Dan Greenstein, the chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, hosted an open forum at Shippensburg University on Nov. 17 to address concerns of financial distress and discrimination on campus.

About 25 students, including club leaders, student ambassadors and SGA members gathered to discuss issues on the SU campus in CUB 119. The issues ranged from student involvement to the financial strain and impacts on student groups and other topics such as general discrimination, harassment toward marginalized groups on campus, the importance of accessibility and the cultural disconnect on campus.

Greenstein first began by addressing the financial concerns of many groups on campus.

Aiden Piper, 2023 president of SU Bands, spoke about concerns pertaining to how the Shippensburg University Marching Band, known as the “largest student group on campus” may not have the financial capabilities in the future to continue its growth and achievement. He said, “Our vision and our mission may not succeed in the way it has in the past.”

Greenstein’s response consisted of tying the issue to two problems — the level of the fee and the number of students who pay it. He explained that he does not have control over the amount of the fee and questioned the student groups on what they are doing to increase enrollment themselves, saying “Free advice; you get what you pay for.”

Student ambassadors explained how Covid-19 negatively affected enrollment and how in recent months, many more prospective students have been attending open houses and tours. At the last open house on Nov. 12, there were roughly 1,200 prospective students registered to attend.

SGA President Kennedy Holt addressed a cultural disconnect in the classroom involving not just students, but faculty as well. “We have a tendency to promote diversity and equity,” Holt said, but argued some student leaders do not see the effects of that.

Greenstein’s response included highlighting the climate survey conducted in January and February of last year where the findings were presented by the President of DEI, Manny Ruiz. The presentations, addressing race and inclusion, were open to students, faculty and staff.

Students asked, even with the survey, what are the steps being taken to address students’ concerns. 

“You got to start somewhere,” Greenstein said. He expressed that the challenge is, “That if you try to do everything, you won't get anything done.”

He explained that the climate survey was conducted to provide a starting point. His advice was to “spend a lot of time in review, and don't jump to problem solving because you can't solve a problem if you don't fully understand it.”

Students then raised concerns about race issues taking place all over PASSHE and what Greenstein was doing to correct the problem. He focused on the point that, “The solution to that problem at Ship, is fundamentally different than it is at PennWest, it just is.”

Students continued to push the question of how PASSHE can take the initiative to address this issue and Greenstein shared that, “We ask our universities to establish goals.” These goals can include anything from enrollment, student success and even attainment gap reduction.

“We create an environment where it is required for universities to address their climate issues, but we can’t tell people how to address their climate issues, because their issues are different,” Greenstein said.

He explained that once these goals are set, they are held accountable, and repercussions for not hitting these goals can range from taking money away from universities or even firing the president. “Ultimately, that’s what the board can do.”

A long conversation ensued with back and forth from Greenstein and students regarding policy about discrimination, cultural competency in the classroom and university transparency. The overall response was that PASSHE, as a voice of the state, is restricted in what it can do regarding these certain situations and issues. 

“Policy is a blunt instrument,” Greenstein said.

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