State lawmakers, former UArts staff & students call for better oversight of higher education in PA
Rep. Jordan A. Harris September 5, 2024 | 3:57 PM
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 5 – In wake of the devastating closure of the University of the Arts, state legislators representing Philadelphia and faculty and students from the now-closed UArts met today for a news conference in front of the former UArts administrative building to discuss new higher education oversight measures to help hold colleges and universities accountable to the communities they serve.
UArts suddenly and unexpectedly announced its closure on May 31 due to its precarious financial situation. This left more than 1,000 students without a school to attend, more than 300 staff members without a job, and placed the burden of uncertainty on both of their futures.
State Rep. Ben Waxman, D-Phila., who represents the legislative district in the PA House where UArts was located, has spearheaded legislative efforts to enhance accountability and transparency in higher education institutions statewide.
Included in this year’s state budget were provisions he worked on with state Rep. Bob Merski, D-Erie, requiring the Pennsylvania Board of Education to develop procedures by July 1, 2026, that will ensure orderly closures, teach-out plans, and preservation of student and administrative records when institutions close. Notably, institutions intending to cease operations will risk losing Commonwealth funding under these new regulations.
"The sudden closure of UArts left thousands of our constituents in a state of uncertainty and distress,” Waxman said. “These new provisions for accountability and transparency in university closures will safeguard students and workers, ensuring that institutions are held responsible and that we never see another tragedy like UArts again in this Commonwealth."
In the PA Senate, state Sen. Nikil Saval, D-Phila., whose senatorial district encompassed UArts, worked hand in hand with Waxman to ensure the provisions were included in the state budget.
“When UArts shuttered its doors, students and staff were left with no answers to their questions, no plans for their future, and no accountability for the losses the closure caused,” Saval said. “Months later, the circumstances around the closure remain murky and opaque. We cannot let this manufactured crisis in higher education become an epidemic; I’m proud to have worked with my colleagues to create a mechanism for new state regulations to protect our universities and the communities that depend on them.”
Former UArts Brind School of Theatre Alum & Administrative Assistant and UArts Union Organizing Committee member Madison Claus explained how the closure of her alma mater and current employer affected her.
"When the Philadelphia Inquirer broke the news this spring that the University of the Arts would abruptly close with only a week's notice, I was devastated,” Claus said. “As a full-time staff member, I was shocked, and as an alum, I was heartbroken. It is crucial that the state assists in preventing these catastrophic events from occurring at other institutions; this should not have happened to our community, and it cannot happen again."
Alex McFadden, who graduated from UArts in the spring, applauded the lawmakers’ efforts saying, “It’s good to know our representatives were listening to the UArts community. I feel like I can finally exhale for the first time in a while.”
Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes, D-Phila./Montgomery, pointed out how Democrats have worked for years to create greater transparency and accountability for higher education institutions in Pennsylvania.
“Democrats started leading on this issue in 2017 with our PA Promise plan with requirements on higher ed transparency and accountability,” said Hughes. “We made transformational change this year that should inspire confidence in future investments in higher education that will raise Pennsylvania from the bottom tier on funding and ultimately improve our workforce.”
House Democratic Appropriations Committee Chair Jordan Harris, D-Phila., voiced his support for the new provisions.
“As the Appropriations chairman, I recognize that the sudden closure of the University of the Arts is not only a loss for Philadelphia, but a significant blow to Pennsylvania’s broader educational and cultural landscape,” Harris said. “Our students and faculty deserve better safeguards, and this moment underscores the urgent need for greater accountability in higher education. These new measures will help ensure that no other institution can close abruptly, protecting both our communities and the state's investment in the future of its workforce. I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to Representatives Waxman and Merski for their leadership and dedication to addressing this critical issue.”
The entire news conference can be viewed below or at this link: PRESS CONFERENCE: Waxman on Higher Education Oversight.