Cal U Board of Trustees calls for delay in merger vote

By CHRISTINE HAINES

chaines@yourmvi.com

The California University of Pennsylvania Board of Trustees adopted a resolution Friday expressing concerns about the western integration plan that would combine Cal U with Clarion and Edinboro universities.

The trustees called for a delay in the implementation of the plan until more information is available on the future of the proposed newly formed university.

The State System of Higher Education Board of Governors is slated to vote on the plan in mid-July. 

At its quarterly meeting at the beginning of June, the trustees made a motion to oppose the integration plan, then decided that motion needed to be voted on at a special meeting because it had not been on the agenda and had not been advertised. The special meeting was delayed as the trustees held conferences with members of the board of governors and PASSHE Chancellor Dan Greenstein.

“They’re paying special attention to us now, and all I can think is other universities could do the same and embarrass them,” said Trustee Jim Harris.

“All of our trustees care dearly about this institution,” said James T. Davis, chair of the trustees. “The question is, what can we do, what authority do we have? We’ve already made some waves.”

Two members of the public, Holiday Adair and Lynne Langley, both with long affiliations as Cal U faculty members, urged the trustees to oppose the integration plan for the sake of the students, staff and town.

The initial motion for a resolution opposing the integration launched a series of meetings between the trustees and PASSHE officials.

“We’ve had two conferences with the chancellor that I think were very productive,” Davis said. “We know there are problems for universities everywhere and in Pennsylvania because of the funding issue.”

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