READING -- The University administration has set itself a one-year timetable to examine and improve Penn State's minority recruitment and retention, said Charles L. Hosler, acting executive vice president and provost.

One of the moves being considered is reallocation of some funds being spent on minority programs for more direct financial aid to individual minority students, he said. Hosler said a task force will be established to examine these options.

To date, fewer than 300 African Americans have accepted admission to the University for Fall Semester. Last fall, 347 African American students entered the University.

Hosler told the Board of Trustees yesterday he was "discouraged" with the figures and does not expect a repeat of last year's total.

"I assure you we're taking it very seriously," he said. "And if I have anything to do with it, we'll correct it by next year."

Overall, applications to Penn State were down 6 percent from last year's total. A 6.5 percent decrease in applications had been predicted for colleges across the nation.

Penn State's overall enrollment should show a 4 percent decline this year, with 9,295 students accepting admission systemwide, Hosler said.

Enrollment figures for all minority groups are also down 6 percent from last year, he said.

In his presentation before the Committee on Educational Policy, Hosler said a 7 percent decline in the number of Pennsylvania high school graduates contributed to Penn State's lower application and enrollment figures.

Media coverage of the University's racial environment during the last three years may also be a factor in low minority enrollment figures, Hosler said.

Earlier in the day, the board's affirmative action committee heard reports on minority outreach programs, examples of how the University is currently trying to improve minority recruitment and retention.

The Minority Advanced Placement Program, in which high school students take a free, three-credit course during the summer, was described to the board.

Trustee Cecile M. Springer cautioned the University's outreach programs for high school students may not reflect immediate results in enrollment figures.

"Because we're trying to do a large array of things, it does not mean we still have an impact upon our present situation," Springer said, noting that high school students who take part in minority outreach programs do not necessarily enroll at Penn State when they graduate. Most, however, do enroll at an institution of higher learning.

"We will not reap the rewards from the middle school efforts until four years from now," Springer said.