Staff report
SHIPPENSBURG — A senior at Shippensburg Area Senior High School has received a Pennsylvania House of Representatives Scholarship.
Heather Hockenberry, daughter of Jeff and Chris Hockenberry, was one of two high school seniors in Pennsylvania to get the highly competitive scholarship, according to a press release from the office of state Rep. Rob Kauffman, R-Chambersburg.
“Heather is already an accomplished young woman, and I have no doubt her future will be filled with success,” Kauffman stated in the release. “I’d like to personally congratulate Heather for being selected for this year’s …

Harrisburg – Monday evening the negotiations committee of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties unanimously approved a tentative contract agreement with the State System of Higher Education.
The four-year deal mirrors the agreements reached by Gov. Corbett and the other statewide unions. In addition to a compensation package that is similar to the statewide pattern, the tentative agreement contains changes to the health care plan, including increased co-pays for office visits, emergency room visits, and prescription medications. The specific details of the agreement will be released after the …

HARRISBURG – Senator Richard Alloway II (R-33) was appointed today to serve on the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Board of Governors.
The 20-member board is responsible for setting tuition rates and establishing educational and fiscal goals for the 14 PASSHE schools. The board also appoints the Chancellor and university presidents and approves new academic programs.
“This panel has an enormous responsibility to not only provide a quality learning experience for students, but also provide oversight of taxpayer dollars dedicated to higher education,” said Alloway, who earned his undergraduate degree …

By AMBER SOUTH
@ShipNewsGirl
As contract negotiations with the state system of higher education extend into the 17th month, the faculty union’s patience is waning.
Frustration is growing within the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculty over the slow pace, and so is the possibility that a strike could stall classes at Shippensburg University and 13 other schools that make up the state system.
“It almost goes with out saying that the longer that negotiations don’t result in a contract, the potential for a strike will be increasing,” said Brendan Finucane, …

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Rob Kauffman (R-Cumberland/Franklin) on Monday said the deadline for nonprofit organizations and charities to submit reports as part of the updated Small Games of Chance Act has been extended for one year.
“I know many local organizations have expressed concerns about the reporting requirements, so I am pleased the deadline to comply has been extended,” said Kauffman. “This extension will give organizations the time needed to adhere to the new reporting requirements.”
The Corbett administration has announced that the deadline is being extended from Feb. 1, 2013, to …

By AMBER SOUTH
@ShipNewsGirl
Contract negotiations between the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties resumed Friday in Harrisburg.
It was the first negotiation session since Dec. 11; a Dec. 19 session was canceled.
As delegates from the state system and union prepared to meet, PASSHE Vice Chancellor for Human Resources and Labor Relations Gary Dent released a statement updating involved parties on where negotiations stand.
“First and foremost, all of our stakeholders should know that PASSHE is committed to achieving a new …

By AMBER SOUTH
@ShipNewsGirl
SHIPPENSBURG — They are relieved the state university system’s faculty union will hold off on considering a strike this semester, but Shippensburg University seniors remain concerned about what could happen come January.
Graduation plans and tuition payments among other things could be knocked off balance if the union decides to take what it considers its last resort and strike if contract negotiations with the state system are not fulfilled.
On Tuesday, the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculty announced that although contract negotiations with the Pennsylvania …

By AMBER SOUTH
@ShipNewsGirl
Students at Shippensburg University and other state universities were assured Tuesday that the current semester will not be interrupted by a faculty strike.
In a letter to students, Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculty President Stephen Hicks said the decision to postpone strike consideration until the end of the semester was made in the interest of students.
“We know you are concerned about the impact a strike would have on your classes, your finals, and your tuition dollars,” he wrote.
In the face of faltering contract negotiations …

By AMBER SOUTH
@ShipNewsGirl
Shippensburg University faculty members say a strike is unlikely.
Delegates of the 14 schools of the of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education authorized a strike in a vote Saturday. However, Brendan Finucane, president of the SU chapter of APSCUF, said it is unlikely that the approximately 6,000 members of the association will strike.
Just over 100 APSCUF delegates from each of the 14 state-owned universities were in State College to vote on the measure Saturday. The strike authorization vote approval in itself does not call for a strike. …

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education has declined the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculty’s offer to use binding interest arbitration in order to settle contract negotiations.
In a letter to APSCUF President Stephen Hicks, PASSHE Chancellor John C. Cavanaugh cited Act 188, PASSHE’s enabling legislation, which states that he and the Board of Governors have “fiduciary and legal duties to assure that the system is operated in a transparent and fiscally responsible manner.”
“We believe it would be improper to delegate those responsibilities to a third party …