It’s been months since Slippery Rock University announced its decision to step away from administrative duties at McKeever Environmental Learning Center in Mercer County.

The decision has predictably resulted in criticism, including a Facebook group that includes nearly 1,000 people and a change.org petition that has received more than 1,000 signatures from people who want the center kept open.

But what should be a purely heartening expression of love and support for the center has been marred by misinformation — most notably the erroneous claim (both on Facebook and in the change.org petition) that McKeever was shutting down for good at the end of June.

Apparently no one told staff members at the center, which as of this writing was still open and hosting events and school groups.

In a form letter this week Amir Mohammadi, SRU’s vice president of finance and administration, tried once again to set the record straight. Mohammadi said that the university’s decision was based on the state’s flagging financial support for the center, an exodus of large groups that had previous patronized the center regularly, and changes at the state level that mean students at the university can no longer receive credit for student-teaching at McKeever. SRU has also pledged, repeatedly, to uphold its administrative duties at the center until the state finds a replacement.

Let’s be clear: McKeever is a priceless commodity for the region and has benefited thousands of students and teachers in the 31 years SRU has served as the center’s administrator. To roll back its offerings or close it entirely would be unacceptable.

But SRU’s decision to transfer those duties back to the Pennsylvania Department of General Services is the right call.

Why should SRU students pay to subsidize a facility that is a 40-minute drive from campus, can’t provide them with any credit-earning opportunities, and duplicates opportunities that the university is already providing through its Macoskey Center on campus? Why, amid statewide uncertainty over the sustainability and organization of the 14-school Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, should the university be overseeing programs for elementary and high school students?

From our perspective it’s clear that SRU is handling the transition with the transparency and care it deserves.