Question re: PSU system closures

[HailToPitt725]

I saw that Penn State will be closing several of its branch campuses.

I have little experience with the politics surrounding higher education and how the PSU system works. However, I think about how several of the midwestern university systems have “branch campuses” that are really R1 research universities with highly-regarded programs, medical schools, etc. IUPUI, UIC, and UMKC are a few that come to mind.

From an outsider’s perspective, why not close your PSU system campuses, merge everything into the Hershey campus, where your medical school is located, and create a similar type of institution as the universities mentioned above? It seems like it’d solve a lot of your problems while creating another great public university in Pennsylvania.

 

[mgkpsu]

I saw that Penn State will be closing several of its branch campuses.

I have little experience with the politics surrounding higher education and how the PSU system works. However, I think about how several of the midwestern university systems have “branch campuses” that are really R1 research universities with highly-regarded programs, medical schools, etc. IUPUI, UIC, and UMKC are a few that come to mind.

From an outsider’s perspective, why not close your PSU system campuses, merge everything into the Hershey campus, where your medical school is located, and create a similar type of institution as the universities mentioned above? It seems like it’d solve a lot of your problems while creating another great public university in Pennsylvania.

That will never fly, especially since you are talking about 20 communities taking a significant economic and jobs hit.

 

[Wallace Breen]

Penn State should close or spin off most branch campuses. They drag the university down and significantly increase tuition for University Park students. Altoona should be spun off completely. Larger campuses should be limited to gen ed only and no four years degrees and only be allowed the two plus two option. The rest should be sold.

 

[diontechristmas]

I saw that Penn State will be closing several of its branch campuses.

I have little experience with the politics surrounding higher education and how the PSU system works. However, I think about how several of the midwestern university systems have “branch campuses” that are really R1 research universities with highly-regarded programs, medical schools, etc. IUPUI, UIC, and UMKC are a few that come to mind.

From an outsider’s perspective, why not close your PSU system campuses, merge everything into the Hershey campus, where your medical school is located, and create a similar type of institution as the universities mentioned above? It seems like it’d solve a lot of your problems while creating another great public university in Pennsylvania.

Specifically with Hershey, PSU already has the Harrisburg Campus with over 5k students. It seems wasteful to build an entire new campus in Hershey 20 odd miles away.

Also they’re are both generally too close to PSU Main. Maybe a major separate institution in Philly or Pittsburgh would’ve made sense if Temple and Pitt didn’t already exist. Overall, PA universities have just lacked central planning from an overall state system. California has a well organized U of Cal and Cal State system where “branches” can be planned to serve population centers and full required specialties. Texas has this with all public universities being under the UT or A&M systems (I think). PA was a free for all with formerly private universities becoming state related (Pitt and Temple).

Our state university system of course grew out of normal schools/teachers colleges but they seemed to never had any general planning with the state related “commonwealth system”.

 

[joeaubie21]

I saw that Penn State will be closing several of its branch campuses.

I have little experience with the politics surrounding higher education and how the PSU system works. However, I think about how several of the midwestern university systems have “branch campuses” that are really R1 research universities with highly-regarded programs, medical schools, etc. IUPUI, UIC, and UMKC are a few that come to mind.

From an outsider’s perspective, why not close your PSU system campuses, merge everything into the Hershey campus, where your medical school is located, and create a similar type of institution as the universities mentioned above? It seems like it’d solve a lot of your problems while creating another great public university in Pennsylvania.

Stick to bashing THON on that toilet the Panturdlisr.

 

[ForesterGump]

Many of the branch campuses have associate degree programs. Mont Alto has had an associates degree program in forestry for well over 75 yrs. Its a good program, and it wouldn't be of any benefit to move it to another campus or to discontinue it. They offer 7 associate degrees at Mont Alto and many people start with that program and go on to a Bachelors Degree after completing them.

Nearly all the branch campuses offer an associate degree. Many are the same type of degree. It might be beneficial to put them under one campus, but then there is the question of dorms. Some of the degrees are offered on line. Some of the courses could be done on line. But, a lot of associate degrees are heavy to field work, which can't be done on line.

 

[Lion84]

I saw that Penn State will be closing several of its branch campuses.

I have little experience with the politics surrounding higher education and how the PSU system works. However, I think about how several of the midwestern university systems have “branch campuses” that are really R1 research universities with highly-regarded programs, medical schools, etc. IUPUI, UIC, and UMKC are a few that come to mind.

From an outsider’s perspective, why not close your PSU system campuses, merge everything into the Hershey campus, where your medical school is located, and create a similar type of institution as the universities mentioned above? It seems like it’d solve a lot of your problems while creating another great public university in Pennsylvania.

You really should take those liar posters to task for ripping on THON every year - it’s really is pathetic and makes all Pitt people look like a-holes by association - really how low can you getting ripping on kids raising money to find a cure for paediatric cancer - everyone here is banned so we can’t push back even of wr wanted to.

 

[retsio]

Specifically with Hershey, PSU already has the Harrisburg Campus with over 5k students. It seems wasteful to build an entire new campus in Hershey 20 odd miles away.

Also they’re are both generally too close to PSU Main. Maybe a major separate institution in Philly or Pittsburgh would’ve made sense if Temple and Pitt didn’t already exist. Overall, PA universities have just lacked central planning from an overall state system. California has a well organized U of Cal and Cal State system where “branches” can be planned to serve population centers and full required specialties. Texas has this with all public universities being under the UT or A&M systems (I think). PA was a free for all with formerly private universities becoming state related (Pitt and Temple).

Our state university system of course grew out of normal schools/teachers colleges but they seemed to never had any general planning with the state related “commonwealth system”.

The PA legislature has been in control of the 'post-secondary education' system from the very beginning. Penn State was public/state 'approved' while Pitt and Temple were private. The legislature then made them an offer of state money and both became state supported.

Penn State prior to additional branch/community campuses, made an offer to bring the state 'system' into the development of a future Penn State similar to CA. BUT the legislature was afraid/fearful of a monster or behemoth 'University' outside of their control and Kutztown, West Chester, Mansfield and others had a lifeline. Penn State without legislature money support and members understanding of basic family dollars for college education, built Great Valley, Berks and others at Penn State's expense.

Combine Berks and Kutztown (15 miles apart), Great Valley and Lincoln - not possible until the legislature understands 'education money well spent'. My parents were first-time college students at East Stroudsburg State Teachers College in the 1930's. I was at Penn State University campus in the 1960's (finished in 1966) when Dr. Althouse and others made a presentation to the legislature that was flatly rejected.

The 'Key' to all of this is the Legislature and their unwillingness to reform the BOT, and understand the future of college education campuses and programs in PA.

 

[joeaubie21]

The PA legislature has been in control of the 'post-secondary education' system from the very beginning. Penn State was public/state 'approved' while Pitt and Temple were private. The legislature then made them an offer of state money and both became state supported.

Penn State prior to additional branch/community campuses, made an offer to bring the state 'system' into the development of a future Penn State similar to CA. BUT the legislature was afraid/fearful of a monster or behemoth 'University' outside of their control and Kutztown, West Chester, Mansfield and others had a lifeline. Penn State without legislature money support and members understanding of basic family dollars for college education, built Great Valley, Berks and others at Penn State's expense.

Combine Berks and Kutztown (15 miles apart), Great Valley and Lincoln - not possible until the legislature understands 'education money well spent'. My parents were first-time college students at East Stroudsburg State Teachers College in the 1930's. I was at Penn State University campus in the 1960's (finished in 1966) when Dr. Althouse and others made a presentation to the legislature that was flatly rejected.

The 'Key' to all of this is the Legislature and their unwillingness to reform the BOT, and understand the future of college education campuses and programs in PA.

The monster the legislature was afraid of is of their creation. Then you have the scoundrelly BoT whom they are indifferent to.

Political contributions threatened? Most likely.