Another rally supporting Penn State New Kensington is planned this week as a decision on the Upper Burrell campus’s fate is anticipated to be made in less than a month.
The “Too Fast, Too Final” rally will be at Penn State New Kensington’s main parking lot in Upper Burrell, 3550 Seventh Street Road, from 1 to 2 p.m. on Friday.
Penn State in February announced 12 of its branch campuses — including the Beaver, Fayette, Greater Allegheny and New Kensington campuses — 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.
Some Penn State New Kensington professors penned an open letter to the university’s board of trustees Monday. That letter is in support of an op-ed published by some trustees last week voicing opposition to the proposed closures.
“We ask the rest of your group to consider their primary question: when it comes to the fate of the Commonwealth campuses, ‘Have all the viable alternative options and innovations been explored?’ We believe, as they do, that the answer is a resounding no,” the New Kensington professors’ letter said.
Branch campuses closing would limit access for some students seeking a postsecondary education, the letter said.
In addition, programs exist at branch campuses that can combat budget issues and enrollment decline, the letter said. A program in radiological sciences exists only at Penn State’s New Kensington and Schuylkill campuses, and PSNK has the only program in biomedical engineering technology.
PSNK math professor Kristen Pueschel, a rally organizer, issued a statement: “The announcement that campuses would close came on Feb. 25. Almost two months in, we have very little information about how this decision is going to be made, the scope of the decision, or their goals.
“This rally is a chance for the Penn State New Kensington community to be together, and to amplify calls from Trustees Jay Paterno and Ted Brown to delay campus closure decisions by two years, while other alternatives are considered and communities are consulted.”
Friday’s rally would mark the second such event in support of the New Kensington campus since the possible closure announcement was made two months ago.
A video recording of a March 20 rally at the New Kensington City Hall, along with letters from area leaders detailing the importance of saving Penn State New Kensington and the college’s importance to the region was sent to Penn State President Dr. Neeli Bendapudi, Mayor Tom Guzzo said.
Guzzo said he’s concerned for local current and future students having an opportunity for a quality and affordable education if Penn State New Kensington closes.
The mayor also noted Penn State New Kensington has played a “major role in the resurgence and revitalization of the city of New Kensington.”
“We have formed a tremendous partnership, and the results are undeniable,” Guzzo said. “The Corner Launchbox and the Digital Foundry have and continue to be such great resources for both attracting businesses and preparing owners and employees.”