Penn State president addresses community after board approves 7 campus closures
Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi addressed the community in a livestream Thursday evening after the board of trustees approved closing seven commonwealth campuses, pledging her support for the students, faculty and staff affected by the decision.
Bendapudi said they've received more than 500 letters and emails about how the campuses have positively impacted lives, and acknowledged that the decision and change can feel deeply personal and difficult. She said she's confident that they'll focus their resources where Penn State can have the most lasting impact.
'I recognize, believe me, I do, that the past several weeks, indeed months, have caused heightened concern and uncertainty. I want you to know that I hear you and I see you and I care deeply about every student, faculty member, staff member, donor, alum and community stakeholder impacted by this moment. As we move through this period of change over the next two years, I want to be crystal clear about one thing: our people come first,' Bendapudi said during the livestream, which lasted about 15 minutes.
While many trustees praised Bendapudi's forward-thinking approach and leadership in the past months while campus closures were under consideration, other trustees and community members have voiced concerns over lack of transparency and decisions made without consideration of all stakeholders.
'I would advocate that we wait until we have more information and more answers,' trustee Jay Paterno said during the board meeting. 'This is by far the most important vote any of us as trustees will have made, are going to make, and likely the most important vote we will ever make. Not having all the information should concern us.'
Teams of university leaders are creating transition plans with students, faculty and staff in mind, Bendapudi said, to mitigate and minimize the negative impacts. They don't have all of the answers yet but some information has been, and will continue to be, posted to the Penn State Roadmap, she said.
Penn State is firmly committed to honoring tenure and contracts for faculty members, Bendapudi said, and leadership is working to establish 'priority hiring consideration' for open positions across the university system for staff members.
Students who begin at a closing campus will have the opportunity to complete their degree at Penn State, and each impacted student will have personalized guidance and advising through the process.
'The two-year closure timeline at these campuses will allow students currently enrolled — and those enrolling for the fall 2025 semester — time to complete or make significant progress toward their degrees. With two academic years before closure, associate's degree students will have the opportunity to complete their programs,' a news release from the university states.
With the board's approval to close DuBois, Fayette, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Shenango, Wilkes-Barre and York campuses following the spring 2027 semester, Penn State's campus ecosystem will include 13 campuses along with the Penn State College of Medicine, Penn State Dickinson Law, World Campus, Penn College of Technology and University Park.
Bendapudi stressed Penn State will continue to have an active presence across Pennsylvania. Additionally, Penn State Extension has a presence in every Pennsylvania county, and they'll continue to invest in the Invent Penn State launch boxes. And even with campuses closing, Penn State will continue to have the largest campus ecosystem of any land grant university.
Looking ahead, the university will work with local, state and federal elected officials, business and community leaders, donors and alumni to 'reimagine' what is best for those communities.
'The future use of these locations may or may not involve Penn State directly, but we will play a convening role to help catalyze possibilities that benefit the surrounding regions,' a news release states.
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