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University Integrations Public Comments Batch 2 (5/27/21

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University Integrations Public Comments Batch 2 (5/27/21 DATE PLAN GROUP OTHER COMMENT / SOURCE INFORMATION NAME (GROUP) 5/27/2021 5:56 Northeast Staff, I am very much supportive of the integration. I think it will provide needed changes in structure given the new climate of higher Ed, along with Plan Alumni/ increased opportunities for students throughout the triad. Donor However, I was so disappointed to hear that Recreation Management was not listed in the program array. I believe this is a mistake and does not support the working needs of PA (as almost all of our graduates stay in PA). These individuals staff YMCAs, youth programs, state parks, event centers, venues, and so much more. This program provides skills and necessary curriculum to make students successful in these fields. This program is filled with students who are truly passionate about their coursework and the prospect of bettering the future. This is the only program of its kind to be offered within the triad and Lock Haven University is the ideal location. With hard decisions to be made, I don’t doubt that we can take a harder look at programs and efficiencies, but I ask you to reconsider eliminating the Recreation Management program. I am confident by eliminating this program you will be doing this triad and the state a disservice. 5/27/2021 7:40 West Plan Alumni/ Auxiliary Please define Brand Identity" will remain in tact needs defined with examples and how the alumni can identify with that definition. Change is Donor, employee tough and specifics to how it relates to alumni (plaid, boro, logos, EUP, traditions) would be helpful. Other (please specify) 5/27/2021 7:41 West Plan Alumni/ I am exceptionally disappointed in this. The state system in Pennsylvania is unique in many ways, and this integration is detrimental to the Jessica Donor brand, quality, and future of each of these institutions. Some of the damage is already done and irreparable. I took a chance on EUP, and I Leveto opted to go to EUP instead of more prestigious universities over twenty years ago. I was challenged and supported in many ways for the rest of my life. The connections to faculty cultivated during those years have led to lifelong opportunities, providing intellectual, emotional, and spiritual engagement. This "integration" is nothing more than an attempt to limit opportunities to many first‐generation students in rural communities. The impact is going to reverberate throughout the state. EUP provided me many opportunities. I went on to earn a Ph.D. and become a tenured faculty member in a neighboring state. If it were not for the quality of relationships I built during my years at the Boro, I would not be where I am today. I owe a debt of gratitude and a lifetime of paying it forward. What is happing to the faculty and communities around these schools will damage generations to come. The integration will damage the value of my degree, do irreparable damage to the local communities and make higher education less obtainable for rural, first‐generation students. I'm disappointed in the poor leadership that has led to this decision and am strongly opposed to integration. 5/27/2021 7:42 West Plan Alumni/ Please consider almuni and legacy admissions to have a bridge that will smoothly connect alumni and legacy students to the one and only Donor Boro Scots. 5/27/2021 7:46 Northeast Alumni/ I support the plan of consolidation for all state schools across Pennsylvania. It is long overdue these decisions are made with analytics and Jackie D. Plan Donor facts. (rather than influence by the employees) The major factor is the SIGNIFICANT decrease in enrollment, which drives costs at all levels at every school. After the enormous influx of capital for upscale dorms and dining that was not based on data and facts, only on the 'sense' of what would draw students, it is obvious decision making based on emotions is not prudent or effective. It is time the representatives of PA taxpayers and their tax dollars exhibit some much needed accountability. The consolidation is only the beginning. Also, I want to share that we previously donated to our undergraduate and graduate schools (colleges/universities) and that of one of my children. NO LONGER will I donate to any higher education facility until they are accountable for learning rather than espousing politics and the woke culture. Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts. 5/27/2021 7:51 West Plan Alumni/ Please consider keeping the names as they are, as an alumna it means so much to me to be able to say that I graduated from Edinboro Lisa F. Donor University (1989). There is great concern that the identity of the school will suffer. I no longer live in Pennsylvania but I cannot imagine, with Tomaino all of the new construction and updates, why enrollment is suffering at the state schools. A couple of years ago I visited the school and was amazed at the current state of how much it has grown and how wonderful the campus looks. I'm not sure what can be done to draw more students but I think that loosing it's identity will cause it to look more like a community college rather than a university. I think that the identity of the school is important for it to thrive and for alumni to continue to donate and participate in activities. 5/27/2021 7:54 West Plan Alumni/ I think the integration will be a wonderful step forward for higher education in the western half of Pennsylvania. So many resources will be JoAnn Donor available to the students Winter University Integrations Public Comments Batch 2 (5/27/21 - 6/24/21) Page 1 DATE PLAN GROUP OTHER COMMENT / SOURCE INFORMATION NAME (GROUP) 5/27/2021 8:13 West Plan Faculty Good Morning: David Katis I am currently a professor at Clarion University. In my past I have also been a former football coach 10 years at Clarion, Director of Major Gifts in the Clarion University Foundation 8 years and the former Athletic Director at Clarion 12 years. I just have 2 comments. I have dealt with student athletes and donors for my entire 33 year (working career) here at Clarion 40 years overall. Most of these student‐athletes will not excel or survive via zoom so retention will go down. I have seen a tremendous drop off in academic performance by student athletes this past year and a half. Most of them struggle in zoom classes. I have seen it personally. I’m in the trenches you are not. One reason is they will not have the ability to see their professors on campus and make that connection. That relationship between the faculty and students is of utmost importance. I have no idea how that is going to work with distance learning. The students that are high academic achievers are prepared to adjust to those relationships. I don’t believe it will work with student‐athletes. I cant see a professor at Edinboro taking a zoom meeting with a football player at Clarion and getting to know them personally and taking an interest in them. You guys certainly know that’s not going to happen. One other comment is I have tremendous connections with major donors of this University and most of them are not happy with the direction of this plan. You better not take them for granted at these 6 universities. Thank you or your time. David J. Katis 5/27/2021 8:39 West Plan Alumni/ Please preserve the distinct name and identity of each university. Jessica Donor McWilliams‐ I am a 2006 graduate of Edinboro's BFA program. Without the affordability and quality of the education I received, I would not enjoy the Brandt career I have today. I credit the world‐class faculty of Edinboro, but also the surrounding community, for a rich, engaging, and safe university experience. Having each university preserve its name and localized identity keeps a connection to alumni all over the world, and honors distinct legacies. Please allow them to keep their names and individual branding. In the case of Edinboro, I also urge those involved in this decision to focus on art and design programs as a key offering to prospective students at an affordable cost. The breadth and quality of these programs is a unique benefit over many other institutions, and has produced multiple generations of creative professionals across art, entertainment and design. Lastly, please examine accessibility and diversity practices. The PSSHE has an opportunity to be a leader in students' education and university experience ‐ it's critical to ensure that previous accessibility considerations in particular are reinstated. This consolidation plan should allow for emphasis in this area to ensure that recruitment, programming and university life are equitable and engaging for all students. 5/27/2021 8:56 West Plan Alumni/ It takes courage to do the right thing, it is so much easier to just keep all the physical buildings, etc. Regarding Edinboro, Clarion, Cal.......shut Donor one down, sell the buildings, shed the employees, and move on. That is what would happen in industry, keeping all the assets running makes long term success unlikely. Of course, emotions make us keep all three running and let them continue to consume tax money and public money and student loan money...........sorry that is not the way industry works, assets that are not profitable/create significant value regardless of what they did in the past are shed. The people of Pennsylvania deserve better than to keep all three colleges dragging along.
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