UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (WHTM) - Penn State University's President is delaying the announcement on closing multiple Commonwealth Campus locations.
In a letter released Thursday, university president Neeli Bendapudi says due to final exams and graduations, she will delay an announcement on proposed campus closures until mid-May.
"My team has consulted with students, faculty, and staff on the timing of any announcements, and I agree with their broad recommendation to hold until after these milestone events," said Bendapudi. "As a result, I have decided to delay the announcement of campus decisions until mid-May."
Bendapudi added that the Board of Trustees plans to convene in mid-May to consider her Commonwealth Campus recommendations.
"I know this delay may bring mixed emotions – relief for some, renewed frustration for others," expressed Bendapudi. "Please know that this decision reflects our belief that you deserve both clarity and compassion. Thank you for your continued patience and commitment to Penn State and to each other. We are navigating this moment together – and we will move forward together as well."
Bendapudi announced in February that 12 campuses are being considered for closure: Beaver, DuBois, Erie, Fayette, Greater Allegheny, Hazleton, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Schuylkill, Shenango, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and York.
Seven Commonwealth Campuses are protected from closure: Abington, Altoona, Behrend, Berks, Brandywine, Harrisburg, and Lehigh Valley, along with the graduate education-focused campus at Great Valley.
Penn State Dickinson Law, the College of Medicine, and the Pennsylvania College of Technology are “not part of this process and will continue to operate as they are.”
No campuses are slated to close before the end of the 2026-27 academic year.
