Pennsylvania State University plans to close several of its 20 Commonwealth campuses amid reduced enrollment, writes Susan Snyder for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
“It has become clear that we cannot sustain a viable Commonwealth Campus ecosystem without closing some campuses,” said Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi.
The number of campuses set to close currently remains uncertain, but none will close before the end of the 2026-27 academic year. This timeline allows current associate’s degree students to complete their programs and gives bachelor’s degree students the opportunity to finish their first two years before transferring to another campus.
“Every student who begins a Penn State degree will have the opportunity to complete it at Penn State,” she said.
The Chester County campus, Penn State Great Valley in Malvern, which is focused on graduate education and one of the system’s largest, will not be considered for closure. Other campuses that are safe from closure include the other two locations in the Philadelphia region – Brandywine and Abington – as well as Altoona, Behrend, Berks, Harrisburg, and Lehigh Valley.
“These campuses comprise nearly 75 percent of total Commonwealth Campus enrollments and 67 percent of campus faculty and staff,” said Bendapudi.
Read more about Penn State closing some campuses in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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