Seven Penn State Commonwealth Campuses, including York and Wilkes-Barre, are recommended for closure due to financial strain. The recommendation, revealed by Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi on Tuesday (May 13), follows a report citing declining enrollment, rising costs, and stagnant funding as key factors. The campuses affected are DuBois, Fayette, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Shenango, Wilkes-Barre, and York.
According to the Centre Daily Times, the report highlights that keeping these campuses open would require $19 million annually in financial support, $21 million in overhead expenses, and over $200 million in future facilities investment. The seven campuses currently enroll 3.6% of Penn State’s students and employ 3.4% of its faculty.
President Bendapudi expressed regret over the information leak that led to the early release of the report. She assured that no closures would occur before the end of the spring 2027 semester, giving students time to complete their degrees. Faculty and staff will receive support, including reassignments and priority hiring consideration, as stated by The Daily Collegian.
The recommendation has sparked controversy and concern among faculty, students, and local communities. Krista Blasser, an advisory board chair at Penn State York, urged trustees not to close the campus, suggesting that increased enrollment could improve its financial outlook. A petition against the closures has garnered over 2,300 signatures, highlighting the potential impact on educational opportunities and local economies, as reported by The York Dispatch.
The Board of Trustees has yet to vote on the recommendation, with a public meeting expected after further review. The decision will impact the future of Penn State’s Commonwealth Campus system, which has faced challenges due to demographic shifts and financial constraints.
>Penn State York, Mont Alto Recommended For Closure
(University Park, PA) -- Two Penn State Commonwealth Campuses in the area are being recommended for closure. A university-led group is recommending the closure of seven campuses, including Penn State York and Penn State Mont Alto. The university is looking to close the campuses due to "enormous financial strain" caused by declining enrollment, rising costs, and stagnant funding. If the recommendation is approved by the Board of Trustees, the campuses will close in 2027.