SLIPPERY ROCK, PA. University acquires 20 acres

The capital fund-raising effort has achieved its goal.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- A Pittsburgh corporation has donated a $2.09 million piece of land in Allegheny County to Slippery Rock State University for a facility to serve regional workforce development needs.
The university now will seek private and state funds to help finance a building on the 20 acres donated by Mine Safety Appliances Company. The land straddles Marshall and Cranberry Townships near Interstate 79 and is part of MSA's Cranberry Woods office park.
The university plans to enlist other educational institutions to provide a variety of training needed by local business and industry for the project, which has been named the North Hills Educational Alliance. It is a 30-minute drive from the SRU campus and within 30 minutes of downtown Pittsburgh.
Fund-raising goal: SRU trustees also learned Friday that the university's five-year capital fund-raising effort has achieved its $11 million goal in just one year. Trustee Robert Marcus said a 10-year, $35 million campaign is being considered.
Trustees agreed to allow 24-hour visitation in freshman dormitories, a change initiated at student request. Policy allowed visits only until midnight. Trustee Susan Davis emphasized that 80 percent of students in a residence hall would have to vote in favor of the policy change for it to go into effect.
Incoming freshmen would not be allowed to vote on it until late fall semester, making spring semester the earliest they could have the 24-hour visitation. In addition, students must obtain approval of their roommates before having overnight guests. She said that the new policy will help recruit students to SRU.
Trustees can revoke the policy.
After the meeting, Robert Watson, vice president for student affairs, said one argument in favor of the policy change is that it may aid students' ability to study because 900 freshman are in "learning communities," which are encouraged to study in groups.
He said nine of 13 schools in the state university system have 24-hour visitation. SRU allows it for upperclassmen.
No smoking: While students will be allowed to have overnight visitors, they will not be allowed to smoke. Trustees approved a nonsmoking dormitory policy that eliminates designated smoking areas. The action also was the result of student requests.
A proposed $23-per-year increase in the auxiliary fee for student health services was defeated, and a $48 increase for meal plan and a $45 increase in residence hall fees were approved. Trustees learned the new 1,500-seat baseball park will be dedicated April 20.
It was announced that James Barrett, former director of admissions at Kent State University's Stark Campus, has been appointed SRU's admissions director and a nearly 4 percent increase in enrollment was noted.