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PASSHE Institutions Merging
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Originally posted by Fightingscot82 View Post
Interesting. Thanks for sharing - that conflicts with what folks at PSU told me when I worked there. Then again, those same folks believed Paterno walked on water.
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Originally posted by WarriorVoice View Post
The idea that Penn State branch campuses would have D1 football teams is foolish at best. In fact, some Penn State branch campuses DO have basketball teams, that play in D II. Imagine that...
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Originally posted by Fightingscot82 View Post
Let's not kid ourselves. All programs are enrollment boosters.
Now, where I see his point and probably agree with him is when you look into the near future. These extracurriculars (not just sports) are going to be slashed and/or eliminated at triad schools. The constituents for each one will have to fight to keep it alive and most will lose.
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Originally posted by iupgroundhog View Post
Sure, that's an important factor - or, it has become an important factor. But what CALUPA69's argument seems to say to me is that it's the reason for these programs to exist at all the triad schools except for Bloom and Cal. I don't think that's true. The main reasons the programs exist are historical and necessary just to create a full college campus experience. In essence, even the "revenue" sports are extracurricular activities. There is a lot of significance placed on involvement in these activities while balancing academics and other college life things (see the D2 creed). It's a part of traditional college life in the U.S.
Now, where I see his point and probably agree with him is when you look into the near future. These extracurriculars (not just sports) are going to be slashed and/or eliminated at triad schools. The constituents for each one will have to fight to keep it alive and most will lose.
But you're right - traditional aged students want a vibrant college experience: https://www.insidehighered.com/admis...ensive-college
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Originally posted by Fightingscot82 View Post
I can tell you that they're looking to grow athletics. This integration forced them to do what D3 schools have done for years - consider the net tuition revenue against program expenses. Its almost always positive.
But you're right - traditional aged students want a vibrant college experience: https://www.insidehighered.com/admis...ensive-college
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Originally posted by iupgroundhog View Post
Again, it's speculative but I think just because "they" are looking to grow athletics does not mean the new reality will allow them to do that.
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Back to the tuition freeze. This is good for students...to a point. Its bad for schools especially if the state doesn't come through with more money. Most employees are on union contracts that are structured like teacher salary scales for those familiar. Those employees get two raises a year - the new salary scale on a specific date then also a bump up a "step" on the salary schedule. This is outside of any promotions of sorts like assistant professor to associate professor. The total raise is modest - usually around 3% total - but that's regardless of the campus financial situation - enrollment or state appropriation (these two ~90% of revenue) - that's automatic raises for a lot of employees before other increases in benefits, utilities, and inflation. So one PASSHE school was planning for a $4 million deficit this year is now looking at an $8 million deficit with all the predicted cost increases without a big state appropriation increase.
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Originally posted by Fightingscot82 View PostBack to the tuition freeze. This is good for students...to a point. Its bad for schools especially if the state doesn't come through with more money. Most employees are on union contracts that are structured like teacher salary scales for those familiar. Those employees get two raises a year - the new salary scale on a specific date then also a bump up a "step" on the salary schedule. This is outside of any promotions of sorts like assistant professor to associate professor. The total raise is modest - usually around 3% total - but that's regardless of the campus financial situation - enrollment or state appropriation (these two ~90% of revenue) - that's automatic raises for a lot of employees before other increases in benefits, utilities, and inflation. So one PASSHE school was planning for a $4 million deficit this year is now looking at an $8 million deficit with all the predicted cost increases without a big state appropriation increase.
By tinkering with tuition, there are also two parts to it. One is the hope that not increasing tuition will bring in more students. However, the PA demographics negate that possibility. The other is that by keeping tuition the same (lowering it in real dollars) the schools will be better able to retain the students they have. That is where the PASSHE is at right now. Retaining, not growing.
In the case of IUP. lowering tuition by 20% provides the hope that it will increase enrollment, not necessarily that it will increase revenues. IUP seriously needs to improve enrollment.
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Originally posted by iupgroundhog View Post
There are two ways to address the financial situation - increase revenue and decrease cost. You are speaking to the cost issue which has all kinds of built-in roadblocks. The ways to increase revenues are to increase enrollment or increase the state appropriation. The state appropriation is not likely to be increased (in any meaningful way), given Pennsylvanians' apparent disdain for funding public education ( I am embarrassed by what my native state has become).
By tinkering with tuition, there are also two parts to it. One is the hope that not increasing tuition will bring in more students. However, the PA demographics negate that possibility. The other is that by keeping tuition the same (lowering it in real dollars) the schools will be better able to retain the students they have. That is where the PASSHE is at right now. Retaining, not growing.
In the case of IUP. lowering tuition by 20% provides the hope that it will increase enrollment, not necessarily that it will increase revenues. IUP seriously needs to improve enrollment.
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Very unusual speech by IUP President: https://www.post-gazette.com/news/ed...s/202204220099plans to sell two residence halls, completed little more than a decade earlier
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Originally posted by Bart View PostVery unusual speech by IUP President: https://www.post-gazette.com/news/ed...s/202204220099plans to sell two residence halls, completed little more than a decade earlier
His speech is fatalistic. Like he is giving up because it's all out of his control. If there are specifics behind what he said he didn't say what they were.
That speech doesn't exude confidence in IUP or his stewardship of it. Has a real ominous tone to it.
If enrollment was 9400 this year, the goal should be to get back to over 10k. To realize that, IUP (and Driscoll) would have to push back on PASSHE, possibly to the detriment of its sister PASSHE schools. It was worth taking that approach. It sounds like it might be too late.
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Originally posted by iupgroundhog View Post
That is pretty depressing. I think I can grasp the challenges. Demographics and, in IUP's case, geography. However, I believe Driscoll has not pushed hard enough to support IUP. IUP was special and unique in many ways. In the face of the challenges, I don't think IUP marketed itself well. Plus, Driscoll has been more a good soldier in the PASSHE system rather than a cheerleader for IUP.
His speech is fatalistic. Like he is giving up because it's all out of his control. If there are specifics behind what he said he didn't say what they were.
That speech doesn't exude confidence in IUP or his stewardship of it. Has a real ominous tone to it.
If enrollment was 9400 this year, the goal should be to get back to over 10k. To realize that, IUP (and Driscoll) would have to push back on PASSHE, possibly to the detriment of its sister PASSHE schools. It was worth taking that approach. It sounds like it might be too late.
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