Virtual Town Hall on the Lock Haven University Consolidation Plans

Lock Haven University's faculty union, Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (LHU-APSCUF) invites you to an open Town Hall meeting via Zoom on Tuesday, March 30, 7:00-8:30 pm. to discuss the consolidation of LHU with Bloomsburg and Mansfield Universities.
By means of the Act 50 legislation passed earlier in 2020, the state system and the chancellor's office propose to consolidate Lock Haven University with Mansfield and Bloomsburg Universities. The chancellor and the management of the three universities have presented this consolidation as an upbeat outcome for students, faculty, staff, and the larger communities affected by the consolidation.
But, at present, there are more questions than there are answers about the consolidation and its impact on the quality of the education we have historically provided to the students we serve. LHU's consolidation also raises questions about its impact on the economic wellbeing of the greater Lock Haven community.
The exact details of the consolidated curriculum, shared enrollment strategies, one single administration, one faculty body etc. have not been finalized nor have they been shared with students and faculty, though PASSHE plans to submit its preliminary implementation plan to the Board of Governors for approval in early April.

Professor Peter Campbell, chair of the Sports Studies department and the president of LHU's faculty union noted that "the concern is, that as of now, we still have no plan on the table to review and evaluate. The devil may be in the details."

Along with the proposed consolidation, Lock Haven University is planning its second round of faculty layoffs this spring. "In total, LHU will lose 65 professors reducing our faculty by 30%. This reduction will greatly challenge the ability of the remaining faculty to provide quality educational experiences to our students," noted Campbell.

After the Board votes on the PASSHE northeastern university consolidation project in April, there will be a 60 day public comment period. The Board will study the public response to the consolidation to make its final implementation plans projected for as early as July 2021. The first cohort of students are expected to enroll in the consolidated universities in fall 2022. However, as Campbell noted, as of now, neither PASSHE nor LHU have presented any concrete plans to review or to evaluate.

The APSCUF virtual Town Hall invites LHU students, faculty and staff and Lock Haven community members, including elected officials, news media, business owners, teachers, coaches, and all other groups of concerned citizens to gather together to discuss the connected futures of the Lock Haven community and Lock Haven University. Town hall speakers will provide the latest information on the consolidation plan and address community questions and concerns.
Registration is required to attend the townhall. You may register for the event by emailing sschenck@apscuf.org. All registered participants will receive a zoom link to join the Town Hall.

Time: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm