In the flurry of budget activity last week, Pennsylvania legislators passed what some are billing as the most sweeping changes to the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education since its formation in 1982. To give the state’s 14 universities the ability to raise more revenue, the new laws clear the way for the colleges to begin offering applied doctorate degrees and allows professors to commercialize their research to financially benefit both themselves and their university. The laws, which were signed by Gov. Corbett on Thursday, also lift restrictions on employees - from the president to professors - to be able to lobby for funds for university foundations. And, they permit the colleges to join universities outside Pennsylvania in bulk purchasing agreements.
http://timesleader.com/stories/Legislators-approve-changes-to-colleges,172557
