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.
pcrossley@sungazette.com
“Focus on the opportunities for students,” said Dr. Charles Patterson, president of Mansfield University, commenting on the integration implementation plan approved by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Board of Governors.
“This is about students. The whole plan is really student-focused and it’s meant to provide a greater range of academic programs and faculty expertise for an integrated institution beyond what a single institution like Mansfield would be able to provide by itself,” he said.
Under the plan, Patterson’s school will become part of the Northeast integrated university, which will also include Bloomsburg and Lock Haven University. A similar integration is planned for Edinboro, California and Clarion universities in the western part of the state.
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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.
For many families, it’s college time. High school seniors are getting acceptance letters. Juniors are making applications. Parents are filling out financial aid paperwork and taking the family on campus visits. But this year, students are being accepted to schools that might not be the name on their degree in