Greenstein defends state system schools’ reorganization; indicates Lock Haven community not supportive

HARRISBURG, PA – The head of the State System of Higher Education told the state Senate Appropriations Committee that if a reorganization of the state system’s 14 schools is not approved, he will recommend the system “come back to the Senate next year with a legislative package to dissolve the system.”

Chancellor Dan Greenstein told a committee budget hearing on Thursday he was attempting to demonstrate an urgent need to address a system with a declining enrollment and financial challenges.

The state system is proceeding with a plan to address those problems; it would include the integration of Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield universities into one institution and California, Clarion and Edinboro into another. Plan advocates say savings would result through the proposed integrations; each of the consolidated set-ups would have one president, one faculty and a sharing of academic offerings.

During the hearing, Greenstein said five of the six communities to be part of the integrations understand “this is really the only option we have.” He said the Lock Haven community is the lone exception. Lock Haven City Council earlier this week went on record in opposition to the proposed integration and the AFSCME Local at Lock Haven University has scheduled a rally for this Saturday at 10 a.m. at Lock Haven’s Triangle Park. A union posting says more than 50 AFSCME jobs will be cut. The APSCUF faculty union at LHU has also been outspoken against the discussed faculty and program cutbacks.

The state system board is to vote in April relative to the proposed integrations. If the board gives its approval, there would be a 60 day public comment period, a final decision likely in July. Greenstein said the earliest start-up date for students at the integrated schools would be in the fall of 2022.