PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A controversial plan to merge six of Pennsylvania’s state-run universities into two has been approved.
The Board of Governors for Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education approved the plan in a unanimous vote.
The meeting lasted more than two hours with more than 1,000 written and verbal comments from alumni, staff, and students who say, in part, that jobs are on the line.
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The plan would integrate Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, Lock Haven University and Mansfield University of Pennsylvania into one entity in the northeastern part of the state.
It would do the same with California University of Pennsylvania, Clarion University of Pennsylvania and Edinboro University in the western area.
PASSHE Chair Cindy Shapira says the “redesign” will expand student opportunities and make certain that the universities survive.
"We know that significant change must occur if we are going to ensure that accessible, affordable public higher education remains available and attractive to students in every part of Pennsylvania," said Shapira.
"The more students we attract and retain and graduate, the better off financially we will be."
The new names have not been selected yet, but none of the campuses will close under the plan.
The first cohort of students will begin in August of 2022, with the integrated curriculum set to be finalized in 2024.
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