A working group for the Pennsylvania State University recommended that the Campus of York, citing a decline in enrollment, high operating costs and the presence of others after the average institutions in the region.
This is one of the seven campuses that are recommended for closure throughout the country. The remaining campuses are: Dubua, Faith, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Shenango and Wilks-Barre.
The Board of the Pen State Council is expected to meet at an executive session on Thursday, May 15, to further discuss the recommendation, according to a news message. The university will notify the public when the Council plans to take action on it.
Kevin Schreiber, president and CEO of York County Economic Alliance, called the recommended closure of the Penn State York campus “unhappy”.
“For decades, Penn State York … has contributed a lot to our economy, our education, our community and our culture,” he said, adding that the community has returned the service and supported the campus.
Why Penn State York is recommended to close
In the justification for the closure of the York campus, the report cites a 40 percent decline in recordings in the last 10 years and states that this is a “trend that continues to erode its financial viability and the ability to offer overall experience to students.”
Nittany Lion Watches a News Station captures B-Roll in an empty campus of Penn State York on May 14, 2025.
Penn State Harrisburg, located 17 miles from the York campus, offers “stable academic possibilities, advanced students’ services and a greater scale”, as well as residential housing, the report said. It is better positioned to serve the region in the future and students from York can continue their education there. Penn State World Campus also offers online courses.
In addition to Penn State Harrisburg, the report lists nearly 25 other higher education institutions that exist within 50 miles of the York campus. The York College in Pennsylvania is one mile.
Penn State York, a college of travel, monitors an increase in a student’s operating costs as enrollment has decreased. The report states that the campus is becoming more and more dependent on the central resources to remain operative. It lists a negative balance of $ 387,453 in the fiscal 2024.
Penn State York Financial Results for 2024
“Although the recommendation for closing Penn State York is difficult, it reflects a broader strategic imperative: to focus Penn State’s investments on campuses that have the highest potential for growth, sustainability and regional impact,” the report said. “The closure of Penn State York will allow the university to redistribute resources more efficiently while maintaining its commitment to access and academic achievement.”
Local stakeholders respond to the possible closure of Penn State York
York County has benefited from having a Penn State brand – a high -value brand – which directly connects the community with University Park, Schreiber said. It has influenced the attraction, retention and elevation of the workforce.
Penn State York is also home to the Pullo Family and Olli Courtes Center for Adult Citizens.
Interested parties have done a convincing case, such as through advocacy letters to preserve Penn State York. Schreiber said he joined a call last week with chambers of leaders from other communities with Commonwealth campuses and several guardian members to advocate for the conservation of a local college.
If the guardians vote to close the Penn State York, the economic alliance will have to transfer from interference to retain the campus to support students and employees affected by closing and determining the future of the campus.
The future location of buildings and grounds is not clear, Schreiber said, but he hopes the university park will commit to local stakeholders so that it can be reused for the highest and best purpose to serve the community.
Robert W. Pull, who is a philanthropist and defender of Penn State York, said the recommended closure “is a great disappointment for me, for students and for our community and for the growth of the region, including in North Maryland.”
Poulo said the message surprised him. Penn State York has one of only two stage art centers in the university system – the other is in the main campus. The center of Pull is named after him.
Penn State York also has an OLLI program with members of 900 fees that are larger than the University Park, he said.
Poulo noted that the report mentions that the local campus has no housing for students. He said the community has many homes. The Advisory Board and Stakeholders had requested students from students, but previous administrations were “dead” against him. The university can invite private investors to build it.
Years ago, the city donated land known as Rotary Woods to Penn State York to maintain in the future, Pull said.
He said he was deeply disappointed with the analysis and did not think he “had a proper effect on the power and scope of the Penn State York.”
This article originally appeared in York Daily Record: Penn State York is one of the seven campuses recommended for closure