The State System of Higher Education’s consolidation of six universities into two has cleared its final hurdle, with the NCAA Division II Membership Committee’s approval of the plan to have the six schools retain their separate sports programs.
Cal U, Clarion, and Edinboro will form Pennsylvania Western University, which will be known as PennWest, and Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield will come together as Commonwealth University. The integration will take effect in July 1st.
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education gave its initial accreditation to the consolidations last month.
APSCUF president Dr. Jamie Martin issued a statement saying the faculty union is “happy and relieved” that the schools will retain their separate athletic programs. APSCUF’s coach executive leader, John Gump, praised the coaches at the six schools for “holding their programs together and staying focused on the well-being of their student-athletes” throughout the process.
The two new universities will begin enrolling students in August.
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