Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can we use the tennis courts?

1. No, the tennis courts are closed in Fogelsville. Southern Lehigh School District has public courts available near the Saucon Building.

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Q: Can we still get in the old building?

1. No. On August 7, 2009, all services at the Fogelsville campus will be terminated.

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Q: Will there be any new majors this fall?

1. No new majors have been added for Fall 2009.

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Q: Will my courses be cancelled if there are not enough students in them?

1. According to University policy, if any class does not have the minimum number of students required, it will be canceled.  Certain exceptions may be made for extenuating circumstances, such as pilot programs or requirements to graduate

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Q: How do I know what room number my class is in?

1. Class rooms have now been assigned in the new building. Use elion to view your room assignments by clicking on "Student Schedule". Choose Fall 2009 Semester and then either Course Detail or Weekly Calendar.
   

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Q: Why is Penn State Lehigh Valley moving?

1. Penn State Lehigh Valley has continued to see growth in enrollment since 2004 and, looking at the current population projections for this area, we expect that to continue. However, our current facility is at capacity and will not be able to meet those needs.  Therefore, University administration considered a number of options to solve this issue.  The opportunity to purchase the building in Center Valley was determined by the University with agreement from the Board to be the best course of action.

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Q: Why is Penn State Lehigh Valley moving to a new location instead of expanding the current campus?

1. The facilities at the Fogelsville campus have served us well since we took up residence.  However, there are many limitations to the campus: a lack of recreational and student social gathering space; a lack of faculty office space; some facilities need updating to meet newer building codes and standards; our modular building is beyond its life cycle, to name a few. 
    
   In addition, the current campus location is not serviced by public transportation, which can be a burden for some of our students, and much of the land on which the campus sits is unbuildable and limited by hilly topography and surrounding wetlands.  Furthermore, the addition of any building on campus would require more parking lots, lights and result in heavier traffic in this primarily residential neighborhood.
    
   University administration has determined that the procurement of the building in Center Valley provides a more cost-effective and timely solution to many of the immediate challenges we are facing, and will help us meet and/or exceed the standards of a Penn State campus serving a growing metropolitan area like the Lehigh Valley.

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Q: What will the new building provide?

1. The seven-year-old, nearly 100,000-square-foot building was designed for academic use.  In its current set-up, it includes two student lounge areas, well-equipped classroom space, six computer labs, a bookstore, library, and learning center among other things.  The floor plan allows for a variety of options for space utilization and we will work diligently to make it best fit the needs of Penn State Lehigh Valley

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Q: What are the benefits of the new building?

1. It is an immediate expansion opportunity. In addition to the added space it provides for classrooms, faculty offices, and student space, etc., the facility is located just off of I-78 and SR 309 in Saucon Valley, making it centrally located to the Lehigh Valley service area.  It is part of an industrial and retail area that is easily accessible from major routes and is serviced by public transportation.  It also will provide ample parking, which has been a challenge at the Fogelsville campus. The facility is located on 29 acres of land. Furthermore, any growth in student population and facilities may result in job opportunities for the Lehigh Valley community.

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Q: What is the capacity at the new building?

1. In its current state, the new building has a capacity of 1,500 students plus faculty and staff.

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Q: How much did the new building cost?

1. The University's cost of $12 million for the property includes not only the structure and its 29 acres, but also furnishings, fixtures and equipment. Proceeds from the expected sale of the Fogelsville campus will go toward the purchase price of the new property

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Q: Does the new location have athletic facilities?

1. The location has the potential for land to be used to build tennis courts and multi-purpose athletic fields. The fitness center also will be transitioned to the new building.

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Q: What will happen to the Corporate Learning Center in Bethlehem?

1. The Corporate Learning Center will continue to function as it has in the past, as a second location of the Penn State Lehigh Valley campus. It will continue to serve the local business community and house our continuing education programs.

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Q: What will happen to the Fogelsville campus?

1. It will be sold.

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Q: How will Penn State Lehigh Valley handle the growth it is expecting?

1. Penn State Lehigh Valley will continue to work with University Park to plan and implement any changes or increases in faculty, staff and facilities as those needs arise.  We have a strategic plan in place that we will follow to help determine what changes are necessary and in the best interest of our campus and community.
   

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Q: Will Penn State Lehigh Valley be able to keep all of its current activities and programming?

1. We believe the new location will not only accommodate what is already in place, but will offer a wide variety of new opportunities for cultural, social, and athletic programming. 
   

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Q: What will happen to Lehigh Valley College?

1. As far as we know, Lehigh Valley College is scheduled to close in December 2009.  Currently we have an agreement to allow them to use a portion of the building to teach out their programs and complete their responsibilities to their students. 

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Q: Can Lehigh Valley College students transfer to Penn State Lehigh Valley?

1. Unfortunately, Lehigh Valley College is not Middle States accredited and therefore their students' credits are not transferable to Penn State.  However, we will provide academic advisors and admissions counselors to answer any questions they may have about enrolling at Penn State Lehigh Valley.

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