The announcement last week that six state-owned universities, including Slippery Rock, might share operations with a sister university in 2022 comes with both concern and optimism.

The board of governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education voted to explore the sharing of academic programs, faculty, staff, administrators, business operations and budgets.

As part of the exploration, it was suggested that SRU and Edinboro University meld their educational programs into one, driving down costs and coordinating enrollment strategies. It is also expected to strengthen and broaden available academic programs.

PASSHE officials said the integration of some of its 14 universities could boost sustainability and provide better, more affordable education for students.

Daniel Greenstein, chancellor of the state system, said there are no plans to close any of the schools or shifting to online-only programs.

He said the goal is to determine if the universities can cut costs, keep tuition affordable and make more efficient use of the facilities.

He said if options aren’t explored, the state system could “unravel” as enrollment and revenue decline.

PASSHE spokesman David Pigeon said a Slippery Rock/Edinboro partnership could create a “powerhouse” that could better compete for students.

SRU had 8,800 students enrolled last fall. Edinboro had 4,600.

The study’s initial focus will be on how integration might help universities become more financially sustainable. PASSHE officials hope to present the results of that study to the board by October.

Other options the board considered included closing some universities, seeking a significant increase in state funding or continuing business as usual. None of these are viable or likely. No one wants to see a university shut down.

“I think this is going to end up being advantageous for the schools, but we all have to go in with an open mind,” said SRU President William Behre.

The decision to explore all options makes sense.

Even before COVID-19, many public and private colleges across the country were facing difficult circumstances with regard to enrollments and budgets.

Greenstein said the shift to online learning during COVID-19 cost the system $92 million through half of the spring semester and two summer terms.

Federal and state aid and stimulus funding have not come close to closing the gap.

While shuttering colleges remains an option for some higher-education systems across the country, the more likely outcome is consolidation.

Each campus can remain unique, but from a cost standpoint, it makes sense to centralize all purchasing and servicing while acknowledging that students still need to have people on campus for financial aid and other student services.

“The biggest focus through all of this will be students,” Pidgeon said. “It’s not about the name on the T-shirt”