HARRISBURG – Legislation will be introduced by Westmoreland County Rep. Jill Cooper to bring transparency to a decision made almost entirely behind closed doors: Whether a public institution of higher education may close a branch or campus. Under current law, the Secretary of Education must approve or disapprove closure of a branch or campus. Nothing requires the Secretary to notify the public, the Legislature, or the affected community that an application has been filed, let alone take public comment or hold a hearing before deciding. Penn State’s Board of Trustees voted to close seven state campuses, and an application seeking the Secretary’s approval is now pending. The proposal requires that the decision be made in the open. Upon receiving a closure application, the Education Secretary must publish notice in the PA Bulletin and post the full application and supporting materials on the Department’s website. The public is given a 30-day comment period, and the Secretary’s final determination must respond in writing to the objections raised. It also provides a right to request a hearing for legislators who represent the affected community, the local government where the campus is located, or a meaningful showing of public interest. The proposal will ensure that the public can be heard before a final decision.
REP. JILL COOPER