Commonwealth University is closing its Clearfield branch at the end of the 2026-27 academic year. This decision follows  “a comprehensive review and analysis of the operations in Clearfield, including evaluation of enrollment, academic array, physical plant, financial health, and future sustainability” according to an email sent to students by CU President Bashar Hanna. The university cited a decrease in enrollment and a deficit of $1.6M as the primary reason for the campus’s closure. 

Clearfield is a former branch of Lock Haven University. This teaching location does not support on-campus students and is instead made of commuters participating in the master’s in physician assistant or associate’s in nursing program. As of Fall 2024, only 177 students were enrolled either in-person or online through Clearfield. 

Despite the impending closure, Clearfield is admitting students for the 2025-26 academic year. Additionally, current students will be able to finish their programs at the Clearfield location. CU Provost Michelle Kiec stated that current faculty and staff will be offered a position at the Lock Haven campus. 

Kiec spoke with faculty and staff from Clearfield regarding the situation and, while finding some mixed feelings, felt confident that they were able to recognize the need for closure. 

“We have amazing faculty and staff. And they say ‘You know what? Our students come first and let’s move forward.’” 

However, not all perspectives were openly shared. The Voice encountered Clearfield employees who declined to comment on the situation for fear of retaliation from the university.