NOTE: This is my FIRST draft. The article was being revised already.

Penn State Abington is among the various Penn State campuses across the state of Pennsylvania. This campus has the advantage of being close to the city of Philadelphia, allowing for an easy commute whether it be by driving a car or taking the train. Plus, the school does have a variety of classes students can take here so that they can transfer credits to University Park or even complete their degree while at Abington. As the years come and go, more and more students are enrolling to Penn State Abington each passing year. But there’s a problem with the growing number of students attending Abington.

In 2012, the number of students enrolled at Abintgon was 3,516 students. In 2016, that number has risen to 3,951 students. These numbers are the combined total for both full-time and part-time students. But as you could see, the enrollment numbers are on the rise. And it is becoming ever apparent that with more students coming to campus each way of a semester, the campus is getting more and more crowded. Abington needs to find a way to combat these rising numbers.

Expanding the amount of buildings on campus can be a good solution to this. Adding in new buildings can allow for more classrooms, a chance to add new classes from the many Penn State as a whole offers to students and allow for more space altogether. But while that does seem like a good solution to this issue, there is something that is hindering potential ideas for expansion. You see, Penn State Abington was given a limited amount of space under the zoning laws of Abington Township. While Penn State was given a certain area, some parts of it are actually private property for citizens of the Abington community and it would be a problem if we expanded our campus at the cost of their living space. But luckily, there is a solution to this problem, but I find it strange how not many people are aware of this at all.

Voith and Mactavich are helping Penn State Abington with the planning for two new academic buildings to be built on Abington’s campus. This company has a history with the campus as they were the ones that brought us the Intersection in Lares. One building will serve as a new academic building, while the other will serve as a new student union. The latter will include a new cafeteria for students to eat in. Now it is true that these buildings will remove two existing buildings already doing well to support the students on campus. But the services in those buildings can be temporarily moved elsewhere during construction so that they can be integrated into the newer buildings. Plus, these new buildings will allow for new classrooms and new academic opportunities, including the addition of new classes to Abington.

Enrollment at Penn State Abington is growing more and more as we speak. This campus needs to expand to help the many students attending here work towards the careers and dreams they wish to follow. Whether they stay here for their entire college career or transfer to another college campus, the students want to make lasting memories during their time on campus. So we need to make the students aware and be in support of the new buildings coming soon.