Penn State University has publicly released a long-anticipated recommendation report outlining the future of its Commonwealth Campuses.
Among the campuses recommended to remain open with increased investment is Penn State Schuylkill.
The report, titled "Future State Recommendation: Commonwealth Campus Ecosystem The Pennsylvania State University", was shared with the university’s Board of Trustees late last month, had not been released publicly until now due to its draft status pending a formal board vote. However, a leaked version of the document was recently obtained by members of the media, prompting the university to make it available to the public ahead of a yet-to-be-scheduled public board meeting.
According to the 143-page report, five campuses—Penn State Beaver, Greater Allegheny, Hazleton, Schuylkill, and Scranton—have been identified for continued operation and strategic investment. These campuses were chosen based on factors such as strategic importance, financial resilience, academic offerings, and potential to absorb students from closing campuses.
"This recommendation represents an investment in campuses like Penn State Schuylkill that have shown long-term promise and relevance in their regions," the report states. "These campuses are positioned to support Penn State's mission in an evolving educational landscape."
In stark contrast, seven Commonwealth Campuses have been recommended for closure after a two-year wind-down period: DuBois, Fayette, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Shenango, Wilkes-Barre, and York. These closures, according to the report, stem from persistent challenges including declining enrollment, financial losses, underutilized housing, and major infrastructure needs.
Keeping those campuses open would require approximately $240 million in combined annual and future investments—a figure Penn State leaders argue would be better used to strengthen the campuses that remain.
Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi expressed regret over how the recommendation became public. “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 said. “I understand the concern this will cause on our campuses until the decision is finalized — during an already distressing time for those who may be affected.”
Bendapudi emphasized that the recommendation was the product of a multi-year analysis, including data collection and consultations with faculty, students, staff, and local community leaders. The president accepted the recommendation delivered by a group she tasked in February, led by Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses Margo DelliCarpini and other senior university officials.
Board of Trustees Chair David Kleppinger added that the board initiated this analysis two years ago, with the goal of aligning Penn State’s campus system with the needs of the commonwealth. "The result is a robust, data-informed review of the Commonwealth Campus ecosystem, enrollment trends, demographic projections, financial performance, and other factors,” Kleppinger said.
The board discussed the proposal in executive session on May 9, and a tentative public vote that had been scheduled for May 15 has now been postponed to allow for additional deliberation. A new public meeting date will be announced