Important Closure Announcement by Penn State
LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — In a situation that is poised to affect numerous students and employees, Penn State's Board of Trustees has approved the closure of seven campuses, including the Wilkes-Barre location, during a meeting held on Thursday. This decision arises in light of declining enrollments and significant financial challenges faced by the university.
Regional Chancellor Elizabeth Wright addressed reporters at a news conference following the board's decision. Wright stated, "Dr. Goldstein and I did meet with students this morning. We sent them an email last night, and every student will receive a navigation coach. That individual will be reaching out to students at the closing campuses in the days ahead just to talk with them, to hear from them what they are thinking, what questions they may have, and then to connect them with resources at the university." This approach aims to provide support to approximately 350 students currently enrolled at the Wilkes-Barre campus.
Notably, this campus offers a unique surveying engineering degree that, until now, was only available there, and many students transition to Penn State's main campus after completing their studies. However, the future of this program remains unclear, leaving many in the Back Mountain community grappling with uncertainty. Chancellor Wright expressed empathy towards the sentiment of the community, affirming, "We empathize, not only with our faculty, staff, and students but certainly with the love that this community has for this campus." The fate of the campus will be deliberated in the two years leading up to its closure.
Impact and Rationale for Closures
President Neeli Bendapudi highlighted that the decision stems from a need to enhance the overall quality of education while also addressing ongoing budgetary constraints. She noted, "We are spreading our students, faculty, and staff so thin that we jeopardize the quality of education and the support that we can offer. We are subsidizing decline at the expense of growth." This decision was supported by a 25-8 vote by the board, signaling a division among trustees regarding the closure plan.
Some trustees openly expressed concern about the potential ramifications of closing these campuses, arguing that there may have been alternative solutions to the financial struggles faced by the university. Among those opposing the closure were Ted Brown, Donald Cairns, Lynn Dietrich, Barry Fenchak, Chris Hoffman, Anthony Lubrano, Jay Paterno, and Nicholas Rowland. The board faced scrutiny over its decision-making process, with numerous individuals calling for a more transparent evaluation of which campuses would be affected when the closure review began.
Response and Moving Forward
The discourse following the closure announcement has been characterized by a mix of apprehension and support for the university’s strategic direction. Addressing the board's approach to transparency, media counsel Melissa Melewsky pointed out that discussions surrounding such major decisions should occur in public meetings, highlighting the importance of accountability to stakeholders and stakeholders' concerns.
The timing of the board meeting further compounds the scrutiny, as it was held virtually without in-person participation. Legal experts have raised questions regarding the adherence to Pennsylvania's open meetings law, casting doubt on the legitimacy of any decisions made during that session. As the university prepares for the upcoming transition, it anticipates that the state secretary of education's approval will be necessary before finalizing any plans.
Proponents of educational reform are expressing hope that the closure will lead to more regionalized and financially viable campuses in the future. Bendapudi envisions a growth-oriented structure concentrating on campuses with larger enrollments and potential revenue generation. Still, the emotional and logistical consequences of this decision will need to be meticulously managed in the coming years.
This moment is a pivotal one for Penn State's stakeholders, encompassing students, faculty, alumni, and community advocates seeking to understand how these closures will unfold and how they will shape the university's future landscape.
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