Penn State University has delayed until mid-May the final decision on which Commonwealth Campuses to close, university President Neeli Bendapudi announced.

As PSU gears up for final exams and commencement exercises, Bendapudi said the decision to delay “may bring mixed emotions — relief for some, renewed frustration for others” and thanked the Penn State community for its support.

“We are navigating this moment together — and we will move forward together as well,” she wrote.

In an open letter to the Commonwealth Campus community on Thursday, Bendapudi stated that after consulting with students, faculty and staff on the timing of any announcements, the recommendation was made to delay.

The university is looking to close some Commonwealth Campuses due to declining enrollments, demographic shifts and financial pressures.

In February, when the announcement was made about possible closures, the Altoona campus was among the seven largest branch campuses that will remain open. The other six campuses deemed safe are Abington, Behrend, Berks, Brandywine, Harrisburg and Lehigh Valley.

In talking about the decision to delay the announcement, Bendapudi said the Board of Trustees will meet in mid-May to consider her recommendations on which of the campuses to close.

Those on the list include: Beaver, DuBois, Greater Allegheny, Fayette, Hazleton, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Schuylkill, Shenango, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and York.

In February, Bendapudi said the final decision on closures was hers to make, but Thursday’s letter said that until action is taken by the board, no decisions are final.

Penn State will provide information on how to observe the May board meeting, she stated.

The trustees are slated to meet May 8-9 at University Park. Board committees will meet beginning at 8:30 a.m. May 8 at The Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center, room 208. The full board will meet at 1 p.m. May 9 at the Eric J. Barron Innovation HUB, room 603.

“Following the board meeting, you can expect immediate communication from me and other leaders,” Bendapudi stated, noting that while many people may be away from campus at that time, Penn State leaders are “preparing both in-person and virtual opportunities for students, faculty and staff to come together, ask questions and support one another.”