During a faculty senate meeting Tuesday that was at times tense, Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi fielded many questions about the announcement to explore closing commonwealth campuses — and avoided a vote of no confidence, for now.

No campus identified for closure will close before the end of the 2026-2027 academic year. Penn State will continue extending offers and admitting new students for fall 2025 at all commonwealth campuses. "Every student who begins a Penn State degree will have the opportunity to complete it at Penn State," Bendapudi said.

A “Committee of Concerned Black Scholars” at the university said Bendapudi’s statement “does not meet the moment.”