The Chronicle of Higher Education
News Blog
In the Comments

"Some college administrators seem so distracted with fund raising, academic infighting, and community initiatives that they set up their emergency communications departments very poorly. Training is poor to nonexistent, secretaries are pressed into service with tremendous responsibilities for running 'notification systems' 24/7 and on weekends because no one else knows how to do it and the administration won’t pay for additional staff. Procedures are seat-of-the-pants and dependent on HIPPO (highest paid person’s opinion), except when something like Virginia Tech happens and there is some sort of scramble to do something different." --Donna

Most Colleges Avoid Risk Management, Report Says

Recent Posts

Jill Biden Shines a Global Spotlight on American Community Colleges

Connecticut Public Colleges Lose 200 Professors to Early Retirement

U. of Georgia Paid 2 Fraternities $2.4-Million to Relocate, Contracts Show

New Allegations in Admissions Controversy at U. of Illinois Suggest Ex-Provost Played a Role

Sonoma State U. Foundation May Lose $350,000 on Loan to Former Board Member


Most Commented This Month

College Suspends Student for Working in Gay Pornography | 58

President Obama's Visit to Notre Dame Carries Barely a Hint of Controversy That Preceded It | 58

Drug Sting Nabs 21 Students at U. of Illinois | 57

Faculty Members and Union Protest Staff Layoffs at Temple U. as 'Cruel' | 57

North Dakota Board's Vote Puts 'Fighting Sioux' Mascot on Thinner Ice | 57

By Category

Athletics
Community Colleges
Government & Politics
Information Technology
International
Money & Management
Northern Illinois
Research & Books
Short Subjects
Students
The Faculty

Blog Archives

Search

Keep Up to Date

Daily news blog: RSS  / Atom

Daily news reported by The Chronicle: RSS

Contact us

September 26, 2007

Embattled President Resigns From Pennsylvania Student-Loan Agency

The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency’s embattled president will step down at the end of the year, the nonprofit student-loan agency announced today. The president, Richard E. Willey, a former state lawmaker, has been in charge of agency since 2002.

News of Mr. Willey’s departure comes at a time when the agency, known as Pheaa, is under fire from state lawmakers and Pennsylvania’s governor over its lavish spending on retreats for the governing board and its six-figure bonuses to executives. Pheaa is also under investigation by the U.S. Education Department’s Office of Inspector General, which is trying to determine if the agency overcharged the federal government for subsidy payments on student loans. The department is expected to release the results of an audit soon.

Scott Miller, the agency’s chief lobbyist in Washington, said that Mr. Willey, who is about to turn 62, had been planning to retire soon. But he acknowledged that Mr. Willey’s departure may have been “hastened” by the agency’s difficulties.

“I don’t know if he would have made a different decision had the controversies not come along,” he said, “but no one can deny that it played a role.” —Kelly Field

Posted on Wednesday September 26, 2007 | Permalink |