2010may24journal by California University of Pennsylvania

California University

VOLUME 12, NUMBER 15 MAY 24, 2010

Fix Our Finances Pennsylvania’s State System Universities Need a New Way of Doing Things This op-ed by University President Angelo Armenti, Jr. was submitted to the Post-Gazette and printed there on May 7, 2010.

he decades-long decline in state appropriations to the 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, coupled with the policy of keeping tuition rates low for all students — not just the neediest — is having serious, unintended consequences for the universities and for the students we serve. What’s needed are increases in tuition large enough to preserve the financial viability of the universities combined with scholarship assistance for the neediest students. When PASSHE was created in 1983, the commonwealth provided 63 percent of the universities’ educational and general budgets. By 2010, that share had fallen to 34 percent. During this time, appropriations fell 19 percent in terms of constant dollars as full-time enrollments grew by 52 percent. The result has been a 39 percent decline in appropriation per full-time student, taking inflation into account. While the reason for the decline in funding is financial, the reason for continuing to hold PASSHE tuitions low for all students is more a matter of politics. Elected commonwealth officials are rightly concerned about the effect of rising tuitions on the neediest Pennsylvania students, especially since the bulk of PASSHE students traditionally have come from lowincome families. But over the years, a rapid increase in tuition rates at private and state-related universities in Pennsylvania, coupled with the increasing attractiveness of PASSHE schools in terms of real and perceived quality, has encouraged families to seek out PASSHE universities and their much lower tuitions — which, I would argue, are below market rate. The increase in full-time enrollments — from 71,000 in 1983 to 108,000 this year — is just one measure of the increasing attractiveness of PASSHE schools. Another measure is the shifting demographics of the students who apply. Let’s use my institution, California University of Pennsylvania, as an example.

In a recent op-ed published in the May 7 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Cal U President Angelo Armenti, Jr. explained how a two-tiered policy of combining market tuition rates with scholarships for the neediest students can alleviate the financial challenges for both students and the PASSHE universities.

The most rapidly growing segment of students at Cal U over the last 10 years has been those with families earning $100,000 or more per year! The second most rapidly growing has been those with family incomes of from $70,000 to $99,999. The shift toward students from more affluent families means some well-to-do Pennsylvanians may be getting an unnecessary subsidy from the commonwealth under PASSHE’s policy of low tuition for all. For these families, our tuition is too low. Meanwhile, Cal U students graduate with an average debt of $23,000, with some borrowing as much as $60,000. For these, our neediest students, our tuition

is too high. Taken together, it is clear that the policy is failing at both ends of the financial-need spectrum. A two-tiered policy, practiced by virtually all private universities, can solve this problem by combining market tuition rates with scholarships for the neediest students, which would reduce the effective tuition to levels they can manage. While the political calculus works in favor of low tuition rates for all families — including affluent ones — it works against the financial calculus of the universities, which have only two major sources of revenue: appropriations and tuition. State appropriations are declining rapidly in real terms and tuition revenue can be increased only if enrollments grow fast enough to make up for the money lost because of below-market tuition rates. Market rates are the norm in every successful enterprise and should be adopted if public higher education is to serve the citizens of the commonwealth. If rates are too low, at some point an institution must either shortchange its stakeholders or fail for lack of money. If rates are too high, clients go to other providers with similar quality but lower costs — assuming they exist. Ultimately, institutions with rates that are too high suffer the same unhappy fate as those with rates that are too low. For many years, PASSHE tuition rates have been kept artificially low with two obvious results: 1) rapidly increasing enrollments — a market signal that our tuition is lower than optimal, and 2) wealthier student families — a sign that our quality warrants higher tuition rates. The most effective organizations set rates to optimize revenues. PASSHE’s failure to do this has produced tragic consequences for our finances and our students, especially the neediest students who could get more financial help if more affluent students were charged market rates. PASSHE’s low-tuition-for-all policy needs to be replaced with market-rate tuitions and scholarship assistance for the neediest students. Aside from making a first-rate education available to more Pennsylvanians, the additional revenue would help preserve the quality and viability of PASSHE universities by offsetting continued reductions in state appropriations.

SAI Buys 98 Acres Beside Roadman Park

A Fine Day to Graduate Blustery winds and cooler temperatures hardly dampened Cal U’s first outdoor Commencement in more than a decade. Nearly 1,000 undergraduates were eligible to receive degrees at Adamson Stadium on May 8. See story on page 2.

o provide more recreational space for students as University enrollment grows, the Student Association Inc. (SAI), a nonprofit corporation owned and operated by all students at California University of Pennsylvania, has purchased a 98-acre parcel adjoining the University’s south campus. Paperwork finalizing the sale of land at 377 East Malden Drive, Coal Center, was filed May 4 in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds for Washington County, Pa. The $1.1 million purchase of the former Harris property increases the overall size of the California University campus by 50 percent. The property adjoins Roadman Park, home to the University’s football stadium and track, tennis — Continued on page 2

Windswept Grads Urged to Follow Dreams

ot only was Cal U’s May 8 Undergraduate Commencement conducted outdoors for the first time in more than a decade, it was also the first time a gift was presented by the senior class. Graduating senior Erin Elizabeth Berstler, chair of the Senior Gift Drive Committee, presented Cal U President Angelo Armenti, Jr. with a check for more than $3,200. Commencement speaker Fred Gladney ’71 matched the gift. Funds will be used to help establish an endowed scholarship. “Those of us who worked on the senior class gift drive embrace Cal U for Life, which is an important initiative,” Berstler said. “Even though we were not exposed to Cal U for Life as this year’s incoming freshman were, we take seriously the lifelong relationship we want to have with our alma mater.” Graduating seniors who contributed wore special red, black and gold cords signifying their contribution. In all, President Armenti conferred degrees on more than 1,200 students, an increase of more than 50 percent over the number of eligible graduates in May 2007. Graduate Commencement was held May 7 in Hamer Hall auditorium. The President emphasized Cal U for Life in his remarks, delivered in a wind-swept Adamson Stadium. “Cal U for Life incorporates the idea of sharing your time, talent and treasure with your alma mater,” he said. “All of you can give of your time and talent now, and the treasure will come in future years. Other speakers at both Commencement ceremonies told graduates to follow their dreams. Addressing master’s degree candidates, Robert E. Eberly Jr., an author, historian and retired attorney from the General Counsel’s Office of the U.S. Navy, said his dream was to become a writer. “While it is infallibly trite to say, never be afraid to have a dream, to nurture it and to work toward its fulfillment,” Eberly said. “A career as a lawyer and the reality of having to raise a family unavoidably put my dream on hold for a number of years. Writing appellate briefs had to suffice during my years as a trial lawyer. But I never did let go of the dream.” Cal U held a book-signing event for Eberly’s first book in 2005. He reflected on that day, and spoke of his father, Robert Eberly Sr., whose statue sits in front of Manderino Library. “Your careers are vital, of course, and giving of your spare time to charities and the community is commendable,” he said. “But in the big scheme of things, family is paramount, and I am reminded of that when gaze at my father’s statue. He would be proud of all that you’ve accomplished at Cal, and so am I.” Gladney, a successful corporate executive in the information technology sector, began his career with IBM and Compaq Computer, now part of HewlettPackard. He then joined the leadership team of Isearch.com and served as senior vice president of Pittsburgh-based Development Dimensions International. A founder and CEO of a software development firm, he currently works as a business and executive coach. Despite his corporate achievements, Gladney said it took awhile before he achieved real success. “With the help of the Bible, I learned that life is not

Award-winning comedian Craig Shoemaker happily accepts his undergraduate degree from President Armenti. Shoemaker said that his years at Cal U helped make his childhood aspirations become a reality.

After waiting ‘forever’ in the stadium stands, Whitney Graham greets her soon-to-be husband and Cal U graduate Joshua Troutman after the May 8 commencement.

She Said Yes!

alifornia University of Pennsylvania’s 170th Commencement ceremony proved to be an extremely memorable occasion for graduate Joshua Troutman and Cal U student Whitney Graham. Troutman, 22, a technology education major from Bedford, Pa., used the top of his graduation cap to propose to Graham, 22, of Johnstown, Pa., who was watching from the stands at Hepner-Bailey Field at Adamson Stadium on Saturday. Graham, an early childhood education major who will graduate from Cal U in December, said she saw “something” on Troutman’s cap as he processed onto the field with the other graduates, but did not know what it was –“Will you marry me?” – until she used a camera to zoom in on the words. “All I could do is zoom in to see him,” she said. “So I had to sit here in agony, waiting” until she could give him an answer. Which was? “Yes!” Graham said the couple has not set a date for the wedding.

a journey of myopic self-interest,” he said. “I discovered my passion was to help others, and only then did I have a purpose.” Gladney told the undergraduates to look for the “DNA of success” in the real world—dream, networking and attitude. “You have to dream big, brand yourself and remember that your attitude is a choice,” he said. “Follow your passion, fulfill your purpose and unleash your potential. Class of 2010, I’ll see you at the top.” Award-winning comedian Craig Shoemaker received an honorary doctorate at the undergraduate ceremonies — and he fulfilled a long-held dream by receiving his bachelor’s degree, as well. A successful writer and producer, Shoemaker attended Cal U from 1977-1979. He was named Comedian of the Year at the American Comedy Awards on ABC-TV, and viewers voted his half-hour Comedy Central special one of the network’s top 20 stand-up specials of all time.

Yet he still recalls the time he spent at Cal U. “This was the California I really needed 30 years ago as a confused teenager, to find direction and hope for my future,” he said. “This is the place that provided me with the education and opportunity for my childhood aspirations to become a reality.” Shoemaker praised faculty members such as Marcy Blout, Pat Miller and Malcolm Callery, and commented on the University’s growth under President Armenti. “It was here that I first understood that all is possible, and am very proud of what this school has become,” he said. “Cal U for Life!” As he congratulated the new graduates, President Armenti pointed out that this year’s class joins more than 55,000 living alumni, many of whom have distinguished themselves since receiving their diplomas. “Our alumni constitute a very accomplished group of individuals and, as you join that elite company today, I have every confidence that you will distinguish yourselves in similar fashion,” he said.

SAI Purchases 98 Acres — Continued from page 1

Jenna Dunmire (left), recording secretary of the Student Association Inc. board of directors, and Jackie Davis, outgoing president of the SAI, join Donald and Leslie Harris in front of the Harris family home. The family sold a 98-acre parcel adjoining Roadman Park to the SAI.

courts, softball and baseball practice fields, and other recreational facilities. The Student Association also owns Roadman Park, which was purchased in the 1930s by the Women’s Athletic Association, a forerunner of the SAI. A shuttle operates regularly between Roadman Park and Cal U’s main campus beside the Monongahela River. The newly purchased parcel will enhance the quality of student life and expand recreational opportunities for Cal U students. Plans call for adding a track and playing fields, and using the 100-year-old farmhouse on the property for club meetings and other student activities. “Cal U’s enrollment has reached record

levels for 12 consecutive years, and we anticipate further growth in the years ahead,” said University President Angelo Armenti, Jr. “Expansion of Cal U’s main campus is limited by its location between the river and the town, but this parcel expands the recreation area available for our students. “I applaud the SAI for its foresight in making this purchase, and I expect this land to become a well-used part of our campus.” The SAI serves Cal U’s diverse student body by providing activities and programs and supporting new facilities on campus. The nonprofit association promotes the University’s core values, provides leadership opportunities and serves as an advocate for Cal U students. It has been at work strengthening Cal U since 1937.

Alumni Weekend, Gala Set for June 4-5

Alumni weekend will conclude with the President’s Gala on the evening of June 5. Proceeds from this event support student scholarships.

alifornia University will honor alumni, recognize faculty and raise funds for student scholarships during the 2010 Alumni Weekend and President’s Gala, set for June 4-5. President Angelo Armenti, Jr. and First Lady Barbara Armenti will host the annual President’s Gala, “The Golden Age of Hollywood,” in the Grand Ballroom of the Omni William Penn Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh. Proceeds from the fundraiser benefit student scholarships. The Gala reception begins at 6 p.m. June 5, followed by dinner at 7. A silent auction, casino games and dancing also are on the agenda. During the festivities, President Armenti will honor Dr. Jay D. Helsel ’59, ’63, winner of the Lillian Bassi Core Values Award. Also being honored are faculty members Dr. David Boehm of the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, who will receive the President’s Faculty Award for Teaching; Dr. Andrae Marak of the History and Political Science Department and the Cal U Honors Program, who will receive the President’s Faculty Award for Research; and Dr. Mohamed Yamba, also of the History and Political Science Department, recipient of the President’s Faculty Award for Service. Retired professors Dr. Anthony Saludis and

Joanne Raleigh will receive the President’s Emeriti Faculty Awards. Honorary chairs are Dr. David ’70, ’72 and Kathleen Amati. The President’s Gala is the highlight of Alumni weekend festivities that begin June 4 with a 5 p.m. reception at the Kara Alumni House. The annual Pioneer Dinner follows at 6 p.m. Special recognition will be given to the classes of 1960 and 1985, but all alumni may attend; ticket price is $15. On June 5, the annual meeting of the Alumni Association will open at 9 a.m. in Room 206 of the Natali Student Center. At 11 a.m. guests will convene for the annual Alumni Association Awards of Distinction Luncheon in the Performance Center of the student center. Cost is $15. Alumni award recipients are Dr. Paul Gentile ’62, receiving the John R. Gregg Award for Loyalty and Service; Dr. Mary Seman ’82, the C.B. Distinguished Faculty Award; Dr. John Cencich, the W.S. Jackman Award of Distinction; coach Darcie Vincent, the Michael Duda Award for Athletic Achievement; Joan Helsel, the Pavlak/Shutsy Special Service Award; Joe Grushecky ’71, the Professional Excellence Award; Thea Kalcevic ’06, the Young Alumni Award; and Dr. Charles Gorman ’57, the Meritorious Award.

Argentinean Theater Focus of Paper

hrough grant funding from the Faculty Professional Development Travel Fund and the College of Liberal Arts, Dr. Marianna Pensa gave a presentation at the 63rd annual Kentucky Foreign Language Conference, held April 15-17 at the University of Kentucky. Her paper, originally written in Spanish, was titled “Postmodernism, Identity and Immigration: An Approach to Fronteras Americanas by Guillermo Verdecchia.” The paper explores “immigration writing” and how Guillermo Verdecchia, an Argentinean playwright living in Canada, addresses issues such as identity and memory. Pensa, assistant professor of Spanish in the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures, said she has been researching Argentinean theater since completing her undergraduate studies in the late 1980s at the Universidad de Buenos Aires in Argentina. Pensa emphasized that she is introducing her students to Latin American theater in her courses at Cal U, including this semester’s Survey of Spanish-American Literature class.

Thank You Donna Hoak of the Women’s Center/P.E.A.C.E. Project would like to thank the University community for their support, generosity and acts of kindness during the recent loss of her father. The thoughtfulness is sincerely appreciated

President Angelo Armenti, Jr. (right) shares a laugh with women’s tennis coach Pablo Montana following the May 5 ribbon cutting dedication ceremony for Cal U’s state-of-theart tennis complex at Roadman Park.

Cal U Dedicates Tennis Complex

al U’s stellar women’s tennis team officially has a home court to match. A ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Roadman Park facility was held May 5, the day before the Vulcans hosted the first two rounds of this year’s NCAA Division II Regional championships. The team has won the past four consecutive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference and NCAA regional championships in addition to six straight division crowns. Cal finished the 2010 season with a 24-6 overall record and advanced the NCAA II quarterfinals for the second straight season and third time in four years. The new, lighted $1.5 million facility consists of six courts, which have the same Deco Turf surface used at some of the world’s most prestigious tennis competitions, including the U.S. Open and the NCAA championships. “As I’m sure you know, Cal U’s Bill of Rights and Responsibilities says, “We have the right to expect the best. We have the responsibility to give our best,” President Angelo Armenti, Jr. said. “That’s exactly what we have done here at Roadman Park. Cal U can host any visiting team with pride. And this is one more example of Cal U at its best.” Echoing the President’s comments was Cal U athletic director Dr. Tom Pucci. “This facility is second to none in our conference and one of the best in all of the regions,” said Pucci, a former collegiate tennis coach and player. “Having each of the six

courts individually separated from each other shows that it was designed with the players in mind.” Cal U women’s tennis head coach Pablo Montana, who has also guided the Vulcans to seven NCAA post-season appearances in the past eight years, called the dedication and new facility a great day for the tennis program, school and local community. “We have a great bunch of student-athletes, and our program is enjoying a lot of success,” he said. “None of this would be possible without the support of President Armenti, the Council of Trustees and administration. It’s a team effort.” Junior Nina Kowalski spoke on behalf of the team. “I’ve been part of the team since 2007, and I never thought I would get the chance to play on the new courts during my college career,” she said. “This is a dream come true and the team is proud and appreciates being able to play on such clean, beautiful and bounce-free courts.” Christopher Haupt, Architect, L. Robert Kimball Associates, stated that just as the main campus there’s a master plan for athletics at Roadman Park “The tennis complex is the first element of this master plan,” Haupt said. “Cal U is all about building character and building careers. One of the primary goals behind this to produce winning varsity sports programs, which Cal certainly has done. We hope this new tennis facility helps Cal U continue its tradition of recruiting the best student-athletes available.”

‘Girls Night Out’ Encourages STEM Careers

tudents from California Middle School came to Cal U recently for a “Girls Night Out” focusing on careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The event — “CSI: California, Pa.” — was part of the 2009-2010 Campus Action Project (CAP) sponsored by the AAUW, formerly known as the American Association of University Women. The goal of the “Breaking through Barriers in Science, Technology and Engineering and Mathematics for Women and Girls” initiative was to address some of the obstacles women still face in these areas. The girls participated in hands-on activities related to forensic science, such as finger printing, footprint casting, evidence collecting and crime scene investigations. Nicole James, a forensic scientist at the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office, Division of Forensic Labs, addressed students and parents. Parents and students also had an opportunity to speak with female faculty teaching in the STEM areas. Cal U was one of 12 CAP teams from across the nation chosen to implement recommendations from the AAUW’s 2010 research report, “Why So Few? Women and Girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.” Local middle school girls, Cal U female undergraduates and female

The goal of the ‘Breaking through Barriers in Science, Technology and Engineering and Mathematics for Women and Girls’ initiative was to address some of the obstacles women still face in these areas.

Jordan Powell (from left), Alexa Angelo and Nina Victoria look at a mock-crime-scene photograph the group took during the ‘CSI: California, Pa.’ event. More than 35 middle school girls participated in the program, which was intended to increase interest in STEM careers.

faculty engaged in a two-tiered mentoring model to highlight STEM topics through hands-on activities. The mentoring program focused on two afterschool events for the middle school and college students, and faculty members

have helped the college students plan and carry out the events and meet with them as part of a mentoring relationship. “The goal is to engage and inspire middle school girls to participate in

STEM classes,” said Katherine Weber, an instructor of technology education at Cal U. Weber was the principal investigator for the AAUW “Why So Few” grant. The April 23 event, which took place in Keystone Hall, was the culmination of the CAP. Other projects in the program took place earlier in the year at California Middle School. The Office of Social Equity, The Women’s Center, Provost Geraldine Jones, the College of Education and Human Services and the Eberly College of Science and Technology supported the “CSI: California, Pa.” event. Students from the Forensic Science Club helped with the hands-on activities. Donna Hoak, Dr. Laura Hummell, Dr. Marta McClintock, Karen Posa, Nancy Skobel, Gena Sproul and Dr. Kim Woznack also helped to coordinate the program.

Student marketers, adviser ‘outstanding’

al U’s Student Marketing Association (SMA) and its adviser, Dr. Shirley A. Lazorchak, won recognition last month at the American Marketing Association’s 26th annual International Collegiate Conference in New Orleans. Lazorchak received the Hugh G. Wales Award for Outstanding Faculty Advisor, which honors the recipient for chapter guidance, training of chapter officers, planning assistance, motivation, communication and general support for the chapter. The SMA was selected as Outstanding Collegiate Chapter for the second consecutive year. This distinction puts Cal U among the top 25 schools out of approximately 200 that entered. For Lazorchak, the individual award is the culmination of the effort she began when she came to Cal U in 2001. The following year, she changed the Marketing Club into the Student Marketing Association and applied for affiliation with the American Marketing Association. The student marketers began competing with the AMA in 2004-2005. Allison Harsh, a senior marketing major and SMA president, nominated Lazorchak for the outstanding adviser award. “I was very surprised, grateful and humbled by the faith that my students and peers have in me,” Lazorchak said. “The runner-up was the faculty adviser from the Wharton School (at the) University of Pennsylvania, a truly deserving individual. So we are keeping great company.”

“Dr. Lazorchak has been a great adviser and mentor,” Harsh said. “She has helped our club grow and mature. She has real-world experience (as an apparel buyer, district retail manager, writer on retail issues and the host of a career program while on the faculty at West Virginia University). She has a lot of things to teach us.” Both said the international chapter competition was even more competitive this year. Chapters are judged on the development of a strategic plan and the events and other activities that each chapter participated in to fulfill the requirements of that plan. The Cal U SMA, which has about 25 members, planned events such a seminar on dressing professionally and a business-dining tutorial. “I estimate the quality of our strategic plan increased about 15 to 20 percent,” Lazorchak said. “This win means that Cal U is recognized internationally, first of all, as we were an unknown entity prior to reaching the elite status of the awards last year. “It increases the confidence our students have in their abilities, and that translates into stronger accomplishments reported on their resumes — accomplishments that set them apart from the competition — to increase their chances for employment with organizations promising growth and potential.” Harsh agreed, also citing the experience SMA members have gained by working with local businesses

Dr. Shirley A. Lazorchak was honored for her work as the Student Marketing Association adviser.

on marketing needs such as logo development and other branding projects. “A lot of students just go to class and learn about marketing, but in SMA you actually do it,” she said. “It gives students such an advantage in building their resumes.”

The California Journal is published weekly by California University of Pennsylvania, a member of The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Dr. Angelo Armenti, Jr. University President

Dr. Lenora Angelone Vice President for Student Development and Services

Ron Huiatt Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations

Geraldine M. Jones Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs

Angela J. Burrows Vice President for University Relations

Robert Thorn Interim Vice President for Administration and Finance

Dr. Joyce Hanley Executive Vice President

Dr. Charles Mance Vice President for Information Technology

Christine Kindl Editor

Bruce Wald Writer

Office of Communications and Public Relations • 250 University Avenue, California, PA 15419 • 724-938-4195 • wald@calu.edu The Journal is printed on paper made from trees harvested under the principles of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (www.SFIprogram.org).

Wendy Mackall Writer