PRINTER'S NO. 2844
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
610
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY KINSEY, ROEBUCK, KIRKLAND, HILL-EVANS, DELLOSO,
KULIK, DAVIDSON, JOHNSON-HARRELL, BURNS, SCHLOSSBERG, DEASY,
YOUNGBLOOD, WILLIAMS, McCLINTON AND RABB, NOVEMBER 14, 2019
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, NOVEMBER 14, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the legacy of Cheyney University as the oldest
historically black university in the United States and
supporting its reaccreditation by the Middle States
Commission on Higher Education.
WHEREAS, Cheyney University was first established as a
teaching institution in 1837, during a time when the majority of
African Americans in the United States were still enslaved; and
WHEREAS, In 1983, Cheyney University joined the Pennsylvania
State System of Higher Education as one of the 14 State-owned
universities; and
WHEREAS, Despite its record of impressive academic qualities,
by 2015, Cheyney University faced a deficit of $19 million and
enrollment declined to approximately 700 students, down from
1,470 students in 2008; and
WHEREAS, In 2018, the Middle States Commission on Higher
Education (MSCHE) indicated that it was considering revoking
Cheyney University's accreditation; and
WHEREAS, Despite these setbacks, MSCHE reported that the
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
quality of learning at Cheyney University had not diminished;
and
WHEREAS, Following the election of Aaron Walton as university
president, Cheyney University has taken measures to address its
challenges; and
WHEREAS, Cheyney University achieved a fall 2018 freshman
retention rate of more than 70% and closed the 2019 fiscal year
with a $2.1 million surplus; and
WHEREAS, According to a study published in the New York
Times, out of 120 colleges in Pennsylvania, Cheyney University
ranks second best for overall income mobility for students; and
WHEREAS, A large majority of Cheyney University students come
from low-income households, with nearly 80% of students having
received Federal grants or student loan aid in the 2017-18
school year; and
WHEREAS, Should Cheyney University lose its accreditation, it
would be cut off from any Federal funding, hurting a large
percentage of students that rely on Federal aid for their
education; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor the legacy
of Cheyney University as the oldest historically black
university in the United States; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives support Cheyney
University being restored to its rightful place among the elite
historically black colleges and universities; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives support the
reaccreditation of Cheyney University by the Middle States
Commission on Higher Education; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives share in the
values of scholarship, diversity, integrity, respect and service
20190HR0610PN2844 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
that Cheyney University students strive to represent every day;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commit to
fostering the education and success of every Pennsylvanian.
20190HR0610PN2844 - 3 -
1
2
3
4