Press conference addresses shared responsibility for possible faculty retrenchments and other job losses at Commonwealth University

Oct. 21, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Kathryn Morton,

Union leaders from APSCUF, AFSCME, and SCUPA (an affiliate of PSEA) on Oct. 21 addressed the possibility of retrenchment and other job losses at Commonwealth University, which includes Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield campuses. In the East Wing Rotunda of the Pennsylvania Capitol, speakers discussed the failure of Pennsylvania's public officials to properly fund its universities and the lack of accountability for questionable decisions made by university and State System leaders.

Speakers were:

• Dr. Kenneth M. Mash, president of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties
• Rachel Shaffer, Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg campus SCUPA president
• Shawn Makar, AFSCME Council 13
• Dr. Alan Gishlick, APSCUF member, Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg
• Dr. Matt Girton, APSCUF member, Commonwealth University-Lock Haven

View the press conference:

APSCUF represents about 5,000 faculty and coaches at the State System campuses: Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock, and West Chester.