HERSHEY -- After examining problems plaguing the Commonwealth Educational System, some people have suggested low demand for on- and off-campus housing and limited available housing as possible irritants.

During a presentation to the University Board of Trustees Saturday, Tom Gibson, assistant vice president for the Office of Housing and Food Service Operations, said figures show a strong demand for housing at University Park and improvement at Beaver and Mont Alto campuses.

"I think our facilities are in first-class shape," he said.

But some campuses are experiencing difficulties filling spaces. Out of an available 214 spaces, McKeesport Campus has only filled 64 so far for next year. The majority of Commonwealth Campuses do not have on-campus housing.

Trustee Marian U. Coppersmith Fredman suggested privatizing housing at some campuses so that more housing options would become available, as well as making those campuses more competitive.

"If the Commonwealth Campus marketing challenge does include this campus housing, maybe there are a few of the trouble spots that we might try to develop some partnerships with private enterprise," she said.

Additional dorms are needed, Coppersmith Fredman said, and the University cannot finance the construction now.

"I think it's time to revisit the issue (of privatization)," she said. "We're in a very competitive world of higher education."

But James Wagner, vice president for business and operations, said the shaky state of some Commonwealth Campuses could discourage private companies from wanting to invest. If a campus is struggling, "Would you invest in one?" Wagner asked.

Most of the Commonwealth Campuses do not have the variety of off-campus offerings available at University Park, but people often rent space in their houses, Wagner said. Private enterprises also constructed housing units at Schuylkill and Wilkes-Barre campuses.

John Meredith, the Council of Commonwealth Student Governments' representative to the Executive Student Action Council, said although privatization offered some interesting options, he had not seen a large housing problem at the Commonwealth Campuses.

"(Privatization is) an interesting way to help Penn State protect itself from losses and changes from declining enrollment," Meredith said. "But at the same time, I think housing and food services does a really good job at responding to student needs."

Meredith, who went to the DuBois Campus, said the Office of Student Affairs at DuBois has a list of local property owners who will rent a house. The campus also sold land to private companies with a contract that it be used for students as long as the demand exists.

The dearth of dorms could discourage prospective students from attending a campus, Meredith said.

"I think it detracts a little bit from the collegiate atmosphere and it may contribute to the image of 13th and 14th grade," he said. "I think a lot of students look forward to the going-away process when they get out of high school."