The Commonwealth Campuses are hoping to expand programs to raise enrollment figures and make sure their campuses remain open, despite budget problems and an effort to increase efficiency University-wide.

Administrators, faculty members and students collaborated to produce a strategic plan aimed at improving Commonwealth Educational System operations during a three-year period. The CES will have to adjust to smaller budgets while improving efficiency and communication with other campuses, said Anthony Fusaro, campus executive officer at Ogontz Campus.

The enrollment and resulting budget declines forced Ogontz Campus to fire some temporary and part-time faculty members, but no permanent faculty members have been cut.

The campus also reduced money spent on certain activities, such as some physical plant services.

"I think changes will be made at every campus," Fusaro said.

Robert Dunham, senior vice president and dean of CES, confirmed last week that some campuses may close in the future unless efficiency is improved. At the strategic plan's request, campus officials are considering reducing some services, not filling open positions and firing part-time workers.

"There's been financial stress at the campuses," said John Meredith, a student who served on the CES future committee. "They were basically running out of money."

To increase efficiency, Mont Alto Campus might not replace the recently retired campus nurse, said Ron Keiper, director of academic affairs at the campus. The nurse retired Feb. 1 but still comes in for emergency requests.

But some campuses still plan to expand different programs. Mont Alto started three associate degree programs in nursing, physical and occupational therapy, Keiper said.

Mont Alto officials also want to go along with University Park and merge onto the information highway, developing multimedia activies in the classroom. "We're going to spend a lot of money on faculty development," he said.

Even campuses where enrollment has decreased have high hopes for the future. Ogontz Campus plans to add more four-year programs in the next few years, Fusaro said.

The campus now offers baccalaureate degrees in administration of justice and general arts and sciences. Eventually, it will also offer degrees in American studies, integrative arts, general sciences and English.

"Hopefully, that will help us attract more students," Fusaro said.

But Meredith warned campuses not to focus solely on numbers. Boosting enrollment is a good idea, but not at the expense of student life.

"I think one of the things that market campuses is word-of-mouth," Meredith said.

CES enrollment declined 5 percent this year, dropping by 1,252 students, according to Fall 1993 head count figures.

Enrollment at McKeesport Campus has fallen by almost 32 percent during the last five years. But Judy Kalich, regional director of University relations, said Allegheny County, where McKeesport Campus sits, has had the fastest declining high school graduation rate in the nation.

The campus' desire for a quality student body has also affected the enrollment figures.

"We could have another 150 students if we take weak students," Kalich said.

Demographics also hurt enrollment at Ogontz Campus, Fusaro said. Ogontz suffered the highest CES decrease, with numbers plunging 10.6 percent from fall 1992-93, according to figures in the strategic plan.