Applications increase 38 percent over last year

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- Slippery Rock University applications for enrollment are up 38 percent over last year and the school's acceptance rate is about 55 percent compared with 63 percent a year ago, reflecting more rigorous admission standards.
Reporting at the university's council of trustees regular quarterly meeting recently, President Robert M. Smith noted that majors experiencing higher increases include exercise science, biology, chemistry and most of the education specialties.
"We are delighted to see a109-percent increase in out-of-state applicants, a 40-percent increase in international student applications, and a 37-percent increase in graduate student applications, primarily in physical therapy, counseling and development, and sports management," Smith said.
Students
Current enrollment of 8,105 is an increase of 2.2 percent, the fourth- largest increase among the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education institutions.
"We recognize much of the enthusiasm for applying to Slippery Rock University has been generated by a combination of marketing strong academic programs and the much improved physical facilities," Smith said.
He reported the new student housing project now under construction has been an "economic spark" generating more than $13 million for Butler County contractors and employing 500 workers.
On a cautionary note, he told the council as much as $3.5 million in projected expenses may have to be cut from next year's budget. "With continuing spiraling costs of health coverage, contractual salary obligations and skyrocketing energy costs, we are taking a careful look at low performing academic programs and the cost of athletics," Smith said.