California University of Pennsylvania has reached its highest enrollment in the last 10 years, according to university spokeswoman Beth Baxter.
The campus now serves 6,438 students, a 356-student increase from last year. The numbers, compiled last semester, show a 5.9 percent increase in the student population.
Baxter said Cal U's success is the result of many cosmetic changes to buildings and grounds at the campus along with expansion to the courses offered and adjustments made to fit students' needs.
Being a state school has made Cal U more appealing because special financial support from the state has kept tuition low, Baxter added.
Word-of-mouth from Cal U alumni has been an integral part in steady enrollment increases for the past decade, Baxter said.
"That's the best advertising you can get," she said.
Baxter said students find the campus accommodating and convenient, with basic necessities close by in the business section of California Borough.
Improvement projects on President Angelo Armenti's watch have been instrumental in making the campus more attractive, according to Baxter.
A project to beautify the campus quad area was recently completed.
New facilities have been built for some of Cal U's 1,400 on-campus student residents.
"We're building three new residence halls on campus that will be available next fall," Baxter said.
The construction of new, off-campus student apartments at a site called Jefferson@California recently added room for 400 more students.
By 2005, about 300 additional rooms will be added at the housing complex, Baxter said.
The university operates as a "student-friendly" campus, Baxter said.
She said Cal U administrators promote a student-friendly atmosphere and have listened closely to complaints.
"We survey our students and respond to them," Baxter said.
Some class times have been switched and others added to accommodate certain students who could not fit the courses into their majors, she said.
Cal U's well-rounded and experienced faculty provides high educational standards, Baxter added.
"We've hired some very excellent faculty in the past 10 years that have national and international recognition," she said.
Such new academic programs as criminal justice and graphic arts and design have helped Cal U remain on the cutting edge of education, Baxter said.
And if the student population continues to grow, preparations have already been made.
"There is a plan to build two additional residence halls if the demand is there," Baxter said.
Baxter said the quality of education Cal U offers in comparison to cost is a formula for success.
"You combine great faculty with quality programs and a beautiful campus and you have a real winning combination," she said. "We are optimistic that we're doing a good job here, and students and parents are recognizing that."
Armenti and William A. Edmonds, Cal U's dean of admissions, were unavailable for comment.
