Friday, March 3, 2017

You are our best advocate

During our State of the System address earlier this semester, Board of Governors Chair Cynthia Shapira and I discussed the pivotal year that lies ahead for the State System and our 14 universities—including the many opportunities that can help ensure their long-term sustainability.
We often use the phrase Infinite Opportunities when referring to what our state-owned universities can—and do—provide students and their families, but Infinite Opportunities can also refer to the many ways you can advocate for the continued investment in our universities.
We are very appreciative of the fact that Governor Wolf proposed a third straight year of increased investment in the State System. His support and that of the General Assembly underscores the value of our state-owned universities for the Commonwealth. Despite those increased investments, our current appropriation is about the same as we received in 1999, even though we are serving thousands more students today.

We are seeking an investment of $61 million over our current funding amount, and we need your help to make the case on behalf of our talented students, faculty, and staff. Everyone who believes in the State System’s mission to provide high-quality, affordable higher education has the opportunity to share their stories demonstrating the important role our 14 universities have in helping to secure Pennsylvania’s future.

Individuals have the most powerful stories to tell, so I encourage you to share your stories regarding why your State System university matters to you, your family, your business, or your community. Use the hashtags #InvestinOURuniversities and #fundPAfuture as you post encouraging and positive messages, images, and videos in social media.

The more we advocate together and remind the Commonwealth how our universities shape the future, the stronger our universities will be for years to come.