Penn State Board of Trustees Faces Controversy Over Virtual Meeting for Campus Closures
The Penn State Board of Trustees is set to hold a virtual meeting this month to vote on President Neeli Bendapudi’s proposal to close multiple campuses, a decision with significant implications for thousands of students and staff. However, legal experts warn that this approach may violate Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act, which mandates transparency in public meetings. Melissa Melewsky of the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association stated, “There’s nothing in Pennsylvania law that allows a virtual-only public meeting,” which could lead to legal challenges that might overturn any decisions made.
The trustees will not review each campus individually but will decide on a singular closure plan that requires a simple majority to pass. Preliminary in-person meetings at University Park ahead of graduation will not address campus closures. Concerns have emerged among trustees regarding the rationale behind the proposed closures, which some deem rushed and inadequately justified.
An open letter to the trustees advocating for alternatives to closures has garnered over 600 signatures. Critics, including faculty members and alumni-elected trustees, argue the administration’s approach may undermine the university’s role as a land-grant institution, particularly threatening diverse campuses that support first-generation students. Joy Ramsingh, a public meetings law attorney, noted potential loopholes being exploited in this decision-making process.
The board has not allowed in-person or spoken public comments since 2021, raising free speech concerns among stakeholders. The ongoing public outcry reflects a growing dissatisfaction with the governance and transparency at Penn State, echoing calls for a more inclusive decision-making process. As the controversy unfolds, legal scrutiny could shape the future of the university’s campuses and its community engagement.
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