PRINTER'S NO. 1273
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.179
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY COOPER, BARTON, HILL-EVANS, KAUFFMAN, KUZMA,
MATZIE, MULLINS, REICHARD, TWARDZIK, WALSH, WATRO AND
WENTLING, APRIL 4, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, APRIL 4, 2025
A RESOLUTION
Urging The Pennsylvania State University and its President to
use transparency in closing any of its Commonwealth campuses.
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania State University was originally
chartered by an act of the General Assembly on February 22,
1855, as the "Farmers' High School of Pennsylvania"; and
WHEREAS, The Morrill Land-Grant Act of 1862 allocated Federal
lands to states to finance the establishment of universities
with a mission to "promote the liberal and practical education
of the industrial classes in the several pursuits and
professions in life"; and
WHEREAS, The Morrill Land-Grant Act was accepted by the
General Assembly in 1863 and The Pennsylvania State University
was designated as the land-grant institution in Pennsylvania;
and
WHEREAS, The impact of Penn State University's land-grant
mission is reinforced by the fact that more than 95% of
Pennsylvania residents live within 30 miles of one of its
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17 campuses, and this accessibility underscores the mission's
significance, with the potential to positively influence more
than 12.3 million Pennsylvanians; and
WHEREAS, Penn State University was founded on the
institutional promise to provide education, share research and
offer public service to all Pennsylvanians; and
WHEREAS, The President of Penn State University announced on
February 25, 2025, that 12 of Penn State University's
Commonwealth campuses are under consideration to be closed; and
WHEREAS, The potential closure of Commonwealth campuses would
significantly reduce educational access for Pennsylvania
residents, particularly affecting rural and underserved
communities that rely on these campuses for affordable higher
education opportunities; and
WHEREAS, These campus closures would have profound economic
impacts on local communities, potentially eliminating jobs,
reducing local spending and diminishing educational and cultural
resources that benefit the broader population beyond enrolled
students; and
WHEREAS, A decision of this magnitude requires thorough
community engagement, comprehensive data sharing and clear
communication of the criteria being used to determine campus
viability; and
WHEREAS, Transparent decision-making processes that include
input from affected students, faculty, staff, alumni and
community stakeholders are essential to maintaining public trust
in a land-grant institution that serves all Pennsylvanians; and
WHEREAS, Penn State University has a responsibility to
publicly demonstrate how any proposed closure aligns with the
university's land-grant mission and to provide detailed plans
20250HR0179PN1273 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30 for how educational access will be maintained for affected
communities; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge The
Pennsylvania State University to explore all possibilities in
lieu of closure of any of its Commonwealth campuses; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the
President of The Pennsylvania State University to give serious
and careful consideration to the impacts of the closure on the
students, employees and local communities; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be sent to the
President of The Pennsylvania State University and its Board of
Trustees.
20250HR0179PN1273 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13