Concerns Rise as Penn State Proposes Closure of Seven Commonwealth Campuses

Penn State’s Decision Sparks Community and Faculty Backlash

As the Pennsylvania State University Board of Trustees prepares to vote on a significant proposal this week, concerns about the long-term implications of closing seven of its Commonwealth Campuses have come to the forefront. This plan, initiated by President Neeli Bendapudi, aims to address substantial enrollment declines and financial challenges faced by the campuses, which have decreased enrollment by over 40% since fall 2014.

Attendance and Background of the Affected Campuses

The campuses slated for closure include DuBois, Fayette, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Shenango, Wilkes-Barre, and York, collectively drawing nearly 3,200 students. Among them, Penn State York is the largest with 703 enrolled, while Shenango holds the smallest cohort at just 309 students as of the last autumn.

A Rapid Process Creating Uncertainty

An internal analysis revealed overlapping issues impacting these campuses, ranging from financial decline and low housing occupancy to significant maintenance backlogs. The administration argues that the projected dwindling student populations challenge the creation of robust, on-campus experiences typical of a Penn State education, necessitating an investment of approximately $200 million in facilities alone.

Many faculty members and local lawmakers have expressed their frustrations regarding the transparency and speed of the decision-making process. Plans for potential closure emerged earlier this year, yet the Board of Trustees met in private executive sessions, raising alarms about a lack of community consultation. A petition with over 500 signatures by members of the Penn State Faculty Alliance criticized what they termed a fast-tracked process devoid of a thorough analysis on the impact of the closures on students, faculty, and their respective communities.

Voices of Concern

Rebecca Sarver, an assistant teaching professor and organizer of the alliance, stated, "This administration has not meaningfully engaged Commonwealth Campus faculty in the decision to close campuses. Collectively, we have knowledge and experience that this administration should have consulted in this process." The alliance characterized the proposed closure as the university's most significant employment crisis, affecting hundreds of staff.

Moreover, the uncertainty looms for many students who come from lower-income backgrounds and may struggle to transition to other campuses. The recommendation report promises support by offering need-driven reassignments for tenure-line faculty, priority hiring for non-tenure-line faculty, and personalized guidance for students transitioning through this closure phase.

The Debate on Financial Strategy

Jay Paterno, a trustee, has challenged the assumption that closure is the only viable option. He expressed concerns that the plan has not considered alternative strategies, such as leveraging fundraising to bolster struggling campuses. Paterno stated, "We’d rather be a year late than a day early," advocating for additional time to explore innovative solutions.

Responses from Stakeholders

Critics of the proposal underscore the symbolic implications of shutting down campuses. Many view these closures as a departure from the university's land-grant mission—a foundational pledge established by the Morrill Act of 1863, which mandated education access to a broad spectrum of Pennsylvanians.

As expressed in heated statements from local lawmakers, shutting down branches like Fayette can be interpreted as neglecting rural communities that rely on these institutions for educational accessibility. Republican representatives from the affected areas contend that the closures signify an abandonment of the students and communities that Penn State was intended to serve.

The Path Forward

The looming Board of Trustees meeting will determine the university's direction. While Bendapudi anticipates a discussion that balances the need for sustainability with compassion, many stakeholders advocate for a reconsideration of the closures to truly fulfill the university's commitment to serve all Pennsylvania residents optimally.

As the Board readies to cast their votes, the dialogue around the future of Penn State's Commonwealth Campuses highlights a critical intersection of education, economy, and community engagement. The decisions made in this meeting could have lasting ramifications for the university's outreach and accessibility.