Rowan offers a cheaper three-year plan

Rowan University wants to offer students a chance to earn undergraduate degrees in three years, rather than four, and will provide free summer tuition and housing for those willing to live on campus year-round, university officials announced Thursday.

Ali A. Houshmand, Rowan's president, said those willing to add extra credits each semester and attend summer classes would see a $23,000 savings based on current university costs. The program is expected to begin next fall.

"The program is exciting in that it enables our students to have a deeper, richer college experience while saving approximately 25 percent on the overall cost of attaining their bachelor's degree," Houshmand said.

"It also helps the university better utilize its facilities in the summer and gives Glassboro a much-needed economic boost during that time," Houshmand said. "It's a creative solution to challenges students and higher-education institutions are facing across the country today."

The move comes as state colleges in New Jersey are launching programs to make higher education more affordable. Some private schools, such as Rider University in Lawrenceville, have been struggling with declining enrollments and recently announced faculty layoffs and elimination of some majors.

Rowan has grown in 10 years from 10,000 students to 16,100 currently enrolled. A four-year degree and campus housing, with classes spread out over eight semesters, costs $91,728. Six semesters, with free tuition and housing for two summers, will cost $68,792.

Houshmand said the vast majority of university facilities were empty during the summer, which he considers a waste of resources. Rowan would join more institutions across the country and abroad that have already created year-round programs, he said. The free summer tuition and housing make Rowan's program unique, he said.

"We have to get away from the cookie-cutter method that has been in existence for 200 years," Houshmand said. Students can join the workforce earlier, and Rowan can educate more students as the university continues to expand.

Additionally, Houshmand said, there may be more interest among students now to attend summer classes because many are finding it difficult to find paid seasonal jobs with the current economy.

Not all of the details for the new program have been worked out, officials said. Not all majors will be included. Authorities hope to post more information, including a list of majors, on the university's website by Dec. 1.

He called the program "a win" for students, the university, and local businesses. For those accepted into the program, hands-on research opportunities, internships, and mentoring will be important components, he said.

"I think this is a wonderful program in many ways," provost James A. Newell said. He said the program was ideal for students who have already selected a career, and it was not designed for students unsure what major to declare.

The new program will be more intensive, and Houshmand said it may not be a good fit for all students.

Officials said they cannot predict how much interest there will be, but the university could launch the program with 100 students, Houshmand said. Last summer, 4,971 students took summer classes.

Rowan senior Richard Schuh of Mount Holly said he liked having summers off, but he can see the advantages for future students.

"I don't know if I would do it personally," he said, but he added it would be up to others to "break the mold."

bboyer@phillynews.com

856-779-3838 @BBBoyer