HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education will launch the next phase of its university system’s redesign during the board’s upcoming quarterly meeting.

The announcement comes after the commonwealth cemented its 2022-2023 budget, which saw an increase in funding to state-owned universities.

“The new phase will be the most impactful for students and the state’s economy. The strategy will expand opportunities to students — including those often underserved by higher education — and will help meet the workforce needs of Pennsylvania businesses,” a release from PASSHE said.

The PASSHE Board of Governors will meet on Thursday, July 21, at 9 a.m. with a livestream link available by visiting https://www.youtube.com/user/statesystem

PASSHE launched the multiphase System Redesign in 2017 to transform the education and business models of Pennsylvania’s public university system. The previous phases froze tuition for an unprecedented four consecutive years, integrated six universities into two, and secured a state funding increase — including Lock Haven University with Bloomsburg and Mansfield to form Commonwealth University.