The announcement by Penn State that it plans to close up to 12 of its 19 branch campuses, of which four are in Western Pennsylvania — Beaver in Monaca, Greater Allegheny in McKeesport, New Kensington and Shenango in Sharon — was disheartening to people in those communities and current and former students.
The loss of these institutions would be a blow for communities with distressed economies, further hampering potential comebacks.
The branch campuses are much more than an educational institution for these communities. They represent a source of energy and economic activity, an incubator of ideas and a change agent. They bring in cultural, entertainment and educational events and programs. They help bridge the gap between their communities and the world.
Young people are key to reviving these communities; closing branch campuses may foreclose opportunities for many of them to go to college, and could lead to more of them leaving the areas.
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The announcement was particularly disheartening for those who attended these branch campuses. Many years ago, I began my college education at the Shenango Valley campus, which at that time had one of the smallest numbers of students of all the campuses and remains so today. Most of the students came from blue-collar families, and many were the first in their families to attend college. It was a source of pride for those families and also one of hope that their children may have a better life than they had. These campuses still draw students who are primarily from working-class families.
Many, like me, would not have had the opportunity to attend college without an affordable alternative like this. Most of the students who attended the branch campus, at that time, received financial aid, which is still true today. Branch campuses allow students to commute to school, living at home and working to pay for their education. The campuses also offer an opportunity for people within these communities, after a mill or plant closes, to gain the education and skills needed to transition into another career.
At branch campuses, 75% of students come from Pennsylvania, while only half of the students at the main campus in State College do. Many of these communities’ leaders attended Penn State branch campuses. One of my Shenango Valley classmates became the chief operating officer of a manufacturing company in the area.
In announcing the potential closings, Penn State leadership cited declining enrollment that is down and is projected to continue to decline, as well as a lack of adequate financial support from state leaders. Penn State is one of five state-related universities that receive funding from the Pennsylvania Legislature. Funding has remained flat for the last several years.
Pennsylvania leaders talk about helping economically distressed areas and the need for investment in those communities. Working to keep these branch campuses open would be an economic development investment, as they are an engine for economic growth and recovery.
Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi has tasked a group of Penn State leaders with making a final recommendation in May as to which campuses should close. This decision should not rest only with Penn State; Gov. Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania General Assembly should be involved because of the far-reaching implications of these closures on the welfare of those communities and the people who live there.
Let us hope Penn State and Pennsylvania leaders find a way to keep these campuses open so that they remain an integral part of their communities, serve as an economic engine for the future, and continue to provide young people an affordable option for higher education.