Commonwealth Campuses Future
To create a strong and sustainable future, Penn State is evaluating and recommending changes to its Commonwealth Campus ecosystem, which is essential to fulfilling the University’s land-grant mission. The final, future makeup of our Commonwealth Campus ecosystem will be determined only after ample discussions between University leaders and the Board of Trustees, which are ongoing.
For Our Community
Penn State shared an update with the University community on May 12 after a list of campuses recommended for closure was reported in the media, and on May 13 the University made public the recommendation to the Board of Trustees regarding the future of the Commonwealth Campuses.
Read the commonwealth campus recommendation here.
“I believe the recommendation balances our need to adapt to the changing needs of the commonwealth with compassion for those these decisions affect, both within Penn State and across the commonwealth, in part because of the two-year period before any campus would close,” said Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi in a May 13 Penn State News story. “As we work through the next steps, we will be taking steps to support every student in any needed transition and, we will take every step to provide opportunities to faculty and staff to remain part of the Penn State family.”
Potential change of this magnitude is incredibly personal for the students, faculty, staff, alumni and communities who have given so much to these campuses over many years. Penn State’s leadership team believes deeply in our mission of educating students and creating opportunities across Pennsylvania.
It is important to emphasize that no final decisions about the makeup of Penn State’s Commonwealth Campus ecosystem have been made. Recommendations are subject to deliberation by, and approval of, the board. Regardless of final outcomes, Penn State’s leaders are committed to limiting impacts, as much as possible, to students, faculty and staff at campuses that ultimately do close.
This page is intended to serve as a starting place for impacted Penn State community members to begin to find answers to their questions, either via the general FAQs below, or on dedicated pages specific to our students and our faculty and staff.
Members of the university community are encouraged to return to this website for regular updates.
Student FAQs
Where can I find more information for students?
Faculty and Staff FAQs
Where can I find more information for faculty and staff?
General FAQs
Why have campus closures been deemed necessary?
For decades, the University has been reviewing the Commonwealth Campus structure to determine the best configuration for the long term. The work that has been taking place for more than a year as part of the Road Map for Future Success has involved looking at a wide variety of variables and concluded that at this pivotal moment we can no longer decline to act.
Is the decision to close campuses budget driven?
Much more than a financial decision, we now must move forward with a structure that is sustainable — one that allows our strongest campuses, where we can provide our students with the best opportunities for success and engagement, to thrive while we make difficult but necessary decisions about others.
If Penn State received more state funding for general support, could the University continue to keep all of the campuses open?
Penn State is severely underfunded compared to our peers. On a Pennsylvania undergraduate student basis, we receive about half the amount of funding per student. If or when we close campuses, that will not close the financial gap.
Cost savings are not the only driver behind any changes being considered to Penn State’s operations across the Commonwealth. Everything we do is to benefit the student experience and improve the quality of education. What helps to achieve this goal is additional state investment.
When will campuses selected for closure cease operations? Will closures happen prior to or during the 2025-26 academic year?
All of our campuses will continue to operate, at a minimum, through the 2026-2027 academic year, and we are excited to support our current students and welcome our new students to every campus this fall. To navigate changes ahead, the recommendation committee has launched multiple workstreams on critical issues related to forthcoming transitions, with workstream leaders engaging with faculty, staff, and students.
What will happen to faculty, staff, land, facilities, accreditation, athletics, community partnerships, campus-dedicated philanthropy, etc.?
While our approach is still being determined, as are details related to implementation, we are committed to minimizing the impact of any forthcoming changes on our people to the greatest extent possible.
As part of its work, the recommendation committee has launched multiple workstreams on critical issues related to forthcoming transitions with workstream leaders engaging subject matter experts and shared governance bodies representing faculty, staff, and students for support to shape solutions. The workstreams include:
- Student transition and retention
- Faculty and staff transitions
- Facilities and finance
- Regulatory issues, accreditation and data
- Alumni, community and donor engagement
- Communications
- Research and external funding
Community Impacts FAQs
With fewer locations in the state, is Penn State pivoting from its land-grant mission?
No. Penn State is fully committed to the University’s mission of serving Pennsylvania residents and the important role of its Commonwealth Campuses in achieving that mission. Many campuses are poised for future success with the right evolution and strategic investments. These campuses have a definitive path forward, and Penn State is committed to providing the resources necessary for them to flourish long into the future.
What will happen with the LaunchBoxes located on or near campuses that are slated to close?
Penn State LaunchBoxes have become integral parts of their local communities by delivering entrepreneurial resources, programming, consulting, coworking spaces and funding opportunities across the commonwealth. The Invent Penn State LaunchBox & Innovation Network is funded in part by economic development monies provided by the state. Assuming the Commonwealth, as well as donors and corporate and community partners, continue their support, the University plans to maintain its LaunchBox locations and the services they provide.
What will happen to local Extension offices that are located on or near campuses that are slated to close?
Penn State Extension is part of the College of Agricultural Sciences and funded in part by federal, state, and county governments. Though some Extension offices are located on or near Commonwealth Campuses, they do not rely on the Commonwealth Campuses for funding, staffing, or operations, and their services will continue regardless of any changes at a campus location.
How will the recently announced Animal Diagnostic Lab-West at Penn State Beaver impact future decisions about that campus?
The $6 million grant to develop the Animal Diagnostic Lab-West in Monaca was awarded to the College of Agricultural Sciences. Penn State is committed to completing the lab on schedule to provide critical resources in support of animal health and food safety to Western Pennsylvania.
Decision Making & Governance FAQs
What information will inform the committee’s recommendations to the President?
The committee is consulting a variety of internal and external data sources; input from students, faculty, staff, administrators, community partners and experts; and insights gathered from University initiatives such as Future State and the Academic Portfolio and Program Review. Both initiatives have included heavy faculty and staff participation and input, as will implementation in the future.
What role does the Board of Trustees play in closure decisions?
The Board of Trustees asked the administration to undertake this analysis of the Commonwealth Campus ecosystem and is supportive of President Bendapudi taking these steps forward.
Resources
The University’s top priority is the safety and well-being of its students, faculty and staff. Resources are available for all in our community in need.
For Students
Student Care and Advocacy
Counseling & Psychological Services
Counseling and mental health services available through CAPS, which can be reached at 814-863-0395 for University Park students, or via Counseling Services at Commonwealth and Other Campuses and Health Services at the Commonwealth Campuses.
The Penn State Crisis Line (877-229-6400) and the Crisis Text Line (text “LIONS” to 741741), which are open 24/7 to Penn Staters dealing with both crisis and non-crisis situations — including faculty, staff and students at all campuses who have a question about someone else. The licensed professionals with the Penn State Crisis Line can help evaluate each individual situation, offer guidance, and help connect callers with further resources if appropriate.
Penn State Crisis Line
1-877-229-6400 or text “LIONS” to 741741
Report Bias / Harassment: http://equity.psu.edu/reportbias
For Employees
Penn State is committed to limiting the impact of potential Commonwealth Campus closures on its valued faculty and staff. To assist, the University is offering resources for employees and their families focused on finance and retirement; career transitions and opportunities; and mental health and wellness. Click here for more information and additional resources on the Penn State Human Resources website, which will be continually updated through the transition period.