09-03-2025
Pa. representative fights to make it more difficult for colleges to close regional branches
SHARON, Pa. (WKBN) – One Pennsylvania lawmaker says it's unfair how Penn State University is looking to close multiple campuses across the state. She recently introduced new legislation that would give the public a voice.
Republican Rep. Charity Krupa, of Fayette County, introduced the bill this week following the announcement from Penn State's president that they would look to potentially close 12 of its campuses. Most of those are located near more rural communities, including Penn State Shenango, which is on the chopping block.
In Krupa's memo, she said:
Decisions of this magnitude will likely shutter campuses in rural and working-class communities, devastating regional economies while removing educational opportunities to students who may otherwise have no path forward.
There are three parts to this legislation focused on giving a voice to the public, as Penn State is a state-funded university.
The first part ensures publicly-funded, state-related universities cannot close branch campuses without legislative oversight and public input.
The second bill would do things like require a formal transition plan that ensures alternative options before a branch campus closes. It would also introduce penalties for campus closures without approved plans and mandate legislative oversight of universities that close regional branches.
The third bill wants to make sure that state-related universities cannot close branches without taking a look at the economic impacts, including what it would mean for local businesses and workforces.
As of now, there is no information on if or when these campuses could close.
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