Penn State Trustees Approve New WPSU Agreement

The Penn State Board of Trustees has approved a new agreement to transfer the operating assets of WPSU, its public radio and television stations, to WHYY, a prominent public media organization based in Greater Philadelphia. This decision aims to both preserve Penn State’s core educational mission and ensure ongoing access to public media for approximately 1.5 million residents in Central Pennsylvania.

Penn State and WHYY: A New Chapter for WPSU

The board’s unanimous decision allows the University to negotiate the final agreements necessary to complete the transaction with WHYY. This comes after a previous proposal to sell WPSU was declined due to financial concerns. The earlier offer suggested gradually decreasing the University’s support over five years, which ultimately risked WPSU’s viability.

Details of the Proposed Agreement

Under the terms of the new agreement, WHYY will no longer require a $17 million subsidy from Penn State. Instead, they will have a 30-day period to secure financing commitments of at least $8.36 million. During this period, both parties will communicate regularly regarding progress.

• WHYY will continue to operate WPSU for at least three years post-sale.
• Current WPSU employees will have the opportunity to interview for roles at the new station.
• All endowments, gifts, and pledges related to WPSU will be transferred to the new entity.

The agreement aligns with Penn State’s new budget model, which aims to minimize tuition costs for families amid financial challenges. It also addresses the impact of cuts to federal funding for public media.

Impact on the Community

Leaders from both Penn State and WHYY emphasized the significance of maintaining WPSU’s role in serving Central Pennsylvania. Larry Terry, vice president for Penn State Outreach, expressed gratitude that WHYY recognizes the importance of public media in the region.

Bill Marrazzo, president and CEO of WHYY, reaffirmed the commitment to continue providing valuable public media services. He noted that the merger represents a collaborative investment, strengthening local journalism and expanding educational opportunities for the community.

This agreement marks a critical step in ensuring that WPSU not only survives but thrives under new management, promising to uphold the values of public broadcasting for the audience it serves.