Commonwealth campus visits bring Spanier closer to students

By KARA McCONNELL
Collegian Staff Writer

Although distance and time may be a hindering factor, Penn State President Graham Spanier is working to stay connected with the Commonwealth Campuses and Colleges.

Since the beginning of Fall Semester, he has been formally visiting the 19 Commonwealth campus locations outside of University Park.

In 1995, his first year as president of Penn State, Spanier visited each of the 24 Commonwealth Campuses and Colleges in an attempt to familiarize himself with all of Penn State, said Linda Higginson, associate dean for student and academic support.

"The best thing about Spanier visiting the campuses is he gets to talk to the average student, not just the student leaders," said Mike D'Ausilio, vice president of Council of Commonwealth Student Governments.

Spanier also makes a point to visit the campuses and colleges if the various campus or college administrations voice concerns, said Carolyn Dolbin, Spanier's administrative assistant.

"The best way to get to know the Commonwealth system is to visit (the campuses)," Dolbin said, adding Spanier attends special events at various campuses.

Although the university does not have a specific policy for Spanier to visit Commonwealth Campuses and Colleges, he makes visiting campuses a priority will continue to schedule visits with them in the future, she said. Dolbin added Spanier enjoys traveling to other campuses.

When Spanier visited Penn State Fayette on Feb. 18, he spent the day touring new buildings and talking with students and faculty.

"He knew a lot about us this time," said Paul Heyworth, public relations coordinator at Penn State Fayette, adding when Spanier visited the campus in 1997, his knowledge about the campuses was minimal.

"(His visit) really gets us excited because it is a compliment to us," he said.

In an attempt to maintain ties with the Commonwealth Campuses and Colleges, Spanier also visited the CCSG meeting on Feb. 13. At the meeting, Spanier fielded questions from CCSG student leaders from various campuses and colleges.

During a question and answer session, Spanier addressed the expansion of dormitories at some of the campuses, the growth of the Berks-Lehigh Valley College and the expected increase of campus retention rates with the advent of more locations offering four-year degrees.