Major Changes at Penn State: Proposal to Close 7 Commonwealth Campuses – What It Means for Students and Communities

Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) is considering closing seven of its smaller commonwealth campuses. This decision could take effect after the 2026-27 academic year. The campuses in question are located in DuBois, Fayette, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Shenango, Wilkes-Barre, and York.

To keep these campuses running, Penn State would need an annual support of $40 million and a $200 million investment for facility upgrades. These funds could instead be used to improve the five campuses that the university plans to retain: Beaver, Greater Allegheny, Hazleton, Schuylkill, and Scranton.

The university’s board of trustees has yet to vote on this proposal, which has raised concerns, especially since it was leaked to the media before officials could address it directly.

In a recent assessment, Penn State’s President, Neeli Bendapudi, highlighted changing demographics that affect many college campuses across Pennsylvania. Enrollment at these seven campuses has been dwindling, with a 12.4% drop in student numbers from 2020 to 2024. Currently, these campuses serve only 3.6% of Penn State’s total student body.

The report on the closures points out challenges faced by higher education institutions today, such as financial strains and maintenance issues. Similar closures have occurred at other universities grappling with declining enrollments, like the University of Wisconsin and West Virginia University.

Bendapudi expressed her goal of balancing the university’s need for financial sustainability while showing compassion for those affected by the potential closures. She acknowledges that the news has caused concern among students and staff alike. Meanwhile, backlash from trustees indicates divided opinions about the way this information was shared publicly.

The university’s current financial situation is also dire. Leaders recently announced significant budget cuts, including the reduction of nearly $100 million from the fiscal 2026 budget. These cuts include a substantial portion coming from commonwealth campuses, leading to workforce reductions through voluntary buyouts.

In light of these changes, faculty who may be affected by the closures will have opportunities for reassignment, while non-tenured staff will be prioritized for other positions within the university. Should the trustee board give the green light to the closures, the impacted campuses will stop accepting new students starting fall 2025, but current students can continue their education there until spring 2027.

This situation reflects a wider trend in the education sector. As demographic shifts impact student enrollment, more institutions may need to reevaluate their operational strategies. It’s worth considering how schools respond to these changes, ensuring they adapt while supporting their communities. Recent studies indicate that college closures are becoming a more common outcome as institutions navigate financial reality and shifting student preferences.

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