The state by unanimous vote on Wednesday approved an integration plan that combines six universities into two entities of three institutions each, including Clarion with Edinboro and California.
The plan also integrates Bloomsburg, Mansfield and Lock Haven.
The motion by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Board of Governors prohibited the closure of any of the participating universities.
The final portion of the four-phase plan involves implementation, which is scheduled for the start of the 2022 fall term.
During a public comment period prior to the vote, Clarion trustee Joy Dunbar said she was initially protective of the university but became a supporter of the integration plan.
Not all of the comments, however, were in favor of the plan.
Todd Spaudlin, of the State College and University Professional Association, asked board members during the Zoom meeting to vote against the plan.
He said members of his association who occupy many of the administrative positions at the universities would be negatively affected if the plan were to be adopted.
Emily Keener, of the Women’s Consortium of PASSHE, said the plan would affect female employees unfairly; many of them have clerical positions.
Mario Savio, who identified himself as a “working class” Edinboro student, asked the board to delay the vote because the plan would increase the cost to students.
PASSHE Chancellor Daniel Greenstein said the integration plan would increase the availability of programs at all six of the universities.
He said the “downward pressure of declining enrollments, erosion of the price advantage (of PASSHE schools), and lagging state support … threatens a university’s financial viability.”
State Rep. Tim Briggs, D-Montgomery County, said 47 members of the Democratic Caucus had requested a one-year delay in implementing the plan.
“We are bleeding $40 to $50 million a year, so to delay the plan would cost us $40 million,” Greenstein said. “In the end we would vote on the same plan.”
Greenstein said the delay would also prolong uncertainty for students, faculty, staff and other stakeholders.
State Sen. Scott Martin, R-Lancaster County, said not adopting the plan would have consequences for institutions that “we believe are financially healthy.”
He said the financially ailing schools would require loans from the state to remain solvent, and that would divert money from healthy institutions.
PASSHE board member and former Speaker of the House of Representatives Sam Smith, of Jefferson County, said, “Doing nothing was the worst thing that we (the board) could do. I believe this is the best thing we can do. It will be hard on some people, but sometimes that is the cost of change.”
Clarion professor Jamie Phillips said he understands there has been concern among the faculty.
“When I look at integration, I see an opportunity for our students,” Phillips said. “We will work to make this happen. Failure is not an option.”
Cindy Shapiro, who chairs the PASSHE board, said students and parents “have everything to gain.”
Greenstein said, “This is the beginning; not the end of the process. It is a process that will take time.”