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
Chancellor: Dr. Judy Hample, Dr. John C. Cavanaugh (designate)
Vice-Chancellor: Dr. Peter Garland
Faculty: 5,500[1]
Students: 110,428 [1]
Location: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA
Campus: 14 campuses
Affiliations: NCAA D-II; PSAC Keystone Library Network
Website: http://www.passhe.edu/

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

Contents

[edit] History

The Normal School Act of 1857 was passed on the last day of session on 20 May 1857. [2] Its passage created 12 normal school districts in the state in which to establish private corporations answerable to the State Superintendent of Common Schools. [3] 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] Universities and Locations

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

Universities

Centers

Related Organizations

PASSHE universities also operate four branch campuses. 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." [4]

[edit] Governance

A 20-member Board of Governors oversees the system. Additional power is vested in the Councils of Trustees at the constituent universities.

Board of Governor's membership includes: four state legislators, three students, the Governor of the Commonwealth (or a designee), the Pennsylvania Secretary of Education (or a designee), and 11 citizens appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state senate. [5]

The Board of Governors sets general policy for PASSHE. It also appoints the chancellor, who serves as the system's chief executive officer, and the university presidents. The chancellor is an ex-officio member of each university's Council of Trustees.

[edit] People

[edit] Roll of Chancellors

  • Dr. John C. Cavanaugh; Chancellor-designate, Jul 2008-
  • Dr. Judy G. Hample; Chancellor, 2001-2008
  • Dr. James H. McCormick; founding Chancellor, 1983-2001

[edit] Board of Governors

  • Chairman Kenneth M. Jarin, J.D.
  • Vice Chairman C.R. "Chuck" Pennoni, M.S.
  • Vice Chairman Aaron A. Walton, M.S.
  • Hon. Matthew E. Baker
  • Marie Conley Lammando B.A.
  • Paul S. Dlugolecki
  • Daniel P. Elby
  • Ryan Gebely, student member
  • Hon. Michael K. Hanna J.D.
  • Hon. Vincent J. Hughes
  • Kim E. Lyttle
  • Josh O'Brien, student member
  • Joseph M. Peltzer, student member
  • Guido M. Pichini B.S.
  • Hon. Edward G. Rendell J.D., Governor of the Commonwealth
  • Christine J. Toretti Olson
  • Hon. Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Education
  • vacant
  • vacant
  • Vacant

[edit] Current enrollment and alumni

More than 109,000 undergraduate and graduate, part-time and full-time, students attend PASSHE universities. More than 90 percent are in-commonwealth 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. The various libraries are connected through the cooperative Keystone Library Network.

[edit] Costs

Tuition at System universities is $5,177 per year for Pennsylvanian undergraduate students and from $7,766 to $12,944 per year for nonresident students. The graduate student tuition is $5,888 per year for Pennsylvanians, and $9,422 per year for out-of-commonwealth students. Pennsylvanian students also pay a $175 annual instructional technology fee, which is $264 for nonresidents. Board and room charges vary, as do local fees. Students may apply for a variety of commonwealth and federal financial assistance programs and campus scholarships, as well as grants and loans.

[edit] References

  1. ^ PASSHE Fact Sheet, available at http://www.passhe.edu/content/?/about/facts, retrieved 16 Dec 2007.
  2. ^ John Edward Merryman, The Indiana Story 1875-1975: Pennsylvania's first state university... Clearfield, Pennsylvania: Kurtz Brothers, 1976(p. 18).
  3. ^ Merryman, pp. 18-20
  4. ^ PASSHE Board of Governors, Leading the Way, Jul 2004.
  5. ^ Pennsylvania General Assembly, "Act 188 of 1982." Available at: http://www.passhe.edu/content/?/about/act188

[edit] External links

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Public universities in Pennsylvania