From Staff Reports PHOTO COURTESY OF LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY LHU Interim President Dr. Bashar Hanna holds an umbrella for Erin Raible as she speaks at Fridayâs ceremony. Shoppers who were hiding in stores exit the Aventura Mall after a shooting left three people injured and several suspects in custody, Saturday, May 8, 2021, in Aventura, Fla. Aventura Police said two groups of people had begun fighting in the mall when shots rang out. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier) FILE – In this June 8, 2011, file photo first dog Bo enjoys a nap in a shady spot on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. Former President Barack Obamaâs dog, Bo, died Saturday, May 8, 2021, after a battle with cancer, the Obamas said on social media. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)
Min Xian / WPSU
A plan that would merge six of Pennsylvania’s state universities into two regional schools moved forward Wednesday.
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) board of governors voted 17-2 to initiate public review of the plan, moving one step closer to a major shakeup in Pennsylvania’s higher education landscape.
Wednesday’s vote is not final. It opens a 60-day comment period. PASSHE is planning to host at least two virtual forums on June 9 and 10. The board will take a binding vote on the integration plan in July.
The integration plan calls for two mergers, one in the northeastern region of the state and one in the western region. The proposed northeastern entity would consist of Lock Haven, Mansfield, and Bloomsburg Universities. Its western equivalent would include Clarion University, Edinboro University, and California University of Pennsylvania.
The Associated Press
HARRISBURG The board of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education voted Wednesday to advance a plan to merge six of its 14 universities into two new institutions, as the system struggles with sinking enrollment and stagnant state aid.
The nearly unanimous vote from the board of governors launches a 60-day public comment period. A final vote could be scheduled for July, with implementation in time for the 2022-23 school year.
“This is not approving plans as is,” board chair Cindy Shapiro said at the close of the two-hour online meeting. “This is saying, ‘We are at a point where we can continue to move forward, not go back to the drawing board, unless somehow out of public comment that appears to be the best solution. ”
The board of governors for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education overwhelmingly approved the proposed west and northeast university integration impl
The board of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education voted Wednesday to advance a plan to merge six of its 14 universities into two new institutions,.