PASSHE Institutions Merging

[Ship69]

I think its gotta be a little bit of both.

Potential students are more sophisticated about what they want to study but its become more linear. Civil Engineering means I'll be a Civil Engineer. Nursing means I'll be a nurse. Sociology or Literature don't have that linear path and help underscore the idea that non-linear programs are useless and the Starbucks barista with $100,000 in loan debt. In those programs that require some advanced aptitude like math or molecular biology, we're mostly getting students who need location or price above all else. Our core demographic sees college as career prep not "an education" so programs need to be a little more applied and job focused. That doesn't need to change much - required capstone experiences instead of free electives would be fine. That way the English Literature major can either do a career-related internship if that's what they want or they can do an undergraduate thesis if that is closer to their intended use of the degree. Regardless, the marketing, sales pitch, and value proposition of PASSHE is price. Our base price is lower than every other 4 year college or university in Pennsylvania, and that's before you consider the fact that PASSHE faculty have higher rates of holding terminal degrees, our schools use far less adjunct/part-time faculty than most schools and we also don't allow grad students to teach classes. So in theory you're getting more reliable teaching for a lower price.

Most students leave because they run out of money. Since our mission & core demographic are more financially sensitive, that won't change. Most universities with similar history and mission have similar retention & graduation numbers. Its why a lot of presidents have tried making our schools more expensive to attract students from wealthier households.

I'm a guy who had an English-History concentration in school and occasionally hears smart remarks at reunions and other get-togethers to the tune of, "Oh, you're an English major and you actually had a job?" Actually, I never lacked a job over a period of 45 years, and none of the humanities majors I know of from my class have had any problem, either. Employers look for people who can communicate and who are adaptable. A strong work ethic doesn't hurt. Changing demographics in the U.S. should ensure a strong job market for college graduates for some time. If nothing else, there is a tremendous demand for teachers in almost all subjects.

[iupgroundhog]

Here's an article about a relevant development. Hope you can open it.

https://www.lockhaven.com/news/local...ased-learning/

State system looks to work-based learning

LOCAL NEWS
MAR 5, 2024
FROM STAFF REPORTS


HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and the PASSHE Foundation are launching a pilot initiative with major employers to increase work-based learning that provides real-world experiences for PASSHE university students.

Work-based learning, including paid internships and apprenticeships, enhances a student’s higher education and launches graduates into better jobs with higher incomes, which positively impacts their long-term earnings and economic mobility, a release from PASSHE noted.

Highmark Health is the initial partner employer and PASSHE invites other statewide and regional employers to join the initiative. Strada Education Foundation awarded a $750,000 grant to support the pilot project.

“At Strada, our mission is to strengthen connections between education after high school and opportunity, with a focus on helping people who face the greatest challenges. PASSHE has delivered on its commitments to advancing social mobility, and we are pleased to partner with the State System through this investment,” said Stephen Moret, president and CEO of Strada Education Foundation. “Our research demonstrates the impact of work-based learning on student outcomes. We are delighted to support the State System in expanding students’ participation in these opportunities.”

The pilot includes five State System universities from different regions of Pennsylvania: Cheyney (southeast), Commonwealth (north central), East Stroudsburg (northeast), Slippery Rock (west), and Shippensburg (central). PASSHE intends to expand the initiative to all 10 State System universities after the pilot is complete.

“The State System is incredibly excited to partner with Highmark Health and the Strada Education Foundation on this innovative initiative,” said PASSHE Chancellor Dan Greenstein. “With 14 legacy campuses throughout the state, PASSHE is uniquely positioned to partner with employers in Pennsylvania. Together, we can connect classroom learning with real-work experiences and strategically build a better process for connecting students and employers. Ultimately, that will help launch more students into great careers and provide the workforce talent that employers need.”

The three-year pilot will reach more than 1,000 students, beginning in Fall 2024.

“Highmark Health is proud to partner with PASSHE to support this initiative to combine classroom learning with work-based experiences for State System university students,” said Dan Onorato, executive vice president, chief corporate affairs officer, Highmark Health. “Our team members are transforming healthcare, and this collaboration will help us share that valuable experience with PASSHE students and meet skilled and motivated people who after graduation might join our world-class workforce.”

[Fightingscot82]

This is where the mistakes have been made. There is this disconnect in campus administration between what potential employers want and what HS seniors think they want. Its all about the metrics and what admins choose when evaluating their programs. For instance, premed programs get lots of Freshman, but not so many graduates. mediocre Admins look at this, and see a huge problem with retention. So they put pressure on the program, which changes requirements, and suddenly they graduate more but fewer actually get into med school. Passhe was playing whack a mole with these metrics, and the school admins went along, all the time, cutting budgets from Harrisburg. This decline didn't happen when demographics were bad in 2005 before the millennials started coming.

I think its gotta be a little bit of both.

Potential students are more sophisticated about what they want to study but its become more linear. Civil Engineering means I'll be a Civil Engineer. Nursing means I'll be a nurse. Sociology or Literature don't have that linear path and help underscore the idea that non-linear programs are useless and the Starbucks barista with $100,000 in loan debt. In those programs that require some advanced aptitude like math or molecular biology, we're mostly getting students who need location or price above all else. Our core demographic sees college as career prep not "an education" so programs need to be a little more applied and job focused. That doesn't need to change much - required capstone experiences instead of free electives would be fine. That way the English Literature major can either do a career-related internship if that's what they want or they can do an undergraduate thesis if that is closer to their intended use of the degree. Regardless, the marketing, sales pitch, and value proposition of PASSHE is price. Our base price is lower than every other 4 year college or university in Pennsylvania, and that's before you consider the fact that PASSHE faculty have higher rates of holding terminal degrees, our schools use far less adjunct/part-time faculty than most schools and we also don't allow grad students to teach classes. So in theory you're getting more reliable teaching for a lower price.

Most students leave because they run out of money. Since our mission & core demographic are more financially sensitive, that won't change. Most universities with similar history and mission have similar retention & graduation numbers. Its why a lot of presidents have tried making our schools more expensive to attract students from wealthier households.

[ironmaniup]

. . . . Moving departments, combining departments, and trimming superfluous majors. But the future is applied job-ready or grad school-ready majors, mid-career upskilling and pivot credentials, and collaborative programs. That's not happening. Not anywhere. No matter what some campus president says to a reporter. I'll pick on IUP. They have a nationally-known master's program for working in student services at universities led by a known expert. IUP also has a doctoral program in "Administration and Leadership" that is popular with people working within PASSHE because they can use their tuition waiver benefit. But the master's program is in a separate department than the doctoral program, the curriculum doesn't align, and faculty don't overlap. The doctoral program also insists on meeting in person on Fridays and Saturdays, meaning you have to be within driving distance of campus for a program that isn't hands on. Pitt for example, has online courses during the week with one full Saturday a month for the same program making the personal commitment less for a more prestigious degree (at a higher cost). I'm into the weeds of my professional field but it shows that all current assumptions and models have to be blown up and rethought.

This is where the mistakes have been made. There is this disconnect in campus administration between what potential employers want and what HS seniors think they want. Its all about the metrics and what admins choose when evaluating their programs. For instance, premed programs get lots of Freshman, but not so many graduates. mediocre Admins look at this, and see a huge problem with retention. So they put pressure on the program, which changes requirements, and suddenly they graduate more but fewer actually get into med school. Passhe was playing whack a mole with these metrics, and the school admins went along, all the time, cutting budgets from Harrisburg. This decline didn't happen when demographics were bad in 2005 before the millennials started coming.

[WarriorVoice]

We were dragged down by everyone else.

Isnt that always the case?

When you play the victim all the time, yes...

[IUPNation]

As you said...truth hurts.

Yes the truth is my bullies were raised by horrible parents and they all grew up to be horrible people who make poor life choices especially when it comes to politics. I’m sorry that this hurts you.

:-)

[iupgroundhog]

I agree. There isn't much out there in the public sphere about Act 188's development so I've heard if IUP welcomed or resisted PASSHE. But I do agree it has been a regressive decline over the last 40 years from where they were in the late 70s. Not in quality - just in how independent the university's philosophy was. But as the Penn West and to a degree the Commonwealth campuses have shown, 15 years of trimming away from the 2010 schools gets you nowhere. IUP has to retool to stand out as it should. Pennsylvania doesn't care and possibly doesn't see IUP as any different. Most just knew it was bigger and had more successful sports. IUP offers the national university experience at a bargain price. Nobody else in PASSHE can sell that. Its actually very similar to how Grand Valley State very successfully sells itself off paper.

If I'm correct to assume that Act 188 is the act that formed PASSHE, then I was there at the time. Of course, IUP resisted it but the powers that be outweighed IUP.

IUP's choice was to join in a confederation with the other 13 schools or go the state-related route. IUP felt the state-related route was too risky. We will never know what would have happened had they gone down that road. Personally, my belief is that it would have been better and allowed IUP to continue being distinct. Who knows, though?

I am actually surprised that they held onto that IUP distinction for about 20 of the 40 years since PASSHE was formed. Currently, though, I don't feel that IUP controls its own destiny. Well, I know they don't.

Yes, back then IUP had more students and better sports teams, as you say. However, it was also much more academically competitive. Everybody wanted to go to IUP in the late 70's/early 80's. IUP had an enrollment cap of 12, 500 so the scores of incoming students kept going up. At the time, 12,500 was a fairly big school.

[boatcapt]

I was bullied in my youth by people who most likely vote for The Cult today. So yes I am a victim by people with the mental disease known as conservatism.

As you said...truth hurts.

[Fightingscot82]

The part about the state intervening is probably inevitable and might be the best thing for IUP.

IUP lost its independence 40 years ago when the state intervened to the detriment of the university. The resources that are there might be better utilized under state control.

I agree. There isn't much out there in the public sphere about Act 188's development so I've heard if IUP welcomed or resisted PASSHE. But I do agree it has been a regressive decline over the last 40 years from where they were in the late 70s. Not in quality - just in how independent the university's philosophy was. But as the Penn West and to a degree the Commonwealth campuses have shown, 15 years of trimming away from the 2010 schools gets you nowhere. IUP has to retool to stand out as it should. Pennsylvania doesn't care and possibly doesn't see IUP as any different. Most just knew it was bigger and had more successful sports. IUP offers the national university experience at a bargain price. Nobody else in PASSHE can sell that. Its actually very similar to how Grand Valley State very successfully sells itself off paper.

The frustrating thing for me is that on the academic sides of the campuses, there's lots of consolidation happening. Moving departments, combining departments, and trimming superfluous majors. But the future is applied job-ready or grad school-ready majors, mid-career upskilling and pivot credentials, and collaborative programs. That's not happening. Not anywhere. No matter what some campus president says to a reporter. I'll pick on IUP. They have a nationally-known master's program for working in student services at universities led by a known expert. IUP also has a doctoral program in "Administration and Leadership" that is popular with people working within PASSHE because they can use their tuition waiver benefit. But the master's program is in a separate department than the doctoral program, the curriculum doesn't align, and faculty don't overlap. The doctoral program also insists on meeting in person on Fridays and Saturdays, meaning you have to be within driving distance of campus for a program that isn't hands on. Pitt for example, has online courses during the week with one full Saturday a month for the same program making the personal commitment less for a more prestigious degree (at a higher cost). I'm into the weeds of my professional field but it shows that all current assumptions and models have to be blown up and rethought.

[IUPNation]

You seem to have lived your life in a perpetual cycle of "hurt."

I was bullied in my youth by people who most likely vote for The Cult today. So yes I am a victim by people with the mental disease known as conservatism.

[IUPNation]

Yep. IUP is still somewhat structured as a smaller research university. They reduced down from how they were structured when they were at 15,000 students. Now they're about 9,000 students and many of their graduate programs are hurting. 35 academic departments for a 9,000 student school is a waste because that's 35 professors who get paid extra to be department chair on top of teaching fewer classes plus departmental office support staff. That new science building is simply stunning (although maybe not yet finished because the construction fencing was still up in the back a few weeks ago?) and is instantly a great asset on the level of the KCAC but its the other areas of the university that are flagging. IUP was first of the PASSHE in a lot of things for a long time but that is no longer the case. They have to operate as just another PASSHE campus but with PhD programs.

We were dragged down by everyone else.

Isnt that always the case?

[IUPNation]

Like IUP being $10 MILLION in the red?

https://www.thepenn.org/news/iup-sti...0574a6bd2.html

IUP lives rent free in your head. Too bad that doesn’t help the deficit.

The funny thing is Harrisburg would most likely shut down East Dennyburg before they’d close IUP.

:-)

[boatcapt]

The truth always hurts.

:-)

You seem to have lived your life in a perpetual cycle of "hurt."

[iupgroundhog]

Yep. IUP is still somewhat structured as a smaller research university. They reduced down from how they were structured when they were at 15,000 students. Now they're about 9,000 students and many of their graduate programs are hurting. 35 academic departments for a 9,000 student school is a waste because that's 35 professors who get paid extra to be department chair on top of teaching fewer classes plus departmental office support staff. That new science building is simply stunning (although maybe not yet finished because the construction fencing was still up in the back a few weeks ago?) and is instantly a great asset on the level of the KCAC but its the other areas of the university that are flagging. IUP was first of the PASSHE in a lot of things for a long time but that is no longer the case. They have to operate as just another PASSHE campus but with PhD programs.

The part about the state intervening is probably inevitable and might be the best thing for IUP.

IUP lost its independence 40 years ago when the state intervened to the detriment of the university. The resources that are there might be better utilized under state control.

[Fightingscot82]

Like IUP being $10 MILLION in the red?

https://www.thepenn.org/news/iup-sti...0574a6bd2.html

Yep. IUP is still somewhat structured as a smaller research university. They reduced down from how they were structured when they were at 15,000 students. Now they're about 9,000 students and many of their graduate programs are hurting. 35 academic departments for a 9,000 student school is a waste because that's 35 professors who get paid extra to be department chair on top of teaching fewer classes plus departmental office support staff. That new science building is simply stunning (although maybe not yet finished because the construction fencing was still up in the back a few weeks ago?) and is instantly a great asset on the level of the KCAC but its the other areas of the university that are flagging. IUP was first of the PASSHE in a lot of things for a long time but that is no longer the case. They have to operate as just another PASSHE campus but with PhD programs.