As the State System of Higher Education continues its strategic redesign, the state legislature will weigh in tomorrow with the unveiling of a report on the future of the state-owned universities.
The report, titled, “Promoting the Long-Term Sustainability and Viability of Universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education” is the result of a study begun last summer by the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee, and includes all fourteen State System universities, along with the four state-related universities, the Thaddeus Stevens College of technology, the Rural Regional College of Northern Pennsylvania, and the Allegheny College of Maryland.
The mandate given to the committee last year called for a detailed assessment of projected revenue and expenses for at least the next five years; college affordability over the next five years; and the potential for improved efficiencies and overall cost reductions.
Other components of the study include a report on shared governance; current and future infrastructure needs; the contributions made by any contributing agencies and organizations, such as foundations; best practices used in other states; and perhaps most importantly from a legislative perspective, the adequacy of state support for institutions of higher education, particularly those owned by the state.
The report will be detailed in a public hearing at the State Capitol tomorrow morning at 9:30 and will be available online at the websites of each of the legislative caucuses.
