More budget cuts could force closure of satellite and branch campuses

[PA Democrat]

HARRISBURG -- One portion of the University of Pittsburgh and the other state-related college campuses that will look different if state funding continues to decrease is their branch campuses, testified top administrators on Wednesday.

Those satellite locations provide a valuable public service in sparsely populated areas, often serving lower-income students who may not have other opportunities, said Pitt chancellor Mark Nordenberg and Penn State University president Rodney Erickson.

"They would be the most vulnerable units of the university if we are pushed to privatization," Mr. Nordenberg told state senators during a second budget hearing.

Afterward, when pressed on the future of Pitt's branches in Johnstown, Bradford, Titusville and Greensburg, Mr. Nordenberg declined to speculate as to whether any may need to be closed. But he did say private universities do not usually offer branch options and that many more minor changes to achieve cost savings already have been implemented.


Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12061/1213674-454.stm#ixzz1ns4NsNTn

[JPZenger]

1. And many of those branches that are most likely to close are in districts of Republican Senators

"Mama didn't raise no dummy"

[PA Democrat]

2. When I saw this headline in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette yesterday

Universities' ally: A powerful GOP senator opposes cuts to higher ed

I knew there had to be some self interest there. Surprise, surprise! The "powerful GOP Senator's" district happens to include Penn State's main campus.

Pennsylvania's state-owned and state-related universities have attracted an influential ally in their opposition to Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed budget cuts of as much as 30 percent, which would constitute the second consecutive year of large reductions for them.

It may be no big surprise when a lawmaker whose district encompasses the main campus of Penn State University speaks out on their behalf, but Sen. Jake Corman of Centre County also is a Republican, like the governor. And he holds the powerful position of chairman of the Senate's Appropriations Committee.

That's why it was significant when Mr. Corman said he's concerned the governor's budget could hurt the missions of the 14 state-owned universities and state-related Penn State, the University of Pittsburgh, Temple and Lincoln universities. That mission includes serving Pennsylvanians by charging them lower tuition than out-of-state students who attend state-related institutions and schools in the State System of Higher Education -- including California, Edinboro, Clarion and Indiana. Given last year's cuts, Mr. Corman said, "I think they've done their fair share."

Mr. Corman said he hopes the Legislature can restore funding to state universities and state-related schools so they don't become, in his words, "barely related."

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12060/1213228-192.stm#ixzz1nta7VkxJ