State Representative Mike Armanini voiced his concerns regarding the closure of seven Penn State satellite campuses, including Penn State DuBois. Armanini highlighted the impact on local manufacturing businesses and supply chains, stating, “Our region surrounding Penn State DuBois is a hub of manufacturing businesses which include the PM, carbon and graphite industries. These industries underpin numerous critical supply chains across the United States and represent a significant asset now and in the future for the Commonwealth.”
He emphasized the unique educational focus of Penn State DuBois, saying, “In meeting with faculty from the DuBois campus, I have heard much about the unique focus Penn State DuBois has on education and research related to regional manufacturing operations. Their knowledge and expertise in manufacturing business exceeds what I have seen elsewhere.”
Armanini expressed concern over the broader implications of these closures: “Not only does this decision impact the students of Penn State DuBois, it impacts our communities. The campus provides jobs to residents of DuBois and the surrounding community, income for local businesses who rely on the student body and faculty, and the local industry which benefits from the research of the school and has a talented pool of students to employ after graduation.”
He criticized past investment decisions that favored main campuses over satellite locations: “Past investment in satellite campuses across the Commonwealth could have prevented the need to even discuss the potential of closing locations. However, the focus has largely been and will continue to be on main campus.”
Armanini concluded by stressing that these closures could limit educational opportunities for young students in Pennsylvania: “While some may argue that this is logical, Penn State was entrusted with land by the Commonwealth to ensure the opportunity for education to all Pennsylvanians is available. These closures disenfranchise young students, moving accessibility of a great educational institution from their backyard to communities much farther away and make cost of education for them more expensive and difficult.”
