University Integrations

Identity – Our identities honor the legacy and traditions that bring all generations of Huskies, Mounties, and Bald Eagles together.

• Each institution’s name, logo, mascot, and identity will be preserved.
• In March, 2022, the PA State System of Higher Education’s Board of Governors voted unanimously to approve the name Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. As Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield universities, we remain committed to maintaining the strength of our brands as we collectively champion our students and their success. 
• Middle States announces initial approval of Northeast integration
• Each campus will retain a full complement of NCAA Athletic programs as approved by the NCAA in April 2022.

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’s to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs.

Academics – We’re excited to share with you the academic program array (majors and concentrations) for the Northeast integrated university that will be available to students in the future. As you will see from the linked array, the Northeast integrated university academic programs include a robust set of more than 80 degree programs across a wide variety of disciplinary fields.

As a reminder, we will come together as an integrated university in Summer 2022. However, the academic programs will be phased in over a three-year period as our faculty design the curriculum for these programs.

Please note, all current students will be able to complete the degree in which they are enrolled in now. Also, all incoming students for Spring and Fall 2022 will also be able to enroll in any currently available academic programs at each campus. Nothing changes for current students or for students who enroll in Spring 2022 and Fall 2022.

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 and online.

The Northeast integrated university will have five academic colleges* that include:

• Zeigler College of Business
• College of Education and Human Services
• College of Health Professions
• College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities
• College of Science and Technology

Interdisciplinary & Multidisciplinary Studies: In addition to the above, students will have the opportunity to design a program of study that will meet their career goals.

* Pending Middle States Commission on Higher Education approval.

Student Needs – Responding to the diverse needs of 21st 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 maintaining efficient time to graduation.
• On all three campuses, students can 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.

Career Preparation – Equipping students 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.
• A more expansive alumni network to provide guidance and support and an employer network ready to recruit our graduates.

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 all the opportunities of a larger university – with the same personalized, small-campus experience traditionally offered at Lock Haven and Mansfield.

Alumni/Donors – Honoring our history and our legacy to connect fellow Bald Eagles 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.

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.

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 Lock Haven community.

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 suceed individually, we must succeed in common.

• 500+ students, faculty, staff, trustees, and community leaders are participating in the Northeast Integration planning
• At its July 14, 2021 summer meeting, the Board of Governors voted to move forward with integration.

DOWNLOAD OUR INFORMATIONAL BROCHURE

PASSHE Board of Governors’ Approved Timeline

July 2020 – October 2020
Conduct a review of the financial stability of System universities assuming the continuation of present operations and potential university integrations

October 2020 - April 2021
Develop an integration plan or plans for candidate integrations identified by the review

April 2021 – July 2021
Submit integration plan or plans for public comment (April 2021) and submit integration plan for final approval by the Board (July 2021)

July 2021 – August 2022
Implement university integrations

LHU:

September 16, 2020
New Partnership to be Explored by Three Pennsylvania State System Universities

September 26, 2020
Lock Haven Express Editorial: We’re working to preserve LHU’s heritage

November 12, 2020
As university integration moves forward, your voice matters

March 5, 2021
PASSHE North East Integration Update

March 15, 2022
Middle States announces initial approval of Northeast integration

April 20, 2022
NCAA approves plan to retain full complement of athletic programs at Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield universities

PASSHE:

July 16, 2020
State System to explore university integrations to support student opportunities

October 14, 2020
State System enters new phase of proposed university integrations with Board’s unanimous support

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

Northeast Integration Program Array

2022 Integration Insights
January 2022 
May 2022

July 7, 2022

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

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July 1, 2022

Dear Commonwealth U Family,

Attached (b is a communication I just received from Governor Wolf in which he expresses his appreciation for our efforts through integration.

In his words, “Thank you for all that you are doing to transform higher education in Pennsylvania.”

This is a special day, indeed.

Sincerely,
Bashar 

Bashar W. Hanna, Ph.D.
President

Governor Tom Wolf Appreciation letter

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July 1, 2022

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

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January 28, 2022

The interim Finance and Administration leadership model as we move forward into Integration will be one of a collaborative team, working in tandem to assist and guide the division. The leadership team will consist of Amy Dicello, Deana Hill, Eric Ness, Lois Johnson, and Tena Maurer.

• Amy, Deana, and Lois will manage all finance/budget-related items, with Lois providing special support on CPP updates and submissions.
• Deana and Tena will focus on labor relations and human resources support, with Deana serving as Chief of Staff.
• Eric Ness will continue to work with the Facilities, Safety, and Police units in addition to his Integration project management responsibilities.
• The team as a whole will be supported by Mary Vezendy who will help to coordinate meetings, provide support, and fulfill her role with Administrative Operations, coordinating Council of Trustee meetings, and Right To Know Requests.

This model will help ensure the stability and direction of the division as we engage in a national search process to identify our next VP of Finance and Administration.

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

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December 15, 2021

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.

Name	Funtional Area	Division
		Administration & Finance
Amy Dicello	Finance
Eric Ness	Facilities, Police, and Safety
Tena Maurer	Human Resources and Workplace Change
		Student Success & Campus Life
Amy Downes	Student Success
Scott Kane	Campus Life
Jim McCormack	Auxilary Services
Stacey Brunozzi	Student Health Center
		Enrollment Management
Chris Lapos	Admissions
Pam Kathcart	Financial Aid
Rona Anderson	Early College
		Advancement
Lynda Michaels	Alumni and Professional Engagement
Casey Wood	Advancement - Mansfield University
To be posted	Advancement - Lock Haven University
		President's Office
Jennifer Umberger	Marketing and Communications

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 finalizing 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

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November 19, 2021 – Faculty Department Chairs Announcement

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. 

Department Name	Department Chair
Accounting & Business Law	Loren Selznick (BU)
Anthro, Soc, CJ	David Fazzino (BU)
Athletics	Mike McFarland (BU)
Biology	Angela Hess (BU)
Biochem, Chem, Engin, & Physics	Gregory Zimmerman (BU)
Communication Sciences & Disorders	Mohsin Shaikh (BU)
Communication Studies	Angela La Valley (BU)
Counseling & Ed. Leadership	Lisa Weaver (LHU)
Dept. of Exceptionality Programs	Maureen Walsh (BU)
Early Childhood Ed.	Todd Hoover (BU)
EGGS	Michael Shepard (BU)
English	Mark Decker (BU)
Finance, Ins., Risk Mgmt., Econ.	Arian Moghadam (BU)
Health & Exercise Sciences	Curt Dixon (LHU)
History, Poli Sci, Phil.	Jeff Bosworth (MU)
Inst. Tech., Tech Leadership, ITA	Carolyn LaMacchia (BU)
Languages & Cultures	Mykola Polyuha (BU)
Management	Lam Nguyen (BU)
Marketing & Prof. Sales	Monica Favia (BU)
Math, Comp Sci, DF	Curt Jones (BU)
Media & Journalism	Jason Genovese (BU)
Middle Level, Second, K12 Ed	Nanci Werner-Burke (MU)
Music, Theatre, and Dance	Nathan Rinnert (MU)
Nursing - Graduate	Kimberly Olszewski (BU)
Nursing - Undergraduate	no election held
Physician Assistant	Curtis Grenoble (LHU)
Psychology	no election held
Social Work	Shane Jaynes (BU)
Student Success	Deb Rotella (MU)
Visual Arts	Meredith Grimsley (BU)

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

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November 15, 2021 – NE Program Array

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

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November 12, 2021 – Leadership of the Academic Colleges

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

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 November 7, 2021 – Senior Leadership Team Announcement

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

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 September 14, 2021 – Updates from Dr. Hanna

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

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August 12, 2021 – Senior Implementation Team

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

Town Halls

Students - April 28, 2022
Faculty - April 27, 2022
Staff - April 27, 2022

LHU will continue to add additional FAQs about university integration as questions arise. You may submit questions for inclusion by emailing strategiccommunications@lockhaven.edu.

You may also view the State System’s FAQs for more general information about university integrations.

+What is the Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania?

Contingent upon approval of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (our institutional accreditor) – “Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania” would become the accredited, degree-granting university that results from the integration of hitherto separately accredited universities: Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield. Leveraging the continued distinctive identities of the three partner institutions that contribute to it, Commonwealth University will offer a range of benefits to its students and communities, notably in the number of programs, separate complement of athletic teams, as well as co-curricular and career preparation opportunities that will be available.

Additionally — as the accredited entity, as with all institutionally accredited universities, Commonwealth University will:

• Confer degrees upon students at all campuses
• Employ faculty and staff at all campus locations
• Develop a single academic curriculum, assess student learning, and evaluate and improve effectiveness
• Be the official repository of all student records
• Hold institutional accreditation and all special program accreditations
• Recruit and enroll students at all campuses through a single admissions process on behalf of its partner campuses
• Package student financial aid through a single OPEID number, while maintaining three unique federal school identification numbers, allowing students to select a home campus of their choosing.

+Why is LHU being integrated with Mansfield and Bloomsburg?

Centered on student success, 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 equipped to support our students toward building a successful future.

+Will we still be called Lock Haven?

Yes. The name Lock Haven will remain. Our logo, beloved Bald Eagle mascot, and traditions will remain.

+Will the cost of attendance change?

The State System's mission is to provide affordable, high-quality public higher education across the Commonwealth, and this approach is designed to bolster that mission.

+What will happen to LHU’s athletic programs?

On April 20, 2022, Lock Haven, Bloomsburg and Mansfield universities received NCAA approval to proceed with their plan to retain a full complement of NCAA athletic programs on the campuses that currently host them.

Each campus will maintain its full menu sports offerings and remain wholly independent of each other. All athletic programs will continue to use their respective location name, existing logos, colors, mascots and traditions. Full Release. 

+What is the process for integration?

To succeed individually, we must succeed in common. 500+ students, faculty, staff, trustees, and community leaders have been participating in the Northeast Integration planning since September 2020.

University integrations were unanimously approved by the Board of Governors on July 14, 2021. This effort has been designed to increase opportunities for students while ensuring our institutions are here to serve for decades to come.

The Process

• Begin implementation (July 2021 - August 2022)
• Submit the implementation plan(s) for final approval by the Board; unanimously approved on July 14, 2021
• Share the implementation plan(s) with the public, holding public hearings and taking public comments on the plan (May - June 2021)
• Develop the implementation plan(s) for any integration(s) identified by the Board to move forward (October 2020 - April 2021)
• Conduct a financial review of financial impacts of potential integrations (July - October 2020)

+ Where can I find the plan?

The integration plans are available on the State System Integrations webpage.

+Will there be administrative, faculty, and/or staff reductions as a result of integrations?

The State System is at the beginning of what will be a lengthy review, consultation, and planning process, with an estimated time of over a year from review to final proposal. It would be inappropriate to speculate on the potential employment impacts of any potential multi-university integration, but the State System remains committed to an open, transparent, and consultative process from start to finish.

+ How soon could the proposed integration become reality?

At its summer meeting, the Board of Governors unanimously voted to move the integration forward. Following a year of implementation planning to operationalize the integration strategies, the integrated entity will come together beginning in July of 2022.

+Will the cost of attendance change?

The State System's mission is to provide affordable, high-quality public higher education across the Commonwealth, and this approach is designed to bolster that mission.

+What will happen to LHU’s athletic programs?

Athletics remain 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. While we don’t know all the answers about what the future athletics programs will look like, we remain committed to our goal of maintaining complementary teams at each university. Lock Haven University will continue to field the full complement of varsity athletics programs on campus as this process continues.

+What is the process for integration?

To succeed individually, we must succeed in common. 500+ students, faculty, staff, trustees, and community leaders have been participating in the Northeast Integration planning since September 2020.

Following the April Board of Governor’s Meeting, there will be a 60-day public comment period. At its summer meeting, the Board will vote regarding the integration moving forward.

The process for integrating State System universities is defined by law in Act 50. It is transparent, consultative, analytical, and intended to seek solutions, not implement solutions that have been predetermined. The process is conducted in partnership with the General Assembly through quarterly check-ins with House and Senate Education and Appropriations Committees.

+When will a plan be available?

The goals and priority considerations for integration are available on the State System Integrations webpage. Visit the PASSHE integration webpage for details.

+Will there be administrative, faculty, and/or staff reductions as a result of integrations?

The State System is at the beginning of what will be a lengthy review, consultation, and planning process, with an estimated time of over a year from review to final proposal. It would be inappropriate to speculate on the potential employment impacts of any potential multi-university integration, but the State System remains committed to an open, transparent, and consultative process from start to finish.

+How soon could the proposed integration become reality?

At its summer meeting, the Board of Governors will vote regarding the integration moving forward. Following a year of implementation planning to operationalize the integration strategies, the integrated entity would come together beginning in July of 2022.

+ I'm a current student. Will I be able to finish my defree at Lock Haven?

Yes. All current students will be able to complete the degree in which they are enrolled in now. Also, all incoming students for Spring and Fall 2022 will also be able to enroll in any currently available academic programs at each campus. Nothing changes for current students or for students who enroll in Spring 2022 and Fall 2022.

+ I'm a prospective student. Will I be able to start and finish the degree I'm interested in at Lock Haven?

Yes. In fact, it has never been a better time to be a student at BU. You will be able to finish your program of study and earn your degree at BU. You will also have access to many new opportunities, experiences, and degree programs that will arise from university integrations.

We’re excited to share with you the academic program array (majors and concentrations) for the Northeast integrated university that will be available to students in the future. As you will see from the linked array, the Northeast integrated university academic programs include a robust set of more than 80 degree programs across a wide variety of disciplinary fields. These academic programs will be phased in over a three-year period as our faculty design the curriculum for these programs.

+ How will the curriculum be developed and implemented?

The Northeast integrated university academic programs include a robust set of more than 80 degree programs across a wide variety of disciplinary fields. The academic program array will be phased in over a three-year period as our faculty design the curriculum for these programs.

Academic Updates – October 2021

Faculty members have received their departmental assignments following several rounds of review and revision. In the coming months, aligned with the three-year phased-in curriculum, we look forward to announcing the academic programs and pathways that will benefit our students. Faculty, supported by integration leaders and university administrators, will work together to develop curriculum and implement it over a three year period. Further details, including college structure and departments (majors, minors, concentrations, and certificates) are forthcoming.

• Below are the five colleges and academic departments* set forth by the Academic Affairs team. Further confirmation will come following Council of Trustees approvals and the response from Middle States.
  • Zeigler College of Business:
    • Accounting
    • Finance, Insurance, Risk Management, and Economics
    • Instructional Technology, Technical Leadership, and Information and Technology Management
    • Management
    • Marketing and Sales
  • College of Education and Human Services
    • Counseling, Student Affairs, and Education Administration
    • Early Childhood Education
    • Middle Level, Secondary, and K-12 Education
    • Social Work
    • Exceptionality Programs: ASL and English Interpreting, Special Education
  • College of Health Professions
    • Allied Health
    • Communication Sciences and Disorders
    • Exercise Science
    • Nursing – Graduate
    • Nursing – Undergraduate
    • Physician Assistant
  • College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities
    • Anthropology, Criminal Justice, and Sociology
    • Communication Studies
    • English
    • History, Political Science, and Philosophy
    • Languages and Cultures
    • Media and Journalism
    • Music, Theatre, and Dance
    • Psychology
    • Visual Arts
  • College of Science and Technology
    • Biology
    • Biochemistry, Chemistry, Engineering, and Physics
    • Mathematics, Computer Science, and Digital Forensics
    • Environmental, Geographical, and Geologic Sciences
    • Interdisciplinary & Multidisciplinary Studies
  • In addition to the above, students will have the opportunity to design a program of study that will meet their career goals.

* Pending Middle States Commission on Higher Education approval.

---

Academic Updates - September 2021

In addition to expanded academic program offerings at each campus, below are some of the developing examples of new academic opportunities that will become available through integration.

• Artist or Musician in Residence opportunities, aligned with faculty expertise, to explore new techniques and develop new skills in state-of-the-art studio settings.
• Business – Plans exist to expand professional development, Business Idea Competition, and more through the AACSB-accredited business program at BU.
• Criminal Justice – Opportunity for alignment with Police Academy (spend 6-months in academy as part of your degree program) or add EMT-certification (6-weeks) at Mansfield.
• Education – Broader opportunities for student-teaching (including residential housing opportunities) are forthcoming, including plans to closely align with districts and employment opportunities they can offer to our graduating seniors.
• Environmental, Geographical, and Geological Sciences field camp opportunities will expand, offering opportunities to explore differences offered through our respective locations. A new soils minor may be offered through BU/LHU soils expertise/partnership.
• Nursing/Physician Assistant Programs – There are plans to offer expanded clinical settings or clinical rotation opportunities.
• Pharm.D. Program – Expand on new BU partnerships with Temple and Farleigh Dickinson universities and their respective Schools of Pharmacy – these partner institutions are excited to expand their reach into Central PA through LHU/MU. Signing ceremonies were held in September 2021.
• Scientist in Residence opportunities that align with faculty expertise and research opportunities. For example, collaborative tree swallow nesting research through BU/MU faculty connections is already taking place.

+ Will classes be online due to integration?

No. You can expect a traditional, residential campus experience at Lock Haven with courses delivered on-campus and with the close personal interaction with your professors that Lock Haven is known for. There is no plan to move any face-to-face programs currently offered at Lock Haven to another campus, and general education courses will continue to be offered at each campus. You will continue to have the choice to take courses of interest online if they're available in that modality. Some students choose this method to allow more flexibility in their scheduling.

Integration will create many new opportunities to access courses, majors, minors, majors, degrees, and stackable credentials. Some courses and programs may be conducted remotely and through hybrid modalities across the identified campuses.

+ Will students have to switch between campuses?

As envisioned, university integrations would allow for courses and programs to be conducted inperson, remotely, and through hybrid modalities across the identified campuses.

+What do you mean by online learning?

Online or distance learning can take several forms.

• Synchronous delivery uses tools such as Zoom or other web conferencing tools to let students participate in a class in real time from a remote location. For example, a student at one campus might use Zoom to join a class taught by a professor on another campus. This delivery mode is sometimes called “remote learning.”
• Asynchronous delivery allows students to complete coursework on their own schedule, from any location. In addition to completing required readings and other assignments, students in courses delivered asynchronously may utilize instructional videos, discussion boards and other tools to engage with the professor and classmates. This delivery mode is sometimes called “fully online.”

Hybrid programs typically require students to take a mix of in-person and online/remote learning courses as they progress toward their degree.

In-person programs, which can be completed entirely on campus, may include some remote or fully online course options to provide more flexibility for students as they plan their schedule. Currently, a majority of students taking in-person programs choose to take at least one online course per semester.

PASSHE INTEGRATION FAQS