Integration - Communications

Dear Students,

On July 1, 2022, Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield universities officially integrated under the name, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, but each campus will retain its location name and, for current students, offer the existing academic program array. As an enrolled student, your home campus and academic degree requirements will not change! You will take courses at your home campus and complete the degree requirements in effect when you declared your major. You should continue to work with your academic advisor to map your pathway to degree completion.

We wish you the very best in your academic and personal pursuits and look forward to the fall 2022 semester.

Sincerely,

Diana Rogers-Adkinson, Ph.D.
Commonwealth University
Provost and Senior Vice President
Academic Affairs

Dear Commonwealth University Family,

Today stands as a monumental day in the history of our storied institutions. July 1 marks the official integration of Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield under the banner of Commonwealth University. Together, we celebrate a new era filled with opportunity for our campuses, our communities, and most importantly, our students.

Let us embrace this new beginning, building on the strong history and foundations that have allowed Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield to evolve for nearly two centuries to meet the ever-changing needs of their students. Nationally, higher education faces an inflection point. It is up to us to create an educational experience, rich with opportunities, that will serve students long into the future.

My sincere thanks go to the teams at each of our universities who have dedicated themselves tirelessly to the integration process and to creating opportunities for a new generation of students to follow their dreams and pursue lives of meaning and success. I’m confident that we have the right teams of people in place to proceed courageously and compassionately, grounded in the mission of supporting student success and changing lives through education.

This will be a new experience for all of us. What we are doing together is bold, innovative, and not without challenges. I ask you to embrace the future with passion, creativity, and a spirit of optimism. We will try some things that will be successful, and we will try some things that are not. That is okay – we cannot be afraid to challenge the status quo, to take risks, and to redefine the transformative public education experience.

If we lean on each other, learn from each other, and engage with kindness and understanding, there is no limit to what we can accomplish together. 

My challenge to you today, and my hope for the future of Commonwealth University, is that we embrace and embody the power of three. I look forward to your companionship on this journey.

I am confident that the broad knowledge, expertise, and dedication of this team will successfully assist all of us in the next phases of our campus’ evolutions.

Sincerely,
Bashar 

Bashar W. Hanna, Ph.D.
President

• Integration Insight for Employees  - May 10, 2022 (pdf)
• Integration Insight for Students  - May 10, 2022 (pdf)

Dear Mountie family,

I'm delighted to announce that the NCAA Membership Committee has given its approval to proceed with our plan for Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield to retain our full complements of athletic programs on the campuses that currently host them.

Our student-athletes deserve the opportunity to continue their athletic pursuits, and intercollegiate athletics hold a special place as part of the fabric of each of our campus communities and institutional brands. Together we can confidently move forward into the 2022-23 academic year and beyond - to cheer on the Huskies, Bald Eagles, and Mounties.

I extend our thanks to our NCAA colleagues and the Membership Committee for collaborating with us and ensuring our student-athletes have the opportunity to continue competing as they do today.

Congratulations to all who have worked tirelessly on this approval. Your dedication and hard work on behalf of our students and student-athletes is greatly appreciated!

Sincerely,

Bashar

Dear Campus Community,

 With great joy and satisfaction, I announce that the integration of Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield universities has received initial approval by the institutional accrediting agency, Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). In approving the Complex Substantive Change request, Middle States provides a clear path forward for our three institutions to officially unite on July 1, 2022. 

 As you know, accreditation by Middle States is required by the U.S. Department of Education and assures students, families and communities the university has completed a rigorous review process and provides a high-quality education. 

 Together, Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield embody the power of three and create a higher education experience, the likes of which, is not possible without integration. 

 Our mission is to expand high-quality, affordable academic opportunities that support the needs of all learners. We are grateful to MSCHE for this expression of confidence in our approach. Our students deserve the very best of us, and we are all here in service to them and in support of their bright futures. 

 I also wish to thank the more than 1,000 individuals who have been working hard for the past two years on the integration process. Today’s decision has validated your hard work and dedication to this process.

 Sincerely,

 Bashar Hanna, Ph.D.

Dear, MU Family,

From the beginning of the integration process, we have committed to retaining each university’s historic name and identity. Earlier today, the PASSHE Board of Governors approved the name Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania to represent the integrated entity for Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield Universities.

The use of Commonwealth University will be used exclusively for accreditation and contractual purposes only. Our new combined entity name will not be public-facing. It will enable us to legally and compliantly become one entity while maintaining our strong public-facing brands in our regions and beyond. The integrated university name was developed through research and with input from students, alumni, faculty, staff, trustees, the community, and prospective students and their families.

Each campus will continue to use its respective location name – Bloomsburg University, Lock Haven University, and Mansfield University – maintaining the use of the word University, our logos, colors, mascots, and athletic representations of Huskies, Bald Eagles, and Mounties. Diplomas will prominently display either Bloomsburg University, Lock Haven University, or Mansfield University at the top of the document according to each graduate’s location of choice.

Together, Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield invoke the power of three, which will create a higher education experience, the likes of which, is not possible without integration. We will preserve the founding principles of each institution and continue to provide vibrant, on-campus student experiences while serving as pillars of our three communities. This is a bold investment in the people and communities of Pennsylvania. We are positioning ourselves for growth, increasing access to students across the commonwealth, and meeting the economic and workforce needs across our regions, the state and beyond.

Each campus will continue to retain a full complement of athletic programs and leadership is working with the NCAA to confirm this path in the spring. Athletic logos, colors, mascots, and traditions will not change.

Existing alumni associations and foundations will remain separate and continue to support their respective campuses. Donors can continue to designate funds to support programs or a campus of their choosing.

Thank you to all of our colleagues and supporters from BU, LHU, and MU who have worked tirelessly to get us to this point and will continue to endeavor to launch one university. You are owed a debt of gratitude for your tireless contributions in service to our campus communities, and most importantly our students.

For more information about the integration process, please visit our university integration page at mansfield.edu/integration.

• Integration Insight - January 27, 2022 (pdf)

Dear Colleagues,

 As previously promised, I am sharing integration-centric updates with you as decisions are made. Throughout this planning process, we continue to be laser-focused on creating a leadership structure that will best serve the needs of our students and position all of us – students, faculty, and staff – for optimal success.

 I previously announced that the integrated institution will consist of five distinct divisions: Academic Affairs, Enrollment Management, Finance and Administration, Student Success and Campus Life, and Advancement. Deans and Department Chairs in Academic Affairs were previously announced by the Provosts and APSCUF in early November.

 As we phase into a single integrated university on July 1, 2022, I am pleased to announce that the following personnel will serve as direct reports to their division’s Vice President for their respective functional areas.

 On or before July 1, 2022, Athletics will report to their respective Campus Administrator. 

 Organizational Change

I appreciate the work of the integrated division Vice Presidents as they continue to partner with Human Resources to create organizational structures poised to serve our students. As the Leadership team continues to partner with Human Resources to define and classify positions in the integrated university, Vice Presidents will make announcements as that work is completed with the target of completing all position reviews by the end of March 2022.

 As we continue building the organizational structure for our integrated university, we acknowledge the stress that naturally accompanies such massive change. We must all lean on one another for support, and please know your supervisors and I are here to support you as well. As I have stated before, I appeal to all of you to stay engaged throughout this process. I am confident that our collaborative approach will lead to the creation of an institution of which we can all be proud.

 I am beyond grateful for the work each of you is doing as we continue this journey together. If you have questions about this planning process, please do not hesitate to email the integration team at NEIntegration@bloomu.edu or schedule time during my office hours. 

 Thank you, as always, for your ongoing commitment to our students and their success.

 Sincerely,

Bashar 

 Bashar W. Hanna, Ph.D.
President – Bloomsburg University
Interim President – Lock Haven University
Interim President – Mansfield University

• Integration Insight for Students - December 14, 2021 (pdf)
• Integration Insight for Employees - December 14, 2021 (pdf)

Dear Colleagues,  

We are pleased to congratulate the faculty who have been elected by their peers to serve in the inaugural roles of chairperson in their respective disciplines for the Northeast integrated university. We also wish to thank all of those who were willing to stand for election. 

As announced Wednesday, Nov. 17 by APSCUF, please congratulate our newest chairs. 

 Again, congratulations to the new chairs, and thank you for agreeing to serve in this capacity. As the Integration Curriculum Committee convenes, we look forward to your leadership. 

Thank you,  

Diana Rogers-Adkinson -- Provost, Bloomsburg 
Ron Darbeau -- Provost, Lock Haven 
John Ulrich -- Provost, Mansfield

Dear Mansfield Faculty and Staff Colleagues, 

 Beginning in Spring 2021, we have been working to refine the academic program array that will be in place when the Northeast integrated university launches next summer. The academic program array provides detail regarding degree programs and program concentrations aligned with the Northeast's newly announced colleges and academic departments. This work is critical in defining how the Northeast integrated university will be positioned to support our students and their future success.  

 Determining the program array is foundational to the work of the Northeast integrated university, which, assuming Middle States approval, will represent the integration of Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield universities in a few months. The creation of the integrated university provides us the opportunity to assess our offerings and to create an array that meets the needs of today's students, employers, and our region. 

 As you will see from the linked array, the Northeast integrated university determined program array includes a robust set of more than 80 degree programs across a wide variety of disciplinary fields. Once the curricular process is completed, we will be well positioned to meet our students’ educational and career goals in alignment with the workforce needs of our region, the Commonwealth, and beyond.  

 For this determined array, we have limited the list to degree programs and concentrations. The array will serve as the determination of the program array per the language in the Article 31 side letter. Therefore, we expect that the NE interim curriculum committee will be established and conduct its business. As you will also see from the linked array, not all degree programs and concentrations that appeared in previous drafts are included in this list. We realize that the exclusion of the programs listed below will raise questions and concerns. We invite departments with concerns to request meetings with the provosts.  

 It is important to note that this determination does not impact students entering in Fall 2022. Any program changes would follow program moratorium procedures, including a plan to teach out the program to ensure enrolled students can complete their degrees without interruption.  

The following programs have been excluded from the determined future array due to current and/or anticipated low enrollment and low student demand: 

Degree Programs 

• AAS Environmental Technology 
• AAS Public Health Education 
• AS Chemical Technology 
• AS Computer Information Systems 
• AS Environmental Geoscience 
• AS Geography and GIS 
• AS Substance Use and Behavior Disorder Counseling 
• BA Anthropology 
• BA Chemistry 
• BA Philosophy 
• BA Physics 
• BS Physics 
• BSEd Business Education 
• MEd Business Education 
• MS Nutrition 

 Concentrations/Certification Areas 

• Actuarial Science, Applied Mathematics, and Traditional (within the BS Mathematics program) 
• German (within the BA Languages and Cultures program) 
• Health and Medicine, Industry and Economics, and Diversity and Inclusion (within the BA Sociology program) 
• Nanotechnology (within the BS Chemistry program) 
• Science: Physics 7-12 (within the BSEd in Secondary and K-12 Education program) 

 Our thanks to all involved in the work of our academic program array for their time, creativity, and expertise. We are excited to highlight our faculty's innovation as they focus on designing programs with state-of-the-art offerings that demonstrate that the Northeast integrated university is a respected leader in offering a high-quality, affordable education that positions our students for success.  

 Thank you,  

Diana Rogers-Adkinson -- Provost, Bloomsburg 
Ron Darbeau -- Provost, Lock Haven 
John Ulrich -- Provost, Mansfield

Dear Mansfield University Employees,

 We are pleased to announce the leadership of the academic colleges for the NE integrated university.

 College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities (CASSH) - Dean James Brown

Dr. Brown has served at Bloomsburg University as Dean of the College of Liberal Arts for ten years, with 15 total years of service to BU. He previously served as Associate Provost and Dean of Arts and Sciences at Mansfield University. Dean Brown will serve on the Bloomsburg campus, with Senior Associate Dean Josh Battin serving on the Mansfield campus. Dr. Battin is currently serving as the Associate Provost, Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, and Interim Associate Vice President for Administration. He has been at MU for ten years.

 We will be posting an internal search for an Assistant Dean for CASSH to be seated at Lock Haven. This college will have both a Sr. Associate Dean and Assistant Dean due to the number of programs, students, and faculty served.

 College of Education and Human Studies - Dean Daryl Fridley

Dr. Fridley has served for two years as the Dean of the College of Education at Bloomsburg. Previously he served as the Associate Dean of the College of Education at Southeast Missouri State University for eight years. Dean Fridley will serve from the Lock Haven campus, with Associate Dean Amy Eitzen serving on the Bloomsburg campus, where she has served in that role since 2018. Previously she served as the Assessment and Accreditation Coordinator and Associate Professor at Bethune-Cookman University in Florida.

 College of Health Professions - Interim Dean Jonathan Lindzey
After 16 years of service, Dean Lindzey has announced his retirement from Lock Haven University effective in spring 2022. He will continue to serve in his current administrative roles at LHU and the Interim Dean of the College of Health Professions during integration efforts this year.

 A national search will be launched for the founding Dean of the College of Health Professions. This dean will lead from the Lock Haven campus. We will also be posting an internal search for an Interim Associate Dean of Nursing to serve until the new dean is seated and can conduct a search for a permanent Associate Dean of Nursing. The Associate Dean of Nursing will serve from the Bloomsburg campus.

 College of Science and Technology - Dean Latha Ramakrishnan

Dean Ramakrishnan is in her first year at Bloomsburg University. She previously served as Interim Associate Provost for Research and Dean of Graduate Studies and Chair of Chemistry and Biochemistry at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. Dr. Ramakrishnan will serve from the Bloomsburg campus.

 An immediate internal search for an Associate Dean will be launched to serve from the Lock Haven campus.

 Zeigler College of Business - Dean Todd Shawver

Dean Shawver has served as the Dean of the Zeigler College of Business for three years, previously serving as Chair of the Accounting Department at BU. Dr. Shawver will serve from the Bloomsburg campus.

 An immediate internal search for an Associate Dean will be launched to serve from the Lock Haven campus.

 Please note that, although the deans and associate deans have a designated ‘home” campus, it is expected that all deans, associate deans, and assistant deans will spend significant time at all campuses of the integrated university. 

 In addition, we will be launching internal searches for the Dean of Undergraduate Education with a home campus of Mansfield and Dean of Graduate Education with a home campus of Bloomsburg. 

 Student Success – Interim Associate Vice President, Amy Downes

Dr. Downes has served at Lock Haven University for eight years in several capacities. She was a residence hall director, a temporary faculty member in the Social Work Department for three years, and most recently has worked in the Student Success Office as the Director of Student Support and Retention. Dr. Downes will serve on the Lock Haven Campus. The Student Success/Campus Life Division organizational chart is in process and additional appointments are forthcoming.

 Finally, Athletics will report to the Campus Administrator at the respective home campus. The Library organizational chart is yet to be completed, and we are finalizing details for the search for the permanent Associate Vice President to lead the Office of Institutional Effectiveness. These positions will be announced at a future date.

 We look forward to implementing this structure in support of our students and their success.

 Thank you,  

Diana Rogers-Adkinson -- Provost, Bloomsburg 
Ron Darbeau -- Provost, Lock Haven 
John Ulrich -- Provost, Mansfield

• Integration Insight for Students - November 9, 2021 (pdf)
• Integration Insight for Employees - November 9, 2021 (pdf)

Dear Colleagues,

 Following up on my previous integration-related update on September 14, I am pleased to share additional updates on the senior leadership team for the integrated institution’s divisions and the process for organizational change that will roll out over the next several months.

 NE Region Integrated Division Vice Presidents

The integrated institution will consist of five distinct divisions: Academic Affairs, Administration & Finance, Enrollment Management, Student Success & Campus Life, and University Advancement. As we phase into a single integrated entity beginning on July 1, 2022, the following will serve as divisional Vice Presidents, and they will lead the integration process in their respective divisions over the coming months:

• Diana Rogers-Adkinson, Ph.D., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
• Claudia Thrush, Vice President for Administration and Finance
• Stephen Lee, Ed.D., Vice President for Enrollment Management
• Martha Wygmans, Ed.D., Interim Vice President for Student Success and Campus Life
• Erik Evans, Vice President for University Advancement

 Within the Academic Affairs division, I am pleased to share that Dr. Ron Darbeau will serve as Vice President for Faculty Affairs & Academic Operations. Also, Dr. John Ulrich has informed me of his intent to retire on June 30, 2022, and he has graciously agreed to remain involved at Mansfield as we implement integration. Similarly, Tom Fletcher has likewise expressed interest in retiring in 2022 but will also continue to be a valued partner throughout this process. Lastly, Albert Jones, who currently serves as Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer for all three campuses, will continue in the same capacity within the integrated university.

 Organizational Change

Over the course of the next several months, the Vice Presidents of each of the integrated divisions will work closely with personnel within the division while partnering with Human Resources to create integrated divisional organizational charts, identify department and subunit assignments, revise and regrade position descriptions (as needed), and provide transitional training as appropriate. Existing positions and classifications will remain in place through June 30, 2022 at all three campuses. To give you a better sense of the decisions we still have ahead of us, please find below the following timeline:

 October 2021

Divisions and Vice Presidents Named (today’s announcement)

 November 2021 through February 2022

Non-faculty Departments Identified and Staff Departmental Assignments Identified

 Winter-Spring 2022

All Staff Assignments Reviewed and Finalized, Positions Identified, and Job Descriptions Completed

 Spring 2022

Training Plan Developed and Implemented for New Roles

 Summer 2022-Spring 2023

Ongoing Assessment and Evaluation

 Please note that the continued work in Academic Affairs will be shared directly with the faculty by the three provosts in collaboration with APSCUF.

 Lastly, I want to acknowledge the anxiety associated with the massive organizational change we are undertaking. I am beyond grateful for the work each of you is doing as we continue this journey together. It is important for us to lean on one another for support, and please know your supervisors are here to support you as well. The leadership team and I are approaching this complex planning process in a thoughtful and deliberate manner, and for this reason we are allowing for sufficient time for meaningful dialogue and engagement. On that note, if you have questions about this planning process, please do not hesitate to email the integration team in the President’s Office at NEIntegration@bloomu.edu, or schedule time directly with me during my office hours. I will also look forward to hearing your thoughts and questions during our faculty and staff town halls, which will be scheduled for later this month/early next month. As I have stated before, I appeal to all of you to continue to stay engaged throughout this process. I am confident that through our collaborative work together, we will develop a comprehensive institution of which we can all be proud.

 Thank you for your ongoing commitment to our students and their success. Throughout this planning process, we continue to be laser-focused on creating a leadership structure that will best serve the needs of our students and position all of us – students, faculty, and staff – for optimal success. 

 Sincerely,

Bashar 

 Bashar W. Hanna, Ph.D.

President – Bloomsburg University
Interim President – Lock Haven University
Interim President – Mansfield University

• Integration Insight for Students - October 12, 2021 (pdf)
• Integration Insight for Employees - October 12, 2021 (pdf)

Dear Colleagues,

 As a follow-up to my email last month in which I announced the members of the Northeast Integration Senior Implementation Team, I wanted to provide a couple updates to you.

 After reviewing best practices among regional public universities with a total student population similar to the combined total at our three institutions, and in consultation with the regional leadership team, I have determined that our best path forward will be to create a division that is dedicated to our students and their success. The Division of Student Success and Campus Life will be separate and distinct from Enrollment Management, and it will serve the needs of all students across our three universities.

 Further, I am pleased to share with you the appointment of Dr. Marty Wygmans as Interim Vice President for Student Success and Campus Life. Dr. Wygmans joined Bloomsburg in 2018 as Associate Vice President for Student Success from Binghamton University in New York, where she served as project director for its TRiO Programs and executive director of student services. Dr. Wygmans has been a trusted colleague and invaluable contributor to our overall progress in the critical areas of student success and retention, and I am confident that we will continue to collaborate with colleagues at all campuses and provide exemplary service in support of our students. Please join me in congratulating and thanking Dr. Wygmans for assuming this important role.

 Please see below a revised chart which reflects the change in Dr. Wygmans’ new interim role. In addition, we include Human Resources and Associate Vice President Tena Maurer in the cross-functional box below to reflect the collaboration of our HR colleagues with all divisions and offices as we continue to build our new path forward together.

 Finally, I want to take this opportunity to thank JoEllen Lindner for her service to Mansfield University as Interim Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment. JoEllen came to Mansfield from The Registry two years ago, and has been leading the student affairs and admissions teams during an especially challenging period. Her last day at Mansfield will be September 24. I am grateful to JoEllen for her expertise and valuable insights throughout our integration discussions over the past year, and know that I speak for many in saying we will miss her and wish her all the best in her next endeavor. 

 We will be sure to keep you apprised of additional updates as our implementation planning continues over the coming months.

 Sincerely,

Bashar

Bashar W. Hanna, Ph.D.

President – Bloomsburg University
Interim President – Lock Haven University
Interim President – Mansfield University

• Integration Insight for Students - September 14 (pdf)
• Integration Insight for Employees - September 14 (pdf)

Dear Colleagues,

 As we soon begin a new academic year, I wanted to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to each of you for your hard work and dedication over the past year. With the ongoing pandemic and the integration planning discussions, the past several months have been atypical for several reasons, and the weeks leading up to the Board of Governors’ vote last month required much of our efforts. My sincere thanks to all of you for contributing your time and expertise over this past year. I am excited about the road ahead of us, and look forward to building upon our collaborative work together.

 As you know, the Board of Governors unanimously approved the integration of Bloomsburg University, Lock Haven University, and Mansfield University during its meetings last month. With this historic vote, I recognize that such a change presents a level of uncertainty for all of us. It also provides us a unique opportunity to develop a community that builds on our collective strengths for the benefit of our students. None of us will have the complete clarity as quickly as we would like, but I so appreciate your willingness to collaborate and work together to create innovative solutions to the challenges we may encounter over the coming year. As I have done since last fall, I will continue to inform you of the latest updates through communications such as this one and by answering your questions in town hall sessions, office hours, or by e-mail. To that end, I wanted to provide some updates on campus and implementation leadership.

 I am grateful to each of the Chief Operating Officers (COOs) listed below. Without their leadership and support, we would not have been able to navigate the past year as we have. I look forward to continuing my work with them as our implementation planning progresses over the coming months. 

 Chief Operating Officers

Bloomsburg University

• Diana Rogers-Adkinson, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
• Claudia Thrush, Vice President for Finance and Administration

 Lock Haven University

• Ron Darbeau, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
• Deana Hill, Chief Administration and Finance Officer

 Mansfield University

• John Ulrich, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

 Senior Implementation Team

 Finally, in the below chart I am pleased to share with you the members of the Senior Implementation Team for the Northeast Integration. As you will see, this team includes colleagues from across all three campuses who will lead implementation efforts in the following areas: Workforce Development, Academics, Enrollment Management, Finance & Administration, Student Success, Marketing and Communications, and Advancement. In addition, please find attached a document that includes this same chart and a list of all Senior Implementation Team members.  

 Led by our new Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, Albert Jones, our ongoing efforts to become more welcoming and inclusive communities will be critical work across all three campuses, and our senior implementation team leaders will be partnering closely with Mr. Jones. Similarly, they will collaborate with one another to ensure that our students’ technological needs are met most effectively. Leading this initiative will be Dr. Ed Keller, an assistant professor in BU’s Zeigler College of Business who will serve as Interim Associate Vice President for Information Technology. In this interim role, Dr. Keller will collaborate with all offices and colleagues on each campus to drive progress and lead our efforts in becoming a stronger and more technically integrated community, and he will especially work closely with our three chief information technology officers and their respective teams. Dr. Keller’s home office will be at Bloomsburg University, and he will report directly to me. I am grateful to Dr. Keller for stepping up and taking on this important leadership role. Lastly, a Project Management Office will collaborate directly with me and all area leaders to ensure implementation goals and critical timeframes are met.

With the efforts of this senior leadership team and all of you, I am confident that we will chart a bold and exciting path forward for Bloomsburg University, Lock Haven University, and Mansfield University. I ask each of you to please stay engaged, and thank you in advance for your continued patience as we navigate this unchartered territory together. As I mentioned in my message last month, I will continue to host town halls and maintain my regular office hours so that I can be available to you throughout the academic year. 

Many thanks for your ongoing commitment to our students and their success. 

Sincerely,

Bashar

 Bashar W. Hanna, Ph.D.

President – Bloomsburg University
Interim President – Lock Haven University
Interim President – Mansfield University

Hello everyone,

Earlier today, the Board of Governors voted to approve the Northeast (Mansfield/Lock Haven/Bloomsburg) and West (Edinboro/Clarion/California) integration plans. With the plans approved, we will now work together on preparing for implementation.

In addition, the Board appointed Dr. Bashar Hanna as the interim president of Mansfield University with an effective date of August 1, 2021. I look forward to working with Dr. Hanna as we transition Mansfield’s leadership over the next several weeks.

I thank all of you who have been so generous with your time and expertise throughout the integration planning process. I especially appreciate your patience and thoughtfulness as we developed the plans for the Board’s consideration. There is much work yet to be done, of course. As we shift toward implementation, we will continue to remain focused on our students and their success. Our shared commitment, across all three campuses, is to expand access to affordable, high-quality educational opportunities for our students while at the same time maintaining vibrant campuses within our respective communities.

In the coming weeks, you will continue to receive updates regarding next steps and important milestones in the process.

I thank you for your ongoing dedication to our students and our university.

Sincerely,

John

John M. Ulrich, Ph.D.
Acting President
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
508 North Hall
(570) 662-4804

Integration Insights for Students - May 13, 2021 (pdf)

Highlights from the Plan

More than 500 students, faculty, staff, trustees, and community leaders helped shape the Northeast Integration plan. Below are some of the highlights:

• A single faculty providing instruction in a unified academic program array. Students will be able to select from an expanded array of academic programs, including nearly double the program options for Mansfield and Lock Haven students.
• 75% of our enrollment is clustered in 8-10 disciplinary areas and these academic programs will continue to be delivered 100% in-person on all three campuses. A typical student will take most in-person courses at their home campus and some courses through real-time remote learning.
• Significantly expanded opportunities for adult students seeking to re-skill and up-skill through non-degree credentialing courses.
• Each institution’s name, logo, mascot, and identity will be preserved. An integrated entity name will be established and used for accreditation purposes.
• Students will enjoy on-campus housing, student clubs and organizations, athletics, and vibrant campus life on all three campuses. Athletics remains an important part of our campus culture, and we are pursuing a path with the NCAA where each campus will retain its current complement of teams.
• Students can design a university experience that works for them with dedicated support services on each campus.
• A single President and leadership team with one reporting relationship to the Board of Governors through the Chancellor.

Read the Northeast Integration Plan

Integration Insights Process and Timeline 5-11-21

Process:

• Share the implementation plan(s) with the public, holding at least two public hearings and taking public comments on the plan
• Submit the implementation plan(s) for final approval by the Board
• Begin implementation (July 2021 - August 2022)
• Welcome first class of students to integrated university in August 2022

Timeline:

April-July 2021 — Public Comment Period

On April 28​ the Board of Governors took the next step in System Redesign by voting to approve implementation plans for the Northeast and West university integrations so that we can begin a 60-day public review/comment period​ before the Board considers final approval this summer.

Your feedback is important and may be shared through the designated State System options.

• Online Form
• Email - publiccomment@passhe.edu​​
• S. Mail
  Office of the Chancellor
  University Integrations Public Comment
  Dixon University Center
  2986 N. Second Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110
• June 2021 Public Hearings
• June 9, 4:30-6 p.m.
• June 10, 4:30-6 p.m.
• Zoom Links TBD

July 15, 2021 Board of Governors’ Meeting

Board votes whether to provide final approval of proposed implementation plans for West and Northeast integrations.

Next Steps

As we learn more through the 60-day public comment period work continues to evolve the plan to bring three institutions together to create an affordable, quality student experience. Through integration we are committed to:

• Preserving Yesterday: We will preserve the founding principles of each campus and the communities we serve.
• Adapting to Today: We will answer the greatest challenges facing higher education: access, cost, opportunity, quality, and relevance.
• Building a Stronger Tomorrow: We will change the trajectory of public higher education in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and will enhance the value of degrees from Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield universities.

As this work continues, we are all making plans for the Fall 2021 semester to be held in-person. We remain wholly committed to supporting our current students and recruiting future Huskies, Bald Eagles, and Mounties.

Integration Insights for Students - May 6, 2021 (pdf)

Integration Insights for Students - April 29, 2021 (pdf)

Dear Mansfield University Students:

Today the Board of Governors approved university integration plans for the West and Northeast regions for the purpose of initiating a 60-day public comment period. Today's vote kicks off the public consultation process outlined in Act 50 of 2020, which will include two public hearings.

Our entire Mansfield campus community has been directly engaged in the development of the Northeast integration plan and/or has had multiple opportunities to be briefed on the goals of university integrations during our open Executive Cabinet meetings, public forums, and updates posted to dedicated university integration websites. Rather than speak to these goals here, I would direct you to the Mansfield integration website or the PASSHE integrations website. You will find the plans posted to the PASSHE integrations website.

The process for pursuing university integrations has been, and will continue to be, an inclusive process. The faculty, staff, and students of Mansfield, Lock Haven, and Bloomsburg have served as the architects, providing the recommendations you will find in the Northeast integration plan. In particular, the faculty across all three campuses have done an incredible amount of work in developing a proposed academic array that would appropriately serve as the foundation for integration and expand opportunities beyond what any individual institution could achieve on its own. The shared program array consist of approximately 80-90 degree programs at the associate, baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral levels, with the majority accessible to all three campuses. This total represents more than double the number of programs currently offered at Mansfield, and nearly double the number offered at Lock Haven.

I and my administrative team will continue to keep you up-to-date on this process of university integration. In the meantime, good luck on finals!

Sincerely,

Charles

Dear Mansfield University Colleagues:

Today the Board of Governors approved university integration plans for the West and Northeast regions for the purpose of initiating a 60-day public comment period. Today's vote kicks off the public consultation process outlined in Act 50 of 2020, which will include two public hearings.

Our entire Mansfield campus community has been directly engaged in the development of the Northeast integration plan and/or has had multiple opportunities to be briefed on the goals of university integrations during our open Executive Cabinet meetings, public forums, and updates posted to dedicated university integration websites. Rather than speak to these goals here, I would direct you to the Mansfield integration website or the PASSHE integrations website. You will find the plans posted to the PASSHE integrations website.

The process for pursuing university integrations has been, and will continue to be, an inclusive process. The faculty, staff, and students of Mansfield, Lock Haven, and Bloomsburg have served as the architects, providing the recommendations you will find in the Northeast integration plan. In particular, the faculty across all three campuses have done an incredible amount of work in developing a proposed academic array that would appropriately serve as the foundation for integration and expand opportunities beyond what any individual institution could achieve on its own. The shared program array consist of approximately 80-90 degree programs at the associate, baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral levels, with the majority accessible to all three campuses. This total represents more than double the number of programs currently offered at Mansfield, and nearly double the number offered at Lock Haven.

The public comments expressed during the BOG meeting today highlighted some concerns regarding deferred maintenance and mounting debt caused by both E&G and auxiliary costs that may need to be borne by one or more of the integrating institutions. In the outyears of the plan, the integrated institution is able demonstrate a positive net position and strong sustainable posture. Some comments focused on a general fear of change because not all of the outcomes of university integration are known. As stated during the BOG meeting, the public comment period is meant to gather constructive feedback that could serve to address concerns and improve the plans in advance of a potential July 2021 BOG vote. The two public hearings and other avenues to submit feedback are vital to this process. Finally, these 60 days will also allow for additional input and continued engagement with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, NCAA, U.S. Department of Education, and other entities and stakeholders.

Outside of the pursuit of university integration, Mansfield University must continue to meet the goals of our sustainability plan and we will continue this process independent of university integration. Sustainability plans being pursued individually across nine State System universities provide only limited opportunities at the institutional level. This is because they largely rely on modest growth combined with budget cuts, including personnel reductions. This is due to the fact that these individual institutional sustainability plans lack the ability to collaboratively leverage resources and to scale services across multiple institutions.

Conversely, we know the path of university integration expands opportunities for students beyond what any individual institution could achieve on its own - this is clear from the draft integration plans. While university integration is not and should not be the path for every State System institution, university integration clearly allows numerous PASSHE institutions - not just Mansfield - to pursue a path to sustainability that expands opportunities for students, while also achieving sustainability for individual campuses and a stronger fiscal position for PASSHE as a State System.

I know you are as passionate as I am about the role public higher education serves in transforming the lives of our students. You are also passionate about Mansfield University's role in meeting this goal. Your passion and individual and collective contributions are evident in the Northeast integration plan.

Thank you for your continued dedication to Mansfield University and our students.

Sincerely,

Charles

Why Integration

Centered on student success, our shared vision is to expand affordable high-quality educational opportunities for students, to position institutions for growth, and to meet regional economic and workforce needs across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. At a time when universities across the country, including our own, are financially challenged, integration will ensure that our institutions are open, vibrant, and centered on student success long into the future.

Exploring the Northeast Integration of Mansfield, Bloomsburg, and Lock Haven universities continues. Integration will be a bold investment in the communities and people of Northeastern Pennsylvania that will allow all three institutions to continue sustainably fulfilling their missions.

To do this, we will retain our unique traits specific to our campuses and communities, while coming together to become something bigger and stronger. We will stand stronger together, while continuing to stand out and be forever prideful as Mounties, Huskies, and Bald Eagles.

Through integration we are committed to:

• PRESERVING YESTERDAY: We will preserve the founding principles of each campus and the communities we serve.
• ADAPTING TO TODAY: We will answer the greatest challenges facing higher education: access, cost, opportunity, quality, and relevance.
• BUILDING A STRONGER TOMORROW: We will change the trajectory of public higher education in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and will enhance the value of degrees from Mansfield, Bloomsburg, and Lock Haven universities.

TOP 10 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT INTEGRATION

1. IDENTITY - Our identities honor the legacy and traditions that bring all generations of Mounties, Huskies, and Bald Eagles together.
   • Each institution's name, logo, mascot, and identity will be preserved.
     • An integrated entity name will be established and used for accreditation purposes. We appreciate you taking the time to complete our recent research survey. Data is being compiled at this time.
   • Athletics remains an important part of our campus culture, and we are pursuing a path with the NCAA where each campus will retain its current complement of athletic teams.
2. MISSION - Upholding and advancing our missions well into the future.
   • By leveraging the power of three, students will have increased access to exemplary academic programs and pathways to social mobility.
   • More pathways to move easily from high school dual enrollment through associate to bachelor, master, and doctoral programs.
3. ACADEMICS - Access a greater range of programs and faculty expertise than any single university can offer.
   • Students will be able to select from an expanded array of academic programs. This will nearly double the program options for Mansfield and Lock Haven students. This means more choices and greater momentum toward graduation.
   • A typical student will take most in-person courses at their home campus and some courses through real-time remote learning.
   • General education courses will be offered at each campus.
4. STUDENT NEEDS - Responding to the diverse needs of 21^st century learners with relevant academic programs, proven modalities, and flexibility that supports a diverse learning community.
   • A program array that will prepare students for careers of the future while helping ensure timely graduation.
   • On all three campuses, enjoy on-campus housing, student clubs and organizations, athletics and a vibrant campus life.
   • Students can design a university experience that works for them with dedicated support services on each campus.
5. CAREER PREPARATION - Equipping students with the skills and connections for greater opportunity for upward mobility.
   • A wider variety of career and professional resources and experiential learning opportunities - including internships.
   • A more expansive alumni network to provide guidance and support and an employer network ready to recruit our graduates.
6. OPPORTUNITY - Expanding high-quality experiential options while also reducing the total cost of attendance.
   • A financially-responsible degree creates a faster route to career launch and upward mobility.
   • Benefit from expanded opportunities offered by a larger university - while maintaining the same personalized, small-campus experience traditionally offered at Mansfield and Lock Haven.
7. ALUMNI/DONORS - Honoring our history and our legacy to connect fellow Mounties and provide support for today's students and tomorrow's leaders.
   • Foundations and alumni associations will remain independent at each of the three institutions, connecting classmates with their beloved alma mater.
   • Donors will continue to be able to designate funds in support of students to their campus of choice.
8. COMMUNITY - Evolving so that each campus can continue serving the needs of its home community.
   • By expanding dual-enrollment opportunities for high school students.
   • By ensuring a thriving and vibrant campus-life experience.
   • By deepening our Town Gown relationships and expanding our partnerships to provide more internships and mentoring programs, volunteerism/service, lively arts and cultural opportunities, and more that benefit the communities we call home.
9. ECONOMIC GROWTH - Stimulating new growth opportunities for businesses and community partners.
   • We're building toward a stronger region, strengthening and elevating the quality of life for local and regional communities.
   • We remain committed to an environment where students live, work, and engage as members of the Mansfield community.
10. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT - Cultivating and nurturing employer relationships to stay attuned to workforce demands.
    • We are committed to working with regional and statewide employers to build short-course and credentialing programs for working professionals, as well as traditional students who are looking pick up specific certifications and credentials as they progress through their education.

PROCESS - To succeed individually, we must succeed in common.

• 500+ students, faculty, staff, trustees, and community leaders are participating in the Northeast Integration planning.
• Following the April Board of Governor's (BOG) Meeting, there will be a 60-day public comment period. At its summer meeting, the BOG will vote regarding the integration moving forward.

INTEGRATION INSIGHT FOR STUDENTS

A weekly series on all things integration

Focus on: STUDENT NEEDS

Responding to your diverse needs as 21st century learners with relevant academic programs, proven modalities, and flexibility that supports a diverse learning community.

• A program array that will prepare you for careers of the future while maintaining efficient time to graduation.
• On all three campuses, enjoy on-campus housing, student clubs and organizations, athletics and a vibrant campus life.
• Design a university experience that works for you with dedicated support services on each campus.

Focus on: CAREER PREPARATION

Equipping you with the skills and connections for an even greater degree of upward mobility.

• A wider variety of career and professional resources and experiential learning opportunities - including internships
• An even more expansive alumni network to provide guidance and support and an employer network ready to recruit our graduates.

Stay Tuned for next Week's Integration insights.

For more information about university integrations, please visit president.mansfield.edu/integration/

INTEGRATION INSIGHT FOR STUDENTS

A weekly series on all things integration

WHY INTEGRATION: Our shared vision is to expand high-quality educational opportunities for students, position institutions for growth, and meet regional economic and workforce needs across Pennsylvania. At a time when universities across the country, including our own, are financially challenged, integration would creatively ensure that its institutions are open, vibrant, and centered on student success.

• PRESERVING YESTERDAY: Preserving the founding principles of each campus and the communities we serve.
• ADAPTING TO TODAY: Answering the greatest challenges facing higher education: cost, quality, opportunity, and relevance.
• BUILDING A STRONGER TOMORROW: Changing the trajectory of public higher education in the Commonwealth.

FOCUS ON: ACADEMICS

Access a greater range of programs and faculty expertise than any single university can offer.

• Select from an expanded "menu" of academic programs, offering nearly double the program options for Lock Haven and Mansfield students.
• A typical student will take most in-person courses at their home campus and potentially some through real-time remote learning.
• General education courses will be offered at each campus.
• Thank you to all students who completed the provosts' survey on integration. More information about the academic program array will be available soon.

STAY TUNED FOR NEXT WEEK'S INTEGRATION INSIGHT.

For more information about university integration please visit https://president.mansfield.edu/integration/.

INTEGRATION INSIGHTS FOR STUDENTS

Welcome to Integration Insight for Students. This is a weekly series to update you on all things integration.

Students are a primary and critical group involved in the integration process. You are represented through your elected representatives in student government and fellow students serving as Student Trustees.

FAST FACTS ON INTEGRATION

Here are some questions students are asking about integration.

Will I have less access to academic programs after integration?

• No. All students will benefit from access to a greater range of academic programs than any single university can offer. At Mansfield, students will have access to nearly double the program options than they currently do now.
• This means more choices when it's time to build your schedule so you can keep momentum toward graduation.

How will integration impact internships?

• After integration, students will have access to a broader range of internships and other experiential opportunities throughout Pennsylvania and beyond. This access will help you build a resume and graduate career-ready.

What academic programs will be available after integration?

• Students recently received a survey asking for their input on the academic program array. You are encouraged to complete the survey (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/integration-student-survey) and share your input on the academic program options.

NAMING SURVEY

Thank you to everyone who completed the integration naming survey! Your valuable feedback will help guide us to understand potential risks and advantages presented with each option.

As a reminder, the name Mansfield University will not change. The survey examined potential names for the accredited entity. We have had some questions about what an "accredited entity" is, and below is a sample of how that might look on Middle States paperwork or an official transcript. Diplomas from each institution will continue to display the names of each university.

Mansfield University
Accredited as (entity name here)

STAY TUNED FOR NEXT WEEK'S INTEGRATION INSIGHTS.

For more information about university integrations please visit https://president.mansfield.edu/integration/.

Welcome to Integration Insight for Students. This is the first of a weekly series to update you on all things integration.

Students are a primary and critical group involved in the integration process. You are represented through your elected SGA representatives in student government and your fellow students serving as Student Trustees.

FAST FACTS ON INTEGRATION

Here are some questions students are asking about integration.

Is my campus going to close?

• No. Students will always have a vibrant and full residential campus experience at Mansfield University.

Is my university going to lose its identity?

• No. Mansfield University's name, colors, logo, mascot, and name on diplomas will remain.
• A new integrated entity name would be used for accreditation purposes only.

Am I going to have to take all of my classes online?

• No. You can complete your program of study in-person and have access to more degree pathways and programs, including more pathways into graduate and doctoral programs.

NAMING SURVEY

This week you received an invitation to participate in an integration naming survey. To state clearly - the name Mansfield University will not change.

We are surveying potential names for the accredited entity. We have had some questions about what an "accredited entity" is, and here is a sample of how that might look on your official transcript or in Middle States accreditation documentation.

Mansfield University
Accredited as (entity name here)

If you've already completed the integration naming survey - thank you!

INTERNAL PASSHE NEI Survey [survey.alchemer.com]

Your answers will guide our final decision and help us understand potential risks and advantages presented with each option.

STAY TUNED FOR NEXT WEEK'S INTEGRATION INSIGHTS.

For more information about university integrations please visit https://president.mansfield.edu/integration/.

To our Mansfield community,

Plans for the proposed integration of Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield universities, resulting in a new integrated university, continues to take shape as we look ahead to their consideration by the PASSHE Board of Governors.

Academic Updates:

The goal of the Northeastern Academic Affairs team is to increase program options for students from high school dual-enrollment through associates, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees. Leveraging the academic strengths of each university promises the growth potential to pursue emerging areas of student interest and develop career and degree pathways grounded in both student and workforce demand.

The combined array of the new integrated university will offer a robust educational experience with enhanced access points for students across the region. In the future, students will realize the benefit of expanded access to all disciplines on all campuses.

The increased options will provide students with more opportunities to access exemplary, affordable degree programs and well-qualified faculty while taking part in high-impact experiences aimed at ensuring career readiness.

Regionally, this means a significant broadening of the program array options. For Lock Haven and Mansfield students, this expansion leads to nearly double the bachelor's degree program options from which to choose.

Expanded academic opportunities and alignment with workforce development initiatives means that the Northeastern universities will be able to offer an exemplary educational experience for all students-including outlined pathways for efficient degree-completion programs. Students will have more choices than ever before and the flexibility to complete a degree that works for their lifestyle and their timeline.

Middle States Accreditation:

The Western Integration completed a significant integration milestone: the submission of the Preliminary Complex Substantive Change Form to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Last week, the Western integration (California, Clarion, and Edinboro) outlined its plan to integrate (Middle States uses the term "consolidate") to create a single integrated/consolidated university, and explains why integration/consolidation is a good fit for the partner universities.

In the weeks ahead, the Northeastern universities will be following the same accreditation process. Middle States recommended that one set of integration partners submit first and await feedback before the second set of partners makes its submission.

While not identical, the forms submitted to Middle States are aligned and consistent, with common boilerplate, timelines, and details. Some areas that will align with our forthcoming Northeastern integration submission include:

Administrative Hub: Middle States requires the integrated university to identify one partner campus as its administrative unit for accreditation purposes. Middle States recommends that the university that completed the accreditation process most recently act as the administrative unit for the integrated entity. Based on this recommendation, Bloomsburg has been identified as the administrative unit for accreditation purposes. If we do not select an existing accreditation, Middle States would recognize the new integrated university as a brand-new entity that is not accredited, and thus we would be pursuing accreditation for the first time. This is all contingent on the feedback received by the Western integration per its Middle States submission.

For the purposes of the submission, Middle States uses the term "main campus" to describe the administrative unit. Although this designation is required by MSCHE accreditation policies and appears in the submission for compliance purposes, we have clearly stated to Middle States that the three campuses of our integrated university will operate as collaborating partners in all other respects.

Naming process: Middle States officials are aware that the integrated university will have a new name, which has yet to be determined. We are working with Ologie, a branding and marketing agency, to conduct research and engage with prospective student and parent audiences to provide naming convention recommendations to the leadership group that align with the goals of integration: retaining the name, brand and historic identity of the universities.

Functional areas: A tentative organizational chart is being developed. This is required for the Middle States submission, and depicts the integrated university organized into a basic, three-level org chart (office of the president > divisions > functional areas) which is still evolving; it will be expanded to include job titles and other details in the months ahead. We will share the organizational chart when it is ready to be submitted.

No potential changes will impact our legal responsibility to honor collective bargaining agreements.

NCAA Updates:

Both the Northeastern and Western integration teams have made a formal proposal to the NCAA to retain the full complement of intercollegiate sports on all partner campuses. We continue to pursue this path with the NCAA and are encouraged by the thoughtful response to our request. For current student-athletes and those currently being recruited, this path would provide the ability to retain our existing sports teams.

Next Steps:

As you can see, creating the integrated university is a complex and multi-faceted project. Mansfield is well represented among the 500+ individuals who are involved in innovating and re-imagining student-centered higher education in Pennsylvania. Their work informs recommendations that will be shared with the Board of Governors as we seek to shape our future as a premier provider of higher education for northeastern Pennsylvania and beyond. I am immensely proud of and thankful for their work, and I encourage all of you to stay informed as the process continues.

Plans for both the Northeastern and Western integrations will be presented to the PASSHE Board of Governors at its upcoming meeting in April. Board affirmation would initiate a 60-day period for public comment, culminating in a decision by the Board at its July meeting.

We expect further updates to include greater detail on the academic program array and organizational structure. I will keep our Mansfield community informed as planning continues and opportunities for your input arise. For a deeper dive into System Redesign or to share your feedback, visit www.passhe.edu/integrations.

Best regards,

Charles

Charles E. Patterson, PhD
President

Dear Campus Community,

At today's State System Board of Governors meeting, Chancellor Greenstein provided an update on the work and progress on the proposed integrations between Mansfield-Bloomsburg-Lock Haven in the Northeast and California-Clarion-Edinboro in the West. This is the result of more than 1,000 students, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders coming together to shape the future of higher education in Pennsylvania.

As you may know, the integration team is expected to submit preliminary implementation plans to the Board in April, and if approved, those plans will be subject to a public comment period lasting 60 days. The Board will then review the public comments and consider final implementation plans as early as July, which would mean the first cohort of students to enroll in an integrated university is the Fall Semester of 2022.

Each of the two integrated entities would have a single administration, faculty cohort, enrollment management strategy, academic program array, and budget while also maintaining local institutional identity, athletics, student housing, campus life, and critical student supports at all three campuses.

A highlight of the information shared during today's State System Board meeting can be found in this PASSHE press release. A recording of Thursday's board meeting along with the slide deck are also available.

The Mansfield University Integration webpage will continue to serve as a resource for the campus community and the public to learn more about the process. A recording of January's Mansfield Town Hall meeting for university, community, local leaders, and elected officials is now available under the Forums tab on the Integration page. This was also the first of several planned town halls hosted by Chancellor Greenstein and the three presidents in the northeast.

Additional information on university integrations in both the west and the northeast can be found on PASSHE's University Integration's webpage.

We will continue to keep the university community informed about the latest developments of the university integration process through a variety of channels including the Executive Cabinet meetings that are open to university faculty, staff, and students. The Executive Cabinet meets every other Thursday beginning at 11:30 AM and features highlights on university integrations provided by a Mansfield University lead or co-lead serving on one or more of the working groups.

Thank you to everyone who has committed their time and energy to this bold vision that would expand student opportunities and ensure that Mansfield University can continue to provide exceptional educational opportunities for many years to come. I look forward to continuing our important work together as we chart a path for the future.

All the best,

Charles

On Wednesday afternoon, the Board of Governors for Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education unanimously affirmed the process and next steps for integrating California-Clarion-Edinboro in the West and Bloomsburg-Lock Haven-Mansfield in the Northeast.

The goal of university integrations is to expand opportunities for Mansfield University students beyond those a single institution can achieve on its own. University integration will retain the high-touch, personal on-campus experiences, services, and faculty-student interactions that have historically reinforced our campus identity, brand, and value proposition. University integrations will build upon on an existing foundation of collaboration and partnership to efficiently expand and deliver undergraduate and graduate programs across the region and beyond. As envisioned, university integration will also focus on enhancing our collective responsiveness to workforce-aligned, nondegree, certificate, and stackable credentialing programs to meet regional and statewide economic and workforce demands.

The next step in the university integrations process is the development of an implementation plan for the Bloomsburg-Lock Haven-Mansfield pairing, which could be presented to the Board for consideration as early as April 2021. The development of the implementation plan will rely heavily on transparent and consultative processes, and a great deal of inclusive planning and implementation across all of our faculty and staff.

We will also engage extensively with Mansfield University stakeholders throughout the process to seek feedback, inform important decisions, and keep everyone apprised of our progress, including but not limited to students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, supporters, community members, our university affiliate entities, and other PASSHE institutions.

To this end, you may stay up-to-date on Mansfield's ongoing progress by visiting the Mansfield University integration website.

I look forward to serving alongside every member of our campus community as we work together to ensure that all Mansfield University students have the opportunity to receive a high-quality education that is tailored to their needs, academic abilities, and career or employment goals. Your understanding, inclusion, and active engagement will be paramount to the success of Mansfield and its support of future generations of Pennsylvanians.

Sincerely,

Charles

Dear Mansfield University Colleagues:

Fall is upon us here in the Northern Tier of Pennsylvania. The entire region is awash in foliage displaying vivid yellows, oranges, and reds. I hope everyone seizes the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful weather. If you are able to do so in the company of family and friends, while also social distancing, then it will surely make this time of the season more enjoyable.

As we take a moment to appreciate the beautiful vistas around us, I also want to take just a moment to recognize the service of our Mansfield University faculty and staff and provide our campus community with an update on university integrations.

Last week we had the pleasure of honoring our faculty and staff via the virtual 2020 Annual Employee Recognition Celebration event. Dr. Kristen Long, Assistant Professor of Biology, received the Deans' Award for Outstanding Academic Advising. Dr. Lynn Pifer, Professor of English, was honored with the Deans' Award for Outstanding Teaching. The 2020 Employee of the Year Award was presented to Nichole Lefelhoc, Director of the Career Center. Congratulations to all our nominees, award winners, recent retirees, and employees recognized for their years of service. More information and the full virtual presentation can be found on the Mansfield University News site using the link above.

A special thank you to Dr. Jonathan Rothermel and the members of the Red and Black Committee for organizing the bring-your-own-lunch (BYOL) event in front of Elliott Hall last week. During times when our interactions with colleagues occur primarily through Zoom meetings, it was nice to see our Mansfield family come together in-person, albeit under social distancing requirements, in support of collegiality, fellowship, and our enduring campus spirit.

I also want to take this opportunity to provide our campus community with an update on the status of university integrations. If you were unable to attend Chancellor Greenstein's Open Forum on Friday, September 18, I have included a link to the webinar. Please note that you will need to sign onto your verified Zoom account using your Mansfield.edu credentials.

To date, a preliminary integration team consisting of Provost John Ulrich, Vice President Todd Garnier, Professor and local APSCUF President Brian Loher, Communications Director Ryan McNamara, and I recently concluded our third and last workshop with our colleagues from Bloomsburg and Lock Haven. These workshops, facilitated by the consulting firm Deloitte, were designed to generate an exchange of ideas (at a general rather than a detailed level) about the opportunities that integration may afford us as we explore cross-institutional cooperation in both instructional and non-instructional areas.

As the process continues, we expect that more teams will be formed and greater inclusivity will emerge as we move into the integration planning and development phase in October, as required by the university integration process codified in Act 50 of 2020.

To say that the integration process that we will embark on is "critically important" is an understatement. If you attended the fall State of the University address, then you will recall the fiscal challenges facing not only Mansfield University, but also the State System and the Commonwealth. Pennsylvania and its State System universities will continue to face deeper fiscal deficits, exacerbated by the pandemic. While we will continue to pursue fiscal sustainability through our own, stand-alone fiscal sustainability plan, we must also concurrently pursue integration with our regional partners.

University integration presents not just a greater potential for moving further faster down the path of fiscal sustainability, but also the opportunity to redirect our important regional, rural-serving State System universities away from the inevitable path many have been going down for the better part of a decade. As the cost of education continues to rise and universities face growing financial pressures, the education gap (or achievement gap or opportunity gap) widens. This education gap not only adversely affects rural communities more acutely, but also has long-term economic impacts to the greater region, the Commonwealth, and generations of future Pennsylvanians.

Affordability, driven by the cost of higher education, is partly responsible for Mansfield University's prior enrollment declines and the current fiscal reality. While Mansfield University's strong enrollment growth over the last two years demonstrates great progress in positioning the university for future growth and sustainability, the need for a balanced budget and the continuing impact of the pandemic across all State System universities will require transformational change to ensure the viability of our regional institutions.

For the Mansfield-Bloomsburg-Lock Haven triad, this includes employing strategic approaches to meeting the higher education needs of our students by combining resources to enhance our responsiveness to regional economic and community development needs. We have an opportunity to build on a strong foundation of collaboration and partnership that already exists between these State System universities to efficiently support undergraduate and graduate program offerings, while also allowing for the development of workforce-aligned non-degree and certificate programs to meet the demand of current and emerging markets.

We will continually revisit an important and foundational tenet of higher education as we move forward: All students should receive a high-quality education that is tailored to their needs, academic abilities, and career or employment goals. Your understanding, inclusion, and participation will be paramount in the coming months and years. As educators and advocates for the role that this great institution serves, we must approach our work selflessly to ensure that Mansfield University and our other regional, rural-serving institutions can-together- continue to support future the needs of generations of Pennsylvanians.

Thank you for your continued support of Mansfield University and your personal investment in each and every one of our deserving students.

Sincerely,

Charles

Charles E. Patterson, PhD
President

Dear Mansfield University Colleagues and Friends:

I wanted to take just a moment this morning and provide our campus community with an update on fall 2020 enrollment and the status of university integrations across the State System.

Fall 2020 Enrollment

As announced on Thursday, Mansfield University celebrated the second year of consecutive enrollment growth with a 7.8% increase in total headcount enrollment for fall 2020 compared to Fall 2019. Our overall headcount has grown 9.5% since fall 2018, marking the largest two-year increase for Mansfield University. The total number of returning students also increased by 10% over the fall of 2019.

Thank you for your efforts to ensure the success of our students and our university. Every single person at Mansfield University has an important role to serve in the recruitment, enrollment, retention, success, and graduation of our Mountie students.

State System University Integrations

As you may recall, the Board of Governors of Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education passed a resolution in July authorizing the Chancellor to review the financial impacts of integrating operations at select universities.

Integration seeks to use combined multi-university scale to improve superior academic options for students and achieve cost efficiencies to ensure State System institutions continue serving their regions for years to come. Integrations also allow for expansion into adjacent markets to better meet regional education and workforce needs by combining the capacities and scholarly expertise at institutions. Finally, integration allows for anchor institutions that support economic development and regional stability - especially historically significant institutions like Mansfield University (founded 1857) and Lock Haven University (founded 1870) - to preserve their important institutional identities.

The July resolution of the Board of Governors directed the Chancellor to examine three potential university integrations focused on meeting current and emerging regional and statewide needs in the Commonwealth:

1. California University and Clarion University
2. Edinboro University and Slippery Rock University
3. Mansfield University and Lock Haven University

The July resolution of the Board of Governors also directed that the State System be open to analysis leading to different integration models and approaches and/or allow for different university alignments, as informed by the ongoing financial stability review. To this end, one of the outcomes of this ongoing review involves a shift in the university alignments for integration that will be announced today:

1. California University, Clarion University, and Edinboro University
2. Mansfield University, Bloomsburg University, and Lock Haven University

Operational efficiency and resource sharing between institutions has been financially advantageous for Mansfield University for many years. Mansfield has beneficial partnerships with Bloomsburg University that realize operational efficiencies for human resources, benefits, and procurement services. Mansfield has been actively and openly speaking with our university governance teams about the integration of additional operations and sharing of resources with other PASSHE institutions as part of the State System's Redesign efforts, including a focus on Lock Haven University. The discussion of alignments with Lock Haven University began in 2019 and have continued throughout the past year.

The assessment process for the aforementioned university integrations will continue leading up to the October Board of Governor's meeting, after which we will engage in the development of an integration plan for the candidate integrations that relies on the continued transparency that you have come to expect from Mansfield University's administration. We will engage with stakeholders throughout the process to keep everyone informed and to inform important decisions. The integration plan development process will be broadly consultative and will require the strong support of all of our many stakeholders, including but not limited to students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, supporters, community members, our university affiliate entities, and other State System institutions.

Please allow me to reiterate my July comments regarding the important impacts of university integrations across our many stakeholders:

For our students enrolled at Mansfield University, and for students still considering Mansfield University as their destination of choice, your prospects have never been brighter. It is expected that this process of integration will provide even greater educational opportunities. In the future, you will have access to a broader range of programs while maintaining a campus experience that makes each institution unique at the local level.

For our faculty and staff, this is an opportunity to continue to help shape Mansfield University's future in service to our students and the Commonwealth. The nation will be watching as we help shape the future of public higher education. The collective talent of our faculty and staff will be critical in our effort to reconceive, rebuild, refresh and expand the opportunities we offer to all our students.

For our organizations, businesses, and our local communities, you will continue to find a great partner in Mansfield University and, through integration, we will become more responsive to the ever-changing needs of Pennsylvania's workforce by leveraging greater scale, reach and expansion of partnership opportunities.

For our alumni, donors, and supporters of Mansfield University, the integrations approach is an opportunity to define a path toward continued vibrancy for Mansfield University, while honoring our historic identity and more than a century of rich traditions.

I look forward to working with all of our stakeholders as we build on Mansfield University's institutional strengths, position the university for continued growth, and expand high-quality educational opportunities for students throughout the region and beyond.

Sincerely,

Charles

Charles E. Patterson, PhD
President

Dear Mansfield University Community:

At today's meeting of the Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), the Board passed a resolution authorizing the Chancellor to review the financial impacts of integrating operations at select universities. The authority to explore and execute an integrations approach for PASSHE institutions is supported by Act 50 of 2020, a new bipartisan law supported by the Pennsylvania Legislature and signed into law by Governor Wolf.

The Board's resolution directs the Chancellor to examine three potential integrations focused on meeting current and emerging regional and statewide needs in the Commonwealth:

• California and Clarion - An integration would seek to stand up a low-cost, high-quality, fully online undergraduate degree and degree-completion program that is not currently available in Pennsylvania.
• Edinboro and Slippery Rock - An integration that would strengthen and broaden available academic opportunities by aligning two educational programs into one, driving down costs and coordinating enrollment strategies.
• Lock Haven and Mansfield - An integration that would add to the program array non-degree and stackable credentials that meet workforce needs in selected high demand occupations, all in partnership with regional employers.

Integration seeks to use combined multi-university scale to improve academic options for students and achieve cost efficiencies to ensure PASSHE institutions continue serving their regions for years to come. Integrations also allow for expansion into adjacent markets to better meet regional education and workforce needs by combining the capacities and scholarly expertise at institutions. Finally, integration allows for anchor institutions that support economic development and regional stability - especially historically significant institutions like Mansfield University (founded 1857) and Lock Haven University (founded 1870) - to preserve their important institutional identities.

The concept of integration, operational efficiency and resource sharing is nothing new for Mansfield University. We have existing partnerships with Bloomsburg University that realize operational efficiencies for human resources, benefits and procurement services. We have been actively and openly speaking with our university governance teams about the integration of additional operations and sharing of resources with other PASSHE institutions as part of the State System's Redesign efforts, including a focus on Lock Haven University. The discussion of alignments with Lock Haven University began in 2019 and have continued throughout the past year.

Since I arrived at Mansfield University a year ago, I have been committed to transparency. We have implemented important university shared governance and organizational effectiveness models aimed at enhancing engagement across the institution to build a stronger campus community. The process of integration will also rely on continued transparency. We will be engaging with stakeholders throughout the process to keep everyone informed and to inform important decisions. The review and plan development process will be broadly consultative and will require the strong support of all of our many stakeholders, including but not limited to students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, supporters, community members, our university affiliate entities, and other PASSHE institutions.

To reiterate, this is the beginning of a process that requires a great deal of planning and implementation - one that will be undertaken over the next two years and includes no-less than a year of review. It is important to note that there is no predetermined outcome for these pairs of institutions, but for the purposes of the review process launched by the Board, the approach would assess the ability of institutions to operate under a unified leadership team reporting through the Chancellor to the Board of Governors. The approach would also assess the ability to have a single faculty and staff, a single academic program array, a unified enrollment strategy, and a single budget, all while honoring the local identity of the original institutions. While this is the starting point, it is likely that several different models will be explored during the process and the Board's action permits the exploration of other models and combinations of institutions as part of the integrations approach.

For our students enrolled at Mansfield University, and for students still considering Mansfield University as their destination of choice, your prospects have never been brighter. It is expected that this process of integration will provide even greater educational opportunities. In the future, you will have access to a broader range of programs while maintaining a campus experience that makes each institution unique at the local level.

For our faculty and staff, this is an opportunity to continue to help shape Mansfield University's future in service to our students and the Commonwealth. The nation will be watching, as we help shape the future of public higher education. The collective talent of our faculty and staff will be critical in our effort to reconceive, rebuild, refresh and expand the opportunities we offer to all our students.

Organizations, businesses and our local communities will continue to find great a partner in Mansfield University and, through integration, we will become more responsive to the ever-changing needs of Pennsylvania's workforce by leveraging greater scale, reach and expansion of partnership opportunities.

Finally, for our residents of the surrounding communities, alumni, and supporters of Mansfield University, the integrations approach is an opportunity to define a path toward continued vibrancy for Mansfield University, while honoring our historic identity and more than a century of rich traditions.

More information on the integration process will continue to be developed in the coming weeks and I will share this information broadly as it becomes available. I encourage you to read Chancellor Greenstein's blog post which will be published later today, which will provide supplementary details the system's considerations for the campus integration process.

Sincerely,

Charles

Charles E. Patterson, PhD
President