Auditor General DePasquale Says Audit Shows PASSHE Must Make Improvements in Policies, Procedures Related to Campus Safety
Says State System efforts to keep tuition affordable commendable, need to continue
Auditor General DePasquale Says Audit Shows PASSHE Must Make Improvements in Policies, Procedures Related to Campus Safety
Says State System efforts to keep tuition affordable commendable, need to continue
HARRISBURG (April 27, 2015) – Auditor General Eugene DePasquale said a recent audit of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education shows that it needs more consistent policies related to grievance procedures and notices of non-discrimination required by Title IX to address sexual discrimination and sexual violence on campuses. He also urged system officials to continue efforts to keep tuition affordable.
“While most people think Title IX is about gender equality in sports, it also deals with a wide range of policies and procedures for preventing sexual discrimination and sexual violence in all aspects of college life,” DePasquale said at a news conference with State System Chancellor Frank T. Brogan.
“In our audit I wanted to ensure that the State System is making every effort to create and maintain safe and non-discriminatory learning environments and is committed to holding the line on tuition costs.
“In general, our audit shows they are on track. However, we did find that the system needs to step up its game to ensure that every campus has consistent policies and procedures in place to adequately address instances of sexual discrimination and sexual violence.
“Auditors also found that despite laudable efforts to hold down costs, the State System must look for additional ways to minimize tuition hikes, cut costs, and increase enrollment, especially in a time of stagnant state funding.
“Clearly, the State System needs the help of the governor and General Assembly to continue to provide quality, affordable higher education in Pennsylvania.”
The audit, which covered the period of July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2014, includes three findings and seven recommendations. The State System agreed with all findings and recommendations in the audit.
Title IX and Clery Act Compliance
Title IX is a federal law that mandates institutions that receive federal funding provide equal treatment for males and females in areas including, access to higher education, athletics, math and science opportunities, and sexual harassment.
The federal Clery Act requires all post-secondary institutions that receive funding from federal financial aid programs to prepare an annual report on campus crime, including sexual violence, assaults, hate crimes, weapons offenses, and alcohol and drug abuse.
Auditors found that while the State System is taking campus safety seriously, it discontinued the practice in 2013 of conducting Clery Act internal audits covering campus crime statistics at each of the 14 state-owned universities. Such audits are necessary to evaluate the completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of the universities’ reporting of Clery Act crime statistics.
Regarding Title IX, the audit also found that the State System has not established system-wide, uniform procedures to comply with the sexual discrimination and sexual violence aspects of Title IX, which could result in inconsistencies in these procedures at its universities.
“Title IX sexual discrimination and sexual violence policies and procedures are not consistent from university to university and that makes it difficult for the State System to assess whether or not the 14 universities are indeed complying with federal law,” DePasquale said. “Without uniform policies and procedures, it is quite possible for confusion and students, employees or others not receiving a prompt and equitable resolution of their complaints.”
Auditors noted that the State System has taken encouraging steps to help ensure its universities are complying with state and federal laws related to sexual violence and sexual harassment, including employing a Title IX coordinator who acts as a liaison between the Office of the Chancellor and the universities.
To correct these issues auditors recommended that the State System:
• immediately reinstitute Clery Act compliance audits within its Office of Internal Audits and Risk Assessment;
• adopt and publish system-wide, uniform grievance procedures for sex discrimination complaints, including procedures for filing complaints, timely investigation of complaints, timeliness of resolution, and notice to parties of outcomes;
• employ uniform language, consistent with Title IX requirements, in all universities’ publications used to distribute the required notice of non-discrimination; and
• monitor the universities in a consistent, routine manner to ensure that each one is fully complying with these uniform Title IX policies and procedures.
Tuition Affordability
In reviewing the cost to attend State System universities, auditors found that tuition continues to rise, despite the system’s commendable efforts to manage increasing expenses while state funding is stagnant and enrollment is declining. The State System has suffered a 17 percent decrease in state funding since 2008-09; a 6 percent decline in enrollment since 2010-11; and a 28 percent increase in employee benefit costs since fiscal year 2008-09.
“Given the issues with state funding, enrollment and benefit cost increases, I am amazed that the State System has been able to hold down tuition increases as much as they have,” DePasquale said, noting that for the past three years, tuition has increased by 3 percent each year.
“However, despite uncertain state budget times it is imperative that the university system do even more and call the governor and General Assembly to commit the funding necessary to continue to provide affordable, quality college education for Pennsylvania students.”
The audit notes that the State System implemented system-wide cost-cutting measures through strategic sourcing, reducing energy use, not filling vacancies, offering a voluntary retirement plan in 2012, consolidating business operations, and cutting academic programs that are no longer viable.
To help control tuition rates, the audit recommends that the State System:
• continue to evaluate operating costs and personnel expenses to identify areas to obtain additional savings; review academic program offerings to ensure that outdated programs are placed in moratorium and new, high-demand programs are offered; and evaluate opportunities where technology, such as online classes, can help keep tuition affordable and increase academic offerings;
• analyze the effects on tuition revenue levels and enrollment for each of its pricing flexibility pilot programs and expand or discontinue those programs based on the results of its evaluations; and
• research tuition programs used in other states, evaluate the applicability of those programs for the State System universities, and implement those it deems feasible and appropriate.
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education includes 14 state-owned universities:
• Bloomsburg University, Columbia County
• California University of Pennsylvania, Washington County
• Cheyney University, Chester County
• Clarion University, Clarion County
• East Stroudsburg, Monroe County
• Edinboro University, Erie County
• Indiana University, Indiana County
• Kutztown University, Berks County
• Lock Haven University, Clinton County
• Mansfield University, Tioga County
• Millersville University, Lancaster County
• Shippensburg University, Cumberland County
• Slippery Rock University, Butler County
• West Chester University, Chester County
The Department of the Auditor General ensures that state-owned, -related and -aided facilities follow state laws and guidelines when they spend state funds, as well as being in compliance with federal laws. These audits identify ways that state tax money can be spent more effectively and efficiently.
The State System of Higher Education audit report is available here.
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