The Board of Governors of Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) voted in favor of increasing tuition costs for its 14 universities for the 2015-16 academic year, according to PASSHE. The approval came on July 9, less than two months before the start of Shippensburg University's fall semester.
Though tuition is being raised by $240 for each student, PASSHE still requires $30 million in either state support or budget cuts. The state system continues to strive for Pennsylvania's legislators to provide more funding to close the deficit.
"Even with the modest tuition increase we approved today, the universities still would need to make significant budget cuts without any increased funding from the state again," said Guido Pichini, the chairman of Board of Governors
"We will continue to talk with the governor and the legislature to seek their support on behalf of our students and their families."
In the past decade state schools cut more than $270 million from their budgets. Of that combined sum, SU slashed nearly $35 million from their expenses.
Despite the extensive budget cuts, the Board of Governors gave the green light for 16 new degree programs to adapt to Pennsylvania's changing job market. PASSHE frequently adds and discontinues degree and certificate programs based on market demands.
In the past five years, more than 270 new programs were created between the state system schools, while more than 385 programs were permanently or temporarily terminated.
"Today's action demonstrates the universities' commitment to serving the needs of their students and the Commonwealth," Pichini said.
Some of the new academic programs include topics such as education, health care, management, science and fine arts. Kutztown University, Slippery Rock and the University of Pennsylvania are three of eight state schools to offer new programs next academic year.
Though new programs have been approved at SU in the past, no new programs were approved during this session.
SU, like the other 14 state schools, will have to continue to cut their budget in order to close the deficit in the coming academic year unless the legislature votes to increase funding to PASSHE.
Though tuition prices will increase, state system schools will still be the cheapest in the state, according to PASSHE.
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