May 10, 1979 : Lion's Eye (Photo by Lynn Dudinsky of the Daily Collegian Staff) The Nittany Lion mascot passed out balloons to youngsters enjoy- ing the parade kicking off Spring Week '79 at University Park last month. The ‘Miracle’ System Will Meet Needs of Non-Traditional Students By ROBERT G. QUINN Dean of Academic instruction for Commonwealth Campuses The Commonwealth Campus system of Penn State is celebrat- ‘ing its" 20th anniversary this year. There is good reason to celebrate, for it is a unique, multi-campus system, the largest and one of the best in the country. In 1915, “Extension Branch Schools” began offering three- curricula on an evening class basis. There were six of these Branch Schools by 1926. Centers were established during the decade of the 1930s to/meet the emergencies of the Great De- pression. Additional centers were established immediately following World War II during a period when returning veterans occupied all available space. Although they were originally considered as temporary solu- tions to temporary problems, the Undergraduate and Technical Centers served a continuing and growing need during the decades following the war. In 1958, the college-age popula- tion in Pennsylvania numbered about one-half million. Predic- tions were that this population would expand until it reached, in the 1970s, nearly a million. University President Eric Walker said at the time that if the Commonwealth could pro-... vide appropriate educational opportunities for the population it would be “something approach- “ing an educational miracle.” of existing centers and campuses to provide specific long-range development programs and pro- posals for future operations. In January 1959, the trustees took formal action to recognize the establishment of a system of “Commonwealth campuses” and to integrate the operation of the University throughout the system under a set of uniform academic, financial and public relations policies. The validity of the approach has been demonstrated in the dramatic growth of the system. It has expanded to include eighteen campuses, one of which became the Behrend College. The physical plant now includes more than 120 major buildings on more than 1,500 acres of land. Today there are approximately 1,500 faculty and staff at the 17 campuses who annually serve approximately 16,000 students in the resident education programs. About 65 percent of the fresh- men who enter Penn State enroll at a Commonwealth campus. Students who seek a small, intimate environment, a pro- fessional University faculty, small classes, easy and close contact with faculty and advisors — indeed, all of the academic advantages of a small college, but at a much lower cost — may choose to begin their Penn State education at the Commonwealth Campuses. There is a trade-off. Students at many of the campuses do not have the “extras” — the exten- sive, non-academic facilities, athletic and social, which are "available on a large scale at the University Park Campus. How- ever, there is plenty of activity in PENN STATE'S CAMPUS SYSTEM = . AL COLLEGE at Erie ® SHENANGO VALLEY at Sharon DuBOIS BEAVER ALTOONA McKEESPORT @® FAYETTE at Uniontown UNIVERSITY PARK at State College at Monaca & ® NEW KENSINGTON MEDICAL CENTER at Middletown ® MONT ALTO @ WORTHINGTON SCRANTON at Dunmore ® WILKES-BARRE @ @ HAZLETON SCHUYLKILL o ALLENTOWN at Schuylkill Haven ‘at Fogelsville HERSHEY perks @ at Reading at Hershey CAPITOL dona KING OF PRUSSIA o at Abington GRADUATE CENTER YORK @ x DELAWARE COUNTY at Media @ The “miracle” was about to begin. Representatives from commonwealth asked the Uni- versity to enter into a joint venture with them: they would provide all the land, and money for half the necessary buildings, if the University would place campuses in their regions. In July 1958, the Board of Trustees took an action which was to be a most significant event in the history of the University. They directed the officers of the University to develop a program for the study I 4 a MINIATURE ob { G OIL F Bazaar Shopping Center Clifton Heights MAG-5766 sports at the campuses — intramural recreational activity in approximately 10 sports, from basketball to fencing; and tourn- aments in 10 sports, from soccer to golf. Social events are a part of student life at every campus. Repeated studies of many kinds over the years show that students who begin their educa- tion at the campuses articulate the move to the University Park Campus freely and easily. One- half the members of each year’s ‘graduating class started at the Continued on Page 2 Midnight til 5 am All you can play FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHT $1.00 OFF REGULAR PRICE $2.50 : Our business is your pleasure! Cottman Avenue at Pennway ""N.E. Phil. PI5-9175 Spring Week at U.P. Spring Week '79 took place at the Penn State University Par Campus April 21-29. ! The theme for this year’s festival was Spring Week-Spring Loose. Activities included a Black Arts Festival, Blue Band “Concert, Music Fest, parade in downtown State College, Carn- ival, Awards Ceremony, and a Best of Luck To All Associate Degree Students Congratulations} Class of a '79! 3 Regatta. Fraternities and Soror- J ities participated in the Great gs Greek Chariot Race, the carnival, : which included games, rides, booths, and a tent party — and the Regatta on the Stone Valley Lake. 3 (Philo by Hank Fink) Delco B. Ballers take part in intramural basketball action during Spring term Ry : TN 5 a! ¢ A ; A N § Penn State Moms! { — 4 J 3 > 9 ne oJ oy q Bi ~ ap a Transferring to U.P.? Pick Up Your Copy of Berra ES Tv PUR 0 pa Ld S25 A SOAVDE fous § p 1 fess fr] 2 * with today’s Lion’s Eye Published by the Office of Student Affairs ko : TN : ’ chet: Z L A > MINIATURE 3 G O.L F Cottman Aven at Pennway N.E. Phila. Phone P15-9175 ALL YOU CAN PLAY $1.00 OFF «I MOONLIGHT MADNESS MONDAY EVERY MONDAY FROM 9am to 6pm REGULAR $2.00 ADMISSION Bazaar Shopping Center Clifton Heights Phone MAB6-5766 Plasn oem (me (RAR SSEY GUND KAUN RE DENG UTTER GUS EIA GSM EO
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers