Re: All 14 SSHE schools will close in 4 years?
Yeah but its deeper than you describe. Look at Mansfield - there's not much going on in that area but the university employs roughly 350 people. Its safe to assume that a lot of them make above the county's average income of $49,745. If Mansfield closes, that's not just good paying jobs but there's a ripple effect of spouse's jobs and access to things like quality healthcare. You'll also see home values decrease as the amount of vacant housing stock increases. People won't just have to move but they also won't be able to sell their house at true value. Then when the local tax-based entities lose tax revenue they further cut services like emergency response and police. Something unique is that with the exception of Cheyney each PASSHE university was independently founded by its surrounding community only to be acquired by the state in the early 1900s. Their locations weren't decided by someone in Harrisburg or State College or a wealthy donor saying he wanted a college in his town.
If we look at history, I don't think enrollment matters as long as the campus can balance its budget. Shouldn't that be all that matters? If state park usage was down 20% over five years would the legislature spend $200k studying what to do with them?
Originally posted by boatcapt
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If we look at history, I don't think enrollment matters as long as the campus can balance its budget. Shouldn't that be all that matters? If state park usage was down 20% over five years would the legislature spend $200k studying what to do with them?
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