In the second of a three-part series of roundtable discussions titled “Toward Racial Equity at Penn State: Social Difference, Social Equity and Social Change,” faculty members, staff, University leaders and students of color shared their experiences within a predominately white university setting and their visions for the future of diversity, equity and inclusion at Penn State.
Following a three-month comprehensive planning process, Penn State officials have determined that the University can meet or exceed the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s guidelines for colleges and universities, and look forward to welcoming back faculty, staff and students to resume on-campus, in-person classes and other activities this fall in a limited fashion.
Due to the economic challenges facing Pennsylvania and the nation, Penn State President Eric J. Barron announced plans today (April 23) to freeze tuition rates for all students University-wide for the 2020-21 academic year. The plan, which will be presented to the University’s Board of Trustees for final approval at its July meeting, would mark the third consecutive year that Penn State has held tuition rates flat for Pennsylvania resident students.
In the face of severe financial impacts to the University brought on by the global coronavirus pandemic, on April 23 Penn State President Eric J. Barron announced some salary adjustments; a 3% across-the-board cut to university budgets in the next fiscal year; and his intention to work with the Board of Trustees to freeze tuition for the 2020-21 academic year to limit student costs.
As Pennsylvania moved on April 1 to extend its "Stay at Home" order to all counties, Penn State campuses across the commonwealth already had practices in place that align with the governor’s current and previous orders.
