The board of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education voted Wednesday to advance a plan to merge six of its 14 universities into two new institutions, as the system struggles with sinking enrollment and stagnant state aid. A final vote could be scheduled for July, with implementation in time for the 2022-23 school year. Under the consolidation plans, Bloomsburg, Mansfield and Lock Haven universities in northern Pennsylvania would merge into one institution and California, Clarion and Edinboro in western Pennsylvania would merge to become another. The two institutions being formed would be the accredited entity, with a single management team, faculty, academic program array, budget and enrollment management strategy. It will also get a new name, yet to be determined. All six campuses would remain open, each with its own identity and brand, and each of the six campuses would retain its sports teams.