Rowan’s Board of Trustees approved all 19 items on their consent agenda at their most recent meeting. 

This includes the approval of increased funding to the city of Glassboro for three firefighters and four law enforcement officers, an initial project budget for the renovation of the Esby Gymnasium Weight Room and Training Room, a new bachelor’s degree, a certificate of undergraduate study, three master degrees, and the approval of additional funds to upgrade various residence halls.

The board approved a bachelor’s of science in engineering technology management, a CUGS in professional sales, and master’s degrees in fine arts in devised performance, applied medical science, and physician assistant studies. 

According to resolution 2024.09.06, Rowan will assist Glassboro in funding three firefighters for one year, not exceeding the amount of $412,500. This will cover their salaries and fringe benefits. Resolution 2024.09.07 states that Rowan will assist Glassboro in the funding of four law enforcement officers’ salaries and fringe benefits, not exceeding the amount of $600,000. 

The initial project budget for the renovation of the Esby Gymnasium was approved to be no more than $500,000, according to resolution 2024.09.10. 

The board increased the budget for the Residence Halls Upgrade Project from $7,600,000 to $8,521,000, according to resolution 2024.09.11. 

President Ali Houshmand began the public portion of the meeting on Sept. 11 by welcoming Rowan’s largest freshman class in history.

University Senate President Bill Friend spoke to the board about this accomplishment. 

“As I think everyone knows, the number of 18 to 25-year-olds nationwide is dropping. The percentage of 18 to 25-year-olds attending two to four universities is also dropping. We’re reading the Chronicle. We see universities all over the country who are treading water. Many are struggling, and we brought in a record-breaking class, and that’s with the extraordinary difficulties with the FAFSA form this year,” Friend said. 

Friend is referring to an “enrollment cliff.” Beginning in 2025, there will be fewer 18-year-olds due to people having fewer children between 2008 and 2011. 

Along with a large freshman class, Rowan has seen an increase in other student populations as well. 

“Overall, applications and deposits for first-time undergraduate growing groups are at record high for fall of 2024 combined first year, first time, and transfer undergraduate deposits for fall semester stands at 5321. This total is up 21% compared with last year. Domestic undergraduate first-time, first-year deposits are up 30% versus four of 2023,” Houshmand said. 

Additionally, Houshmand announced that the number of international students has increased by over 62% compared to last year overall. 

President Houshmand also touched on Rowan’s new partnership with IBEW 98, an electrician union in Philadelphia, and how this can be beneficial to Rowan’s enrollment. 

“The idea of us working with the specific local unions is we want to do a business-to-business relationship and in doing so, the cost of recruitment goes to zero, because when we do individual recruits, every student costs about $1,500 so if I get a class of, say, 20 from a local union attorney, cost me $30,000 recruit individually, it cost me nothing before I get involved from them and all the payment is guaranteed, whereas individually, have to charge everybody,” Houshmand said. 

Student trustee Yuval Saar spoke to the board about how useful additional funding has been to the student emergency fund. 

“He’s [Dean of Students Kevin Koett] been working around the clock getting hundreds of requests for that emergency fund. And students, current students, and alumni both have come to me and asked me to express their appreciation to the board, because we’re only about a month into school, and students are already feeling the impact of that. If I remember correctly, Dean Koett said that we’ve already given out about $300,000 which is amazing. We’ve already surpassed the amount that was given out last year,” Saar said. 

Saar pointed out the effect she has noticed the increased number of students has had on campus. 

“Even if you haven’t seen the statistics about how many students we have on campus now, you can definitely feel it. Campus just feels revitalized,” Saar said. 

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