Lock Haven University’s student enrollment rate is steadily decreasing, with the trend beginning in 2011. The previous year saw 5,451 enrolling students between the main campus and the Clearfield campus, but by 2021, that number plummet to 2,920 according to the National Center for Education Statistics. The reason behind the steady fall is speculative, but there are points in LHU’s recent history where controversy arose.
In 2010, Lock Haven began taking away certain opportunities for students. For example, the externship program, where students could take a week long workplace experience that fits within their desired field of work. The program launched in Spring 2009 but was canceled in January 2011 due to budget cuts. According to the Feb 17, 2010 issue of the Eagle Eye, the program reaffirmed students’ career decisions and provided employers a positive experience as well.
Lawsuits also plague the university in recent history. Between 2007 and 2012, a total of 11 lawsuits were filed either against the university or its staff. The reasons behind the lawsuits ranged from racial or gender discrimination to sexual harassment and unequal pay.
One specific case in 2009 saw a former student and wrestler suing LHU for forcing him to wrestle while injured. The case was settled in 2011 with the University awarding the former student $200,000 in damages. A Board of Trustees member, Don Houser, resigned in 2009, citing the numerous lawsuits.
Controversy and malpractice doesn’t stop at lawsuits and budget cuts. The Student Cooperative Council (SCC) was a student-run organization which shared responsibilities with the Student Auxiliary Services (SAS).
The SCC’s president, vice president, treasurer, a faculty advisor, among other students, traveled to Los Angeles in 2009 for a conference. However, the members used their special funds account to tour University of California, Los Angeles, Hollywood, rent a tour bus with a tour guide, and acquired Universal Studio day passes according to the Feb 22, 2018 issue of the Eagle Eye.
The entire trip cost between $8,000 and $10,000. A report submitted by SCC to the university’s president mentioned the members went to the conference, but the president of the SCC later admitted the group did not plan on attending it. As a result, the club shut down for a couple years until 2012 when it was completely dissolved.
Additionally, students raised concerns over the quality of Fairview Suites dorm building when it opened in fall of 2012. The cost for a shared room in Fairview was $3,720 while the older dorms cost $2,356. With the higher cost, the expectation from students was a better living experience. However, the Sept. 20, 2012 issue of the Eagle Eye reported numerous problems including water leaking through the floors into rooms below, clothes dryers working inefficiently, and outlet receptacles being installed improperly. Students at the time felt the university rushed construction, creating these issues.
Lock Haven also announced in 2016 the Theater major and minor as well as the Dance minor would be cut by 2020, citing an expected decline in enrollment. Another major dissolved from the university was Music. Nick Herzing, a former music major at LHU, transferred to Kutztown because the program was put into moratorium while he switched from English education.
According to Herzing, Lock Haven “was always described as an education and liberal arts school, but by the time I’d arrived, they had started gutting every artistic department they had.” Herzing also felt lied to by the university, as “they claimed to have marching bands, symphonic bands, concert band, and a jazz band.” Once on campus, Herzing realized these statements were not exactly true, describing the music major at the time as “pitiful.”
“Being a musician is 90% being with others and you can’t do that when your university is constantly trying to make sure you get as little as possible out of school,” continues Herzing, saying he felt like the school did not care for him or his major.
Once transferred to Kutztown, Herzing found a wider range of opportunities to learn about musicianship and play with like-minded performers. Herzing says “The school cares about me and wants me to succeed. Professors and administration stick their neck out for me.”
Herzing believes that “[n]othing sets Lock Haven apart anymore. There’s nothing special anymore. It’s a monument to administrative failure.”
Alex Ross
Alex Rossis a third-year Communication student at Lock Haven with a focus in Journalism. This is his second year as an active member of the Eagle Eye and has been the Arts and Entertainment editor, News editor, and an active writer. He focuses on writing reviews for the A&E section, but has written stories for news, sports, and opinions. Outside of the newsroom, Alex enjoys record shopping, reading classic literature, and analyzing films. Alex hopes to work for a film or music news site as a writer or editor after graduation.
