State System exit plan outlined by Pa. senators - Karen Langley, Post-Gazette

Pennsylvania senators on Tuesday explained how they propose to allow high-performing universities to exit state ownership, while both the State System of Higher Education and the faculty union expressed concern. Universities meeting size and financial qualifications could opt to buy their land and buildings over 30 years, state Sen. Robert Tomlinson, R-Bucks and a trustee of West Chester University, and Sen. Andy Dinniman, D-Chester and a former professor at the university, said at a Capitol news conference. Of the 14 universities in the State System, only West Chester and Bloomsburg have not lost enrollment since 2010. The legislation would create a path from state ownership for universities with more than 7,000 students that have three years of an "unqualified audit opinion" and the means to buy their property from the state. The university would be required to continue paying the employer share of pension obligations. http://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2014/03/12/State-System-exit-plan-outlined-by-senators/stories/201403120078#ixzz2vmVEbDks