Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) is recommending the closure of seven of its Commonwealth Campuses, according to a long-anticipated report shared with the university’s Board of Trustees and now made public following a leak to the media.
The recommendation—which includes shuttering the DuBois, Fayette, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Shenango, Wilkes-Barre, and York campuses—would take effect following the spring 2027 semester. The move marks a significant shift from earlier discussions that had considered up to a dozen closures. Campuses such as Beaver, Greater Allegheny, Hazleton, Schuylkill, and Scranton, once thought to be at risk, are no longer included in the proposed cuts.
University President Neeli Bendapudi acknowledged the leak in a statement and apologized for how the news broke.
“I am truly sorry that our community is learning of the recommendation through media coverage, rather than hearing about it with additional context directly from me or the board,” she wrote in a press release.
The recommendation is the product of a multi-year analysis ordered by the board, involving data collection, demographic projections, financial assessments, and consultations with community members and stakeholders. Board Chair David Kleppinger emphasized the thoroughness of the review, calling it “a robust, data-informed” effort.
Declining enrollment and persistent funding challenges are at the heart of the proposed closures. In recent years, the Commonwealth Campuses have struggled to maintain student numbers, with some sites seeing sharp drops in applications and yield rates.
“It’s disappointing that a trustee or trustees have prioritized their own self-interests above both the best interests of the university we serve and the people these decisions will affect,” Kleppinger said in response to the leak. “This has only heightened emotions and created anxiety and uncertainty.”
Penn State officials say no final decision has been made. The board met in executive session on May 9 and had tentatively scheduled a public vote for May 15. That meeting was also converted to an executive session, with a new date for the public vote yet to be announced.
To ease the transition, the university pledged to support both students and employees. All students currently enrolled or admitted at the affected campuses will be allowed to complete their degrees, while faculty and staff will be offered reassignment or priority hiring opportunities across other Penn State locations.
More information will be released following the board’s final vote.
