Follow-up on PA system consolidation

[Harlow2]

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2021/04/27/pennsylvania-higher-ed-system-releases-consolidation-plans

Dont think this update is addressed elsewhere here. 

[Golazo]

Why will enrollment be projected increase? How will costs actually be reduced? This seems like wishful thinking rather than strategy.

[marshwiggle]

Why will enrollment be projected increase? How will costs actually be reduced? This seems like wishful thinking rather than strategy.

I'm not sure if this is it or not:

More than 50,000 Pennsylvania students enroll in out-of-state online education each year, according to the west integration plan. In an attempt to capture part of that market, the west consolidated university would offer a range of fully online programs that would integrate existing programs, including fully online undergraduate degree and degree-completion programs, the plan said.

So maybe the hope is that the fully-online programs would provide a net increase?

[apl68]

Why will enrollment be projected increase? How will costs actually be reduced? This seems like wishful thinking rather than strategy.

Makes you wonder what the figures are, and how they arrived at them.  One of the new systems is projecting a 2% increase in enrollment, the other a 1% increase.  So how did they come up with these numbers?  Are the students supposed to come from out of state via online, as marshwiggle suggests, or have they identified a pent-up local demand that's due for release, or what?  And how much are they expecting to save through eliminating some university president positions and consolidating student and library services?  If no campuses are closed, it's hard to see them being able to cut back all that much on support staff without damaging the level of service.

[Hibush]

Are the students supposed to come from out of state via online, as marshwiggle suggests, or have they identified a pent-up local demand that's due for release, or what?

The anticipated online students are in-state.  The 50,000 number is for Pennsylvania students currently doing online degrees elsewhere. A substantial number of those are in the areas served by these schools. Getting some of them to enroll locally for less actually seems like it has potential.

[Mobius]

How many of those 50k could enroll? Some couldn't get in under existing admissions standards and others are on academic probation.

[Hibush]

How many of those 50k could enroll? Some couldn't get in under existing admissions standards and others are on academic probation.

How difficult is it to meet PASSHE admissions standards? My sense was that they are close to open admissions, especially as they have been battling to maintain enrollment.

[hmaria1609]

I got an e-mail blast from the president's office at my grad/library school earlier today. The consolidation is official.  Opportunities for public comment in early June.

[lightning]

I know a handful of PASSHE faculty, and their morale has always been very low, going all the way back to the Great Recession. Their outlook was pessimistic in 2008, and it has only gotten worse. They seem to be resigned to having or planning to have a ready exit strategy, prolonging their jobs for as long as possible, with minimal effort, while they direct their energy to preparing for the next stage in their career. In the meantime, on the job, they are only going through the motions and not really investing themselves. And why should they? PASSHE is not going to reciprocate, no matter what happens. This is what will truly kill PASSHE: faculty, staff, and administrators knowing in their hearts that none of their efforts and sacrifices will truly matter.

[Hibush]

I know a handful of PASSHE faculty, and their morale has always been very low, going all the way back to the Great Recession. Their outlook was pessimistic in 2008, and it has only gotten worse. They seem to be resigned to having or planning to have a ready exit strategy, prolonging their jobs for as long as possible, with minimal effort, while they direct their energy to preparing for the next stage in their career. In the meantime, on the job, they are only going through the motions and not really investing themselves. And why should they? PASSHE is not going to reciprocate, no matter what happens. This is what will truly kill PASSHE: faculty, staff, and administrators knowing in their hearts that none of their efforts and sacrifices will truly matter.

That is truly sad, but completely understandable. That situation makes it sound as if "doomed" is applicable here. They are still showing superficial signs of life, but the terminal condition is irreversible and widespread.

[Mobius]

How many of those 50k could enroll? Some couldn't get in under existing admissions standards and others are on academic probation.

How difficult is it to meet PASSHE admissions standards? My sense was that they are close to open admissions, especially as they have been battling to maintain enrollment.

East Stroudsburg's admissions rate is 75%. Clarion is much higher, though. Some of the 50,000 probably don't have the GPA requirements or took the ACT/SAT. Some truly open-admissions public institutions only require a diploma or GED to get in.