Penn State Delays Campus Closure Announcement Amidst Community Concerns
Penn State University has postponed its announcement regarding the closure of certain commonwealth campuses, extending the decision timeline to mid-May. Originally, the university intended to disclose the information before the spring semester concluded.
In a message to the university community, Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi explained that the announcement would follow the completion of final exams and commencement ceremonies. The decision affects twelve campuses, specifically: Beaver, DuBois, Fayette, Greater Allegheny, Hazleton, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Schuylkill, Scranton, Shenango, Wilkes-Barre, and York.
Bendapudi noted that the university trustees would convene in mid-May to deliberate on her recommendations. She emphasized that any campus closures would not occur before the 2026-27 school year concludes. The administration has cited declining enrollments and shifting demographics within Pennsylvania as critical factors influencing the review of campus operations.
While some campuses face potential closures, others remain unaffected, including University Park and campuses in Abington, Altoona, Behrend, Berks, Brandywine, Harrisburg, and Lehigh Valley. Additional facilities such as Great Valley, Penn State Dickinson Law, the College of Medicine, and the Pennsylvania College of Technology are also excluded from the closure review process, as stated by the university.
