State legislators and community leaders will host a public roundtable on Friday from 1-3 p.m. at Penn State Schuylkill’s John E. Morgan Auditorium, located at 200 University Drive, Schuylkill Haven about how the potential closure of Penn State Schuylkill would harm students, employers, and the regional economy.

“We cannot allow decisions about the future of Penn State Schuylkill to be made without input from the people who live and work here,” said Rep. Tim Twardzik (R-123).

“This campus is an integral part of our community, providing educational opportunities and driving economic growth. I look forward to hearing directly from local residents, students, and business leaders at this roundtable discussion as we work to protect this vital institution.”

“Penn State Schuylkill is incredibly important to me, and I know it’s important to a lot of folks in our area,” Rep. Jamie Barton (R-124) said. “I’m really looking forward to sitting down with everyone to talk about this enormous asset to our community and doing everything we can to keep its doors open.”

“As an alumnus and a former instructor, it tears my heart out that we are even having this discussion,” said Sen. Dave Argall (R-29). “I look forward to presenting both the data and stories we hear on Friday directly to Penn State leadership.”

In addition to area legislators, Friday’s discussion will include: Dr. Cory Scherer, interim chancellor & director of academic affairs, Penn State Schuylkill; Dr. Patrick Jones, president & CEO, Bucks County Community College & former chancellor, Penn State Schuylkill; Robert S. Carl Jr., president & CEO, Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce and president, Penn State Schuylkill Advisory Board; Joseph Gera, vice chair, Penn State Schuylkill Co-Op National Advisory Council; Schuylkill commissioners, Schuylkill Economic Development Corporation and Max Kelly, Higher Education Professional and Master of Education Candidate, University of Pennsylvania