, by ensuring public employers do
17 not collect money intended for political or other inappropriate
18 purposes from the wages of public employees.
19 Section 3. Definitions.
1 The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
2 have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
3 context clearly indicates otherwise:
4 "Employee organization." An organization of any kind, or any <--
5 agency or employee representation committee or plan in which
6 membership includes public employees, and which exists for the
7 purpose, in whole or in part, of dealing with employers
8 concerning grievances, employee-employer disputes, wages, rates
9 of pay, hours of employment or conditions of work. The term does
10 not include an organization which practices discrimination in
11 membership because of race, color, creed, national origin or
12 political affiliation.
13 "Fair share fee." The regular membership dues required of
14 members of an employee organization acting as exclusive
15 representative less the cost for the previous fiscal year of its
16 activities or undertakings which were not reasonably employed to
17 implement or effectuate the duties of the employee organization
18 as exclusive representative. This definition shall stand in pari
19 materia with the definition of "fair share fee" in section 2215
20 of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The
21 Administrative Code of 1929, and the definition of "fair share
22 fee" in section 2 of the act of June 2, 1993 (P.L.45, No.15),
23 known as the Public Employee Fair Share Fee Law.
24 "Management level employee." An individual who is involved
25 directly in the determination of policy or who responsibly
26 directs the implementation of policy. The term includes an
27 employee above the first level of supervision.
28 "Political contribution." Money or funds appropriated to be
29 used for:
30 (1) a contribution, as defined in section 1621 of the
20150SB0501PN1315 -2-
1 act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the
2 Pennsylvania Election Code;
3 (2) an independent expenditure, as defined in section
4 1621 of the Pennsylvania Election Code;
5 (3) an expenditure, as defined in section 1621 of the
6 Pennsylvania Election Code;
7 (4) lobbying, as defined in 65 Pa.C.S. § 13A03 (relating
8 to definitions);
9 (5) a voter registration drive;
10 (6) a get-out-the-vote drive; or
11 (7) any other electoral, political or legislative
12 purpose.
13 "Public employee." An individual employed by a public
14 employer. The term does not include an elected official, <--
15 appointee of the Governor with the advice and consent of the
16 Senate as required by law, management level employee or any
17 employee covered under the act of June 24, 1968 (P.L.237,
18 No.111), referred to as the Policemen and Firemen Collective
19 Bargaining Act., INCLUDING A PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEE UNDER THE <--
20 ACT OF MARCH 10, 1949 (P.L.30, NO.14), KNOWN AS THE PUBLIC
21 SCHOOL CODE OF 1949.
22 "Public employer." The Commonwealth, A POLITICAL <--
23 SUBDIVISION, a school district, and any officer, board,
24 commission, agency, authority or other instrumentality thereof.
25 "Wages." Hourly rates of pay, salary or other form of
26 compensation due to an employee for services rendered.
27 Section 3 4. Protection of public employee wages. <--
28 (a) Paycheck protection.--A public employer may not deduct
29 from the wages of a public employee, including, without <--
30 limitation, public school employees covered by the act of March
20150SB0501PN1315 -3-
1 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of
2 1949, political contributions, fair share fees or membership
3 dues, MONEY OR FUNDS TO BE USED FOR POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS, <--
4 except as required by a valid collective bargaining agreement
5 entered into between a public employer and a representative of
6 its employees prior to the effective date of this section. <--
7 (b) Collective bargaining.--A collective bargaining THIS <--
8 SECTION. NO INDIVIDUAL OR ORGANIZATION SHALL SEEK TO HAVE A
9 POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION DEDUCTED FROM THE WAGES OF A PUBLIC
10 EMPLOYEE. A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING agreement entered into,
11 renewed or extended on or after the effective date of this
12 section shall not contain provisions authorizing or requiring
13 the deduction of political contributions., fair share fees or <--
14 membership dues deductions from a public employee's wages,
15 including, without limitation, public school employees covered
16 by the Public School Code of 1949.
17 (c) Nonapplicability.--This section shall not apply to:
18 (1) employees of a public employer who are not permitted
19 to strike pursuant to section 1001 of the act of July 23,
20 1970 (P.L.563, No.195), known as the Public Employe Relations
21 Act; or
22 (2) employees of a public employer who are subject to
23 the act of June 24, 1968 (P.L.237, No.111), referred to as
24 the Policemen and Firemen Collective Bargaining Act.
25 Section 4. Repeals.
26 Repeals are as follows:
27 (1) The General Assembly declares that the repeals under
28 paragraph (2) are necessary to effectuate this act.
29 (2) The following sections are repealed:
30 (i) Section 2215(c) of the act of April 9, 1929
20150SB0501PN1315 -4-
1 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of
2 1929.
3 (ii) Section 4(a) of the act of June 2, 1993
4 (P.L.45, No.15), known as the Public Employee Fair Share
5 Fee Law.
6 (B) APPLICABILITY.--NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE <--
7 CONSTRUED TO PRECLUDE A PUBLIC EMPLOYER FROM:
8 (1) DEDUCTING A DESIGNATED AMOUNT FOR A CHARITABLE
9 CONTRIBUTION EXPRESSLY AUTHORIZED BY AN EMPLOYEE; OR
10 (2) IF REQUIRED TO DO SO BY A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
11 AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO WITH A REPRESENTATIVE OF ITS
12 EMPLOYEES, DEDUCTING FROM THE WAGES OF AN EMPLOYEE
13 ORGANIZATION MEMBER AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO, BUT NOT GREATER THAN,
14 A "FAIR SHARE FEE" AS DEFINED IN SECTION 2215(A) OF THE ACT
15 OF APRIL 9, 1929 (P.L.177, NO.175), KNOWN AS THE
16 ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF 1929, AND SECTION 2 OF THE ACT OF JUNE
17 2, 1993 (P.L.45, NO.15), KNOWN AS THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEE FAIR
18 SHARE FEE LAW.
19 Section 5. Effective date.
20 This act shall take effect as follows:
21 (1) Section 3 4 shall take effect in 60 days. <--
22 (2) The remainder of this act shall take effect
23 immediately.
20150SB0501PN1315 -5-
Background Information
State FTE
State Operating funding Difference in State
Appropriation Adjusted for FTE between actual
State Operating State FTE CPI Rate of Adjusted for Inflation using and inflation
Appropriation
Year FTEs (FY) funding Inflation Inflation using CPI CPI adjusted
235,741,000
2009-10 235,741,000 133,046 $1,772
2010-11 212,167,000
2011-12 212,167,000 132,423 $1,780 1.6% 235,741,000 $1,800 (20)
2012-13 212,167,000
2013-14 215,667,000 125,778 $1,687 3.2% 239,512,856 $1,858 (171)
2014-15
120,701 $1,758 2.1% 247,177,267 $1,897 (139)
114,359 $1,855 1.5% 252,367,990 $1,925 (70)
113,522 $1,900 1.6% 256,153,510 $1,956 (56)
2015-16 Request & Rec 230,723,000 113,522 $2,032 0.5% 260,251,966 $1,966 67
2015-16 Vetoed 222,137,000 113,522 $1,957 $1,966 (9)
2016-17 Request 242,259,000 113,522 $2,134 0.5% 261,553,226 $1,976 158
2016-17 Gov Proposed 235,741,000 113,522 $2,077 $1,976 101
Recommended Components of a Free Community College Proposal
Required Program Elements. At a minimum, student eligibility should be based on the following factors:
a) Be a resident of Pennsylvania and/or students with family veteran status.
b) Provide evidence of a high school diploma or its equivalent within 12 months of initial
enrollment.
c) Complete a FAFSA every year they are enrolled in the program.
d) Accept all offers of available federal, state, institutional and private aid.
e) Enroll in a community college established under Article XIX-A of the Public School
Code. Eligibility should be transferrable to any community college established under
Article XIX-A of the Public School Code.
f) Be pursuing a diploma, certificate, or degree program.
g) Maintain satisfactory academic progress.
h) Complete their studies within a certain time.
Deferment should not be permitted except for students who are active duty members of the United
Stated Armed Services. Students granted a deferment for active duty service should be required to re-
enroll within 12 months of the end of the military service to retain eligibility.
Students who have already been awarded an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree should not be eligible for
the program.
Optional Program Elements. Additional program requirements could be included to target the program
to achieve certain outcomes and/or to reduce the cost. Optional program elements include, but are not
limited to:
a) Enrollment in programs in specific content areas to align with policy priorities.
b) Enrollment in programs with certain types of credentials.
c) Limiting enrollment only to those students who are able to enroll in college-ready
courses without the need for developmental education coursework.
d) A GPA requirement. (Note: President Obama’s proposal includes the maintenance of a
2.5 GPA)
e) A tiered structure that provides different levels of scholarship assistance depending on
enrollment status.
Program Administration. Funds could be appropriated to PHEAA to administer the program on behalf
of the Commonwealth. PHEAA should be required to make a minimum of 3 payments per year to the
colleges to reimburse the colleges for tuition and fee expenses associated with students participating in
the program. Funds appropriated but not used in any one year should not lapse, but should be carried
forward for use in subsequent fiscal years.
Fiscal Impact. The fiscal impact of such a program includes the cost of the tuition and fees paid by the
Commonwealth on behalf of participating students, plus any increases needed in state and federal
(including Pell and SEOG) aid programs to keep average student award levels constant.
3-Year Loan Default Rates FY2012
Number in Default Undergraduate Enrollment
FY2012 2012-13
Community Colleges Volume % of Total Volume % of Total
4,783 210,704
PASSHE 21.4% 25.5%
State-Relateds 2,252 10.1% 111,902 13.6%
Other 1
2,137 9.6% 148,698 18.0%
13,178 59.0% 353,949 42.9%
Institution 3-Year Loan Default Rates 15.00%
COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF BEAVER COUNTY 15.10%
BUCKS COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE 9.60%
BUTLER COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
DELAWARE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE 13.40%
HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College 13.60%
LEHIGH CARBON COMMUNITY COLLEGE 16.10%
LUZERNE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE 13.60%
MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE 11.90%
NORTHAMPTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE 12.70%
PENNSYLVANIA HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE 13.10%
COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF PHILADELPHIA 15.60%
READING AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE 17.50%
WESTMORELAND COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE 25.70%
15.60%
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania 4.90%
California University of Pennsylvania 7.40%
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania 26.80%
Clarion University of Pennsylvania 7.60%
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania 5.20%
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania 9.50%
Indiana University of Pennsylvania 8.80%
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania 5.60%
Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania 6.90%
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania 8.00%
Millersville University of Pennsylvania 5.80%
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania 5.40%
Slippery Rock University 4.40%
West Chester University of Pennsylvania 3.80%
Lincoln University 19.60%
Pennsylvania State University 5.70%
Temple University 5.00%
University of Pittsburgh 4.30%
1 Other includes For-Profit, Private, and Public not listed above.
Sources: Three-year Official Cohort Default Rates for Schools, US Department of Education
2012-13 undergraduate enrollment from IPEDS
October 14, 2015
Fall 2015 Enrollment and Credits - Early Reporting 1
Full-Time Headcount Part-Time Headcount Total Headcount Total Credit Volume Average # of Credits
2014 2015 % ∆ 2014 2015 % ∆ 2014 2015 % ∆ 2014 2015 % ∆ 2014 2015
Allegheny 6,199 5,839 -5.8% 10,459 10,267 -1.8% 16,658 16,106 -3.3% 155,336 150,289 -3.2% 9.3 9.3
Beaver
Bucks 975 912 -6.5% 1,315 1,459 11.0% 2,290 2,371 3.5% 22,348 22,267 -0.4% 9.8 9.4
Butler
Delaware 3,714 3,461 -6.8% 5,578 5,421 -2.8% 9,292 8,882 -4.4% 84,147 80,383 -4.5% 9.1 9.1
Harrisburg
Lehigh Carbon 1,842 1,793 -2.7% 1,660 1,861 12.1% 3,502 3,654 4.3% 35,094 35,377 0.8% 10.0 9.7
Luzerne
Montgomery 4,332 3,805 -12.2% 8,127 7,937 -2.3% 12,459 11,742 -5.8% 108,985 100,332 -7.9% 8.7 8.5
Northampton
PA Highlands 6,136 5,514 -10.1% 14,094 13,606 -3.5% 20,230 19,120 -5.5% 169,781 158,822 -6.5% 8.4 8.3
Philadelphia
Reading 2,543 2,583 1.6% 3,846 3,694 -4.0% 6,389 6,277 -1.8% 57,434 57,205 -0.4% 9.0 9.1
Westmoreland
2,972 2,800 -5.8% 3,337 3,181 -4.7% 6,309 5,981 -5.2% 61,980 58,970 -4.9% 9.8 9.9
Totals
4,343 3,898 -10.2% 8,461 8,474 0.2% 12,804 12,372 -3.4% 107,355 102,723 -4.3% 8.4 8.3
4,674 4,752 1.7% 5,967 5,600 -6.2% 10,641 10,352 -2.7% 101,877 101,171 -0.7% 9.6 9.8
934 803 -14.0% 571 463 -18.9% 1,505 1,266 -15.9% 16,357 14,374 -12.1% 10.9 11.4
4,905 5,302 8.1% 14,387 13,754 -4.4% 19,292 19,056 -1.2% 160,342 162,239 1.2% 8.3 8.5
914 937 2.5% 2,852 2,754 -3.4% 3,766 3,691 -2.0% 31,407 30,738 -2.1% 8.3 8.3
2,799 2,616 -6.5% 2,815 2,574 -8.6% 5,614 5,190 -7.6% 55,767 52,006 -6.7% 9.9 10.0
47,282 45,015 -4.8% 83,469 81,045 -2.9% 130,751 126,060 -3.6% 1,168,210 1,126,896 -3.5% 8.9 8.9
1 As of the end of the third week following the start of the semester.
Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges
10/7/2015
Chancellor Brogan calls for even greater creativity, innovation in
‘State of the System’ address
Board Chair Pichini touts increased communication, ‘balance’ between System coordination, local
decision-making
Contact: Kenn Marshall, (717) 720-4054 or (717) 329-0809
Harrisburg – Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education is at a crossroads and must become even more creative and
innovative to ensure both the viability of the System and to best meet the needs of students and the Commonwealth in the future,
Chancellor Frank T. Brogan said today in his second State of the System address.
“We must be willing to challenge every assumption in order to ensure a sustainable future for each of our 14 universities within
the System,” Mr. Brogan said. “We must innovate and collaborate to achieve greater efficiencies as we work to deliver
Pennsylvania’s best value in higher education.”
Mr. Brogan highlighted the many successes the State System experienced over the last year, while also outlining the
opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. He spoke during a luncheon held at the Dixon University Center prior to the
beginning of the two-day, quarterly meetings of the State System’s Board of Governors.
“It’s important for an organization—from time to time—to pause and take stock of itself,” Mr. Brogan said. “That is what we’re
doing here today. We’re here to celebrate our successes of this past year and outline the opportunities and challenges that lie
ahead for us in 2015-16.”
Board of Governors’ Chairman Guido M. Pichini also addressed the audience attending the event, speaking about the Board’s
efforts to increase communication with the campus communities and its commitment to “striking the right balance between
System coordination and local decision-making.”
“In a very real sense, this Board is becoming a model of 21st century governance in higher education,” Mr. Pichini said. “The
Chancellor and our Board recognize that effective leadership cannot be ‘hands-off,’ so we engage with our presidents and
trustees on and off campus throughout the year. We are continuing to work with the universities to identify additional ways they
can benefit from being part of a system while also providing them with greater flexibility in how they operate their campuses.
“With every decision we make—regardless of the issue at hand—we always must ask ourselves: How will this benefit students?
Students are why we are here; we must never forget that.”
Chancellor Brogan picked up where he left off in his first State of the System address.
“When we gathered here a little more than a year ago, I shared our vision to make the State System the most flexible,
collaborative and student-focused university system in America,” Mr. Brogan said. “What does it mean to be student-
focused? Reiterating the chairman’s remarks, ‘In everything we do, we must always remember that we are here for students.’ ”
The caliber of those students is unparalleled, Mr. Brogan said, citing several examples of outstanding student success, including
May graduates Lucy Kauffman and Travonya Kenly, both of whom were recognized earlier this year by the Board of Governors.
Kauffman, a biology major and an outstanding field hockey player at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, was one of only
two recipients of this year’s Walter Byers Scholarship, which is considered the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s top
academic honor. She was just the eighth Division II athlete to receive the prestigious award in its 27-year history. This year’s
other recipient was from the University of Auburn.
Kenly, who earned a degree in environmental biology/ecology from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, won the State System’s
15th Annual Syed R. Ali-Zaidi Award, which is presented each year to a graduating senior at one of the 14 universities in
recognition of outstanding academic achievement and participation in extra- and co-curricular activities. While at Cheyney, she
completed study programs at Duke University, Miami University of Ohio and the University of Oxford, and served internships
with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego and the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology in
Baltimore.
Mr. Brogan noted that State System university students received a number of other prestigious national awards in the past year,
including several Benjamin A. Gilman International scholarships and Fulbright awards. Student athletes from California, Clarion,
Kutztown and Millersville universities all brought home national championships during the 2014-15 academic year.
The chancellor also cited the outstanding efforts of the State System’s “world-class” faculty, including Jonathan Warnock, a
geoscience faculty member at Indiana University of Pennsylvania who spent the summer unearthing and imaging dinosaur bones
from Utah’s Jurassic “Death Pit” and who had his work featured in the July issue of Smithsonian magazine, and Aaron Haines,
an assistant professor of biology at Millersville University of Pennsylvania, who led a class of 13 students from five State System
universities on a field study at Chincoteague Bay Field Station in Wallops Island, Va. Among their research, the group identified
three species that were not previously documented by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
“That last example points to something else we can be especially proud of in the State System—the myriad opportunities our
undergraduate students have to participate in real, practical research,” Mr. Brogan said. “And it’s our faculty who lead those
efforts.”
The State System universities continue to adapt their programming to meet the needs of students and the Commonwealth, Mr.
Brogan said.
“Since July 2014, the Board of Governors has approved 29 new academic programs, including five doctoral degrees,” he said.
“These programs were developed with the future in mind—in fields where there is growing demand for well-educated, well-
trained professionals. A number of these programs are collaborative efforts among two or more State System universities. More
and more, we are recognizing the power of collaboration.”
Over the last five academic years, the 14 State System universities have introduced 276 new degree and certificate programs,
while at the same time they have discontinued 143 programs, placed 246 programs in moratorium and reorganized 99 others to
meet new market demands.
Even more work needs to be done, the chancellor said.
“This year, we’ll take an exponential step forward in ensuring even greater alignment of our degree programs with the demands
of students and the Commonwealth,” Mr. Brogan said. “We’re conducting a system-wide supply/demand gap analysis that will
enable us to see—region by region—the kinds of degree programs that are needed in areas such as science, technology, the arts,
the humanities, health, business, education and so much more.
“This effort underscores why the State System plays such an important role in the economic health of the Commonwealth. In
fact, this year a new economic and workforce impact study was conducted, and the results are impressive. The study found that
the State System generates more than $6.7 billion annually in economic activity across the Commonwealth.”
In addition to the approximately 12,000 employees who work at the universities, the System also supports about 62,000 external
jobs statewide, including with the literally hundreds of small businesses that thrive in the campus communities, the study
reported. Each university has an average economic impact of more than $300 million and supports about 4,400 external jobs in its
community, region and state.
“In the simplest terms, the State System produces nearly $11 of economic impact for every $1 invested by the Commonwealth
through its annual appropriation. That’s a tremendous return on investment,” Mr. Brogan said.
Nearly 90 percent of the students attending the State System universities are Pennsylvania residents and almost 80 percent of
graduates will remain here to live and work after receiving their degree.
“The connection between the State System and Pennsylvania’s economic vitality is undeniable,” Mr. Brogan said. “Our
successes, our challenges, our opportunities are the foundation of Pennsylvania’s future.”
The State System has taken significant steps in recent years to demonstrate those successes, challenges and opportunities,
including being more transparent in everything it does, the chancellor said. That includes the development of individual
university “financial dashboards” and “action plans” that detail the universities’ performance and goals for everyone to see.
“This year, we will extend our efforts toward greater system-wide transparency and accountability by building a Student Success
Dashboard,” Mr. Brogan said. “This will help us track the progress we are making on metrics such as graduation rates, time to
degree, retention rates and more.”
The System also will take major steps to update its nationally recognized performance funding program, now nearly two decades
old.
While calling for increased support from the state—following four straight years of level funding and a nearly $90 million
funding cut the year before that—the chancellor acknowledged that the System also must be more creative with the resources it
has.
“Our system is at a crossroads,” Mr. Brogan said. “We have accomplished much this past year, but there is more work ahead of
us. With any new investment from the Commonwealth must come an expectation for continued innovation on our part as a
System. With that in mind, this year we will tackle the need to expand online learning opportunities and also take time to review
our general education program.”
The universities’ current enrollments reflect the fact that fewer high school graduates are coming out of Pennsylvania’s high
schools. In the next few years, those numbers are expected to turn slightly upward, and enrollment in the State System
universities likely will follow.
“The decisions we make today will determine what kind of System we will be when those numbers start to turn around,” said Mr.
Brogan. “While we have high hopes for new state investment in our state universities—and we appreciate everything the
Governor and General Assembly are doing to make that happen—we cannot simply rely on more money as a panacea.”
While it is important that the universities continue to serve their traditional student base, they must do more to make themselves
more accessible to community college transfer students and adult learners who want to pursue a degree while maintaining their
careers and families, Mr. Brogan continued.
“This will require us to offer more programs in flexible times, places and modes of delivery,” he said. “Think about this: there are
more than 1 million Pennsylvanians who started a degree but never finished. We must reach out to those individuals to let them
know they have options at a State System university, and ensure we are organized in a way to meet their needs.
“If we do the hard work and rethink how we approach our business model, I firmly believe we could significantly increase the
number of transfers and non-traditional students we serve. Right now, we must be ready and able to make some hard decisions
about the programs we offer, the way we’re organized, and how we operate to ensure we are as effective and efficient as possible.
“We owe that to our students. We owe that to the communities we serve. We owe that to the Commonwealth.”
Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth, with about
107,000 degree-seeking students and thousands more who are enrolled in certificate and other career-development programs.
Collectively, the 14 universities that comprise the State System offer more than 2,300 degree and certificate programs in more
than 530 academic areas. Nearly 520,000 State System university alumni live in Pennsylvania.
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. 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.
State universities to ask for $521
million in state aid
State System of Higher Education officials hope that telling lawmakers that one in five bachelor's degrees awarded in
Pennsylvania come from one of its 14 universities will help convince them to provide $521 million in state support next
year. (File photo/PennLive.com )
By Jan Murphy | [email protected]
Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on October 08, 2015 at 6:39 PM, updated October 09, 2015 at 7:33 AM
Based on the theory if you don't ask, you don't get, the State System of
Higher Education decided to make a big ask of the state for funding in
2016-17.
Despite not knowing how much the system will receive this year because of the
late state budget, its board on Thursday approved asking state lawmakers and
Gov. Tom Wolf to invest $521.2 million next year into the state-owned
universities.
That is $108.4 million than it received last year. Based on an assumption the
system will receive a $20.6 million (a 5 percent) increase in the yet-to-be
finalized state budget for this year, that means it is asking for an $87.8 million
increase in 2016-17.
"It's not asking for any more than the system needs to operate," said board
Chairman Guido Pichini, after the meeting. "I think we truly make a difference
in students' lives in Pennsylvania. Students who may not have the opportunity
to go to another college get an education and become successful citizens of
Pennsylvania."
The system has been operating for the last four years on the same amount of
state aid it received in 1997-98. In 2011, it saw a near 20 percent cut in its
state funding and has not seen an increase since.
But despite the fact that the system can advertise that most of its graduates
remain in Pennsylvania and one in five bachelor degrees issued in this state
come from one of its 14 universities, Wolf's representative on the system board
Sarah Galbally indicated her boss is going to need more convincing.
She was the lone vote against making the request for what it anticipates would
be $87.8 million increase, assuming the system receives what it expects in the
finalized 2015-16 budget.
"This is a really large budget request," said Wolf spokesman Jeff
Sheridan who spoke on Galbally's behalf. "They didn't provide
detail about why they need that much money."
"This is a really large budget request." Gov. Tom
Wolf's spokesman Jeff Sheridan
The request followed a Wednesday discussion where some board members
encouraged the system administration to ask for more than the $37.2 million
it said was needed to fill an anticipated budgetary hole next year.
System officials said that figure reflects anticipated cost increases for health
insurance, pension contributions, utilities and compensation. But the biggest
uncertainty is the yet-to-be settled contracts with the system's faculty and
coaches, which expired June 30.
The additional $50.6 million being requested would go toward "operational
improvement," "potential changes in compensation" and "operational and
structural changes." That was the part that Sheridan said Galbally felt
demanded further explanation.
But board member Ron Henry, who chairs the board's finance, administration
and facilities committee, described the system's relationship with the state as
at a crossroads.
"We're at an important point where the commonwealth ... has to determine
what the appropriate role is of the commonwealth in funding its system of
higher education," Henry said.
He said he was optimistic the system could avoid a tuition increase next year if
it convinced Wolf and the General Assembly to provide the system with the
requested increase. The system raised tuition by 3.5 percent this
year, increasing the in-state undergraduate base rate to $7,060.
One lawmaker that the board already has on its side is Rep. Matt Baker, R-
Tioga, a board member, who was fully supportive of making the near $90
million request.
"We are in dire need of additional funding and revenue that is predictable and
sustaining for universities going forward," he said. "Notwithstanding the
austerity budgets and cuts and good faith efforts we're making, we really
desperately need sustainable revenue to sustain this system going forward."
Faculty union President Ken Mash applauded the board for pushing to seek
the funding the system needs.
He said in the end the system may have no other option than to raise tuition
and fees "and continue to privatize our universities and to acknowledge that
truly public higher education is nearing its death," but first he urged system
officials to make their case for more money loudly and forcibly.
The system that enrolls over 100,000 students includes Bloomsburg,
California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown,
Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock, and West
Chester universities.
Pennsylvania university enrollments
continue to decline
Barry Reeger | Tribune-Review
Frank Brogan, the chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, warned this week
that the state university system must become more creative and innovative to survive and meet the needs
of students in an era of declining enrollment.
By Debra Erdley
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015, 10:57 p.m.
Chancellor Frank Brogan warned Wednesday that the state university system must become more
creative and innovative to survive and meet the needs of students in an era of declining enrollment.
“We must be willing to challenge every assumption in order to ensure a sustainable future for each
of our 14 universities within the system,” Brogan said in his annual State of the System address. “We
must innovate and collaborate to achieve greater efficiencies as we work to deliver Pennsylvania's
best value in higher education.”
State universities have suffered declining enrollment for five consecutive years. State reports show
enrollment declined 2.3 percent, from 109,606 in September 2014, to 107,126 this fall. Enrollment
has declined 10 percent from a high of 119,513 in 2010.
Only one of the schools, West Chester University in suburban Philadelphia, posted increased
enrollment during that time, growing 15 percent, from 14,490 students in 2010 to 16,606 this fall.
Some seven miles away from West Chester at Cheyney University, the system's only historically
black university, enrollment has dropped 55 percent from 1,586 in 2010 to 711 this fall. Officials
there await a response from the federal Department of Education to an audit that found the school
failed to keep adequate records to document $29.6 million in federal grants and loans awarded to
students in 2011-12 and 2013-14.
Officials say the declining enrollment reflects a shrinking pool of high school graduates in
Pennsylvania. State residents make up about 88 percent of the enrollment at the universities , which
include California, Clarion, Edinboro, Indiana and Slippery Rock in Western Pennsylvania.
Though not unexpected, the enrollment declines have hit hard at the schools, which depend on
tuition for about 75 percent of their revenue. Declining enrollment followed an 18 percent reduction in
state support for the schools in 2011 and stagnant state subsidies in the interim.
Despite those hurdles, Brogan said the universities are adapting to the changing landscape and
aligning programs to student demands.
“Since July 2014, the Board of Governors has approved 29 new academic programs, including five
doctoral degrees,” he said. “These programs were developed with the future in mind — in fields
where there is growing demand for well-educated, well-trained professionals. A number of these
programs are collaborative efforts among two or more State System universities. More and more, we
are recognizing the power of collaboration.”
Despite the challenges the schools have faced over the last five academic years, Brogan said the
universities have introduced 276 new degree and certificate programs. At the same time, they have
discontinued 143 programs, placed 246 programs in moratorium and reorganized 99 others to meet
market demands.
“We're conducting a system-wide supply/demand gap analysis that will enable us to see — region by
region — the kinds of degree programs that are needed in areas such as science, technology, the
arts, the humanities, health, business, education and so much more,” Brogan said.
Debra Erdley is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 412-320-7996
[email protected]
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