PennWest: New curriculum could include program cuts, additions

Students say arts programs at PennWest California are in jeopardy.

By KELLEN STEPLER
TribLive

Students at Pennsylvania Western University’s California campus fear that planned academic program changes could result in the loss of its art programs.

Koa Knopsnider, 19, is petitioning the university to not sunset the arts programs at the California campus. The online petition has purportedly reached more than 1,100 signatures within a week.

“As far as our understanding, they’re sunsetting all of our arts programs,” said Knopsnider, of Normalville, Fayette County.

“Pulling these programs will kill the California campus. The community we have will die; there won’t be student life.”

Under review

PennWest — which comprises campuses at California, Clarion and Edinboro — is undergoing a program review. When completed and implemented in fall 2026, the review will meet area workforce demands, be sustainable to the college and strengthen the student academic experience, officials said.

In an October interview with TribLive, James Fisher, PennWest’s interim provost, said some programs could “sunset,” or be phased out, but currently enrolled students in those affected programs would still be able to complete their degrees.

There also could be programs added, Fisher said.

Knopsnider said faculty was told in December that the arts program at California would be cut.

He said he met with campus leadership about the potential cuts but got mixed messages about what exactly it would look like.

“Students spread the word pretty fast,” he said. “We started hearing it from different kinds of faculty.”

Asked about the petition, PennWest spokeswoman Wendy Mackall provided a statement confirming the ongoing academic program review but didn’t deny the possibility of programs sunsetting.

“PennWest is currently reviewing and refining its academic program offerings to ensure programs are aligned with workforce needs and that the university communicates clearly to students the modality of each program on each campus,” she said.

“The university recognizes that this work can prompt discussion and has been informed by extensive feedback, including input from students, faculty and institutional analysis.

“Any student currently enrolled in a program will be able to complete their degree on their home campus, and updated curriculum information will be shared in late spring 2026.”

PennWest emailed students Dec. 10 with an update on the academic program review. That email, obtained by TribLive, says many students responded to a survey identifying their preferred methods for instruction and academic programs.

It says that, as PennWest modifies programs, a program may stop accepting new students; but students would still be able to complete their degree program on their campus.

Knopsnider said students want more face-to-face instruction and programs.

“The California campus is so special,” he said. “They added online programs and online classes and certificates. They’re doing the opposite of what the students want.”

‘Affects everybody’

Knopsnider said cutting the arts programs at California would have adverse effects.

Knopsnider, a junior majoring in environmental studies, is involved in California’s ceramics club and the Vulcan marching band.

Knopsnider said the arts not only provide outlets for students but also benefit the outside community through events and showcases. He fears prospective students would not attend California if there were no arts programming.

PennWest is facing financial and demographic pressures felt across higher education nationwide. Total enrollment decreased 2.6% this fall to 10,548 students across the university.

In November, 13 union employees at California and Clarion were furloughed. The university cited financial and enrollment declines for those furloughs.

Knopsnider said students worry about other programs potentially on the chopping block.

“You can talk to any student and they’ll tell you, my program might be next,” he said.