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Penn State University has recommended closing its York and Mont Alto campuses due to a significant decline in enrollment and financial challenges. According to a report released by the university earlier this week, enrollment has dropped by 40% at PSU York and 35% at PSU Mont Alto over the past decade. The report highlights additional challenges such as financial decline and a significant maintenance backlog at these campuses.
President Neeli Bendapudi has proposed closing seven Commonwealth campuses, including DuBois, Fayette, New Kensington, Shenango, and Wilkes-Barre, alongside York and Mont Alto. The proposal aims to transition Penn State into a leaner university model that focuses on online classes and fewer physical locations to better invest in areas where the university can succeed. Bendapudi explained that the current statewide model "subsidizes decline" and emphasized the need for strategic changes to address demographic, financial, and competitive pressures.
The Penn State Board of Trustees must approve the recommendation for it to take effect. The board plans to discuss the proposal further in a private meeting on Thursday (May 15). The closures, if approved, would not occur before the end of the spring 2027 semester, allowing current and incoming students to complete their degree programs at the affected campuses.
The report also cites Pennsylvania's projected population declines, particularly in rural areas, as a factor in the decision. The state is expected to experience a 5.8% population loss in rural counties by 2050, with a 6.8% decrease in individuals aged 19 and younger from 2020 to 2050. This demographic shift has contributed to the shrinking pool of prospective students for Penn State's smaller campuses.
Despite the recommendation, the decision has faced criticism from local stakeholders. Kevin Schreiber, president and CEO of the York County Economic Alliance, expressed disappointment, noting the campus's contributions to the local economy and community. Robert W. Pullo, a philanthropist and advocate for Penn State York, also voiced concerns about the closure's impact on the region.
The closures are part of a broader strategic imperative to focus Penn State's investments on campuses with the greatest potential for growth, sustainability, and regional impact. If approved, the university estimates that closing the seven campuses could save around $50 million annually and clear approximately $200 million in needed maintenance at the properties.