Even before taking the reins as Penn State’s 19th president this month, Neeli Bendapudi has spent much of the spring traveling across the commonwealth on her listening tour of the University’s campuses.
Joined by several dozen community leaders, elected officials and business owners, Penn State President Eric J. Barron and Penn State Brandywine Chancellor Marilyn J. Wells presided over a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony on March 18 to mark the opening of the Brandywine LaunchBox — an innovation space that provides no-cost resources for entrepreneurs and innovators.
Penn State has decided to delay the start of in-person classes and transition to a fully remote learning environment for the beginning of the spring 2021 semester at all campus locations. This decision was made following extensive analysis and scenario planning given worsening virus conditions nationally and across the state indicating predictions of rising hospitalization rates in the coming weeks.
Due to the economic challenges facing Pennsylvania and the nation, Penn State President Eric J. Barron announced plans today (April 23) to freeze tuition rates for all students University-wide for the 2020-21 academic year. The plan, which will be presented to the University’s Board of Trustees for final approval at its July meeting, would mark the third consecutive year that Penn State has held tuition rates flat for Pennsylvania resident students.
In the face of severe financial impacts to the University brought on by the global coronavirus pandemic, on April 23 Penn State President Eric J. Barron announced some salary adjustments; a 3% across-the-board cut to university budgets in the next fiscal year; and his intention to work with the Board of Trustees to freeze tuition for the 2020-21 academic year to limit student costs.
Whether it’s through class gifts focused on student mental health and food insecurity or their everyday commitment to supporting student wellness and helping those in need, Penn State President Eric Barron highlights the many ways that Penn State students show care and compassion for their peers in his latest blog.
On Oct. 6 the Penn State community will come together to kick off an ongoing University-wide initiative that brings students, faculty and staff together to show their commitment to cultivating a diverse and inclusive environment. “All In at Penn State: A Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion” will begin with a public event at 7:15 p.m. in front of Old Main on the University Park campus that will be livestreamed to the campuses.