PASSHE Institutions Merging

[ctrabs74]

So there you have it...something with overwhelming public comments against...has PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

[complaint_hopeful]

Dan Greenstein
@dan_greenstein1m
Humbled by opportunity to work with colleagues across
@statesystem
re-imagining PA's public #highered for students now and into future. Appreciate hard work of 1k people in our planning, and thoughtful comments from so many whose passion I share for our mission. Onward.

[complaint_hopeful]

Hannah and Dale named Interim Presidents at their Triad.

[complaint_hopeful]

So there you have it...something with overwhelming public comments against...has PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

[complaint_hopeful]

All 3 student governors are for it. They're excited about it.

[complaint_hopeful]

Pretty clear that many BOG members feel they are doing something really historic and changing.

[complaint_hopeful]

Well in the Open Comments...pretty clear that atleast 2 of the student governors are on board. One said that 'There should be joy in this'.

[complaint_hopeful]

They had about 5 Presidents read statements in favor of the consolidation. They've also painted a picture that delaying this further will hurt other non-Triad schools.

Open discussion now.

Interestingly, I feel like the Students may actually be for this more than I thought. I feel like some of the politicians may not be.

I still think it passes. It may pass unanimously.

[complaint_hopeful]

Sometimes when a BOG member asks a question that may be viewed as negative against the plan...Shapira jumps in and answers too I noticed.

But, there are some BOG (particularly the politicians) that are asking questions about concerns. (Mostly about local communities).

[complaint_hopeful]

A Clarion Trustee called in for it also.

[complaint_hopeful]

Wow. Edinboro's COT Chair just called in for the Integration too.

[complaint_hopeful]

But its emblematic of the whole problem with the triads. We're expecting schools that have underperformed on recruiting & retaining students to suddenly reverse course just because they have a new name & shared leadership team. Very little else is changing.

Indeed...and with the same management teams!

I read another comment that was like: Hey, why don't you do a search for new leadership that can run a successful school.

[Fightingscot82]

Retention rates listed for the gang of six.

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/ed...s/202107110209

Would be good to also see their Pell percentages too. At one point Edinboro had the second-highest percentage of Pell eligible students. Those are the least wealthy families and the least likely to be able to continue or make it to graduation. Plus grad rate includes transfers, drop outs, fail outs, etc. and excludes part-time, adults, international, and transfers. Its percentage of full-time freshmen who graduate from the same school with 6 years of starting. Most of us know someone who changed their major and it extended their time. There should be an "average time to graduation" metric for schools to report.

The system-wide rates aren't terrible and are pretty much in line with other similar schools elsewhere, public and private.

[Fightingscot82]

I think as I skimmed through batch 3 of the comments that I read a comment for the Integration from a VP there. Basically that the Integration was their best hope to analyze issues and implement some new thinking/strategy going forward.

Yeah their VP of Finance. I was surprised to read that too. Edinboro's case started with strategic whiplash and was compounded by very poor performance in recruiting new students and creating a student experience that kept them there. Worst part is that people on campus know it to be true and feel powerless or voiceless. I believe Edinboro could rebound if they just got people in there to do the job right. The financial problem and the enrollment problems are symbiotic. The housing debt isn't a problem if they figured out how to fill beds. I'd be interested in knowing under the current budget what the "break-even" enrollment would be to end the deficit budgets.

But its emblematic of the whole problem with the triads. We're expecting schools that have underperformed on recruiting & retaining students to suddenly reverse course just because they have a new name & shared leadership team. Very little else is changing.

[complaint_hopeful]

I doubt it. Students are face-value yes men on these things. They are afraid to rock the boat with all the suits around. One of the student members is an Edinboro student. I doubt he votes no. Edinboro has been strangely rosy about this - except faculty and alumni.

I think as I skimmed through batch 3 of the comments that I read a comment for the Integration from a VP there. Basically that the Integration was their best hope to analyze issues and implement some new thinking/strategy going forward.