PASSHE Institutions Merging

[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.

[WarriorVoice]

The truth always hurts.

:-)

Like IUP being $10 MILLION in the red?

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

[IUPNation]

Hahahahaha...uh-huh...OK??!!

The truth always hurts.

:-)

[boatcapt]

We don’t spread false narratives. We are the adults.

Hahahahaha...uh-huh...OK??!!

[IUPNation]

Easy lol. You may be referring to The Donald as (sitting) President again soon.

You underestimate how many more people despise him than those who think he’s so great.

He’s a dementia patient.

[Ship69]

Easy lol. You may be referring to The Donald as (sitting) President again soon.

Let's please get back to PASSHE and sports-related topics so I'm not reminded about the increasing stupidity abroad in the U.S.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Or you can identify as Orange, instigate an insurrection, spread false narratives and never face a day in jail and still try to get the job back that you stole in 2016 with Russian help

Easy lol. You may be referring to The Donald as (sitting) President again soon.

[IUPNation]

That is rich coming from a Democrat of you ilk!

We don’t spread false narratives. We are the adults.

[IUPNation]

Even in the 80s church was a formal affair (at least in the Catholic world). Sunday now looks like a combination of, hell, I don't even know. Growing up in that era it still makes me cringe to see Joey Yinzer wearing a Bubby Brister jersey to church. The modern theory is "we're just happy you're here."

Sunday Best In The Yinzerlands = Clean Stillers Jersey.