Before 1934, doctors and nurses treated local coal miners in a small hospital in Schuylkill Haven.

Fifty-seven years later the only emergencies in this building are unprepared students. Library books fill the former hospital morgue that is now part of Schuylkill Campus.

The campus, established in 1934, is on state Route 61 South, forty minutes north of Reading. But even though the campus is small, it has all of the makings of a large one.

Because the campus is small, students receive a lot of individual attention, said Rich Poole, Schuylkill campus student government president. At University Park, Poole said, it's more difficult for students and teachers to interact.

"You obviously can't know everybody like you do here," he said. "This campus gives students an excellent chance to get involved and gain experience."

Jerry Bowman, Schuylkill campus assistant director of student programs and services, said students at a smaller campus are not as distracted from studying.

"I'd like to see more students get excited about learning rather than just getting their degree to get a job," Bowman said.

About 976 students are enrolled at Schuylkill with a 7-to-1 student to faculty ratio, Poole said.

He said while some of his courses have as few as 20 students, his general courses have about 80. The smaller classes allow a more active learning environment, he said.

"It gives you a better chance to participate and frees up the teacher to have more fun with the class," Poole said.

Tammy Colahan (freshman-accounting) said the lower student to professor ratio fosters a more personal relationship.

"If you have problems, there is a better chance that you can get help," she said. "They actually know your name, you're not just a number."

Faculty and staff are also very active in student programs, Poole said.

"The teachers have their own volleyball team," he said. "At our end-of-the-year blowout last year, teachers and faculty offered to flip burgers and play music for us."

There are 17 active clubs and several varsity sports programs at Schuylkill Campus, Poole said, including the Student Union Board, Lion Ambassadors, a campus newspaper and a jazz band.

"Students are willing to do work and they all work together," Colahan said. "There are a lot of opportunities to get involved and they don't turn you away for any reason; they accept you for who you are."

Poole said one student, Nancy Parkinson, formed the jazz band this year.

"She wrote the constitution for the club and got it funded," Poole said. "Now they're up and about and doing community service."

The campus also provides on-campus housing for about 186 students, he added.

Student housing consists of two housing complexes similar to Nittany Apartments, Poole said, adding that a third complex will be completed by Fall Semester.

"They're not regular dorms at all," Poole said. "By next year every student living on-campus will be living in beautifully furnished apartments."

Schuylkill campus provides students with a student center consisting of an auditorium, cafeteria, book store and reading room. A modern gymnasium and weight room, a student tutoring center and computer center are also available.