PRINTER'S NO. 714
No. 44 Session of 1985
INTRODUCED BY WIGGINS, BARBER, TRUMAN, OLIVER, CARN, ACOSTA,
RYBAK, WAMBACH, R. C. WRIGHT, HARPER, CAPPABIANCA, DeWEESE,
PISTELLA, KUKOVICH AND EVANS, MARCH 20, 1985
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, MARCH 25, 1985
A RESOLUTION
1 Providing for a bipartisan committee to investigate the removal
2 of accreditation of Cheyney University of Pennsylvania.
3 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
4 hereby resolves as follows:
5 WHEREAS, At its meeting of February 28, 1985, to March 3,
6 1985, the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States
7 Association of Colleges and Schools acted to remove the
8 accreditation of Cheyney University of Pennsylvania; and
9 WHEREAS, It appears that there are a number of serious
10 underlying problems which led to this drastic action; and
11 WHEREAS, It is questionable whether the Pennsylvania State
12 System of Higher Education, of which Cheyney is a member, has
13 given Cheyney the proper guidance and is otherwise properly
14 performing its designated duties, in that the problems allegedly
15 have been well known and could have been addressed more promptly
16 and forthrightly; and
17 WHEREAS, The removal of accreditation will seriously disrupt
1 the higher education of thousands of students; and
2 WHEREAS, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is funded by the
3 Commonwealth and we, as legislators, have both the right and the
4 responsibility to see that it is being properly administered;
5 therefore be it
6 RESOLVED, That the Speaker of the House of Representatives
7 appoint a special bipartisan committee comprised of six members,
8 three from the majority party and three from the minority party,
9 to conduct an investigation into the action taken by the
10 Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association
11 of Colleges and Schools to remove the accreditation of Cheyney
12 University of Pennsylvania, the problems which precipitated that
13 action, and what measures should be taken to resolve these
14 problems; and be it further
15 RESOLVED, That the committee may hold hearings, take
16 testimony and make its investigations at such places as it deems
17 necessary in this Commonwealth. It may issue subpoenas under the
18 hand and seal of its chairman commanding any person to appear
19 before the committee and to answer questions touching matters
20 properly being inquired into by the committee and to produce
21 such books, papers, records and documents as the committee deems
22 necessary. The subpoenas may be served upon any person and shall
23 have the same effect as subpoenas issued out of the courts of
24 this Commonwealth. Any person who willfully neglects or refuses
25 to testify before the committee or to produce any books, papers,
26 records or documents shall be subject to the penalties provided
27 by the laws of this Commonwealth in such case. Each member of
28 the committee shall have power to administer oaths and
29 affirmations to witnesses appearing before the committee; and be
30 it further
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1 RESOLVED, That the special committee make a report of its
2 investigation and recommendations to the House of
3 Representatives as soon as possible.
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