Harding expresses disappointment in state system integration vote

LOCK HAVEN, PA – Clinton County Commissioner Angela Harding voiced “disappointment” in the Wednesday vote of the State System of Higher Education Board to approve the integration of Lock Haven University with Bloomsburg and Mansfield universities. Her comments came at Thursday’s commissioners meeting.

Harding said her disappointment was two-fold: many questions remaining unanswered about the effects of the integration at this time and also her concern about “people waiting in the wings” to find out their employment status as the integration plan unfolds.

Harding was the only commissioner to comment on the state system board’s unanimous vote to integrate the three schools.

Wednesday’s state system board 18-0 vote means that California, Clarion, and Edinboro will come together to form a single university with three partner campuses in western Pennsylvania, while Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield will do likewise in northcentral Pennsylvania.