Dryskol notes an increase in the number of applicants, seeks to increase public funding Local news

“Compared to the same period last year, we received 15.2 percent more applications for freshmen in the states and 5.75 percent more applications for transfer,” Driscoll told the Board of Trustees at its quarterly meeting on Thursday.

“As we enter the summer, these figures show that aligning our resources and making decisions based on student needs should be our present and future,” Driscoll continued.

He acknowledged that “although we still have a long way to go before the admission cycle, reports show that our enrollment figures are in line with this year’s figures, which can be seen as positive given the declining number of high school graduates available to us.”

The decision to cut tuition fees in the state was made amid the annual state budget process – when Governor Tom Wolfe agreed to a request from the PASSHE Board of Governors for a “historic 15 percent increase in total appropriations” to $ 552.5 million for a network of government agencies. which includes IUP.

However, in a speech to trustees, Driscoll said “taxpayers are being asked to invest $ 751 million to help cover the basic operating costs of 14 universities, which will soon have 10, and the tens of thousands of students they serve.”

The reference to “14, there will be 10 soon” confirms what PASSHE called the integration of six universities into two, with California, Clarion and Edinburgh becoming the hubs of the new Western University of Pennsylvania, and Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield the hubs of the new University.

“$ 751 million” refers to PASSHE Chancellor Dr. Dan Greenstein’s proposal to raise $ 201 million in student aid from the state’s general fund.

“I hope our state legislature understands how important this request is not only to the current state of the state system, but also to the future of its universities and the tens of thousands of Pennsylvania residents seeking a better life through affordable education. “Driscoll said.”

The Board adopted the Driscoll report and also approved:

• Re-election of the Board of Officers for 2022-2023, including Chairman Samuel H. Smith, Vice-Chairman Mark A. Holman, Secretary Joyce R. Ferman and Treasurer Laurie A. Kuznesky.

• Thirty-five revisions of programs, tracks, certificates, and minors, which in turn have been approved over the past three months by the IUP Board of Representatives and the Association of Pennsylvania Colleges and Colleges and University Faculties, and the University Senate and Driscoll.

• A bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary forensic science with three tracks that must now go to Greenstein for his approval.

• Increase the cost of a paramedic package in the lab from $ 500 to $ 1,500 and set a new fee to extend the paramedic program to $ 2,300.

• Resolution honoring the men’s basketball team that advanced to the NCAA Division II National Semifinals in Evansville, Inc.

• A resolution endorsing the women’s swimming team that finished 17th at the NCAA Division II Championships in Greensboro, North Carolina, and in which members Rachel Johnson, Claire Michael, and Paige Michaelle earned All-American awards.

The Driscoll report also noted the permanent appointment of former interim vice-rector and vice-president for academic affairs, Dr Larry Lutkehans. He said the new students would benefit from Lutkehans and her academic leadership.

In turn, Lutkehans expressed “how humble I am to serve as vice-chancellor of the IUP” during board committee meetings earlier that day.

Driscoll said progress at Coccyge Hall continues, saying the work was moved in time to the John J. College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics building. and Chara Kopchyk next summer, and classes will begin in the fall of 2023.

And he said Hawks Helping Hawks, formerly known as IUP Family Drive, was recently completed when faculty and staff raised more than $ 84,000, while Donation Day on March 24 at IUP brought IUP students more than $ 40,000 .