July 14, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Kathryn Morton, or 717-236-7486 Ext. 3007
Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education’s Board of Governors today voted to move forward with consolidation plans for three universities in western Pennsylvania (California, Clarion and Edinboro Universities of Pennsylvania) and three in the north (Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield Universities of Pennsylvania).
APSCUF’s President, Dr. Jamie Martin, issued the following statement about the vote:
“It is no secret that APSCUF has had questions and concerns about the plans, and those who spoke against or who want to delay consolidation have valid, important concerns. We hoped improvements could be made that did not involve such fundamental changes to our universities.
“The vote today is one step, and it does not complete the consolidation process. There is still a lot to be determined and many questions to be answered. We trust that when the answers come — and as additional feedback and suggestions are given — they will guide the plan moving forward, will allow for course correction when new information or issues suggest it, and will allow for substantive changes, if warranted. APSCUF is committed to advocating for students and members. We will continue working to make sure our students are heard — and they must be heard, in person, when they return to campus in the fall. We will do all we can to make sure the outcome is the best it can be for our students. Our universities continue to be places of great opportunity, with faculty and coaches who care deeply about their students and student-athletes.”
Click here to read Martin’s comments to the Board of Governors, prior to the vote.
APSCUF represents about 5,000 faculty and coaches at the State System universities: Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock, and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania.