Across the Nation, college enrollment has increased at some schools, and declined at others. Penn State administrators say they are considering a larger student population at University Park and that could include the construction of new student housing.
Penn State officials say student applications to University Park remain strong and in the latest update for the University’s Capital Plan a proposed enrollment increase for incoming classes is included about 800 more students over the next severl admission cycles.
The University President says yes, it could mean new construction on campus
“Certainly if we bring students in,we have to make sure we have places for them. that we have the labs that we need, all the other services that go with it. So its definately part and partial of the conversations were having”
For Penn State’s Commonwealth Campus enrollment is a far different story with student numbers down, and close to ten percent of the work force at those campuses being reduced through the recent employee voluntary buyout
program.
The vision now for those campuses retain more of those students in Pennsylvania through regionalization
“One good example would be Dubois and Altoona, working together to say how do we create a very exciting, holistic approach to career development. So from the time student show up on campus, to the time they graduate, they know the eco system there, they know the work force needs of the region”
Another voluntary buyout program for Penn State employees is not expected to be offered at least for now.
