Four Western PA State-Owned Universities Are Under Review For Integration

75756A5E-120A-4932-810C-2FD980DB785E

Four Western Pennsylvania state-owned universities are under review for potential integrations.

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education will conduct a review of what the financial impact would be if the schools are integrated.

The review is the first step in a two-year, four-phase process outlined by Act 50 of 2020, which was signed into law by Governor Tom Wolf this month.

In a release, the PASSHE outlined how the schools would be combined: 

  • California and Clarion – An integration that would, in addition to on-campus programs, seek to stand up a low-cost, high-quality, online undergraduate degree and degree-completion program that is not currently available in Pennsylvania.
  • Edinboro and Slippery Rock – An integration that would strengthen and broaden available academic opportunities by aligning two educational programs into one, driving down costs and coordinating enrollment strategies.

“We have a unique opportunity to shape the future of public higher education in Pennsylvania, ensuring it continues to act as an engine of social mobility and economic development for all," PASSHE Chancellor Dan Greenstein said.

In addition to the Western PA schools, two central Pennsylvania schools would also be under review - Lock Haven University and Mansfield University.

The PASSHE chancellor said there are a number of reasons these pairings were chosen out of the 14 state-owned university.

“We are looking at these three combinations because they show enormous potential to sustainably serve more students, expand educational opportunity for their regions, and leverage the universities' proximity to one other," said Greenstein.

If integration is approved, the universities would remain open. The combined schools would operate as a single entity, but maintain the individual identities of the schools.

The financial review could be completed as early as October of this year. If the proposed timeline for the four phases holds true to the original plan, integration of these schools could be completed y the fall term of 2022.

___Listen to KDKA Radio on the RADIO.COM AppTell your smart speaker to "play News Radio 10 20 KDKA"Receive email updates from KDKA RadioFollow KDKA Radio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram