Cal U moving forward with three-school partnership
By CHRISTINE HAINES
chaines@yourmvi.com
The process of merging three western Pennsylvania state universities into one entity with three equal campuses is moving forward.
California University of Pennsylvania, Clarion University and Edinboro University have submitted their paperwork to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the accrediting body for the universities.
According to Cal U Interim President Robert Thorn, the paperwork required the universities to designate an administrative hub, and because Cal U was the most recently accredited facility, it was named in the paperwork for that role.
“Although this designation is required by MSCHE accreditation policies and appears in the submission for compliance purposes, we have clearly stated to Middle States that the three campuses of our new Integrated University will operate as partners in all other respects,” Thorn wrote in an email to the campus community.
Cal U Associate Vice President for Communications Christine Kindl said detailed plans will be submitted to the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Board of Governors at its April meeting, starting a 60-day public comment period. Final approval would come at the summer Board of Governors meeting, Kindl said.
Kindle said students will select one campus where they will live or commute to, but they may take classes at all three campuses.
“The typical student will be taking physical courses at their home campus, plus remote classes. We’re really expanding the opportunities for our students,” Kindl said.
Cal U currently has 6,885 students. The new, as-yet-unnamed integrated university will have approximately 15,000.
“In addition to the three physical campuses, we will have a 100% on-line division,” Kindl said. “That’s where we anticipate some growth. Right now we’re strong at the graduate level, but we want to extend that to the undergraduate level, with an on-line program tied to a bricks-and-mortar school.”
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