HERSHEY -- Although fewer out-of-state African-American and Hispanic students are applying to the University, in-state minority application figures have increased 8 percent since last year.

Out-of-state Hispanic student applications declined 6 percent, from 760 to 711 and African-American student applications decreased 9 percent, with 1,219 this year compared to last year's 1,346, John Brighton, executive vice president and provost said at the University Board of Trustees meeting Saturday.

"We're working hard with various programs in the state to improve applications," Brighton said, adding that other states may be focusing on similar in-state efforts causing the number of out-of-state applicants to decline.

Despite fewer applications, paid-accepts for out-of-state African-American and Latino/Hispanic students increased 4 percent compared to last year, Brighton said.

The University uses minority recruitment centers in Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Pittsburgh, according to a board report by Catherine Lyons, Center for Minority Graduate Opportunities and Faculty Development director.

Recruiters visit high schools to attract minority students, including 46 schools in the Philadelphia area, 19 in the Pittsburgh area and 17 in the Harrisburg area, Lyons added.

Students also take part in campus visits and programs for both personal experience and academic program information, Lyons said, adding that some students doubt there are many African-American students enrolled at the University.

"It's important that we work with these students so that they begin to trust in themselves, trust in their peers, trust in their collegues and their faculty," Lyons said.

Baccalaureate applications increased about 2 percent, from 35,562 last year to 36,187 this year, Brighton said.

As part of a plan to control growth at University Park, University officials lowered admission offers to University Park by 5 percent, and increased Commonwealth Campus offers by 10 percent this year.

Students who don't list a specific Commonwealth Campus are being offered a Commonwealth Campus based on locality or space, Brighton said.

Because admissions are ongoing, these numbers represent about two-thirds of the total that will be released in the fall.