VIEW from the ROCK
TheROCK Volume 14, Number 1
Council of Trustees: Joshua B. Young, Chairperson Eric L. Holmes, Vice-Chairperson Grace O. Hawkins John A. Hicks Brandon A. Maharaj Robert Marcus Dennis E. Murray Robert S. Taylor Suzanne A. Vessella John C. Cavanaugh, Chancellor (ex-officio) Acting President Charles Curry Cabinet • William Williams
Dear Friends, These are interesting times for higher education in Pennsylvania. In January, Governor Tom Corbett presented his 2012-13 budget proposal that reduced funding to PASSHE by 20 percent, or more than $82 million. As Chancellor John Cavanaugh shared, “The proposed budget represents the latest in a cascade of reductions to the state system in the past 18 months. If this proposal stands, we will have lost more than $170 million in state and federal education and general funding, compounded by a 50 percent reduction in our capital allocation and the loss of key ‘93 funding dedicated to deferred maintenance. Taken together, these reductions now mean that we must increasingly decide whether to renovate and maintain our existing physical plant or provide students the courses and programs they require to graduate.” “We do our part. PASSHE has reduced operating costs by more than $230 million during the past decade and will continue to seek additional efficiencies through collaboration. It has frozen and/or eliminated positions. We continue to review our academic offerings; we have eliminated or put into moratorium hundreds of programs.” “We respond to the commonwealth’s needs. Our new programs have focused on meeting the needs of the shale industry, filling workforce training gaps in the Northern Tier of the commonwealth, and responding to the growing need for wellprepared allied health professionals, especially nurses and physician assistants. It will be challenging to continue to devote funds to these efforts without stable funding.” “We appreciate the support of and look forward to working with the General Assembly and the governor during the upcoming budget process. Our budget hearings will provide the opportunity to discuss the successes we have had in cost control and reduction, as well as the impact of the proposed cuts.” As we have in the past, we are looking to each of you to add your voice to the discussion. It’s time to refresh your membership in ROCK Nation (or join) and share with legislators and others the importance of your Slippery Rock University education. You can access ROCK Nation via the SRU homepage at www.sru.edu. This is also a time of transition at The ROCK. Former President Robert Smith officially retired Feb. 10. For those unable to attend his farewell events, this edition of the magazine includes a commemorative booklet that chronicles his legacy of leadership at Slippery Rock University. We have completed the campus portion of the presidential selection process and have forwarded names to the chancellor and board of governors for consideration. Visit our website or Facebook page for updates. Best wishes,
Charles Curry, acting president 22
The ROCK ROCK The
Winter 2012 2012 Winter
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
• Charles Curry Vice President for Finance and Administrative Affairs
• Barbara Ender Vice President for University Advancement
• Constance Foley Vice President for Student Life
• Rita Abent Executive Director for University Public Relations
• Tina Moser Assistant to the President
Academic Leadership • Kurt Schimmel Dean, College of Business, Information and Social Sciences
• Kathleen Strickland Dean, College of Education
• Susan Hannam Dean, College of Health, Environment and Science
• Eva Tsuquiashi-Daddesio
Dean, College of Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts
Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Guido M. Pichini, Chairperson Marie Conley Lammando, Vice-Chairperson Aaron A. Walton, Vice-Chairperson Leonard B. Altieri III Rep. Matthew E. Baker Governor Thomas W. Corbett Sarah C. Darling Rep. Michael K. Hanna Ronald G. Henry Kenneth M. Jarin Bonnie L. Keener Jonathan B. Mack Joseph F. McGinn C.R. “Chuck” Pennoni Sen. Jeffrey E. Piccola Harold C. Shields Robert S. Taylor Sec. Ronald J. Tomalis Sen. John T. Yudichak Chancellor, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education John C. Cavanaugh