The new chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), Frank Brogan, has been visiting campuses around the state in November.

Included here are some of the comments most relevant to those of us interested in English, literacy, and the humanities:

• “[T]he system needs to consider downsizing academic
  programs that are creating an ‘over saturation’ of degrees in a particular
  field. One example is education, where often times students who obtain
  teaching degrees are forced to leave Pennsylvania to find a job.”http://www.lockhaven.com/page/content.detail/id/548254/New-chancellor-visits-LHU–outlines-goals-for-PASSHE.html?nav=5009<>

• “Since taking the job Oct. 1, Brogan has said that some cuts and program changes will be necessary in light of declining student enrollments and reductions in funding from the state.

  [He] offered no panaceas to faculty members fearing layoffs and students fretting over tuition hikes and disappearing academic programs.

  But [he] did assure them that he believes the system needs to balance the state Legislature’s push for science, technology, engineering and math with the merits of a broad liberal arts education that includes the humanities.

  The chancellor said the state system is considering giving the universities the flexibility to charge different tuition and fee rates for undergraduate students, depending on their major.

  For example, chemistry costs more to teach than, say, English literature because of the need for laboratory equipment and small class sizes in labs.”
  http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-kutztown-university-chancellor-20131112,0,7582756.story