Millersville University's vice president of university advancement, Gerald C. Eckert, is among those who have been selected to serve on the Advisory Commission on Postsecondary Education announced Tuesday by Gov. Tom Corbett.

The 30-member commission will study postsecondary education and make recommendations on how to make it accessible and affordable to students and fair to the state's taxpayers.

"I applaud the governor for creating this discussion," Eckert said.

"Understanding the fiscal constraints of the Commonwealth is not as simple as passing on the higher cost to the students," he said.

Corbett asked the panel to submit its findings to him by Nov. 15.

"I'm looking forward to producing a report that will not sit on the shelf," he said.

He spoke about how state funds are appropriated to the system of higher education.

"This might have been sufficient before, but when you look at the way we fund under the present structure, this is not the way to run higher education," Eckert said.

"We have 14 universities. That's a $1.5 billion business. Thirty percent of that comes from the Commonwealth annual appropriation, then the statewide board determines tuition," he said.

"This is no longer effective and efficient.

"To be successful we need to look at new ways of funding and new partnerships," Eckert said.

The commission will be comprised of leaders in education and business along with individuals and representatives of other organizations with relevant expertise.

Eckert said the group will have to come up with a realistic plan that ensures access and affordability without sacrificing quality in higher education.

Additionally, the commission will evaluate trends in education, including the role of technology and how higher education can increase collaboration with the private sector and government.

ebetancourt@lnpnews.com