Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education

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Not to be confused with Pennsylvania's Commonwealth System of Higher Education.

Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE)

Established July 1, 1983
Type Public University System
Endowment US$
Chancellor Dr. Judy Hample
Faculty 12,169
Students 109,000
Location Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA
Campus 14 campuses
Website www.passhe.edu

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the 11th largest public university system in the United States. The system comprises 14 state-funded schools, all of which are NCAA Division II members.

Contents

[edit] History

The Normal School Act of 1857 created regional teacher training institutions, called normal schools, across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to prepare educators for the Commonwealth's public school systems. Afterward, the School Code of 1911 mandated that the Commonwealth purchase all the normal schools. The normal schools evolved from state normal schools, to state teacher's colleges, to state colleges. Act 188, which was signed into law on November 12, 1982 and came into effect on July 1, 1983, established the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, and converted those state colleges into universities.

[edit] Schools

The System is a composition of the following 14 universities in Pennsylvania:

The System also includes four branch campuses, several regional centers and the McKeever Environmental Learning Center. The Office of the Chancellor is situated in the capital city of Harrisburg at the Dixon University Center.

[edit] Mission

As established by the founding legislation, Act 188 of 1982, the primary mission of the State System of Higher Education "is the provision of instruction for undergraduate and graduate students to and beyond the Master's degree in the liberal arts and sciences, and in the applied fields, including the teaching profession." Additionally, the purpose of PASSHE is "to provide high quality education at the lowest possible cost to students."

[edit] Governance

A 20-member Board of Governors, which comprises four legislators, three students, the governor of the Commonwealth (or a designee), the Secretary of Education (or a designee), and 11 citizens appointed by the governor, set general policy for PASSHE.

The board appoints the chancellor, who serves as the chief executive officer of PASSHE, and the university presidents. The chancellor is an ex-officio member of each council.

[edit] Current enrollment and alumni

A total of 107,251 undergraduate and graduate, part-time and full-time, students attend PASSHE universities. More than 90 percent are in-state students and 64 percent remain in Pennsylvania after graduation. There are more than 617,000 PASSHE alumni, including more than 405,000 who live in Pennsylvania.

[edit] Facilities and employees

The total university campus comprises approximately 4,700 acres (19 km²). A total of 862 buildings with nearly 25 million square feet (2.3 km²) house classrooms, residences, administrative offices, and student support services. PASSHE employs more than 12,169 professional and support staff, most covered by collective bargaining agreements, making it the 16th largest employer in the Commonwealth!

[edit] Costs

Tuition at System universities is $4,906 per year for Pennsylvania undergraduate students and from $7,360 to $12,266 per year for nonresident students. The graduate student tuition is $5,888 per year, Pennsylvania, and $9,422 per year, out-of-state. Resident students also pay a $125-a-year instructional technology fee; nonresidents, $188. Board and room charges vary, as do local fees. Students may apply for a variety of state and federal financial assistance programs, and campus scholarships, grants and loans.

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Public universities in Pennsylvania
State-related Lincoln • Penn State • Pitt • Temple
State-funded Bloomsburg • Cal U • Cheyney • Clarion • East Stroudsburg • Edinboro • IUP • Kutztown • Lock Haven • Mansfield • Millersville • Shippensburg • Slippery Rock • West Chester
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