UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (WTAJ) — Penn State University responded Tuesday to media reports that leaked the names of seven campuses under recommendation for closure.
After the university's Board of Trustees scheduled an executive session to discuss President Neeli Bendapudi's recommendation further, media reports began circulating Monday that the administration is proposing to close the Dubois, Fayette, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Shenango, Wilkes-Barre, and York campuses. That's down from the initial 12 that were being reviewed for possible closure.
Board of Trustees Chair David Kleppinger said he was disheartened that the information was reported ahead of the board's vote.
Penn State Board of Trustees to discuss campus closures at upcoming meeting
"I find it deeply frustrating that someone with early access to this recommendation decided to share it with the media with absolutely no regard for how this information would impact members of our campus communities. Our students, faculty and staff deserve better," Kleppinger said.
Penn State also released a statement expressing its disappointment and stated that the proposed closures are not final.
"It is regrettable that our communities who may be impacted by campus closures are hearing information before a final decision by the Board of Trustees and an announcement from the University. We certainly recognize how personal this decision is to every member of our Commonwealth Campus community, and our broader Penn State family. That someone would share this information with the media, knowing how this news would impact our campus communities, is truly disappointing," a statement from the university read.
Penn State added that the Board of Trustees has yet to meet and hold a public vote on the closures. A public meeting originally scheduled for May 15 was changed to an executive session to allow the trustees more time to examine the recommendation.
At a regular meeting on Friday, May 9, Dr. Joshua Wede, Professor of Psychology & Faculty Senate Chair said that no single event has led to as much of a drop in morale as the closures. Students and staff have urged the university to consider other options or to delay their decision.
President Bendapudi said in an April letter that the decision on the closures would be made in mid-May.
