It
seems appropriate that in the year of 2020, we should institute periodic
updates on PCO/Salus University and enhance transparency between our state association and our state’s optometric college. Along that line, I will start
providing an overview of President Dr. Mike Mittelman’s updates to our alumni board
on Salus’ status and some of the upcoming PCO events.
This year’s first
meeting was on 1/19 and opened with a review of the upcoming class of
2020. There have been 582 applicants, which is a decline from 646 in
2019. This trend is reflective nationally with a decrease of
approximately 15-20% and is also evident at the undergraduate level with a
decline of approximately 11%. To align with this decrease and assure that
quality students are accepted, the target size for the 2020 PCO class is 135,
which has been deliberately reduced over the past four years. An
interesting side note is a declining birth rate in the US since 2012; in 2018,
there was a reduced birth rate of 2%, the lowest in 32 years.
Proactively,
there is a proposed restructuring of Salus University into 3 colleges: PCO (600
students), Audiology (128 students), and a condensed College of Health Sciences,
Education and Rehabilitation (CHER), which includes the programs of PA, OT,
Biomedicine (PhD), Speech-Language pathology, post baccalaureate (for a total
of 280 students) and a proposed orthoptics/prosthetics program. This will
streamline the academic administration and allow stand-alone primary doctoral
programs with master levels within single colleges.
Financially,
the Centennial Campaign was successful in generating over $4.2 million in
donations and the “Looking Out for Kids” event was also a success
(>$135,000). It is scheduled this year on 11/14/2020 at the National
Constitution Center (there is a solicitation for donated items for the silent
auction). Student travel grants were approved for 11 students to
represent Salus by presenting posters, papers, and participating in academic
“challenge” bowls.
Politically,
Salus continues to host visiting legislators. Most recently, House
Majority Leader Rep. Bryan Cutler, Sen. Sharif Street, and Rep. Joanna
McClinton. Dr. Mittelman along with the Salus faculty are very gracious
hosts and provide an informative overview of our training that better educates
our legislators. You are encouraged to invite and escort your legislator
on a field trip to Salus; PCO will coordinate the arrangements.
Salus
is lobbying PA to reinstitute a “line item budget” for $2 million to help
reduce student tuition by $6-7,000. This was eliminated in 2008, with exception to the University of Pennsylvania’s veterinary program, since it was the only such program in
the state (argument for reinstituting this budgeting for PCO).
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Owens, O.D., F.A.A.O.
