Recently, Dr. Neeli Bendapudi, president of Pennsylvania State University, announced her intention to close several Commonwealth Campuses. It’s unclear what authority the university’s Board of Trustees has in approving the closure plan; in fact, Dr. Bendapudi’s announcement touted the potential closures were an administrative decision that she would make herself. Several of Penn State’s Commonwealth Campuses are under her review and could potentially close after the 26-27 school year.

Penn State and other state-related institutions receive hundreds of millions of dollars annually from the Commonwealth. As a publicly funded, land-grant university, Penn State has an obligation to serve all Pennsylvanians—not just those in urban or wealthy areas. The proposed closure of branch campuses, particularly in rural and economically disadvantaged regions, is a direct betrayal of that mission and an unacceptable misuse of public funds. These universities have an obligation to weigh the full consequences of their decisions.

Decisions of this magnitude will likely shutter campuses in rural and working-class communities, devastating regional economies while removing educational opportunities to students who may otherwise have no path forward.

I believe it should be clear that if an institution like Penn State receives funding from the taxpayers of this great Commonwealth, the taxpayers should have a say in any potential closures. As such, I will be introducing a package of bills to provide for these safeguards and give Pennsylvanians a voice in the operations of higher education.

This is about fairness, fiscal responsibility, and protecting the future of our communities. I urge you to stand with me in ensuring that our publicly funded universities fulfill their obligations to the people of Pennsylvania.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 1733 (May 21, 2025): P.L.30, No.14