March 08, 2011

Statement on Gov. Corbett's proposed budget

Contact: Kevin Hensil, khensil@passhe.edu

First and foremost, we are deeply concerned about the dramatic impact this budget could have on our students and their families. We want to assure them that we will do everything possible to avoid disruptions in their education. We are most committed to our core mission of providing quality education at an affordable cost and to creating opportunities that will ensure our students' success, both in their careers and in their lives.

The leadership of the System historically has accepted the challenge of being responsible stewards of public funds. “While we cannot address the impact of the proposed budget cuts only by reducing our costs, we will build on our successful record of $200 million in cost reductions during the past decade,” said PASSHE Chancellor John Cavanaugh.“Those efforts were key to our ability to hold annual tuition increases below the rate of inflation in four of the last six years.”

Our decisions will be guided by the four major strategic initiatives recently endorsed by our Board of Governors, all of which are focused on student success measured by:

· the quality of education we deliver;

· the creation of the best learning environments, which includes the appropriate use of technology to expand and enhance student learning;

· generating sufficient resources to support our universities; and

· working in partnership with our communities and the Commonwealth to help create and sustain a strong economy.