The University

Print-Friendly Page

Click on a link to be taken to the entry below.

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, one of 14 state-owned institutions that comprise the State System of Higher Education of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, has a long tradition of providing quality education to students. Started in 1889 as a teacher education institution, the university developed into a multi-purpose institution with approximately 8,000 students and with over 60 degree programs in the College of Business, Information, and Social Sciences, College of Education, College of Health, Environment and Science, College of Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts, and Graduate Studies.

Slippery Rock University will excel as a caring community of lifelong learners connecting with the world.

The fundamental mission of Slippery Rock University is to provide high quality undergraduate and graduate academic instruction. Complementary missions are to conduct scholarly research, to promote professional performance, and to address the educationally related economic, health, environmental, social, cultural, and recreational needs of the region served by the university.

To accomplish these missions, Slippery Rock University primarily focuses its efforts in the academic areas of:

the arts and sciences,
teacher education,
environmental sciences and studies,
health and human services,
computer, information sciences,
business and communication.

The perspectives of Slippery Rock University are contemporary and futuristic, national and international. The university provides experiences and opportunities for students to demonstrate leadership and to develop confidence and self-reliance; it promotes their intellectual, social, and physical development; and it accomplishes these in an open, caring, nurturing, and friendly environment. Slippery Rock University is committed to serving and empowering all segments of the population that can benefit from its offerings.

The individual and collective excellence for which Slippery Rock University stands will continue to be measured by the quality of its graduates and their successes in serving society.

Slippery Rock University is accredited by the following accrediting agencies:

Institutional:

Middle States Commission on Higher Education
3624 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2680
www.msche.org

Programmatic:

Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc.
3201 Old Glenview Road, Suite 300
Wilmette, IL 60091
www.aaahc.org

Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc.
11 Market Place, Suite 1050
Baltimore, MD 21202
www.abet.org

American Physical Therapy Association
1111 N. Fairfax
Alexandria, VA 22314-1488
www.apta.org

Commission of Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
35 E. Wacker Dr., Suite 1970
Chicago, IL 60601-2208
www.caahep.org

Commision on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)
2201 Double Creek Drive Suite 5006
Round Rock, TX 78664
www.caate.net

Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
5999 Stevenson Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22304
www.cacrep.org

Council on Social Work Education
1600 Duke St., Suite 300
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.cswe.org

Institute for Safety and Health Management
2004 Hatton Court #101
Columbia, MO 65203
www.ishm.org

National Association of Schools of Art and Design
11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21
Reston, VA 20190-5248
www.nasad.arts-accredit.org

National Association of Schools of Dance
11250 Roger Bacon #21
Reston, VA 20190
www.nasd.art-accredit.org

National Association of Schools of Music
11250 Roger Bacon #5
Reston, VA 20190
www.nasm.arts-accredit.org

National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education
2010 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036-1023
www.ncate.org

National League for Nursing, Inc.
350 Hudson St.
New York, NY 10014
www.nln.org/nlnjournal

National Recreation and Park Association
22377 Belmont Ridge Road
Ashburn, Virginia 20148
www.nrpa.org

National Association of Schools of Theater
11250 Roger Baron Drive, Suite 21
Restoa, VA 20190
http://nast.arts-accredit.org

Students and visitors to the SRU campus discover that the University is located in a small town of about 3,500 permanent residents. The University is also in the middle of a population center of about 120,000 people. Two major interstate highways, I-79 and I-80, intersect seven miles from the University and make the university easily accessible to Pittsburgh and Erie, PA, and to Youngstown, Ohio. Students can travel fifty minutes south on I-79 to Pittsburgh and enjoy its major cultural venues that include opera, symphony, theatre, and museums and its major league baseball, football and hockey teams. The city of Erie, Presque Isle, and Lake Erie are an easy 90 minutes north on I-79, and thirty-five miles west on I-80 is Youngstown, Ohio.

Most students enjoy instructional experiences on-campus. In addition, students use learning facilities at nearby Moraine State Park, Jennings Environmental Education Center, McKeever Environmental Learning Center, Regional Learning Alliance at Cranberry Woods as well as the Wallops Island Marine Science Laboratory in Virginia. Many academic departments sponsor internship programs that provide on-the-job educational and professional training. Opportunities to study abroad in international settings are available to students.

Approximately 70 percent of Slippery Rock University’s 8,350 students are from western Pennsylvania, with Pittsburgh and other cities in Allegheny County providing the largest number of students. Another 22 percent of the student body comes from central and eastern Pennsylvania. The remaining 8 percent comes from more than 40 states in the United States and more than 70 other countries.

The 390 faculty members at Slippery Rock University are teachers, scholars and contributors to the University and community. The typical faculty member teaches four courses each semester, engages in scholarly research and creative endeavors, and participates in a variety of decision-making processes. Of the current faculty members, fifty-three percent are male and forty-seven percent are female. Seventeen percent are members of ethnic groups. In addition, 85 percent are tenured or occupy tenure-track positions, and 90% of full-time tenure or tenure track have instructional faculty have earned a Ph.D. or other terminal degree. <>

Slippery Rock University’s gorgeous 650-acre campus is located in the rolling countryside of Western Pennsylvania. Thirty-one major buildings that blend traditional and modern architecture comprise the core of the campus for an optimum living and learning environment.

Among public and private universities in Pennsylvania, Bailey Library ranks as one of the best public or private university libraries in Pennsylvania. The library online system allows easy searching of the library’s print collections, as well as many other resources including NetLibrary electronic books, more than 12,000 online full-text journals, and the resources of many other Pennsylvania libraries. Swope Music Hall is designed as both a performing and learning center. Vincent Science Hall has laboratories, classrooms, and a greenhouse. Morrow Field House is an instructional and recreational facility that houses a gymnasium, swimming pool, handball court, dance studio, tennis court, and track. McKay Education, Spotts World Cultures, and Eisenberg Classroom Building are examples of standard educational facilities that have small and large classrooms, auditoriums and other specialized classrooms. The Physical Therapy building is a state-of-the-art building where the Graduate School of Physical Therapy program is located. International Services and initiatives reside in the recently renovated Carruth Rizza Hall. The Advanced Technology and Science Hall opened in 2006. The ATSH houses Computer Science, Chemistry and Geography, Geology, & the Environment.

Students reside in nine on-campus residence halls. Six new buildings house students on the lower end of campus and three traditional halls are located on the upper end of campus. Upper class students can reside at the ROCK apartment complex. Privately owned residence halls, apartments, and other types of living accommodations are available off-campus. Students take their meals at Weisenfluh and Boozel dining halls.

Research and scholarship are central features of any academic environment. At Slippery Rock University, faculty and students are active in a wide range of internally and externally funded projects that support the research, teaching and public service missions of the university. The Office of Grants & Sponsored Research (OGSR) is responsible for assisting faculty in the acquisition of external funding for scholarship, research, and other projects; representing the university in pre-award and award transactions with funding sponsors; acting as a liaison between project directors, sponsors, administration, and external groups; and assisting with post-award administration of grants and contracts to assure compliance with federal, state, and university directives. The office also provides the administrative oversight to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) for ethical implementation of research projects involving human subjects and works closely with the Institutional Animal Care and USe Committee (IACUC) to ensure that the animal housing, care, and use in reasrch labs meets federal standards and guidlelines.

The center for Student Research supports and promotes high-quility student/faculty collaborative research, scholarship and creative activity. The Center’s mission is to create a commiunity of leaders by facilitating the exchange of ideas, to provide a collegical venue that prepares students for further scholarly exploration and professional careers, and to promote scholarly inquiry as a fundamental value of the SRU experience. A Symposium for Research and Scholarship is held annually to highlight the research and scholarly endeavors of undergraduate and graduate students. The two-day, campus-wide event encompasses poster sessions, oral presentations and performances that showcase the work of projects conducted throughout the academic year.

Lifelong Learning

Center for Lifelong and Community Learning (CLCL)
165 Elm Street
724-738-1601

Dean
James Kushner

Administrative Assistant
Vacant

Departments
Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education
Workforce and Community Development (Continuing Education)
Workforce and Professional Development
Executive Leadership Program
McKeever Environmental Learning Center

Programs
TraveLearn
Reach Program
Slippery Rock University Learning and Development E-Center
Wednet PA GPT Program
Customized Job Training Program

SHRM Learning System
IIA CIA Learning System

In keeping with its commitment to public education, SRU provides high quality programming in continuing education, off-campus programs, and distance learning options. Credit courses, non-credit courses, workshops, seminars, and web-based courses are scheduled at times and in locations that are particularly convenient for the part-time, non-traditional student. This permits the student to complete most of the required coursework in a variety of degrees and professional certificates while holding a full-time job. Classes are regularly scheduled at various locations throughout western Pennsylvania. Web based courses can be started at anytime and completed at the pace of the student.

In addition, non-credit courses, leisure education, customized courses, leadership, and programs for business and industry, business consulting services, and short-term workshops are all integral parts of the Lifelong Learning function.

The offices of Lifelong Learning have resources to develop specialized programs to meet the professional and personal enrichment needs of virtually any group, organization, business, or population. Further information is available through the Dean, or any of the offices.

Center for Lifelong and Community Learning (CLCL)

165 Elm Street
Downtown Slippery Rock
724-738-1601

The center serves as the division offices to meet the needs of area businesses and individuals in the town of Slippery Rock and the surrounding area. 

Workforce and Community Development 
(Continuing Education)

165 Elm Street
724-738-1601

Director 
Merilee Madera 

Secretary
Frances Harding

Workforce and Community Development exists to serve and support the personal enrichment, professional development, and training needs of the people and businesses of Western Pennsylvania. Programs, workshops, and seminars are developed for all ages-children, adults, retirees, and senior citizens. Writing Customized Job Training Grants and Guaranteed Free Training contracts for those businesses that are qualified.  Offerings are available at a Slippery Rock University site or at a client’s site of choice.

Located in the Center for Lifelong and Community Learning, this center serves as a training and personal enrichment site for community and professional development programs and workshops. Being separate from, but near the main campus, affords the users of the facility ample free and convenient parking and the amenities of a smaller and more intimate facility dedicated solely to their needs. The facility includes two classrooms, and a computer laboratory.

Executive Leadership Department

165 Elm Street
724-738-1601

Director
Tony Caldarelli

Secretary
Frances Harding

The most unique Executive Leadership Training Opportunity in the State.  The 25-acre Leadership Reaction Course at Slippery Rock University provides a perfect setting for leadership training.  It is ideal for corporate camps and conferences, police, fire and EMS programs, student workshops, athletic teams and management seminars.  Everything a group needs for enrichment is on site:  obstacle and rope courses, a climbing wall, rappel tower, pavilions, camping areas, and inter-connecting trails.  Groups lease the course and lodging is available.  Packages range from a two-hour activity, to a week-long adventure retreat.  Slippery Rock University provides trainers and educators for all events. A high ropes challenge program (REACH) is also available to develop personal confidence and promote concepts of team work.

McKeever Environmental Learning Center

Sandy Lake, PA
724-376-1000

Director
Francis Bires

Secretary
Kathy Powell

The McKeever Environmental Learning Center is a public service institute for the State System of Higher Education administered by Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. It is the only facility within the system dedicated to the specific mission of providing environmental education to the citizens of the commonwealth. The center has been in operation since 1974, providing exemplary programming for students of all ages in the form of resident or day field trips, teacher workshops, educational seminars and special events for the public. Students from both private and public systems of higher education also complete eight weeks of their student teaching assignments at McKeever to enhance their teaching skills as future educators.

A Retreat Center consisting of 2 houses accommodating 20 people is available for staff/faculty get-aways, long range planning sessions and retreats.  Visit the center’s web site at www.mckeever.org.

Workforce and Professional Development

Cranberry Woods,
Cranberry, PA
724-741-1018

Director
Vacant

Secretary
Vacant

Housed at the Regional Learning Alliance (RLA), the office of Workforce and Professional Development provides access to graduate and undergraduate credit classes offered in the evenings, Saturdays, and during the day to accommodate working adults who have other responsibilities. Noncredit classes are also available in a variety of other subjects.

The office of Workforce and Professional Development provides continuing professional development and training programs throughout the western Pennsylvania area. This office develops productive relationships with business, industry, community and government in order to best serve the region’s workforce and economic development needs. The office specializes in developing creative solutions to business’s training, performance, and productivity challenges.

Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education (PCEE)

164 S. Main Street
Slippery Rock, PA 
724-738-9020

Director
Kathleen Paul

Secretary
Dixie Wolfe

The Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education (PCEE), administered by Slippery Rock University and located in downtown Slippery Rock, is the commonwealth’s “one stop shop” for environmental education resources. PCEE was established in 1996 to promote and disseminate environmental education information and materials. Through its online website, partnerships and on site office technology, PCEE links professionals and private citizens throughout Pennsylvania with environmental tools and information. An extensive Environmental Education Reference Library at the PCEE office is available (by appointment) to SRU students and local teachers.

Visit the center’s website at www.pcee.org and discover links to meet all of your environmental needs: from nature centers and energy-saving products to professional development and funding sources, PCEE links you to the environment!

Russell Wright Alumni House
724-738-2018

Director
Michael Saraka

Secretaries
Deborah Kedanis
Dorothy Thompson

Slippery Rock University has more than 45,000 graduates living throughout the country. Alumni are encouraged to join the Slippery Rock University Alumni Association , a separately incorporated organization that is devoted to serving the university and its alumni. One-year complementary memberships are provided to graduating seniors.

Among the services that are provided by the Slippery Rock University Alumni Association are insurance programs and regional chapters. Significantly, the Alumni Association manages and awards eleven scholarships. Nine of the scholarships, the Nancy Angell Scholarship, the Madeline F. Stoops Scholarship, the Hallie Dugan Smith Scholarship, the Eisaman Alumni Scholarship for sophomore students, the Maree McKay/Esther Smiley Scholarships, the Carl and Norma Laughner Scholarship, the Maggie Meise Fellowship, the Watson Family Scholarship, and the Anna Bura Williams Scholarship for women elementary education majors, are for academic excellence. The N. Kerr Thompson and Jeanne Powell Furrie Scholarships are for athletics (see Scholarships).

The association also sponsors Homecoming and Alumni Reunion Weekend as well as special events throughout the year. Additional information on the Alumni Association as well as upcoming events can be found in the university’s Rock Magazine, which is published three times a year, and on the alumni web site at www.rockalumnicafe.com or at www.sru.edu and then clicking on Alumni.