Strategic review of the State System

Dear Campus Community,

The planned strategic review of Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) continues to draw significant public interest and numerous internal questions related to the possibility of institutional mergers and closures. Chancellor Brogan, in his most recent statement to Pennsylvania legislators, made it clear the State System does not have a preconceived intention to close any of the universities, but intends to find solutions that are right for Pennsylvania. The goal of the review is to enable whatever changes are necessary to ensure all the System universities can better serve students through high quality education experiences, and operate in a financially sustainable way.

The review will consist of looking at how we are organized and are we operating in the most efficient and effective way possible. I assure you that Bloomsburg is in a strong position both academically and financially.

According to a recent financial risk assessment conducted by PASSHE, Bloomsburg University has the third highest acceptable financial risk in the State System. Undergraduate enrollment declined by only 2.8% from our peak in 2011. This decline in enrollment reflects a shrinking pool of high school graduates statewide. Graduate enrollment declined 27% since 2011, partially due to the lack of PA ACT 48 funding for continuing professional education and certification requirements for teachers, significantly affecting our graduate teacher education programs. However, Bloomsburg’s recent strategic enrollment management efforts focused on graduate student recruitment have resulted in a 7% increase in 2016 from the prior year. It was the first increase in graduate enrollment since the peak in 2011.

As part of Bloomsburg’s strategic enrollment plan, we are expanding programs such as our bachelor of applied science in technology, RN to BSN, MBA at Center City, and other programs that accelerate the path of students from undergraduate to careers or graduate study. Institutional aid and coordinated programs to support student success are also part of the plan. The five-year institutional strategic enrollment plan will be presented to the Council of Trustees at their June meeting for implementation beginning fall 2017.

BU has been an innovator in higher education for 178 years, and is committed to delivering high quality education that is accessible to all students for years to come.

More information about the System review is available at http://bit.ly/2jFXcqg.

#CollaborativeLearning #SenseOfCommunity #CoCurricularLearning

Strategic Enrollment Management

As I greeted the audience at the recent Ruffalo Noel Levitz planning session, I was delighted to see so many faculty and staff accepting the invitation to help implement a strategic, coordinated enrollment management approach at Bloomsburg University.

The meeting was one more step in our renewed focus on student success that started with the creation of a new enrollment management division, headed by Tom Fletcher, and continued when we instituted the Student Success Collaborative, an initiative that touches all students through proactive and focused advising. The Council of Trustees’ approval of a Student Success Fee, effective this fall, shows their commitment to supporting initiatives that significantly impact student retention and graduation rates.

Why are we taking these steps? It is no surprise that our enrollment has dipped over the past few years. There are fewer college-age students and we are in competition with other universities for those with the greatest talent and ability. But enrollment management is more than merely recruiting enough students to hit a target number. It is bringing in students who are both a good fit for our university and able to take advantage of the majors, programs and resources we offer. It is increasing the number and percentage of students who complete their degrees.

Five working groups concentrating on the areas of graduate programs, undergraduate programs, marketing and recruitment, student success, and finance and financial aid, are working with Ruffalo Noel Levitz to complete a situation analysis. The analysis will show what Bloomsburg University is currently doing and what we must do to enhance student success. This process will lead to a plan that aligns our mission, fiscal resources and academic resources with the changing market environment. It will identify strategies to further enhance student academic achievement.

The strategic enrollment management process is an institution-wide responsibility and a central component of BU’s strategic plan, Impact 2017. I look forward to collaborating with the entire campus community over the next 10 months as we develop a comprehensive strategic enrollment plan that helps us to better manage the student life cycle, from their first contact with Bloomsburg, through enrollment to graduation and, ultimately, to proud and engaged alumni.

Criticism of BU students unfounded

I wrote this opinion piece, which was published on Jan. 13, in response to a letter that appeared earlier in the month. I want to share it with you as we begin the spring 2016 semester.

Since becoming president of Bloomsburg University eight years ago, I often have been told our institution is the focus of unfounded criticism because we are an “easy target.” That holds more than a small degree of truth.

As a comprehensive public institution, we provide access to higher education for students from all backgrounds, hometowns and ways of life: local students and those who hail from elsewhere, including our traditional stronghold in the five-county greater Philadelphia area; students who transfer from community colleges; veterans entering college after serving our country; and other non-traditional adult students. We welcome students who meet our admissions criteria, based on their high school class ranking, academic grade point average and performance on standardized tests; introduce them to the university and the town with a comprehensive orientation program; and offer support services, as needed, including tutoring, advisement and guidance.

The racial and cultural make-up of our nation and our commonwealth has changed significantly over the years. I am proud that enrollment at Bloomsburg University nearly mirrors the population of our state today with under-represented minorities making up 14.5 percent of our student body, up from just 2.25 percent in 1980. It is, I believe, the responsibility of every college and university to broaden students’ perspectives by introducing them to cultures and experiences different from their own. At Bloomsburg University, we not only believe in the importance of diversity, we embrace it.

We emphasize our commitment to a diverse student body, faculty and staff in our mission statement: Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania is an inclusive comprehensive public university that prepares students for personal and professional success in an increasingly complex global environment. This statement underscores our belief that diversity is essential to prepare our students — approximately 2,000 graduates per year — for the realities of the world in which they will live and work.

Most of our students take full advantage of the opportunities available to them and make a positive difference on our campus and in the Town of Bloomsburg. I have been delighted to work with student leaders from diverse backgrounds through the Council of Trustees, Community Government Association, fraternities, sororities and other organizations.

Overall, our students volunteer more than 68,000 hours to the local community each year, valued at more than $1.4 million. You’ll find students of all races serving as interns in local schools and organizations, sharing their marketing expertise with businesses, and helping with spring clean-up projects during the annual Big Events. Student organizations have raised thousands of dollars for local charities and provided tons of food to the Bloomsburg Food Cupboard. And this list just scratches the surface.

It is clear: Bloomsburg University students’ skills, talents, energy and enthusiasm enhance the quality of life on campus and in town every day, regardless of where they grew up or the color of their skin. This is one of the many reasons I am proud to serve as president of Bloomsburg University.

#CollaborativeLearning #SenseOfCommunity #CoCurricularLearning

Matching majors with scholarships

Everyone has a story as to why they chose the major they did. Some stories are long, some are complex, others are comical and others straight-to-the-point.

For Adam Kulp, it’s personal.

Kulp is one of roughly 600 biology majors at Bloomsburg University. And he came to campus three years ago with a promise. Studying biology is Kulp’s first step toward making a difference in the life of his sister, who battles Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome, an incurable disease of the central nervous system. His goal is to someday treat or possibly cure his sister’s disease.

Kulp’s promise is supported by Bloomsburg University. He is among the hundreds of students annually who receive scholarships for tuition assistance, research stipend, conference travel or another academic venture. Kulp is a Biology and Allied Health Science Scholarship recipient.

As an institution, we understand the strong relationship between scholarships and students’ academic interests. Tying scholarship opportunities to specific academic programs and opportunities will contribute to our successes in retention, a term that describes efforts to welcome new students and ensure continuing students return and continue to graduation. It also helps with recruitment by using scholarships to help grow programs deemed high in quality and capacity.

New retention initiatives include:

• Calling continuing students who had not scheduled classes
• Calling continuing students who had fewer than eight credits scheduled
• Creating class schedules for transfer students as they were identified
• Compiling tracking reports that will guide future enrollment management efforts by providing a historic perspective

As a public institution, we take great pride in our ability to develop the potential of each student. We can attest to the success of our focused efforts on providing quality student services, retention programming efforts, and other means to prepare each student for graduation.

It is the Bloomsburg tradition. It is what has helped us become who we are and will allow us to remain a great choice for future students.

#FutureHusky