California University of Pennsylvania says it will boost its emphasis on science and technology, becoming at least the second of Pennsylvania's 14 state-owned universities to announce strategic moves amid a State System of Higher Education review that could portend restructuring those campuses.
Cal U said the announcement is in response to the State System review of its overall organization, operations and funding that was announced last month in Harrisburg. But the school also said the enhanced university emphasis builds on a focus in those fields dating to the 1970s.
“The prospect of a State System-wide strategic review gives us an opportunity to proactively define our direction as a university,” school president Geraldine Jones said in a statement. “Cal U has a strong and distinctive identity that sets it apart from other universities in our region and across Pennsylvania."
"This longstanding special mission in science and technology can guide our way forward as we re-engineer Cal U for a new generation.”
She discussed the moves Thursday at the semiannual convocation for Cal U faculty and staff. She discussed benefits of a career-focused approach to “arts and sciences, technologies and education” and noted demand for an educated workforce equipped with skills in STEM subjects: science, technology, engineering and math, the university said in a statement.
“The long process of redefining our University has just begun,” it quoted her as saying. Cal U faculty, staff, alumni and students will be involved in listening sessions and working groups as plans take shape to implement the new focus, she said.
“It is time to take our destiny into our own hands.”
On Monday, Clarion University said it will rename its Venango College as the College of Health and Human Services, effective July 1, It said the move was intended to reflect "growing demand for the professional programs it offers and to better align the academic programs that exist on all of the university's campuses."
"The name change from Venango College to College of Health and Human Services has been under consideration for months, and is an important step moving forward," said Todd Pfannestiel, interim provost. "It strengthens our credentials within that broad field and further permits us to market more directly to prospective students interested in coming to Clarion to study in those professional disciplines."
The university said the College of Health and Human Services will hold house departments of: communication sciences and disorders; human services, rehabilitation and health and sport sciences; nursing; and justice, law, technology and liberal arts. Classes are offered at Clarion's main and Venango campuses, as well as at the Pittsburgh site and online.
Cal U and Clarion have seen enrollment declines in recent years, as have most of the 14 State System universities.
Bill Schackner: bschackner@post-gazettte.com, 412-263-1977 and on Twitter: @BschacknerPG.
First Published: February 11, 2017, 5:00 a.m.
