Penn State Board Votes to Close Satellite Campuses
In a decisive vote held Thursday, Penn State’s Board of Trustees approved the closure of seven of its satellite campuses, including the DuBois campus, with a vote count of 25 to 8. This significant decision comes amid ongoing concerns about enrollment declines and financial strains, prompting university leaders to consider strategic restructuring moving forward.
Following the vote, Trustee Jay Paterno addressed the media, emphasizing that this is only the beginning of the process. "The story isn’t over," he stated, indicating that the proposal will now need approval from the Department of Education and subsequently from Governor Josh Shapiro.
Governor Shapiro, speaking at an event in Philadelphia the following day, expressed his support for President Neeli Bendapudi’s plans. "I have confidence in the leadership at Penn State. They know they need to right size. They know they need to plan for the long-term future, and to do that, they needed to make these tough choices," he conveyed. The governor acknowledged the significant impact these closures would have on local communities, committing his administration to facilitate necessary transitions for those affected.
In an evening address to the Penn State community, President Bendapudi defended the board’s decision, asserting that the changes are structured to enhance Penn State’s strategic positioning and ensure long-term success. She reassured students at the affected campuses, stating, "If you are at a campus that will close, you will have the opportunity to complete your Penn State degree. We are hard at work to provide the support you need to help you progress towards your goals, including providing each and every one of you with a dedicated navigation coach throughout this process." However, her assurances have not entirely alleviated the concerns of those affected by the decision.
Chancellor of the DuBois campus, Dr. Jungwoo Ryoo, echoed these sentiments on Friday, expressing that the community is still grappling with the implications of the vote and working to process the emotional toll. "All of us at our campus are of course very devastated by the decision and this change; I mean the change of this magnitude is definitely deeply personal and of course the outcome is truly hard on all of us. We are still trying to process the decision and try to recover from it," he remarked.
The board’s decision is set to take effect after the spring 2027 semester. Despite persistent pleas from students, faculty, and lawmakers statewide, university leadership has moved forward with the closures, citing critical financial issues and declining enrollment trends as key justifications for this restructuring. As the news continues to unfold, the emotional ramifications for students, faculty, and the broader community remain significant, prompting ongoing conversations around the future of education access and community support in Pennsylvania.
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