WVIA to Present a Special Keystone Edition Reports

WVIA will present a live, hour-long special, Keystone Edition Reports: PA University Merger, which focuses on the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education’s proposed university integration plan on Thursday, May 6th, 2021, at 8 p.m. on WVIA TV. Viewers are encouraged to join in the conversation and have their questions answered by calling the live broadcast at 1-800-326-9842, emailing keystone@wvia.org, or using the hashtag #keystonereports. The program can also be seen live on PCN, The Pennsylvania Cable Network.

Currently, there are 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). A proposed integration of six universities into two would take that number down to eight. Keystone Edition Reports takes a look at the proposed changes and how those changes will affect students, faculties, and the communities where they live and work. The episode will focus on the Northeast Implementation Plan that includes Bloomsburg University, Lock Haven University, and Mansfield University. Guests for the special broadcast include Dr. Bashar Hanna, President, Bloomsburg University & Interim President of Lock Haven University, Dr. Jamie Martin, President of the Association of the Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties, Dr. Karen Whitney, President Emerita of Clarion University, Fred Gaffney, President of the Columbia-Montour Chamber of Commerce, and Mayor Mike Detweiler of Mansfield, Pennsylvania, as well as additional interviews with other community members, leaders, and university faculty and students.