PLYMOUTH-Wednesday evening, September 7, President Wharton called a forum in Heritage Commons attended himself, Plymouth residents and select University personnel.
The purpose of the forum was to allow the citizens of Plymouth to voice their problems and concerns with the University. These concerns included rowdy students, pedestrian traffic on Highland Street, housing for students, property taxes, and skateboarders.
After thanking people for coming, President Wharton opened the meeting to questions and comments. The first question came from Plymouth resident and Concerned Citizen of Plymouth (CCP) member John Kelly, in regards to the traffic on Highland Street. He suggested that we look into installing a tunnel similar to the one that the Holderness School employs. It was noted that the University had looked into building a pedestrian bridge over Highland Street at one point. However, the idea was immediately closed because of issues regarding utility lines and sewer drains.
Kelly went on to complain that students don’t way for say “thank you” when the oncoming traffic stops for them. “It’s as if they’re saying, “To hell with you people, we pay our tuition,” he commented.
Plymouth resident and member of the CCP, Eleanor Plummer mentioned that “The students are obnoxious. If Holderness School can dig a tunnel, why can’t a school as big as Plymouth State dig a tunnel? When it’s icy, you see students walk right out in front of the cars and stop to see the car spin out.”
President Wharton responded with, “Like you, I wish all of our students were polite and thoughtful and I think that most of the time they are.”
Hands down, the touchiest subject of the evening was the high enrollment at Plymouth and the overcrowding that the town is feeling.
Campus Community Council member and resident, Crystal Miller, confronted President Wharton about the problem telling him that, “The University really needs to look at the enrollment numbers, they are absolutely too high. Last year we were at the number we were supposed to be at in 2010.” Miller continues, “I am an alumni, I love living in this town, I am a very happy person, but I am unhappy that the prevailing attitude that is permeating from the students to the community is of disdain.”
President Wharton took the comments in reverse order, starting with the most controversial one first; the town’s perception of the students’ attitude. “The University is not in disdain…that is not the case.” Wharton continued, “Enrollment is going up. Plymouth today is a very attractive institution, more students want to come here, they want to be at Plymouth. Our retention has gone up because academic performance is better. We have an obligation to New Hampshire students, and we can’t balance our books if we don’t have the out-of-state students’ tuition, we can’t easily get out of that. Basically, more students are choosing Plymouth as their first choice.”
Though the enrollment rate was high this year we are not over-capacity. “Enrolling is an art,” says Vice President Dick Hage. “I am the person that tries to put the numbers, the formulas together.” For example, a 1% change in numbers is equivalent to 38 students; there was a 13% increase in retention alone. That’s close to 500 students right there. Also this was the first time in 15 years that they cut off and literally returned applications on April 1st.
“We heard the message, we care very much about the quality of life in the community and don’t want to burden our own resources; God knows we don’t want problems in the community. We take it seriously, we work very hard at it and I’m trying to become a better artist.” Says Hage.
The forum was closed by Student Body President Jeremy Foskitt who emphasized a plan for collaboration between the town and the campus, which he suggested can only take place with the cooperation between both parties.