Penn State University has announced that two of its Commonwealth Campuses, Penn State Schuylkill and Penn State Hazleton, are under consideration for closure as part of a broader restructuring plan aimed at ensuring the institution’s long-term sustainability.
University President Neeli Bendapudi addressed the Penn State community in a letter detailing the challenges facing the university and the difficult decisions that lie ahead.
A Difficult Decision Amid Declining Enrollment
Bendapudi cited multiple factors contributing to the decision, including declining enrollment, demographic shifts, and financial pressures. She emphasized that the move is necessary to stabilize and strengthen the Commonwealth Campus ecosystem. Despite efforts to increase enrollment and advocate for better state funding, Penn State has seen diminishing student numbers at several of its smaller campuses, with local county populations expected to continue declining over the next three decades.
“As I have said many times before, Penn State’s Commonwealth Campus ecosystem is essential to fulfilling our land-grant mission,” wrote Bendapudi. “Yet, despite our efforts, enrollment at many of our Commonwealth Campuses continues to decline, and many of the counties that host these campuses are projected to decrease in population for the next 30 years. Given these realities, we must make hard decisions now to ensure Penn State’s future remains strong.”
A committee led by Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses and Executive Chancellor Margo DelliCarpini, Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Tracy Langkilde, and Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff Michael Wade Smith has been tasked with determining which of Penn State’s remaining 12 Commonwealth Campuses will remain open and which will be closed.
What This Means for Students and Staff
Bendapudi assured students and faculty that no closures would take place before the end of the 2026-27 academic year. This timeline is intended to provide adequate transition time for students and staff impacted by the potential closures.
- Students currently enrolled at Penn State Schuylkill and Penn State Hazleton will be given pathways to complete their degrees at another Penn State campus or through online programs.
- Faculty and staff will be provided opportunities for reassignment within Penn State or career transition support.
Despite the uncertainty, the university emphasized that it remains committed to its land-grant mission and will continue to invest in its largest Commonwealth Campuses, including Abington, Altoona, Behrend, Berks, Brandywine, Harrisburg, and Lehigh Valley.
Backlash from State Legislators
The potential closure of Penn State Schuylkill and Penn State Hazleton has drawn immediate criticism from state legislators. Representative Dane Watro (R-116) issued a joint statement condemning the plan, arguing that these campuses provide critical educational and economic opportunities for northeast Pennsylvania.
“Both Penn State Schuylkill and Penn State Hazleton are integral components of our regional fabric,” the statement read. “These institutions have provided career-defining skills to numerous individuals who may not have had access to higher education otherwise, connecting them with in-demand local jobs. They have hosted various events that have brought our communities together and provide stable, family-sustaining wages to hundreds of our constituents.”
Watro and other legislators vowed to fight the closures, arguing that shuttering these campuses would have devastating economic consequences for Schuylkill and Luzerne counties.
What’s Next?
The university expects to finalize its decision by the end of the semester, with an official announcement anticipated before spring commencement. While Bendapudi acknowledged the hardship these decisions will bring to students, faculty, and staff, she reiterated that they are necessary to create a sustainable future for Penn State’s Commonwealth Campuses.
“We recognize that no campus can thrive without sufficient support. That is why, once we finalize decisions, we will do so with the intent of preserving a thriving, sustainable Commonwealth Campus ecosystem—one that meets the needs of today’s students and remains robust for the next 100 years.”