Originally posted by complaint_hopeful
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Originally posted by Fightingscot82 View PostAPSCUF has successfully led a pause of the "academic alignment" of the Cal-Clarion-Edinboro integration. Word spreading this week that PASSHE legal advised all work to stop while the system and the union work out details.
There have also been two pro-PASSHE lobbying groups emerging online. One, Save Our State Schools, is very polished and I assume led or at least backed by the faculty union. The second, is little more than a Twitter account "PA Publics" and seems less polished and most likely some non-higher ed folks like alumni or community members opposing the integrations.
Do you know more details about the specifics?
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Originally posted by BADinPA View Post
Where is the online presence of the two groups found?
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Originally posted by Fightingscot82 View PostAPSCUF has successfully led a pause of the "academic alignment" of the Cal-Clarion-Edinboro integration. Word spreading this week that PASSHE legal advised all work to stop while the system and the union work out details.
There have also been two pro-PASSHE lobbying groups emerging online. One, Save Our State Schools, is very polished and I assume led or at least backed by the faculty union. The second, is little more than a Twitter account "PA Publics" and seems less polished and most likely some non-higher ed folks like alumni or community members opposing the integrations.
Leave a comment:
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APSCUF has successfully led a pause of the "academic alignment" of the Cal-Clarion-Edinboro integration. Word spreading this week that PASSHE legal advised all work to stop while the system and the union work out details.
There have also been two pro-PASSHE lobbying groups emerging online. One, Save Our State Schools, is very polished and I assume led or at least backed by the faculty union. The second, is little more than a Twitter account "PA Publics" and seems less polished and most likely some non-higher ed folks like alumni or community members opposing the integrations.
Leave a comment:
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Originally posted by Bart View Post
In other PASSHE news, the president of Clarion/Edinboro announced that they're planning full steam ahead for a relatively back to normal fall semester. Some of that may be an admissions strategy but that's good news.
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Originally posted by BADinPA View PostWhat WILL eventually be needed in PA is a closure law similar to BRAC used by the Federal government to close and realign military bases. The difference with what is underway now is that BRAC determines a top-down view and forces realignment and closures. The law creating BRAC takes all recommendations to Congress and the package gets passed in total or not. It always passes as Congressional delegations that are pissed are outnumbered. Some bases get closed and some merged and some expanded, etc... The way PA is approaching this now leaves each institution to figure it out which can result in a myopic view. All institutions of higher education, state, and state-related universities, as well as community colleges, should be included. Like BRAC, this shouldn't be a one-time process. By doing it over a series of years, the legislative delegations that disagree will be kept small. BRAC works.
We need more community colleges in PA, too, not fewer. PA has a patchwork collection of higher ed options, not a comprehensive strategy responsive to the needs of all in PA.
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What WILL eventually be needed in PA is a closure law similar to BRAC used by the Federal government to close and realign military bases. The difference with what is underway now is that BRAC determines a top-down view and forces realignment and closures. The law creating BRAC takes all recommendations to Congress and the package gets passed in total or not. It always passes as Congressional delegations that are pissed are outnumbered. Some bases get closed and some merged and some expanded, etc... The way PA is approaching this now leaves each institution to figure it out which can result in a myopic view. All institutions of higher education, state, and state-related universities, as well as community colleges, should be included. Like BRAC, this shouldn't be a one-time process. By doing it over a series of years, the legislative delegations that disagree will be kept small. BRAC works.
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Originally posted by Fightingscot82 View Post
Some people affiliated with West Chester raised the question and tried to get that momentum building. PASSHE put the kibosh on that quickly.
I believe the legal opinion is that West Chester would have to buy its independence from the state for the market value of the campus. That's gotta be several billion dollars of which they have nothing close.
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Originally posted by IUPbigINDIANS View Post
You wonder if one of these schools could just say screw it and try to walk away from the PASSHE. Didn't West Chester contemplate it a couple years back? Obviously, most aren't in that position to even consider it.
I believe the legal opinion is that West Chester would have to buy its independence from the state for the market value of the campus. That's gotta be several billion dollars of which they have nothing close.
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Originally posted by Fightingscot82 View Post
Yes, they were encouraged to defer state pension contributions as part of their relief to take the place of missing state funding. One of those things that in hindsight was really, really stupid.
Management did fight back against the biggest union and the faculty went on strike. It didn't go over well. One thing that's unique in PASSHE labor relations is that campuses don't have a vote from the management side. Each campus union chapter votes locally but "management" votes go through system management and the system board. The individual campuses don't have a say or vote during negotiations. I think we might have seen some different outcomes over the years had that been the case.
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Originally posted by boatcapt View Post
Were state entities like PASSHE allowed to defer payments or were they permitted to defer them?
Yes, costs always increase over time. Biggest increase is often labor costs. But when a system is facing budget deficits, the managers really need to fight in labor negotiations.
Management did fight back against the biggest union and the faculty went on strike. It didn't go over well. One thing that's unique in PASSHE labor relations is that campuses don't have a vote from the management side. Each campus union chapter votes locally but "management" votes go through system management and the system board. The individual campuses don't have a say or vote during negotiations. I think we might have seen some different outcomes over the years had that been the case.
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Originally posted by Fightingscot82 View Post
The Corbett years also allowed entities to delay state pension contributions so now state agencies like PASSHE, school districts, turnpike, lottery, etc. are paying double contributions.
Plus cost increases for benefits. The contracts also dictate specific deductibles regardless of cost. As you can imagine, they're high cost plans. Costs increase every year while revenue is flat at best. For any small % appropriations increase the system has also seen enrollment declines and cost increases that far exceed what increase they get from Harrisburg. That is the gist of Armenti's thesis.
Even before Covid considerations, its a failing formula.
Yes, costs always increase over time. Biggest increase is often labor costs. But when a system is facing budget deficits, the managers really need to fight in labor negotiations.
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