A crisis facing state universities
California University of Pennsylvania is vital to the economic, educational and social health and future of Southwestern Pennsylvania. I hope those who represent this region in the General Assembly make this fact clear to all concerned.
I would also ask that the members of the General Assembly use this as an opportunity to review the structure of the entire Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. There is a crisis facing these universities, yet it is a crisis that the “central office” failed to avert. Many of the decisions that resulted in the 2012 firing of Angelo Armenti, Cal U’s president, were approved by “central office” administration and board. The “central office” is now confronting this problem by hiring outside consultants.
The reasonable expectation of taxpayers and voters is that those paid significant salaries because they have exceptional knowledge, skills, and decision-making abilities will, in fact, make decisions. The inability to make such decision without additional expense is an embarrassment.
B. Kirk Holman
California