Courtesy of Clarion University
The state House debated a plan Tuesday that would merge six of Pennsylvania’s state universities into two regional schools.
The plan would combine two sets of schools within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). Lock Haven, Mansfield, and Bloomsburg Universities would join together in the northeastern region, as would three western schools: Clarion University, Edinboro University, and California University of Pennsylvania. The moves would not affect the other three state system schools in the midstate Kutztown, Millersville, and Shippensburg.
During a joint session of the House Education and Appropriation Committees, PASSHE Chancellor Dan Greenstein testified and was met with both fierce opposition and support from lawmakers.
The two-part plan lays the groundwork for integrating Bloomsburg University, Lock Haven and Mansfield University into one western institution, and California University of Pennsylvania, Clarion University and Edinboro University into a northeastern institution.
So far, praise for the plan has come from Pennsylvania’s higher education decision makers. PASSHE chancellor Daniel Greenstein, the Board of Governors and presidents at the universities marked for consolidation largely support the effort. The Board of Governors could vote to approve the plan as early as July.
Since the consolidation was announced last summer, Greenstein has framed the process as inevitable. He said during a State Senate hearing last month that if the board does not approve consolidation, he will recommend dissolving the state system.
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Cheers: Twenty-seven hotspots throughout Fayette County are helping those with spotty or no broadband coverage reliably get online. Using $5.3 million in funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, county officials established a line of hotspots along the Route 40 corridor. During a ceremonial ribbon cutting earlier this week in Gibbon Glade, the commissioners talked about the importance of continuing to increase broadband access in the communities where itâs sorely lacking. The pandemic â and a forced jump to online learning â certainly highlighted access inequities. But as the commissioners also noted, getting reliable coverage in place will also help attract businesses to the area. We hope finances allow them to follow through with their plan ensure all areas of the county have the same ease of access to connectivity.
Min Xian / WPSU
A plan that would merge six of Pennsylvania’s state universities into two regional schools moved forward Wednesday.
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) board of governors voted 17-2 to initiate public review of the plan, moving one step closer to a major shakeup in Pennsylvania’s higher education landscape.
Wednesday’s vote is not final. It opens a 60-day comment period. PASSHE is planning to host at least two virtual forums on June 9 and 10. The board will take a binding vote on the integration plan in July.
The integration plan calls for two mergers, one in the northeastern region of the state and one in the western region. The proposed northeastern entity would consist of Lock Haven, Mansfield, and Bloomsburg Universities. Its western equivalent would include Clarion University, Edinboro University, and California University of Pennsylvania.