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State and National Union News
Community College of Philadelphia Strike Over To access this article:
November 21, 2006
HOUSE RESOLUTION 177 (ACADEMIC FREEDOM POLICY) NOT NECESSARY
PASSHE's gender equity figures compare favorably with peer institutions
August 08, 2006
FIGHTING FOR QUALITY FIRST OF A SERIES HARRISBURG – The chief purpose of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) is to provide high quality education at the lowest possible cost to students. At its 1983 inception, the PASSHE totaled 81,524 students at its 14 universities. Today, 107,251 students call the PASSHE institutions home, an increase of better than 31%. In order to provide high quality instruction to its students, PASSHE schools must employ committed, dedicated faculty members who are scholars in their respective disciplines. To recruit and retain top-notch faculty, the PASSHE must be able to offer salary and compensation levels that are competitive within the state and region. At the start of this decade, the PASSHE featured an extremely veteran faculty, with many professors hired during the late 1960’s or early 1970’s. A large exodus of senior faculty has been the rule the past few years, and the PASSHE institutions now find themselves with a much younger faculty and the increasingly difficult task of attracting and retaining talented professors. “APSCUF recently examined faculty search survey data from six PASSHE institutions, and in 24 total searches only nine of the top candidates accepted the position,” State APSCUF President Pat Heilman said. “Over 25 percent of the candidates rejecting PASSHE offers indicated that the salary offered was the reason, and the same percentage said they accepted a better offer elsewhere. The workload of PASSHE faculty was another key reason provided by those candidates who rejected PASSHE employment opportunities,” Heilman added. The PASSHE is in direct competition with state-related and private universities in Pennsylvania and some bordering states. Heilman and other APSCUF leaders want to see PASSHE win more often in battle for the top candidates. “We are Pennsylvania’s own university faculty, and our citizens deserve the best,” Heilman said. “Over 90 percent of our students are Pennsylvania residents and 64 percent of PASSHE graduates remain in our state. Think of the impact our PASSHE graduates have in terms of providing critical tax dollars to state coffers. Can the private schools provide similar statistics? Our students deserve the best-qualified candidates for faculty positions, nothing less.” APSCUF was a key force behind the crafting and passage of the legislation that created the PASSHE (Act 188 of 1982), and its members have enormous pride in the quality of education the system provides to Pennsylvania citizens. State APSCUF Vice President Burrell Brown notes many people would be quite surprised to learn that the current average faculty salary (spring, 2006 data) for PASSHE faculty members is actually LOWER in actual dollars than the spring, 2002 figures. With the sheer enrollment numbers stretching faculty resources to the limit, it’s more challenging than ever to be a professor in the PASSHE. “Faculty members face a demanding job these days, and they also face inflation just like every other citizen,” Brown said. “The PASSHE received nearly two-thirds of its funding from the Commonwealth in 1983. Sadly, today that percentage is down to about 38%. We must do a better job supporting our state-owned university system and attracting the highest caliber faculty members to teach our students.” APSCUF and the PASSHE are currently in the initial stages of bargaining for new collective bargaining agreements for faculty members and coaches. The current pacts expire on June 30, 2007. “Our students and their families are counting on us to deliver a high quality education,” Heilman said. “We need to negotiate fair settlements that will enable us to recruit and retain high quality faculty members and coaches. We must satisfy the PASSHE’s core purpose. This isn’t just APSCUF’s fight – it’s everyone’s fight.” Brown added, “There are over 617,000 PASSHE alumni out there counting on us to enhance our system. Pennsylvania’s dependence on an educated workforce is only going to increase in the coming years. Working together, the faculty and administration of the PASSHE can enhance the economic engine that is the state-owned university system. Truly, Pennsylvania’s investment can be Pennsylvania’s gain.”
Kevin P. Kodish
August 02, 2006 2006 General Election Endorsed Candidates Reference
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APSCUF, 319 North Front Street, PO Box 11995, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1995 |
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