We are…closing down?
Penn State students give thoughts on potential branch closing
Sophia Zalar of Carmichaels is making the most of her college experience at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus.
The sophomore is enrolled in the pre-veterinary program, while also playing volleyball, basketball and softball for the school.
Since her field of study is not offered as a four-year degree at the Lemont Furnace campus, Zalar will transfer to the main campus next year.
Although the potential closing of her campus won’t affect her directly, she said losing it would be “devastating” for the area.
“I want the future generation to have the same fun, homey local experience that I had,” Zalar said. “I want people to experience the small classes and get the opportunity to get to know the professors and their fellow students.”
Earlier this week, Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi said declining enrollments, demographic shifts, and financial pressures may lead to the closure of some of the university’s 19 branch campuses at the end of the 2026-27 school year. According to Penn State’s website, the seven largest branch campuses–Abington, Altoona, Behrend, Berks, Brandywine, Harrisburg, and Lehigh Valley–will remain open, leaving smaller campuses like Penn State Fayette in jeopardy.
Zalar, one of 500 students enrolled locally, said attending the smaller campus makes college more affordable.
“I’m saving almost $30,000 by being at a local campus for two years before transferring to the main campus,” Zalar said.
Tristan Robinson of Smithfield, in his final year of an associate degree in electrical engineering technology, emphasized the school’s importance to the community.
“When I was in high school, I didn’t really think about this place because it’s kind of quiet, but once I came here, I found that there’s a lot of great stuff to offer,” Robinson said.
Like Zalar, he highlighted affordability and proximity to home as major factors in his decision to attend the campus.
“I went somewhere else for half a semester before coming here, and (the Fayette campus) was like half the price per semester,” he said.
Smaller classes were a draw, too.
“I feel like you can get more one-on-one time with the professors, and it’s easier for me to learn and study in a smaller classroom,” he said.
Julie Cooper and Sara Glotfelty, both sophomores in the nursing program, each said the Fayette campus was the best and closest that offered bachelor’s degrees in nursing.
“There are options in Pittsburgh and West Virginia, but the nursing program here is highly rated, and I have heard a lot of good things about the graduates from this program,” said Cooper, of Uniontown.
Glotfelty, of Uniontown, believes that if the campus closes, it could hinder students’ pursuit of higher education.
“Not only is it going to affect jobs, but I think it could affect students as well. If this campus doesn’t exist, some of these kids aren’t going to college,” she said. “(T)his campus is the cheapest around, and many students come from lower-income families and want to save as much money as possible.”
Both said it’s important for decision makers to consider the impact to potential local students.
“I think it would be a shame if it closed down; it’s a beautiful campus with a lot to offer,” Cooper added.