Are We Abandoning WPSU?

Understanding Penn State’s Budget Allocations

Over the weekend, I took a moment to explore Penn State’s budget allocations for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The breakdown includes 41 different units, each receiving varying amounts of funding. The top five recipients are:

1. Commonwealth Campuses – $315 million
2. Physical Plant – $262 million
3. Information Technology (IT) – $174 million
4. College of Liberal Arts – $170 million
5. College of Engineering – $129 million

On the other end of the spectrum, the units receiving the least funding include:

1. Millennium Scholars Program – $970,000
2. Research Accounting – $1.9 million
3. Schreyer Honors College – $2.4 million
4. Government & Community Relations – $2.3 million
5. WPSU – $3.25 million

Penn State’s total operating budget for 2026-27 is $10.2 billion. To put this into perspective, $3.25 million represents just 0.0319% of that total. For a faculty member earning $100,000 annually, this amount equates to about $31.90 — less than what they might spend on streaming services for a year.

The Value of WPSU

While the numbers may seem small in the grand scheme of the university’s finances, the impact of losing WPSU could be significant. If the station were to go off the air, local news, programming, and even the familiar sounds of clock radios and car stereos would disappear.

During my own exploration of the radio dial, I heard a mix of content ranging from religious broadcasts to sports commentary and entertainment. While not everyone may resonate with these programs, they represent a unique cultural and informational resource for the community. For those who don’t follow religion, sports, or popular music, the rest of the radio landscape can feel barren.

Public Outrage and Concerns

Many people, including myself, are concerned about how the Board of Trustees has handled the potential shutdown of WPSU. There appears to be no clear public commitment to preserving this essential community resource. This has led to speculation that the trustees may be aligning with views that see public broadcasting as “radical left monsters.”

Another point of contention is the timing of the decision. While WPSU faces potential cuts, the university president recently received a significant increase in her compensation package. This has raised questions about the optics of the situation. I reached out to the president regarding this issue but have yet to receive a response.

Expert Opinions on the Matter

To gain more insight, I spoke with two experts from the Bellisario College of Communications: Tom Davidson and Catie Grant.

Davidson, who has held leadership roles at PBS, explained that the issue isn't necessarily with WPSU itself, but rather with the deal involving WHYY in Philadelphia. The organization was willing to take over WPSU if the university paid $17 million. Davidson compared the situation to a National Lampoon cover featuring a dog with a gun to its head, suggesting that stakeholders are being given an ultimatum: either change the way WPSU operates or face closure.

Catie Grant, who previously worked at WPSU, emphasized that the station plays a broader role beyond just radio and TV. It produces live events for the university and the community, offers internships and part-time jobs to students, and contributes to the educational mission of Penn State. She believes that if budget cuts are necessary, there must be difficult conversations about which functions best serve the university’s goals.

However, she also expressed frustration over the lack of a public commitment to keep WPSU operational. This uncertainty leaves both the staff and the community in a state of limbo.

A Call to Action

A petition on change.org to save WPSU has already gathered 3,347 signatures, with more expected. The debate surrounding WPSU highlights the complex relationship between institutional priorities, community needs, and financial decisions. As the future of the station remains uncertain, the conversation continues to evolve.