Penn State University announced that it will be closing some of its branch campuses in the next two years. President Neeli Bendapudi highlighted the difficulty of maintaining a sustainable ecosystem for these campuses.
While specific details about which campuses will close have not been shared, Bendapudi assured students that no closures would happen before the end of the 2026-27 academic year. This timeline allows current students to finish their degrees or transfer to other campuses.
Seven larger campuses—Abington, Altoona, Behrend, Berks, Brandywine, Harrisburg, and Lehigh Valley—will remain open, along with Penn State Dickinson Law, the College of Medicine, and the Pennsylvania College of Technology. However, 12 other Commonwealth Campuses will undergo evaluation, with decisions expected by the end of the semester.
Bendapudi emphasized the need for a sustainable structure, focusing on campuses that can provide the best opportunities for students. She remarked that various options were considered before reaching this point, underscoring the financial struggles faced by the university.
Penn State’s Commonwealth Campuses currently serve over 23,000 students. However, enrollments have declined by about 24% over the past decade. The university has already attempted to tackle budget issues by introducing a Voluntary Separation Incentive Plan, encouraging eligible staff to retire early to help reduce costs.
The university’s budget for Commonwealth Campuses will be cut by another 7.3% in the upcoming fiscal year, raising concerns about potential campus closures. Throughout this process, Bendapudi has stated that the university is examining every campus carefully, implying that closures might happen.
As the university navigates these challenges, Bendapudi is determined to develop a comprehensive, long-term plan. The goal is to preserve a thriving Commonwealth Campus system that meets the needs of current and future students. The community eagerly awaits the final decisions and their impact on the future of Penn State’s campus network.
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Source linkPennsylvania State University,Commonwealth Colleges,College closures,Neeli Bendapudi
