Proposed Cal U consolidation plan up for public comment

By CHRISTINE HAINES

chaines@yourmvi.com

The integration of six Pennsylvania universities, including three in the western part of the state, is entering its public comment period and is not necessarily a done deal.

The plan in the west calls for California University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro University and Clarion University to be merged under one administrative team into a single university that has not yet been named. 

The board of governors of the State System of Higher Education will vote on the plan this morning to start the public comment period, and the chancellor will present information to the Senate Finance and Education committees Thursday morning. 

It could become final this summer with approval by two thirds of the board. The consolidation would take effect by the 2022-23 academic year, and three separate campuses would be retained.

State Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Carroll Township, said she respects what the chancellor is trying to do by combining the universities because it will reduce administrative costs.

“It’s become almost impossible for students in our state to go to state schools because they’ve become so expensive,” she said.

Bartolotta said the plan does not necessarily make sense financially, however.

“California University has done everything they’ve been asked to do,” she said. “They’ve tightened their belts. They’ve made changes.”

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