Breaking records

Record enrollment for the PASSHE universities was reached for the seventh straight year bringing this year’s student total across the 14 universities to 112,597, keeping PASSHE the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth. Nine universities broke their own all-time enrollments including Shippensburg with 7,942. Minority enrollment was also at a record high making up 11.6 percent of the student population. This is the twelfth consecutive year enrollment was up across the system. PASSHE universities remain the lowest-cost option among all four-year colleges and universities in Pennsylvania.

Budgeting the budget

In two separate actions, the PASSHE Board of Governors agreed to a request by Governor Rendell to set aside approximately five percent of the current year’s appropriation in case sagging state revenues require the Commonwealth to reduce its budget. In preparation for next year’s budget, the board approved a funding request for $526.9 million to be forwarded to the Budget Office for consideration. It reflects a 5.7 percent increase over the current base appropriation. Universities across the system are working on ways to reduce budgets while not impacting the quality of education the students receive.

WCU gets new president

The provost and vice president for academic affairs at the University of North Dakota, Dr. Greg R. Weisenstein, is the new president of West Chester University. He is replacing Madeleine Wing Adler who retired in June.

In the year 2011

The Board of Governors extended the contracts for thirteen PASSHE university presidents including SU President Ruud. The contracts run through June 30, 2011. Only West Chester University that was under the direction of an interim president was excluded from the list.