Slippery Rock University Council of Trustees approved a few fee reductions during a remote special meeting to counteract challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

“We are adjusting to needs and wanting to really recognize that things are different for everybody and everything,” said Elise Michaux, the vice chair of the board.

Trustees halved the fees for both the Student Center and the Aebersold Recreation Center (ARC).

The reduced Student Center fee will be about $210.50, and the reduced ARC fee will be about $110; although both estimates are calculated based on a student being either a full-time undergraduate or graduate student.

In an announcement July 27, SRU President William Behre forecast the fee reduction.

“This decision was made to provide fee relief in light of the current challenging circumstances we face,” he wrote.

SRU's spring semester saw students move to remote learning to finish out the year, as did high schools across the country.

In recent months, SRU has been developing an evolving plan to return to learning this fall with a hybrid approach that initially anticipated a 50-50 split.

Last week, school officials announced it would further reduce the number of students on campus, looking to be about 80 percent participation in remote learning.

Michaux said she expects students will still find a familiar experience that will be uniquely Slippery Rock.

“Although it looks different, you're always going to be faced with challenges in life; this is no different,” Michaux said. “It's a little bit more severe, but it gives them a chance to flex that muscle.”

SRU has an undergraduate enrollment of 7,300 with 1,350 graduate students. Move-in days for the fall semester will be Aug. 14 to 16.