The State System of Higher Education is out with its final version of controversial merger plans for six of Pennsylvania’s 14 state-owned universities, with changes that include a pledge not to close any institution involved and protections for schools concerned the mergers will further weaken their finances. However, a summary of the significant revisions makes no mention of the NCAA, which has yet to say when or how it will rule on whether the six universities can keep their current complement of athletic teams. Nor does it mention when the Middle States Commission for Higher Education will decide if and how it might accredit the combined institutions.
