CENTRE COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — Will Penn State be forced to close some of its commonwealth campuses?
That’s one of the questions the university president faced Thursday at a state legislative hearing, as she made a desperate plea for more state funding.
“It is a desperate plea to all of you to please bring us to parity. It is no exaggeration to say Penn State is one of the lowest funded public universities, on a per student basis, in all of American higher education.”
Penn State president Neeli Bendapudi testified Thursday at a state House Appropriations Committee hearing.
Bendapudi said the university has made great strides in reducing its budget deficit but has previously stated more cuts are in the works, to the tune of $94 million.
Thus, the Penn State president was asked if that could mean closing other campus locations outside of University Park.
“It’s too premature. We just began the process. That is why we want a two-year budget model. Our budgets are set for this year and the coming year, but we are looking ahead now to 2026 to see what we can do. Our chancellors are all collaborating to figure out what we can offer. We’re just at the beginning of the process.”
Penn State is asking the state for just over $483 million for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
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