As the state system of higher education deals with declining enrollment and pressure to raise tuition, officials say that trend has actually led to an interesting outcome.
PASSHE Chairman Dan Greenstein said some schools actually saw increases in fundraising and private donations.
“One data point sticks in my head. Clarion had in the face of integration, had its best ever fundraising year. Bloomburg was similar,” Greenstein said. “Fundraising proceeds a pace and we continue to improve. We’re not yet at the Harvard level of endowment, but we’re getting there.”
Greenstein also added that the Middle States Commission on Higher Education is scheduled to meet next month, with a chance of approving the three school merger (Clarion, California, Edinboro) by April.