Penn State’s plan to close its Mont Alto branch campus has been met with criticism from state representatives Chad Reichard and Rob Kauffman, both representing Franklin County. The legislators argue that the decision was made without adequate transparency and consideration of its impact on the local community.
Reichard and Kauffman issued a joint statement saying, “From the start, this process has been conducted under a shroud with very little, if any, transparency. This was a poor, rushed process that failed to take into account how a decision in State College would impact the lives of residents and students of Franklin County.”
They emphasized the importance of Mont Alto as an educational institution in the area: “Mont Alto has been and continues to be a beacon of learning in Franklin County. It provides work-ready employees who fill jobs here and elsewhere. Local high school students rely on the campus for advanced learning as they prepare for post-secondary schooling.”
With a vote by Penn State’s board of trustees still pending, Reichard and Kauffman pledged to continue their efforts against what they describe as a hasty decision. They called on the trustees to reject the proposal to close Mont Alto and conduct a more thorough analysis of its significance.
“We strongly urge the trustees to reject the president’s proposal and do a more in-depth study that truly examines the impact that Mont Alto and all branch campuses have on local communities,” their statement concluded.
