Just hours after the PA State System of Higher Education Board of Governors approved a plan to consolidate six of its member universities to two groups of three, the union representing PASSHE teachers raised some of their own concerns during a virtual rally.
The plan put up for approval today would merge Lock Haven, Mansfield and Bloomsburg in a Northeastern region and California, Clarion and Edinboro in a Western region. Under the plan, the schools would have some measure of independence, but would report to a single president. The schools would also retain their athletic identities, but that has yet to be approved by the NCAA. Those in favor of the plan see the consolidation as a way to share resources and costs. Today’s vote opened a sixty day public comment period and a final vote will be taken at the next PASSHE meeting in July.
At APSCUF’s Action Day virtual rally, union president Dr. Jamie Martin said the plan did not contain a lot of details, and left some questions unanswered, including the topic students being forced to take online classes.
Other concerns include student access to computers and online technology, few details on the NCAA’s decision or Middle States Accreditation. But Martin said that one of the things that came out of the plan had to do with costs and savings.
The public can submit comment directly to the State System website at www.PASSHE.edu. Two public hearings are also scheduled for June 9th and 10th.
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