“Penn State launches campus master planning effort for University Park”

[BobPSU92]

See the link below. From the article:

”UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State has kicked off its efforts to develop an updated University Park Campus Master Plan. A master plan is the aspirational basis that will guide future capital plan decisions. Now underway, the planning efforts aim to establish a vision to guide how the University Park campus grows and evolves over the next decade and beyond.

Led by the Penn State Office of Physical Plant, the planning effort will engage University Park stakeholders, campus subject matter experts, and the broader Penn State community throughout the 16-to-18-month process. This marks the first campus master planning effort in more than 25 years for the core of the University Park campus, which includes more than 2,000 acres, 600 buildings and 20 million gross square feet of space. The outcome will be a campus master plan that supports the goals and objectives of Penn State’s Strategic Plan.

“This master planning effort will guide how University Park can best serve the Penn State community with spaces that support learning, research, and daily life,” said President Neeli Bendapudi. “Our goal is to ensure that University Park remains a place where students experience transformative moments, where discovery thrives in labs and classrooms, and where the campus itself strengthens the Penn State experience.”

A primary goal of the University Park Campus Master Plan is to provide a physical environment that supports Penn State’s academic, research and community outreach missions, while assessing how potential changes may impact campus facilities and infrastructure. The planning endeavor also will evaluate recent shifts in higher education, including evolving teaching methods, technological advancements, and changing funding models, to help ensure the University Park campus remains adaptable and forward-looking, while preserving its historical identity.“

Penn State launches campus master planning effort for University Park | Penn State University

Penn State has kicked off its efforts to develop an updated University Park Campus Master Plan. A master plan is the aspirational basis that will guide future capital plan decisions. Now underway, the planning efforts aim to establish a vision to guide how the University Park campus grows and...

www.psu.edu

Just burn it down to the ground and go online exclusively. For f*ck’s sake.

 

[PSU Mike]

20 million gross square feet? It’s gonna take a lot of $$$ to make it less gross. A LOT of money.

 

[G3624]

Somebody once said, "Penn State, if it ain't broke fix it, until it is.:

 

[Blair10]

I have visited many college campuses spanning the U.S. over the past 30 years. Penn State’s University Park campus is still one of the most beautiful and pleasant campuses in the country.

The one thing I miss since my undergraduate days are the magnificent elm trees. However, the campus is still so enjoyable to walk.

The University‘s leadership has done an excellent job in planning for the future.

 

[Zenophile]

#TiWWUA

 

[Catch1lion]

Tear down the library and build a Chick Fil-A

 

[Chumboshifko1]

The only master plan these clowns have is self enrichment, and lining the pockets of family and friends.

 

[ApexLion]

This just in from the BOT: “Excellent Neeli person”

 

[razpsu]

Spend spend spend. Don’t worry both of my daughters out of state tuition will pay for it.

 

[LMTLION]

Our planning efforts can be summed up as build baby build!

 

[PSU Mike]

Spend spend spend. Don’t worry both of my daughters out of state tuition will pay for it.

Somebody made a choice …

 

[razpsu]

Somebody made a choice …

What choice?

 

[Binder74]

Personally, I liked it better years ago before they decided to put buildings on every square foot of grass. I hope they are planning for the future enrollment declines when AI eliminates all the careers they are training for.

 

[ApexLion]

@razpsu d3 is at UMaine Accepted Students Day today. She’s down to UMaine, Stony Brook and University of New Hampshire. Marine Biology, honors and Presidential scholarships at all three. All three have communicated with Mom and I and our daughter throughout the process. Excellent experience. In-depth career info, AP credits already applied, course planning, study abroad planning, advisors have reached out. Real planning options for our daughter.

Contrast with PSU. Nothing. Zip. You are on your own. Embarrassing admissions approach. Pay a ridiculous amount. Love it or leave it. As a PSU grad and former alumni rep, I’m appalled. And don’t give me but ‘we are a better school’. BS. The BOT destroyed that possibility long ago ( long before Sandusky). The schools above outhustle us every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

 

[BobPSU92]

Bring back Sandy.

 

[razpsu]

@razpsu d3 is at UMaine Accepted Students Day today. She’s down to UMaine, Stony Brook and University of New Hampshire. Marine Biology, honors and Presidential scholarships at all three. All three have communicated with Mom and I and our daughter throughout the process. Excellent experience. In-depth career info, AP credits already applied, course planning, study abroad planning, advisors have reached out. Real planning options for our daughter.

Contrast with PSU. Nothing. Zip. You are on your own. Embarrassing admissions approach. Pay a ridiculous amount. Love it or leave it. As a PSU grad and former alumni rep, I’m appalled. And don’t give me but ‘we are a better school’. BS. The BOT destroyed that possibility long ago ( long before Sandusky). The schools above outhustle us every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Yeppers!
Psu gave 5k to my daughter for shreyers honors for premed. That’s it. Now they did take her 32 ap and college courses she took in high school so she skipped her sophomore year and is now a junior but we have to pay more now that she is a junior. lol.
my other daughter is at Duke. Engineering free ride. They are 97k a year and a free ride. Yet psu holds on to their money for no reason. Daughter 3 about to start psu in the fall. Bio major and blue band drum line hopefully but they are not offering her any scholarships. Out of state is about 55-60k. Ouch. They said it was my fault since I engrained psu in their heads since they were born.

 

[UncleRoyBiggins]

This is what we are up against...

 

[RolexKong]

Bring back Sandy.

A sequel to the Athletics Facilities Master Plan?

 

[Bkmtnittany1]

20 million gross square feet? It’s gonna take a lot of $$$ to make it less gross. A LOT of money.

View attachment 1171281

Post of the year! Governor William J. LePetomaine has got this!!

 

[Bkmtnittany1]

Bring back Sandy.

All campus master plans are horsesh*t without rebuilding the Skeller!

 

[ApexLion]

Yeppers!
Psu gave 5k to my daughter for shreyers honors for premed. That’s it. Now they did take her 32 ap and college courses she took in high school so she skipped her sophomore year and is now a junior but we have to pay more now that she is a junior. lol.
my other daughter is at Duke. Engineering free ride. They are 97k a year and a free ride. Yet psu holds on to their money for no reason. Daughter 3 about to start psu in the fall. Bio major and blue band drum line hopefully but they are not offering her any scholarships. Out of state is about 55-60k. Ouch. They said it was my fault since I engrained psu in their heads since they were born.

View attachment 1171491

Your money keeps the engine running just enough so certain people can make a whole lot more.

 

[Chumboshifko1]

Bring back Sandy.

Bring back Rene.

 

[CyphaPSU]

My geography profs would talk about the campus master plan when I was in school. The idea was to expand campus so much that Beaver Stadium would essentially become the center of it.

 

[Big_O]

Personally, I liked it better years ago before they decided to put buildings on every square foot of grass. I hope they are planning for the future enrollment declines when AI eliminates all the careers they are training for.

They have done a good job of junking up the campus. The former Pollock fields area is an example.

The academics have suffered over the years and the university has a poor value for tuition cost versus quality of education for out of state students. My kids had PSU number 2 on their list, but their number one schools gave them a better education for less money in their respective majors. My older daughter’s Major of Nuclear Engineering is thought of a good quality program at PSU, but she went to UF which also had an equal or better quality program for less money.

 

[Nitt1300]

@razpsu d3 is at UMaine Accepted Students Day today. She’s down to UMaine, Stony Brook and University of New Hampshire. Marine Biology, honors and Presidential scholarships at all three. All three have communicated with Mom and I and our daughter throughout the process. Excellent experience. In-depth career info, AP credits already applied, course planning, study abroad planning, advisors have reached out. Real planning options for our daughter.

Contrast with PSU. Nothing. Zip. You are on your own. Embarrassing admissions approach. Pay a ridiculous amount. Love it or leave it. As a PSU grad and former alumni rep, I’m appalled. And don’t give me but ‘we are a better school’. BS. The BOT destroyed that possibility long ago ( long before Sandusky). The schools above outhustle us every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

One of the great advantages of attending UMaine is that she would be in Maine.

 

[SouthHalls410]

Here’s my humble but honest take- as an alum, wife to an alum, parent of an alum and parent of current student……. There are times that I don’t recognize the place. Lots of luxury apartments. Lots of luxury cars on campus and in town, e bikes everywhere, outrageous costs for most things…. PSU used to be the beacon for the middle class kids in PA. I was that kid, even though I was on the lower end. I got aid when I went even though I worked my a$$ off for it with jobs on campus. There were a lot like me there as far as finances are concerned. Not like that now. My family makes a good living now, but my kids meet people who live like they’re on Park Avenue. Nothing wrong with that and I’m not being anti whatever, just saying that the focus of student recruitment now doesn’t seem like they care about the tax paying citizens of PA like they once did. And yes, I know it’s all about the $$$$$$$.

 

[PSUFTG]

Here’s my humble but honest take- as an alum, wife to an alum, parent of an alum and parent of current student……. There are times that I don’t recognize the place. Lots of luxury apartments. Lots of luxury cars on campus and in town, e bikes everywhere, outrageous costs for most things…. PSU used to be the beacon for the middle class kids in PA. I was that kid, even though I was on the lower end. I got aid when I went even though I worked my a$$ off for it with jobs on campus. There were a lot like me there as far as finances are concerned. Not like that now. My family makes a good living now, but my kids meet people who live like they’re on Park Avenue. Nothing wrong with that and I’m not being anti whatever, just saying that the focus of student recruitment now doesn’t seem like they care about the tax paying citizens of PA like they once did. And yes, I know it’s all about the $$$$$$$.

Many would be amazed at the average income of PSU students (families) - though it should not supriise anyone who has been paying close attention.

Two primary reasons:

1) PSU has priced themselves well beyond the means of the "average" family - even for in-state kids.
2) PSU has become addicted to the "sweet spot" of very wealthy (but moderately academically qualified) out-of-state students

So the quality in-state students of average-ish means (and certainly any of less-than-average means), especially those with appealing academic qualifications (meaning they are attractive to other universities due to the academic side - who oftentimes also provide much more robust university financial aid, in addition to lower sticker price tuition) largely choose other options. No surprise there.
Those out-of-state kids PSU desires (needs?) are facing even higher (much higher) costs - and are therefore self-selected to be among the (very) upper levels financially - but, again, generally of modest academic qualifications (significantly lower than the in-state cohort). Folks of those financial means, if highly academically qualified, are much more likely to pursue a more selective/elite university. Obviously.

The sweet spot becomes:
Out-of-State
Very wealthy
Moderate academic qualifications
Prioritize social aspects (football, party, etc) and historical ties (parents?) to PSU

Obviously, each situation is unique - and among 40,000 individuals, soon to be 50,000(?), just at UP, there are wide individual differences and there are outliers of every sort.
We are talking about the broad demographics here.


Obviously, none of this is happenstance.... this is very much the "master plan"

 

[BobPSU92]

Penn State’s leaderers determined that the school’s primary mission needed to be turning out future generations of people who looked like them.

 

[Catch1lion]

Many would be amazed at the average income of PSU students (families) - though it should not supriise anyone who has been paying close attention.

Two primary reasons:

1) PSU has priced themselves well beyond the means of the "average" family - even for in-state kids.
2) PSU has become addicted to the "sweet spot" of very wealthy (but moderately academically qualified) out-of-state students

So the quality in-state students of average-ish means (and certainly any of less-than-average means), especially those with appealing academic qualifications (meaning they are attractive to other universities due to the academic side - who oftentimes also provide much more robust university financial aid, in addition to lower sticker price tuition) largely choose other options. No surprise there.
Those out-of-state kids PSU desires (needs?) are facing even higher (much higher) costs - and are therefore self-selected to be among the (very) upper levels financially - but, again, generally of modest academic qualifications (significantly lower than the in-state cohort). Folks of those financial means, if highly academically qualified, are much more likely to pursue a more selective/elite university. Obviously.

The sweet spot becomes:
Out-of-State
Very wealthy
Moderate academic qualifications
Prioritize social aspects (football, party, etc) and historical ties (parents?) to PSU

Obviously, each situation is unique - and among 40,000 individuals, soon to be 50,000(?), just at UP, there are wide individual differences and there are outliers of every sort.
We are talking about the broad demographics here.


Obviously, none of this is happenstance.... this is very much the "master plan"

Many would be amazed at the average income of PSU students (families) - though it should not supriise anyone who has been paying close attention. And what is that number ? I'm guessing 200k, and the mean around $150k.

 

[Nitt1300]

Penn State’s leaderers determined that the school’s primary mission needed to be turning out future generations of people who looked like them.

look, and smell

 

[Bison13]

Many would be amazed at the average income of PSU students (families) - though it should not supriise anyone who has been paying close attention. And what is that number ? I'm guessing 200k, and the mean around $150k.

yep, definitely not a farmers or middle class serving university anymore.

My wife and I fit pretty close to Barry's sweet spot mentioned above. Upper middle to upper class income levels, out of state, parents are alum (and many aunts/uncle/grandparents as well). My kids are in ES but I know that when they get to HS and if they apply to PSU they will have a better chance to get in with lower GPA/test scores than some farmer's kid with the 4.0+ gpa and 1400+ SAT from 40 miles away in Gettysburg

 

[Nitt1300]

Some BS:

"Although the University is privately chartered by the Commonwealth, it was from the outset considered an "instrumentality of the state," that is, it carries out many of the functions of a public institution and promotes the general welfare of the citizenry. The governor and other representatives of the Commonwealth have held seats on Penn State’s Board of Trustees since the University's founding, and the legislature has made regular appropriations in support of the University's mission since 1887."

and

"As Pennsylvania’s land-grant university, we provide unparalleled access to education and public service to support the citizens of the Commonwealth and beyond. We engage in collaborative activities with private sector, educational, and governmental partners worldwide to generate, integrate, apply, and disseminate knowledge that is valuable to society."

Penn State Mission and Values | Penn State

 

[op2]

It kills me when they say "serve the public." As if they're sitting around talking about how they can best serve the public rather than themselves.

Universities should be shrinking in physical size, not growing. The only reason universities became a physical place for people to go to and learn in the first place is because there was no efficient way to transmit information. That has changed.

Universities should be offering very cheap online classes to the masses. People shouldn't have to go to State College in 2026 to learn.

 

[Catch1lion]

yep, definitely not a farmers or middle class serving university anymore.

My wife and I fit pretty close to Barry's sweet spot mentioned above. Upper middle to upper class income levels, out of state, parents are alum (and many aunts/uncle/grandparents as well). My kids are in ES but I know that when they get to HS and if they apply to PSU they will have a better chance to get in with lower GPA/test scores than some farmer's kid with the 4.0+ gpa and 1400+ SAT from 40 miles away in Gettysburg

Nationwide, upper middle class households earn a median income between $117,000 and $150,000, according to GOBankingRates analysis of 2023 Census Bureau data. This represents the top tier of middle class earners, those who've climbed above the median but haven't quite reached the upper income bracket.
Upper income households had incomes greater than $169,800 nationally in 2022 dollars.
I used Chat GPT to look at inflation from 1980-2025. CPI inflation conversions is a factor of 3.9. So $20k in 1980 has roughly the same buying power as $80k today.
Chat GPT cost of attendance(Tuition plus Fees plus Room and board) from 1980 to 2020 has had a 180% increase even after adjusting for inflation.

 

[op2]

"promotes the general welfare of the citizenry."

That one is a real knee slapper.

 

[Nits1989]

Many would be amazed at the average income of PSU students (families) - though it should not supriise anyone who has been paying close attention.

Two primary reasons:

1) PSU has priced themselves well beyond the means of the "average" family - even for in-state kids.
2) PSU has become addicted to the "sweet spot" of very wealthy (but moderately academically qualified) out-of-state students

So the quality in-state students of average-ish means (and certainly any of less-than-average means), especially those with appealing academic qualifications (meaning they are attractive to other universities due to the academic side - who oftentimes also provide much more robust university financial aid, in addition to lower sticker price tuition) largely choose other options. No surprise there.
Those out-of-state kids PSU desires (needs?) are facing even higher (much higher) costs - and are therefore self-selected to be among the (very) upper levels financially - but, again, generally of modest academic qualifications (significantly lower than the in-state cohort). Folks of those financial means, if highly academically qualified, are much more likely to pursue a more selective/elite university. Obviously.

The sweet spot becomes:
Out-of-State
Very wealthy
Moderate academic qualifications
Prioritize social aspects (football, party, etc) and historical ties (parents?) to PSU

Obviously, each situation is unique - and among 40,000 individuals, soon to be 50,000(?), just at UP, there are wide individual differences and there are outliers of every sort.
We are talking about the broad demographics here.


Obviously, none of this is happenstance.... this is very much the "master plan"

We live Western NY. My son got into several SUNY schools. He is in computer science. He chose SUNY Fredonia. He liked it because it was small, and they had just invested in a computer lab and the computer classrooms. They had Dell Alienware computers in the computer gaming classroom. We met with the head of the program before he decided. He got into their honors program and they gave him some scholarships. They really rolled out the red carpet and made him feel like they knew who he was and cared about him. The total cost for tuition room and board is around $20,000. I thought he made a good decision for him.

 

[Bison13]

Nationwide, upper middle class households earn a median income between $117,000 and $150,000, according to GOBankingRates analysis of 2023 Census Bureau data. This represents the top tier of middle class earners, those who've climbed above the median but haven't quite reached the upper income bracket.
Upper income households had incomes greater than $169,800 nationally in 2022 dollars.
I used Chat GPT to look at inflation from 1980-2025. CPI inflation conversions is a factor of 3.9. So $20k in 1980 has roughly the same buying power as $80k today.
Chat GPT cost of attendance(Tuition plus Fees plus Room and board) from 1980 to 2020 has had a 180% increase even after adjusting for inflation.

Here in central MD I would guess upper middle class is probably closer to 200K, but in central Pa I would agree with those numbers. We would be comfortably above those numbers otherwise. Cost of living vs salary is always a trade off, UMD is not exactly getting any cheaper either though

 

[Bison13]

It kills me when they say "serve the public." As if they're sitting around talking about how they can best serve the public rather than themselves.

Universities should be shrinking in physical size, not growing. The only reason universities became a physical place for people to go to and learn in the first place is because there was no efficient way to transmit information. That has changed.

Universities should be offering very cheap online classes to the masses. People shouldn't have to go to State College in 2026 to learn.

your post is spot on. great post, shows that trying to grow these large universities in a time when more students are looking in to trades or other options is just about fattening the wallets of those in upper academia

 

[ApexLion]

I think I can make a well-reasoned argument that Stony Brook has become what Penn State should be academically. Stony Brook is now highly ranked for the data sciences, mathematics, and sciences in general while still offering majors in the humanities. In-state annual tuition below 10k (PSU 20k), Out of state tuition, SBU 31k, PSU 56k. SBU offers a generous 17k Presidental scholarship. PSU? Nada. Unlike PSU, SBU is a progressing, serving NY's kids while gaining national prominence as a serious school, not a football and party school. This is all because "we" invited in the creeps in to lead our university in the 1990s. Joab Thomas, President of the University at the time would discover that while Penn State can court Wall Streeters and Captains of Industry, we couldn't govern them. They've ruined the university and diverted it from its mission -- to serve the sons and daughters of the Commonwealth's citizens. But that mission doesn't feed the greed of those who were invited in. What has it netted us? Buildings everywhere, sky high tuition, a massive, bloated bureacracy, administrators getting wealthy, less not more state support and a university as @SouthHalls410 noted she (not he) doesn't recognize any more. We invited the rats into the kitchen long before Sandusky.

If you want to learn more about this issue in very practical terms, don't take my word for it. Read the information at this link for context and think about items C and D under Achievements. Think about how the situation then opened the door to people who profit from Penn State.

Joab Thomas link

 

[mfb5053]

Any contingencies in the master plan for condemning recently constructed buildings?