New PASSHE Chancellor elected(from Gates Foundation) - WIll he make a difference?

bester1 · September 17, 2018, 6:12pm

Those of you Pennsylvania residents interested in your only true state system - PASSHE(Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education) has hired a new Chancellor. He comes to the system from the Gates Foundation. His name is Daniel Greenstein

http://www.edinboronow.com/article/new-passhe-chancellor-elected

Will he and can he make a difference in a state that desperately needs help? Thoughts on Chancellor Greenstein, his mission or any PASSHE school?

bester1 · September 17, 2018, 6:20pm

Message from Chancellor Greenstein…

Courageous conversation … and action
http://www.lockhaven.com/opinion/columns/2018/09/courageous-conversation-and-action/

MYOS1634 · September 17, 2018, 6:39pm

I’m hopeful.
He should get more money from the State that’d be his #1 mission, then create more need based aid funds and merit scholarship programs.

bester1 · September 21, 2018, 4:59pm

SRU fall enrollment eclipses 8,800 students

http://www.sru.edu/news/091918c

ucbalumnus · September 21, 2018, 5:24pm

Isn’t the biggest deficiency in the PA public system (both PASSHE and CSHE) the unaffordability? But doing something about that can be expensive.

Longhaul · September 22, 2018, 2:05am

@ucbalumnus, for our family, the issue isn’t just cost. Terrible 4 yr graduation rates and lack of schools with ABET and CIDA accreditation have played into it.

The cost issue comes into play in two ways: 1. The sticker cost of PASSHE, as you stated and 2. PA has very many small private schools that tuition discount bringing the cost of public and private to the same costs.

I look forward to see what he can do. It can’t get too much worse.

ucbalumnus · September 22, 2018, 2:13am

Since cost related reasons are major reasons for not finishing college, perhaps the poor graduation rates are partly due to the affordability issues.

Gatormama · September 22, 2018, 2:19am

Once I’m certain where my kid is going I’m def. writing a letter to him, and others (state legislators etc) to explain why both of my kids are going out of state.

Longhaul · September 22, 2018, 2:33am

@ucbalumnus , cost may be part of the poor graduation rate, but our limited neighborhood experience shows lack of maturity and scholastic aptitude of freshman is also a large part. Could just be our slice of the county, but we see many can’t get the grades to make it to year 3.

bester1 · September 22, 2018, 3:21pm

Don’t forget the money allocated to the 24 Penn State branch campuses that are basically extremely expensive Community Colleges(I will surrender that Behrend and Altoona are better although Behrend is $27,000/year tuition and housing). The two year branch option allures the student with the chance to go to PSU Main at the end of two years. That money should be allocated to the PASSHE Schools until the entire PSU/Pitt/Temple($35,000/year tuition and housing) situation become state schools rather than state related(basically state gives them money, they do not have to disclose information - see sandusky scandal- prefer taking out of state students, yet want to be know nationally as the state institution).

https://www.paauditor.gov/press-releases/auditor-general-depasquale-says-penn-state-shows-some-progress-since-sandusky-scandal-background-checks-still-missing-tuition-growth-outrageous

In advance, I am not criticizing the students but I am the cursing the systemic issues.

PASSHE’s New Tuition Schemes to Increase Costs to Students
https://ragingchickenpress.org/2015/02/20/passhes-new-tuition-schemes-to-increase-costs-to-students/

InfiniteWaves · September 22, 2018, 10:24pm

I agree, @bester1. I view it as a discrepancy rather than deficiency. The PASSHE schools cost about the same as what an MD resident pays to attend the highly regarded state flagship, the University of Maryland College Park. Our flagship (Penn State University Park), however, costs quite a bit more than UMCP for residents because it is not a true state school.

We then have the many PSU branch campuses which, depending on where you live, are often more accessible than some of the PASSHE schools. And offer the opportunity to complete your degree at PSU University Park. But again, at an in-state cost that is considerably higher than the PASSHE schools.

So really, PSU should be a true state school, like UMCP. As should Pitt and Temple if they want tax payer support. Otherwise, those tax payer funds should go entirely toward bolstering and elevating our actual state university system to allow for affordable, high quality options like those in neighboring states.

Now, I say this as a parent whose kid wants to attend PSU. And who is fortunate to have the elevated in-state PSU tuition within budget. But this is not the case for many PA residents. A true state school system would be accessible to all residents who contribute, not some at this tier and some at this other, higher tier.

bester1 · September 23, 2018, 1:32am

^ very well stated and spot on. It is an unnecessary discrepancy that many politicians are fearful to address because of the almighty PSU push back.

bester1 · September 23, 2018, 1:41am

The cost to attend PSU in state is conversatively estimated at between $31,500 - $34,700. I have a next door neighbor that actually has two kids enrolled at the cost of $70,000 (yes -residents of PA).

https://admissions.psu.edu/costs-aid/tuition/

bester1 · October 1, 2018, 2:52am

New PASSHE Chancellor optimistic about struggling state university system
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/14127573-74/new-passhe-chancellor-optimistic-about-struggling-state-university-system

bester1 · October 1, 2018, 5:39pm

New State System of Higher Education leader knows he is in for quite a ride…
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/09/new_state_system_leader_knows.html

bester1 · October 1, 2018, 6:47pm

Introduction: A Different Kind of College Ranking
https://washingtonmonthly.com/magazine/septemberoctober-2017/introduction-a-different-kind-of-college-ranking-9/

Washington Monthly Best Bang North Colleges/Universities
https://washingtonmonthly.com/2018college-guide?ranking=best-bang-for-the-buck-north

Bloom = 128
Cheyney = 238
Mansfield = 146
Millersville = 133
Shippensburg = 211
West Chester = 210
Slippery Rock = 231
Edinboro = 246
Clarion = 242
Indiana = 218
Lock Haven = 186
Kutztown = 209
No ranking for East Stroudsburg or CALU.

interestingly enough:

Univ of Pitt = 357
Pitt Greensburg = 240
Pitt Bradford = 95
Pitt Johnstown = 342

Temple = 152

PSU University Park = 307
PSU World Campus = 260
PSU Behrend - 237
PSU Berks = 225
PSU Altoona = 166
PSU York = 150
PSU Lehigh = 143
PSU Harrisburg = 130
PSU Brandy = 116
PSU Abington = 115
PSU Beaver = 109
PSU Wilks = 101
PSU Schuy = 71
PSU Allegheny = 48
PSU Scranton = 41

of interest in PA:
Duquesne = 142
Washington and Jefferson = 268
Allegheny College = 140
Gannon = 292
Ursinus = 176
susquehanna = 50
Westminster = 179
Waynesburg = 234
Muhlenberg College = 161
Elizabethtown = 305
Chatham = 265
Mercyhurst = 278
Saint Vincent = 148
York College of PA = 201
Robert Morris = 328

New College Rankings Are Out—Including Some That Are Actually Useful…
https://www.theatlantic.com/notes/2018/09/new-college-rankings-are-outincluding-some-that-are-actually-useful/569809/