Chapter 1: An Introduction to Millersville University
Significant Changes Since 1995
Millersville University today shares many similarities with the institution that submitted its Periodic Review Report in 1995. It remains under the same governance structure, with the same president incumbent and the same collective bargaining agents for its employees. It offers basically the same array of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Its faculty and student body are of approximately the same size and continue to be of outstanding quality. Its budget remains balanced. Most important, the institution remains highly regarded in this region as a fine institution of outstanding value, offering a quality education at a relatively low cost to its students. The most recent evidence of this is repeated citations in U.S. News & World Report as the fourth best regional university in the northeast and in Kiplinger's as one of the top 100 best values among colleges and universities nationally.
Several developments have nonetheless affected Millersville over the past five years. Some are particularly significant and will be reemphasized in this report.
- We have successfully completed our first-ever capital campaign, surpassing our $24 million goal by $3.5 million.
- We have made major enhancements to our facilities. Three new facilities have been constructed, and several others have undergone major renovations.
- We have developed our first capital facilities master plan in over 20 years.
- Several areas of the University are under new leadership, including the Information Technology and Student Affairs divisions.
- We have made major enhancements to information technology support for teaching and learning.
- The General Education curriculum required of all degree-seeking undergraduates has undergone review and modifications.
- There is a new emphasis on academic outcomes assessment and continuous improvement.
Another environmental development is the growing presence and clout of Pennsylvania State University in southeast Pennsylvania. While Penn State's main campus is in State College in the center of the state, it operates many branch campuses throughout Pennsylvania, including Harrisburg and York, that have traditionally offered two-year programs. (The York campus offers classes in Lancaster.) Penn State's power and influence are such that it recently received state approval to offer baccalaureate programs at many of these campuses, even though many of these programs duplicate programs at nearby State System universities. This represents a significant environmental threat of which we must remain cognizant.
