SRU has much to offer tofight falling enrollment, budget deficits
SLIPPERY ROCK — In a tough education economy, Slippery Rock University is looking for ways to flourish.
The school is looking to overcome enrollment that has been decreasing for several years.
In 2010-11, SRU had a historic high enrollment of 8,852. In 2011-12, it was 8,712, and it went down to 8,559 in 2012-13. This year, the unofficial enrollment is 8,347.
The drop-off has been attributed partially to a decrease in the number of high school students.
Additionally, SRU is facing a $10 million deficit for the 2014-15 academic year, and a projected $13.6 million deficit for 2015-16. For this school year, SRU dealt with a $5.2 million deficit.
“It's a challenging time,” Amanda Yale, associate provost for enrollment services, said.
With about 1,000 employees, SRU is the fourth-largest employer in Butler County, contributing $93 million in income to the regional economy, said President Cheryl Norton.
For every $1 that the state gives to SRU, Norton said the university contributes $18.60 back to the state.
Last year, there were 311,000 local and nonlocal visitors to SRU, for university sporting events, commencement ceremonies and conferences at campus facilities.
Norton said that the nonlocal visitors added $13.8 million to the economy here by eating at restaurants, staying in hotels and other spending.
Marketing to studentsWhen it comes to marketing and seeking new students, Yale said SRU uses five points: quality and diversity of program offerings, the academic reputation of students, the academic reputation of programs, value and location.Traditionally, SRU recruits from within a 100-mile radius, but it recently began looking to eastern Pennsylvania and other states.When students from that distance consider SRU, Yale said they look at specific programs for which the university is known, such as exercise science or physical therapy.“There's definitely more intention there,” Yale said.SRU alums often play a large role in bringing students in. She said they are especially helpful with outreach.“They have a story to tell,” Yale said.SRU also makes a significant effort to get potential students and their families to visit the campus. Yale said such visits often seal the deal.
New programsOne growth area, Yale noted, is adult learning.She said SRU is looking at adults in a 100-mile radius of the campus who are interested in furthering their education or finishing degrees.Yale said many employers are looking for “stackable credentials,” so SRU is working on creating programs for adults to obtain certificates to add to their degrees. SRU hopes to start these programs next year.Over the winter semester, SRU's first master's of business administration program began with about two dozen students. The eight-week course is divided between in-class and online sessions.Yale said 60 people have already applied for the summer semester.She said SRU is looking at other graduate programs, particularly ones where current undergraduate programs can act as “feeders.”The State System of Higher Education, which includes SRU, is putting a priority on programs related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics, said SRU Provost Philip Way.“So, we're looking to invest a lot in those areas,” Way said.He said that SRU hopes to get a master's program in public health approved soon, and also is working to get a master's program for physician's assistants established.
International recruitingSRU also is trying to ramp up international recruitment.“We really want to diversify the campus,” Way said.SRU has signed agreements with two universities in Sri Lanka. It signed a faculty and student exchange program with the University of Peradeniya and signed a “2+2” agreement with ANC Education.The first agreement will allow professors and students from each institution to visit for a semester or so. Way said several geology professors at SRU are interested in going to Sri Lanka to study its unusual geology.“I suspect it will be a productive arrangement,” Way said.He said that the second agreement would allow students in Sri Lanka, who mainly are interested in science, to spend two years with ANC and then two years at SRU. He said that some students also want to spend all four years at SRU.He said students already have applied, and may be at Slippery Rock in August. The school also is working on agreements in Vietnam.One proposal would have Vietnamese professors obtain certificates for teaching online classes. Another proposal is expected to be similar to the agreement with ANC Education, and focus on business, science, and tourism and hospitality.Currently, 10 students from Nanjing University in China are at SRU studying in the College of Business, Information and Social Science. They will be on campus until May. Way said they are studying English as a second language and hospitality.
Seeking fundsIn addition to seeking new students, SRU is looking for new ways to raise money.State funding has remained level this year, and the state has told SRU and other state schools not to expect a tuition increase.Ed Bucha, executive director of the SRU Foundation, said the foundation is in line with Norton's strategy of looking for new opportunities rather than making cuts.The foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit founded in 1970 that is not a part of SRU, but operates through an understanding with the school. Its main tasks include fundraising for scholarships and managing SRU's residence halls.The main priority of the organization continues to be scholarships. More scholarships lead to more students, he said.“We have done a lot of work on that,” Bucha said.SRU's 125th anniversary also is creating opportunities to reach out.“It just opens a door for us,” Bucha said.Samantha Swift, foundation director of development, said the anniversary is serendipitous, but she said heightened efforts are essential due to funding cuts and fewer students.“No mater what, we would be doing the same thing,” Swift said.One of the initiatives taking place is the “125th anniversary challenge,” where the goal is for the foundation to raise $1.25 million for scholarships.Over the past few years, Bucha said the foundation has had success working with faculty and staff to find grants.The foundation also is working to do more alumni outreach and looking at new partnerships with individuals and corporations. Swift said SRU officials have been traveling the country talking to alumni and friends of the university.For the 2012-13 fiscal year, the foundation raised just under $2.5 million. Bucha said the amount has increased about 10 percent annually over the past three years.In line with SRU's commitment to attract more international students, the foundation recently funded two new scholarships for them and Bucha said a third is on the way.
<B>Address: </B>1 Morrow Way, Slippery Rock<B>President:</B> Cheryl Norton<B>Employees: </B>1,000<B>Students: </B>8,347<B>What it does:</B>Higher education<B>Website: </B>www.sru.edu
