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Penn State President pledges accountability
The Indian American President of Pennsylvania State University urges action, and asks for a quality public higher education system.
Credit: Neeli Bendapudi / Image - PSU
Pennsylvania State (Penn State) University president Neeli Bendapudi called on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to approve the University's 2023-24 state funding and advocated for a performance-based funding model for public higher education.
This comes after the Pennsylvania House vote to fund public missions for Penn State and other state-related universities left Pennsylvania students’ funding in a stalemate.
The president emphasized the importance of state funding to Penn State and its students, urging lawmakers to act promptly. She stressed that state funding was crucial for supporting in-state tuition, which benefited thousands of Pennsylvania resident undergraduates.
Bendapudi said, “I cannot overstate the importance of state funding to Penn State, our students, and our mission to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. I am urging lawmakers to return to Penn State’s appropriation and vote to approve funding for our university and ultimately our students. I have heard the call from some lawmakers who want additional accountability and transparency from state-related universities, and I am proposing a path forward.”
In the absence of these vital funds, Penn State temporarily redirected resources to maintain its in-state students. However, since it is not a long-term solution, Bendapudi asked lawmakers and universities to work together on a funding plan.
She proposed a plan that would reward schools for doing a good job, like helping local students and the community. “I know Gov. Shapiro and many state legislators agree with this approach. Under a performance-based funding model, we ideally would grow the funding pie rather than just reallocate existing resources,” she added.
Born in India, Bendapudi's educational journey began at Andhra University, before she went to the United States to attend the University of Kansas, earning a Ph.D. in marketing. She has held various teaching posts, earlier serving as the president of the University of Louisville.[
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