The Commonwealth Educational System could lose a few of its campuses permanently if declining enrollment and budget problems continue to weaken the system.

Robert Dunham, senior vice president and dean of CES, said he had heard speculation about closing some campuses since the University Future Committee began looking at University spending more than a year ago.

Allentown and McKeesport campuses were two of the campuses that Dunham confirmed might close, affecting 1,419 students this year. But the number affected may decrease if future enrollment figures continue to decline.

Overall Commonwealth Campus enrollment decreased by 5 percent this year. Allentown Campus' enrollment, the smallest in the CES, dropped from 607 to 480. Enrollment at McKeesport fell from 1,015 to 939, according to fall 1993 head count enrollment figures.

Although University President Joab Thomas said no campuses have been targeted, decisions to close campuses will depend on state appropriations.

"If we continue to have difficult financial times and enrollment begins to suffer, we will have to re-evaluate," he said.

The University is asking the state for $279 million for 1994-95. For 1993-94 the University received $259 million from the state. Budget hearings to determine allocations for individual campuses will occur in April, Dunham said.

"Obviously, if the state gives us more money, the campuses will share it," he said, but added it could work the other way as well.

If Allentown Campus closes, it would be fairly easy to send the students to nearby Delaware County or Berks campuses, said Ben Stevenson, Council of Commonwealth Student Governments coordinator. And if McKeesport's enrollment continues to drop, "I would think a campus like that should be closed," he said.

"Obviously there's some mismanagement," Stevenson said. Not all of the problems result from demographics and declining high school graduation, he added.

If recruiting and marketing is boosted at McKeesport Campus, it might be able to keep operating, Dunham said.

"I don't think we've tapped the adult market," he said.

Allentown Campus has suffered a drop in enrollment, but those administrators manage the budget well, Dunham said. McKeesport Campus has had the sharpest drop in enrollment.

Jack Cooney, Allentown Campus CEO, said he does not think the campus is in any danger at this point, unless enrollments drop significantly.

"But our plans are that enrollment will gradually increase over the next few years," he said. The campus also spends money prudently, Cooney added.

"There's no question we have to maintain our efficiency," he said.

Shenango and New Kensington campuses were also mentioned as possibilities, but Shenango Campus' enrollment only decreased by 19 people and New Kensington's increased by 38. Larry Pollock, director of student affairs at New Kensington Campus, called the campus "strong and healthy."

"We have not experienced any cutbacks," he said.

Dunham said he doubted either campus would close because Shenango Campus is one of the largest campuses in Western Pennsylvania and New Kensington Campus just hired a new CEO.

"My goal is to keep the campuses viable," Dunham said.

Enrollment plays a major role in deciding how much money campuses receive and declining numbers may lead to closing a campus permanently, Dunham said. Each campus will be studied following the budget hearings and examined to see if they are viable, he said.

"I think it's certainly within the realm of possibility that some might go under some kind of review in 1994," Dunham said.

Even if all campuses remain open, financial problems have forced student services' reductions at a few campuses. Thomas said student activity funds have been lowered at different campuses because of budget problems.

Stevenson said the reduced student services are the beginning stages of the campuses' deaths.

"Personally, I see it happening," Stevenson said. "Student life is dead."

Stevenson wants more money for student affairs, but said most money is being used for recruitment.

"We're killing ourselves. No one's willing to make the investment," he said.

Dunham agreed that some campuses may have cut student services back too far. "Once students get there, they don't stay," he said.