Penn State University says it must close a number of its branch campuses across the commonwealth, but it won’t know which ones will close until the end of the current semester.

In many ways, Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi is staring at an abyss that’s forcing drastic campus closings.

The Pennsylvania State University will close some of its 19 branch campuses. University President Neeli Bendapudi announced Tuesday that the university is looking at a dozen campuses to decide which will close. More: Penn State Behrend alum gives $2 million to benefit college's students with special needs

Penn State PresidentNeeli Bendapudi said in a statement Tuesday that numerous measures were taken to prevent the possible closure of numerous campuses around P

Penn State University’s president announced Tuesday that some branch campuses will definitely be closing, and she will decide which ones by the end of the semester.

Declining enrollments, demographic shifts and financial pressures will require Penn State to close some of its 19 branch campuses, the school’s president Neeli Bendapudi said Tuesday. In a message posted to Penn State’s website,

It has become clear that we cannot sustain a viable Commonwealth Campus ecosystem without closing some campuses,” Neeli Bendapudi said in a statement to the campus community Tuesday.

Penn State University President Neeli Bendapudi announced Tuesday the formation of a group tasked with potentially closing multiple Commonwealth campuses. Bendapudi said the University had to make “difficult choices” when it comes to campuses across Pennsylvania,

President Neil Bendapudi cites declining enrollment, demographic shifts and financial pressures as reasons for the decision.

Penn State's president Neeli Bendapudi said the closures come as the university faces financial pressure and declining enrollment.