On the final day of comment submission for the State System of Higher Education Redesign Plan, the APSCUF union leader spoke about their disagreements with the plan during a meeting of the system’s board of governors.
The redesign is set to combine California, Edinboro and Lock Haven into a western hub and Bloomsburg, Mansfield and Lock Haven into a northeastern hub as a way to deal with ongoing financial challenges within the state system.
APSCUF President Dr. Jamie Martin said that the most important theme that was taken away from the comments made so far was how the consolidation would impact students, and the number of unanswered questions that face the state system that was brought up during a survey of students at the three northern campuses.
She also said that the students at the affected universities deserve face-to-face town hall meetings once school starts again in the fall.
In other business, Todd Spaulding – President of the State College and University Professional Association (SCUPA) – asked the PASSHE Board of Governors to delay their plans for universities for the upcoming school year, as some plans needed revised.
Spaulding added that there needs to be details on how plans will improve enrollment. One example he used was how the plan to upgrade housing options on state-owned universities would generate more enrollment, which did not happen.
He asked the board to wait to make a final decision, so details can be figured out.
The Board also heard from Monica Zingh – a student from West Chester – who urged members to vote no or vote to delay the consolidation. She said that the Board has not thought about other groups that would be affected by the consolidation.
You can watch the full meeting by clicking here.
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