Four current or former Penn State University trustees, including late football Coach Joe Paterno’s son, are urging the university administration not to close any of the school’s branch campuses.
“The easy decision is to close campuses because it requires the least thought and inflicts pain elsewhere,” said the op-ed, published on StateCollege.com Friday. “We move on and admire our improved finances. It doesn’t really impact University Park and those who will keep their jobs and continue to live and work there.
“The hard choice, the more noble decision, is to seek ways to preserve and build upon our land grant mission. Our highest calling is to walk forward in a way that reflects the realities of what it takes to educate the sons and daughters of our commonwealth, the nation and beyond.”
The letter is signed by trustees Jay Paterno and Ted Brown; trustee emeritus Alice Pope; alumni association president and former trustee Randy Houston; and Jeff Ballou, former alumni association council member.
It comes in light of Penn State announcing 12 of its branch campuses — including its Beaver, Fayette, Greater Allegheny and New Kensington colleges — could close due to declining enrollment and finances.
A decision on which campuses will close is expected in mid-May; none would close before the 2026-27 academic year.
The letter asks Penn State officials to explore alternatives, such as supporting regional health or continuing education hubs, or partnerships with business and industry, before making a decision to close campuses.
Data around commonwealth campuses show Penn State loses roughly $40 million to $50 million annually to operate them, or 0.4% of its $10 billion budget, the letter said.
“That 0.4% is an investment in the soul of Penn State and the heart of our land-grant mission to bring access to the university to people across the commonwealth,” it said.
It also acknowledged branch campus enrollment has declined over the past 15 years; but, since hiring enrollment manager Matt Melvin two years ago, “the losses have basically flattened and enrollment has steadied in a very short time.”
Penn State administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
