Dear Trustees,
On behalf of the PACT Executive Committee, thank you for taking the time to meet and participate in the virtual Spring PACT Conference. Special thanks to Chancellor Greenstein, Chair Cindy Shapira, State System leaders and students who presented on numerous panel discussions.
The advocacy discussion was just one of many areas that the PACT focused on, and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how great our student panel session was. Their input was invaluable and provided insight into the climate on our universities and how trustees can best support our students, universities, faculty, and System overall. You will be hearing more from our students at future meetings.
It was great seeing everyone on the call, and again, thank you for taking the time to meet. Information on future meetings and agenda items will be shared soon.
Regards,
Rich Frerichs
PACT President
Advocacy
Of the utmost importance, is additional information on building the advocacy structure, which is intended to increasingly leverage trustees and other stakeholders across the commonwealth to help build alliances and make targeted outreach. As part of this strategy, the System is mapping relationships with key advocacy groups in Pennsylvania that align with the six major workforce areas, which the System is focusing on. These relationships will help build long-term alliances that support State System universities. Many of you responded to our previous survey asking about your personal connections with the members of the General Assembly, and we thank you for that. (If you did not complete that survey, you can do it
here).
Please review the list below, and contact Cody Jones directly no later than May 12, 2023 ( codyjones@passhe.edu ) if you have a relationship with any of these organizations or any related organizations you think we should approach, and with which you have a relationship.
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The Pennsylvania Association of Elementary & Secondary School Principals
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Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators
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Pennsylvania School Boards Association
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Pennsylvania State Education Association
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Pennsylvania State Nurses Association
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Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania
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Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners
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Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants
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PA Workforce Development Association
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National Association of Social Workers – Pennsylvania Chapter
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Pennsylvania Association of School Social Work Personnel
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Computer Science Teachers Association
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Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers
PASSHE Budget Advocacy Talking Points
Below are the three primary 2023-24 budget advocacy talking points Chancellor Greenstein discussed during the virtual Spring PACT Conference—an ‘elevator pitch’ for why PASSHE universities need more funding. You are encouraged to
print it and keep it with you. You can view more extensive
advocacy materials online.
Save the Dates
Quarterly Call with the Chancellor and System Leaders
All trustees are invited to participate in these quarterly calls with the Chancellor to review agenda items and other System initiatives. The calls were initially scheduled with the PACT Executive Board, Council of Trustee Chairs and Vice Chairs, however, all trustees are now invited to participate each quarter. Please hold the following dates on your calendar. Zoom details will follow prior to each call.
- July 12, 2023 – 1:00 p.m.
- October 11, 2023 - 1:00 p.m.
PACT Officers
- Commonwealth University - Bloomsburg - Mr. Ray Zaborney
- Commonwealth University - Lock Haven - Mr. Krystjan Callahan
- Commonwealth Mansfield, Ms. Karen J. Russell (vice chair PACT treasurer)
- PennWest California - Mr. Barry Niccolai
- PennWest Clarion - Honorable Donna Oberlander
- PennWest Edinboro - Mr. Mark A. Bellini (2nd vice president)
- Cheyney - Ms. Cheryl E. Harper
- East Stroudsburg - Mr. Thomas Grayuski (secretary)
- Indiana - Mr. Nathan T. Spade
- Kutztown - Mr. John P. Wabby
- Millersville, PACT president -Dr. Richard L. Frerichs
- Shippensburg, PACT first VP - Mr. L. Michael Ross
- Slippery Rock - Mr. Jeffrey Smith
- West Chester - Honorable Stephen Kinsey