The National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS) will begin to assist the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) in conducting a review of its system of operations in upcoming months.

The review is occurring under the authorization of PASSHE’s Board of Governors (BOG) as part of a plan that will ensure each PASSHE school meets the needs and expectations of every student and employer in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, according to a PASSHE press release.

PASSHE’s partnership with the NCHEMS comes in the midst of tough financial times for the state’s universities, fueled by lagging state funding and decreasing numbers of high school graduates, according to the press release.

“This is our opportunity for bold, strategic thinking,” said Cynthia D. Shapira, BOG chairwoman. “This review will be comprehensive and all-inclusive, and with NCHEMS’s assistance, I am confident we can achieve an even greater level of excellence for our students.”

Throughout its review of the 14 PASSHE schools, NCHEMS will examine various aspects of each universities’ operations in order to determine its costs and benefits. Students, faculty, staff, university trustees and alumni will also be asked for their input.

“NCHEMS knows about the challenges facing the State System and the future of higher education in Pennsylvania,” said NCHEMS Vice President Patrick Kelly.

“All of these and other varying conditions will be analyzed and tied together in such a way as to help the State System make the decisions necessary to create a path in sustainability for Pennsylvania’s future that continues to the promise of providing access to affordable higher education to students in all parts of the state.”

In past years, NCHEMS has worked with higher education systems in Colorado, Missouri, New Jersey, Oregon and Tennessee. Its review of PASSHE is expected to be completed by the end of the summer, with NCHEMS sending its recommendations to PASSHE shortly thereafter.

In addition to NCHEMS’ review of PASSHE, the BOG has assembled a separate task force to review the operations of Cheyney University, and create a new “institutional model” for the university based on its findings.

Led by Robert Bogle, chair of Cheyney University’s Council of Trustees, and Aaron A. Walton, vice chair of the BOG, the task force will also be seeking feedback from CU students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members.

The BOG authorized the development of the task force last month “with a focused mission that builds on the success of the Keystone Honors Academy, ensures operational and financial stability, and includes an aggressive timeline for implementation,” according to PASSHE.

The task force will begin work on the development of the new institutional model immediately, and is expected to present its findings to CU’s Council of Trustees and the BOG by May.

“There are countless students in the Commonwealth, and, in particular, the Philadelphia area who need the type of higher-education experience that only Cheyney University provides within our State System,” said Kenneth Mash, president of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties. “When Cheyney University cannot properly provide opportunities, our entire State System fails.”

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