Rep. Ortitay introduces bill to centralize Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Board of Governors

Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny) recently introduced legislation to centralize the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) Board of Governors, following a Legislative Budget and Finance Committee report on the board.

The legislation, House Bill 2551, would repeal and replace the structure and duties of the board. The bill would direct the board to create a human resource department of all member institutions, and establish the powers and duties of the member institutions’ Council of Trustees. It would also define the mission of each member institution, create strategic plans for the system and member universities; submit a budget to the General Assembly for the system and member institutions; and approve and adopt degree programs for member institutions.

The board would consist of nine individuals appointed by the governor, House speaker, House minority leader, president pro tempore of the Senate and Senate minority leader, and a faculty member appointed by their peers.

The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee report found that bureaucratic governance hinder opportunities to change and reduces the state system’s ability to respond to challenges.

Under the original law creating PASSHE (Act 188), the roles and responsibilities of the Board of Governors, the Chancellor’s Office, university presidents and Councils of Trustees overlap in some areas. In other areas, the legislation lacks clarity, Ortitay said.

“This lack of clarity and duplication in responsibilities contribute to a system top heavy in administration,” Ortitay said. “By streamlining and removing duplications within the schools, we can help put the system back on track. These changes also will make the system more student-centered and focus on the needs of the students in order to help them secure employment after graduation.”