Blog
Can we survive another austerity budget?
It’s getting to be late June in Harrisburg, which means a budget is about to be passed (let’s act like the Pennsylvania Constitution’s dictum that it be in place by July 1 is upheld again this year). I think we often get myopic about budgets — the process in the Capitol is so intense that one forgets the big picture — but this week’s G8 Summit in Northern Ireland has highlighted the bigger issues in our budget.
President Obama is being hailed in Europe as an economic genius for keeping the American economy out of the doldrums that Europe is in — with unemployment EU-wide now around 11 percent. The policy answer is that the Obama Administration avoided the “austerity” policies that have helped acerbate the recession in Europe, and the American people are reaping the (sparse) benefits while Europe continues (relative) suffering. read more…
House of Representatives passes state budget bill
by Dan Hagan, APSCUF intern
On Wednesday, June 12, the House of Representatives voted on HB1437, the $28.3 billion state budget bill. The bill passed with a party-line vote of 108-92 and now goes to the Senate for consideration. The current budget bill provides flat funding to the State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) with an appropriation of $412.7 million. read more…
APSCUF’s Executive Council adopts formal statement on weapons policy
Several universities in the State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) recently reviewed their weapons policies at the request of PASSHE’s central office. Kutztown University opted to lift an existing weapons ban and permit weapons in open areas on campus. Because faculty members and the press raised questions about Kutztown’s new policy, the PASSHE Board of Governors has asked that the other universities hold off on changing their weapons policies until a task force reviews the situation.
Senate Education Committee holds hearing on higher education accessibility and affordability
On Wednesday, May 15, the Senate Education Committee held a hearing on three bills that aim to expand access to affordable higher education for Pennsylvania students.
Senate Bill 78, sponsored by Senator Greenleaf (R-Bucks), expands state scholarship eligibility requirements for students regardless of the percentage of credit hours completed through online courses.
Senate Bill 420, sponsored by Senator Ward (R-Westmoreland), creates a debt relief program for middle-income students. The legislation would appropriate additional funds to PHEAA for a new student aid and debt reduction program for middle-income ($80,000-$110,000) students.
Senate Bill 713, the DREAM Act, sponsored by Senator Smucker (R-Lancaster), provides in-state tuition for undocumented students who graduated or received a GED from a Pennsylvania high school. Similar legislation has been passed in at least 12 other states.
APSCUF submitted written testimony to the committee on all three bills. More information about the hearing, including testimony from PASSHE and other presenters can be found on the committee’s website.
Support Cheyney in the Home Depot Retool Your School Campaign
The Home Depot continues its long standing support of diverse communities with its Retool Your School program, now in its third year. Retool your school is a campus improvement grant program which provides grants to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for campus upgrades.
Last year, with the help of faculty, coaches, and students from all fourteen PASSHE universities, Cheyney University earned enough votes to place 3rd in the competition an win a $10,000 Campus Pride grant.
APSCUF would like to encourage all campuses to support Cheyney again this year by voting at the Retool Your School site or at Cheyney’s website. You may vote once per day until online voting ends on April 15. Thank you for your continued support of Cheyney University.