Penn State trustees freeze tuition at New Kensington and other campuses

UPPER BURRELL, Pa. -- Tuition at Penn State New Kensington will remain the same for the 2015-16 academic year as a part of freeze on tuition that was approved July 17 by the Penn State Board of Trustees. Holding the line on tuition is part of Penn State President Eric Barron’s initiative to help students and families facing financial pressures.“This is good news for all Penn Staters,” said Kevin Snider, chancellor of the New Kensington campus. ”We knew the trustees were aware of the hardships college tuition presents for student families, and the administration has been working to temper the impact, particularly on areas with challenging demographics”The freeze comes on the heels of modest increases in the past two years at the New Kensington campus of a total of $122: $47 in 2012-13 and $75 for the current year. At New Kensington, tuition stays at the rate of $12,718 for residents.The tuition freeze proposed in January by Barron only applied to the Penn State campuses in western Pennsylvania -- Beaver, DuBois, Fayette, Greater Allegheny, Shenango and New Kensington, as well as the Commonwealth campuses of Mont Alto and Wilkes-Barre, The campuses were identified based on factors such as higher percentages of need-based students, socio-economic and demographic challenges in the surrounding communities, and Penn State’s potential to give relevant career path opportunities to students living in those areas of the Commonwealth.After careful deliberation and consideration, the trustees passed an amended tuition and fees schedule that will see no base tuition increase for undergraduate students at all Penn State campuses, including University Park. This is down from an initially proposed 1.99 percent aggregate increase recommended by the Committee on Finance, Business and Capital Planning. It represents the first time in 49 years that tuition has held steady for undergraduate students from one year to the next. “Holding tuition constant across the system is a significant step in ensuring that all Penn state students have access to an excellent education,” Snider said. ”At Penn State New Kensington, increasing costs will be a challenge, but one that we will accept because it means we can help more students achieve their dreams.”New Kensington Strategic Plan for AffordabilityKeeping the campus affordable and accessible is one of the goals of the campus’ five-year strategic plan, that Snider unveiled last year at his annual “State of the Campus” Address. The plan features seven paths to the future: strengthening educational experiences and enhancing the quality of academic programs; transforming education by exploring how technology and pedagogies can expand opportunity and discovery; helping to build local communities; developing resources to keep higher education accessible; leading student-centered education; advancing an eco-friendly and healthy campus environment; and embracing diversity and preparing students for a global environment.Three of the initiatives cut across several of the strategic goals and highlight the campus’ intent to become an even more important leader in the community. Sustainability, poverty initiatives and STEM programming are the key ingredients in the campus plan, and the campus is engaging the community in these critical areas. Snider’s plan complements the six imperatives outlined by Barron when he took office a year ago.“We are delighted to see that the President’s priorities and the needs of the campus and our local community are so closely aligned,” Snider said. “By working with University Park in achieving our goals, we will continue to bring tremendous opportunities to our communities and to our students.”To view Chancellor Snider’s Strategic Plan 2014-19, visithttp://www.nk.psu.edu/Documents/Giving/PSNK_Strategic_Plan_2014-2019.pdfFor information on admissions at New Kensington campus, visit http://www.nk.psu.edu/Admissions/default.htm