Penn State offers buyouts for employees at Commonwealth campuses

University Park, PA (WJAC) — Is Penn State moving closer to closing some Commonwealth campuses?

That’s a primary question with the university now offering buyouts to commonwealth campus employees, which they're calling "voluntary separations."

Penn State says the decision is due to a significant drop in enrollment at the campuses while it continues to work on lowering its operating budget deficit.

The university says involuntary layoffs could happen in the future.

At state budget hearings this past spring, the university president said no decision has been made on closing campuses.

“We are looking ahead now through 2026 to say what we can do. Our chancellors are all working hard collaboratively. Can we take the cost out. Can we figure out what we offer, be more responsive to workforce needs. We’re just at the beginning of that process.”

Commonwealth campus employees have until the end of the month to decide on whether to take a voluntary separation.

The university had more than 3,200 full-time employees last year.

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