logo
Weather page
GET THE APP
ePaper
google_play
app_store
  • Login
  • E-Edition
  • News
  • Sports
  • Obituaries
  • Opinion
  • Classifieds
    • Place an Ad
    • All Listings
    • Jobs
  • Special Sections
  • Photo Gallery
  • Contests
  • Lifestyle/Entertainment
  • Games
    • News
      • Local News
      • PA State News
      • Nation/World
    • Sports
      • Local
      • College Sports
      • State
      • National
    • Obituaries
    • Opinion
      • News
        • Local News
        • PA State News
        • Nation/World
      • Sports
        • Local
        • College Sports
        • State
        • National
      • Obituaries
      • Opinion
    logo
    • Classifieds
      • Place an Ad
      • All Listings
      • Jobs
    • E-Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Login
      • Classifieds
        • Place an Ad
        • All Listings
        • Jobs
      • E-Edition
      • Subscribe
      • Login
    Home Opinion Necessary cuts at IUP
    Necessary cuts at IUP
    Opinion, Сolumns
    November 13, 2020

    Necessary cuts at IUP

    Pennsylvania colleges are facing tough financial choices in the face of declining enrollments, catalyzed by COVID-19.

    Indiana University of Pennsylvania, one of the 14 members of the State System of Higher Education, announced the elimination of five low-enrollment degree programs in the arts and the consolidation from six colleges to five. Students currently enrolled in the programs will be able to complete them.

    The news comes as the university reports a steep 33% drop in enrollment from about 15,000 students down to 10,000.

    IUP’s step, while difficult, is necessary. Future in-state students seeking to pursue the eliminated degree programs will still have the option to do so at other state institutions. By differentiating itself from other state schools and focusing its finances on the departments that attract larger numbers of students, IUP is strengthening its competitive edge in attracting the students whom it can serve best.

    In a video apology, IUP President Michael Driscoll said the university’s financial shortfall is about $16 million.

    ”If we don’t act now, IUP will continue to decline and will have no future,” he said.

    Pennsylvania consistently ranks among the bottom three states in terms of taxpayer support for higher education. The state college system as a whole is grappling with ways to keep tuition affordable rather than passing on costs to students. Some of the 14 schools are merging, and more than 300 faculty positions are expected to be eliminated during the downsize, more than 120 of which will likely be at IUP. One hopes the administrative end of the school is exploring cuts as well.

    This is understandably devastating to those losing their jobs and to the students losing their mentors and teachers, who have pointed out that other program mergers and moratoriums will amount to de facto elimination.

    In the fall, the state government funneled roughly $28 million to these institutions to support health and safety plans, but with a diminished high school graduation rate in the state the financial hits facing these colleges are not likely to let up anytime soon.

    For many high school graduates, college is the next step on a path toward a career and a brighter future, and the price of tuition can make or break many students’ ability to attend. IUP’s decision to focus on programs that attract higher enrollment is the right one.

    — Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (TNS)

    Tags:

    columns opinion

    The Bradford Era

    Local & Social
    Latest news for you
    ‘Round the Square: Skywalk reopens Aug. 8
    Round the Square
    ‘Round the Square: Skywalk reopens Aug. 8
    July 8, 2025
    SKYWALK: Aug. 8. That's the date when the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources reopens the Kinzua Skywalk for the fall season. The Kinzua ...
    Read More...
    BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Sweet’s Saltwater makes a splash
    Business, Local News
    BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Sweet’s Saltwater makes a splash
    By SAVANNAH BARR s.barr@bradfordera.com 
    July 8, 2025
    Whether you are a longtime aquarium enthusiast or you just learned about planted tanks and want to find out more, there is something for everyone at S...
    Read More...
    {"newsletter-daily-headlines":"Daily Headlines", "newsletters":"Newsletters", "to-print":"To print", "bradfordera-website":"Website"}
    Don’t let strawberries spoil
    Lifestyles
    Don’t let strawberries spoil
    July 8, 2025
    Dear Heloise: We love fresh strawberries at our house, but frequently a few of them spoil in the container before we can use them all. We discovered a...
    Read More...
    {"to-print":"To print", "bradfordera-website":"Website"}
    Sibling is making elderly mom’s life a living hell
    Lifestyles
    Sibling is making elderly mom’s life a living hell
    July 8, 2025
    DEAR ABBY: I live five hours away from my hometown. My mom is 98 and in assisted living there. In recent years, my younger sister has become cruel to ...
    Read More...
    {"to-print":"To print", "bradfordera-website":"Website"}
    2025 NY/PA Corporate Cup Soccer Showcase slated for July 27
    Local Sports
    2025 NY/PA Corporate Cup Soccer Showcase slated for July 27
    Jo Wankel 
    July 7, 2025
    Four soccer matches showcasing 175 of the best high school soccer players from Northwestern PA and Southwestern NY will take place on July 27 at Pitt-...
    Read More...
    Harrison Brunicke wants to be in Pittsburgh, but the Penguins say he must earn his place first
    National Sports
    Harrison Brunicke wants to be in Pittsburgh, but the Penguins say he must earn his place first
    Matt Vensel Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 
    July 7, 2025
    (TNS) —This time last summer, Harrison Brunicke was a lesser-known Penguins prospect who arrived at his first development camp eager to learn and get ...
    Read More...
    {"to-print":"To print", "bradfordera-website":"Website"}
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    This Week's Ads
    Current e-Edition
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Already a subscriber? Click the image to view the latest e-edition.
    Don't have a subscription? Click here to see our subscription options.
    Mobile App

    Download Now

    The Bradford Era mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the Bradford Era on your mobile device just as it appears in print.

    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store

    Help Our Community

    Please help local businesses by taking an online survey to help us navigate through these unprecedented times. None of the responses will be shared or used for any other purpose except to better serve our community. The survey is at: www.pulsepoll.com $1,000 is being awarded. Everyone completing the survey will be able to enter a contest to Win as our way of saying, "Thank You" for your time. Thank You!

    Get in touch with The Bradford Era
    Submit Content
    • Submit News
    • Letter to the Editor
    • Place Wedding Announcement
      • Submit News
      • Letter to the Editor
      • Place Wedding Announcement
    Advertise
    • Place Birth Announcement
    • Place Anniversary Announcement
    • Place Obituary Call (814) 368-3173
      • Place Birth Announcement
      • Place Anniversary Announcement
      • Place Obituary Call (814) 368-3173
    Subscribe
    • Start a Subscription
    • e-Edition
    • Contact Us
      • Start a Subscription
      • e-Edition
      • Contact Us
    CMG | Community Media Group
    Illinois
    • Hancock Journal-Pilot
    • Iroquois Times-Republic
    • Journal-Republican
    • The News-Gazette
      • Hancock Journal-Pilot
      • Iroquois Times-Republic
      • Journal-Republican
      • The News-Gazette
    Indiana
    • Fountain Co. Neighbor
    • Herald Journal
    • KV Post News
    • Newton Co. Enterprise
    • Rensselaer Republican
    • Review-Republican
      • Fountain Co. Neighbor
      • Herald Journal
      • KV Post News
      • Newton Co. Enterprise
      • Rensselaer Republican
      • Review-Republican
    Iowa
    • Atlantic News Telegraph
    • Audubon Advocate-Journal
    • Barr’s Post Card News
    • Burlington Hawk Eye
    • Collector’s Journal
    • Fayette County Union
    • Ft. Madison Daily Democrat
    • Independence Bulletin-Journal
    • Keokuk Daily Gate City
    • Oelwein Daily Register
    • Vinton Newspapers
    • Waverly Newspapers
      • Atlantic News Telegraph
      • Audubon Advocate-Journal
      • Barr’s Post Card News
      • Burlington Hawk Eye
      • Collector’s Journal
      • Fayette County Union
      • Ft. Madison Daily Democrat
      • Independence Bulletin-Journal
      • Keokuk Daily Gate City
      • Oelwein Daily Register
      • Vinton Newspapers
      • Waverly Newspapers
    Michigan
    • Iosco County News-Herald
    • Ludington Daily News
    • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
    • Oscoda Press
    • White Lake Beacon
      • Iosco County News-Herald
      • Ludington Daily News
      • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
      • Oscoda Press
      • White Lake Beacon
    New York
    • Finger Lakes Times
    • Olean Times Herald
    • Salamanca Press
      • Finger Lakes Times
      • Olean Times Herald
      • Salamanca Press
    Pennsylvania
    • Bradford Era
    • Clearfield Progress
    • Courier Express
    • Free Press Courier
    • Jeffersonian Democrat
    • Leader Vindicator
    • Potter Leader-Enterprise
    • The Wellsboro Gazette
      • Bradford Era
      • Clearfield Progress
      • Courier Express
      • Free Press Courier
      • Jeffersonian Democrat
      • Leader Vindicator
      • Potter Leader-Enterprise
      • The Wellsboro Gazette
    © Copyright The Bradford Era 43 Main St, Bradford, PA  | Terms of Use  | Privacy Policy
    Powered by TECNAVIA