A decision on whether or not the Penn State-Schuylkill campus will be closed has been delayed, according to a statement from the University President.
Penn State University President Neeli Bendapudi announced on April 17 that a decision on which Commonwealth campuses will be closed won’t happen now until mid-May.
Underperforming campuses are facing the threat of closure when Penn State’s Board of Trustees makes its final decision. The Commonwealth campuses at Schuylkill and Hazleton are on the list of potential closures. However, among those up for being closed, Schuylkill campus is one of the highest performing, with its enrollment up over the last four years and it having one of the highest enrollments among the campuses up for scrutiny.
“As I shared in February, our goal was to reach final decisions before spring commencement, but I also recognized that we would adjust the timeline if needed,” Bendapudi said in her statement. “Final exams and commencement are rapidly approaching – activities of great significance for our entire community. 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. As a result, I have decided to delay the announcement of campus decisions until mid-May.”
Since it was first announced that several Commonwealth Campus locations could be closed, elected officials and business leaders have made a strong pitch to just about anyone who will listen – including the head of Penn State’s Board of Trustees – to keep PSU-Schuylkill off the closure list.
Bendapudi said she’ll make her recommendations to the Board of Trustees in mid-May and it’s up to them to take action on them. An advanced notice will be given ahead of the Board of Trustees’ public meeting date.
Photo caption: Penn State University Board of Trustees Chair David Kleppinger spoke recently at a Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce event.
Subscribe to Coal Region Canary
Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!Support Coal Region Canary
Like our reporting and want to support truly local news in Schuylkill County? Your small donations help. For as little as $5, your contribution will allow us to cover more news that directly affects you. Consider donating today by hitting the big yellow button below ...