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Don't for one second believe we fully support the integration of six of Pennsylvania's state-run universities, including our own Lock Haven University.
We said at the get-go that integration wasn't necessary -- a reasonable right-sizing was.
Both are happening as you read this. "Severe cuts" is a phrase we hear locally as LHU integrates with Bloomsburg and Mansfield Universities.
One result is a "renewed partnership" between the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and the state Legislature, which controls a whole lot of funding to the 14 colleges.
PASSHE yesterday announced a student tuition freeze for "an unprecedented fourth consecutive year."
"The State System is keeping its promise to the General Assembly to redesign, and that process is delivering positive results for our students and for the state," PASSHE Chancellor Daniel Greenstein said in announcing the tuition freeze.
He goes on to note there will be "additional investments from the state" and that "just freezing tuition is not a sustainable strategy without meaningful investment from the Commonwealth."
We implore citizens and voters to remember the impact of integration on a smaller, rural university like Lock Haven and to be a watchdog of PASSHE and lawmakers who control the purse strings to help protect the educational opportunities provided by LHU and the tremendous economic impact this institutions brings to our area, including affordable tuition for first-generation students.
It is the smaller, rural state universities that are bearing the brunt of cuts from integration.
Pennsylvania has a legal obligation to provide "for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of public education to serve the needs of the Commonwealth," the state Constitution reads.
Education funding is a critical responsibility of our state lawmakers. Especially now as we face a very serious shortage of workers, especially health care workers, teachers and tradesmen and women. We certainly look forward to and fully expect renewed investment.