Vote NO on the Keep Tuition Affordable Package

Recently, four bills in Representative Brad Roaes misleadingly titled Keep Tuition Affordable package were referred to the House State Government Committee for review and consideration. These bills single out the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and cripple its ability to provide a quality education. The Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF) opposes all four bills and respectfully asks for a no vote if the legislation is considered. HB2442: Prohibits State System universities from charging mandatory student activity fees. Students would have the choice to opt out of paying activity fees by filling out a form each semester. Student activity fees play a significant role in supporting the entire campus community by providing a diverse range of services, including student governments, which benefit all students. PASSHE universities rely on student activity fees to fund a substantial number of campus services and activities that benefit the students both collectively and as members of student organizations. Slippery Rock Universitys $305 student activity fee covers activities and services including bus services, athletics, the University Program Board (UPB), the radio station (WSRU), Student Government Association, and the recreation center. Millersville University uses student fees to purchase equipment for student use, support campus clubs and organizations, provide speakers and seminars on campus, and support intramural activities. Allowing students to opt-out of the student activity fee will effectively eliminate hundreds of university services that enhance the educational environment for students.

HB2443: Eliminates free or reduced tuition to spouses, children, same sex partners, or relatives of PASSHE employees. Free or reduced tuition is a key recruiting tool used by universities across the country to compete for quality faculty and staff. Eliminating the benefit will hurt the Systems ability to remain competitive and attract high-quality professors. According to the Association of American University Professors, free or low-cost tuition is a widely used recruiting and retention strategy. At PASSHE universities, the benefit is limited to one bachelors degree per partner and/or child.

Tuition Waivers are provided under Article 21, Section H of the APSCUF/PASSHE contract. This legislation may potentially violate the Article 1, Section 17 constitutional protection of existing contracts.

HB2444: Prohibits PASSHE universities from entering into contracts for any construction, maintenance, repair, or renovations on any campus after June 30, 2014. After this date, PASSHE must submit a written request to the state Department of General Services and the Department must certify in writing that an emergency condition exists that threatens the health and safety of students, employees, or the public. Because of increasingly limited budgets, PASSHE universities are already far behind in building repairs and maintenance. According to Sightlines, a national firm specializing in benchmarking higher education facilities, PASSHE is not adequately investing in building maintenance. PASSHE currently has a building maintenance backlog totaling $2 billion, nearly 40 percent of the replacement value of the buildings. Sixty percent of PASSHEs 720 buildings have not been renovated in 25 years; 20 percent have not been renovated in 50 years. Prohibiting construction and maintenance of campus facilities will limit the universities abilities to attract and retain students.

HB2446: Eliminates paid sabbaticals to all PASSHE employees. Since the 1880s, the sabbatical has been recognized worldwide as a critical tool to enhance the quality of faculty, instruction, and curriculum at universities. Today, nearly every college in the United States offers some form of sabbatical leave. If granted, sabbaticals are used by faculty to improve professional knowledge and skills, develop new methods of teaching, and conduct intensive research in their field all benefits they bring back to the classroom. If professors are denied the opportunity to enrich their abilities, the relevancy of the curriculum and, consequently, the students will suffer. Faculty members must work at least seven years in the State System with five-years at a specific university before they can request a sabbatical. There is a comprehensive application and review process that includes identifying objectives and goals for the sabbatical and how it will benefit the university. Millersville University, for example, requires three levels of sabbatical applications. University presidents may attach any regulation they deem necessary to make sure a faculty member uses sabbatical time for the purpose for which it is granted.

Because of the judicious approach used by PASSHE universities in granting sabbaticals, the actual number of PASSHE professors on sabbatical is currently around 2 percent; much lower than the 7 percent maximum allowed by contract.

Sabbaticals ARE NOT exclusive to the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Public universities, private colleges, community colleges, trade schools, and even businesses use sabbaticals to remain relevant in a competitive environment.