Trustee gives land to downtown group

The council recommended construction of two buildings for student teachers.
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- A member of the Slippery Rock University's Council of Trustees has donated 10 acres to the downtown revitalization project.
At their meeting Friday, trustees accepted with thanks current Trustee and former Slippery Rock Mayor Howard Meyer's donation of 10 acres on state Route 108 to the Slippery Rock Foundation.
The land will be used for the Slippery Rock downtown revitalization program, which seeks to attract new businesses and improve the appearance of the business section. So far, nearly $5 million has been raised for the program, which focuses on redevelopment of a portion of Main Street.
Housing units
The council also recommended construction of two housing units for student teachers at the McKeever Center in Sandy Lake to the board of governors of the state university system.
The trustees recommended the construction of two residential units to house a total of 16 student teachers. The construction would be funded by the McKeever Center's fee accumulation account, which amounts to $50,000 annually and now has a $400,000 balance.
McKeever is an environmental education center which attracts students from schools in the region.
Currently, eight to 12 student teachers live in one of McKeever's dormitory-style lodges for two months at a time. In addition, many of the students come for overnight programs. Space is at a premium, and there is a waiting list because of the lack of space.
Training facility
President G. Warren Smith II announced that ground has been broken for an outdoor leadership training facility on campus near the ski lodge. Military science students, outdoor clubs, area scouting and youth organizations and business and professional groups will be able to use the facility next spring.
Smith also reported that university enrollment has grown for the sixth consecutive semester. In the last year, there also has been a 42 percent increase in applications and a 43 percent increase in registrations by first-year black students, he said.