The Penn State Board of Trustees will meet in an executive session on Thursday (May 15) to discuss the possible closure of 12 commonwealth campuses. This decision follows President Neeli Bendapudi's recommendation to close certain campuses due to declining enrollments, demographic shifts, and financial pressures. The board initially planned a public meeting but changed it to a private session to allow more time for discussion, according to StateCollege.com.
The campuses under consideration for closure include Beaver, DuBois, Fayette, Greater Allegheny, Hazleton, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Shenango, Schuylkill, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and York. Meanwhile, the seven largest campuses, such as Penn State Berks, will remain open. The university has assured that no campuses will close before the end of the 2026-27 academic year, and admissions for fall 2025 will continue as planned.
The potential closures have sparked opposition from faculty groups, union representatives, and some state lawmakers. The University Faculty Senate voted to pause the planning for closures, citing concerns about the rapid decision-making process and the lack of comprehensive impact assessments. Faculty members have expressed concerns about the effect of closures on employee morale and student experience, as reported by Centre Daily Times.
Despite the controversy, the board emphasizes the need for careful consideration of the recommendation. Board Chair David Kleppinger stated that the decision involves complex factors, including enrollment trends and Penn State's land-grant mission. The board plans to share more information about a public meeting following the executive session, as noted in a university statement.