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Post by jj on Apr 16, 2009 16:07:03 GMT -5
Mark Erickson,President of Wittenberg University,has stated "that 93% of the present students have expressed concerns about their ability to stay at Wittenberg in light of changing family financial circumstances."Additionally, Wittenberg's endowment is now at $83M.,down from a high of $120M from last summer. So, my questions are: How is Valpo doing in this economy? Are we as bad off as Wittenberg?
A number of us (fellow alums here in SC) have heard that applications are down by 20%,and we've lost appx. 30% of our endowment funds. If true, we are up the proverbial creek. Can anyone shed light as to where Valpo and its students stand is this economy and what we can do about it.
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Post by okinawatyphoon on Apr 16, 2009 18:06:35 GMT -5
Not as bad as Wittenberg, at least in one respect. Below is from the admissions website:
"As of Friday, February 20, we have over 2,400 admitted students and 130 deposits for Fall 2009, compared to 2,500 admits and 134 deposits at this same time last year for the Fall 2008 class."
Also, there was only a 5.2% increase in FAFSA applications from Valpo year over year.
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Post by vu72 on Apr 16, 2009 19:23:47 GMT -5
While all endowments have been hit in the 30-35% level, it doesn't mean that we are about to collapse under the pressure of reduced income from that source.
Our endowment is about 150 million at present. Much larger than 20 years ago!
jj, you have spoken highly of Augsburg, here in Minneapolis. At present, as reported recently in the Metro Lutheran newspaper, their endowment sits at 20ish million! They won't close either.
Students are waiting longer to send indeposits while they wait for federal dollar support. May 1 is the traditional drop dead date for admittance but many student will be accepted later.
The applications are NOT down 20 %. Not sure where you heard that but it is wrong. I'm guessing the numbers are similar to previous years (about 4000-5000) because the application process is, for the most part, free. Getting the students, and their parents to fork over the 30k plus is another matter all together.
As for what to do, our President (Heckler, not Obama) has already said that a comprehensive study is underway as to programs and majors that are not carrying their weight. To my knowledge nothing has been cut yet. In addition there is a hiring freeze underway.
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Post by 78crusader on Apr 17, 2009 8:41:37 GMT -5
I would submit the challenge VU (along with most other private schools) faces is targeting the right kids to come here. There are a number of things wrong with large, public universities. For one thing, at many of these schools there is a very pervasive drinking culture which is a turn-off for a surprising number of high school kids out there. Several of my friends -- big University of Iowa fans and alums -- have told me they deliberately steered their high school sons and daughters away from Iowa City for that very reason. Another problem with large public universities is a lot of the kids wind up going there for 5 years (or more) since they can't easily get into classes they need for their major. And many of the intro classes they take as freshmen are held in huge classrooms with 300 of their closest friends, listening not to profs but teaching assistants. Not a great learning experience. So, I think we underestimate the number of families out there who want to send their kids to other places, private schools, and are willing to shoulder the economic load to make it happen. I think we also underestimate the growing number of kids who are raised in non-mainline Christian churches. The recent study (I forget the name) concluded that among Christians, the only growing denomination was pentecostal believers. Many, many of these kids attend non-denominational Christian high schools throughout the midwest and elsewhere. I think VU should be targeting these kids. If we stick to the traditional model of Lutheran/Catholic kids, we will ultimately lose out since these mainline denominations are shrinking. There are several schools that are pursuing non-mainline Christian kids. Wheaton and Taylor and Calvin are the best examples. These schools are not superior to VU in academic quality, in my opinion, yet they are convincing this large number of kids and their families that is the case. VU needs to address this. And, of course, put in a new track and build a wellness center!  Paul |
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Post by stlvufan on Apr 17, 2009 9:28:14 GMT -5
I would submit the challenge VU (along with most other private schools) faces is targeting the right kids to come here. There are a number of things wrong with large, public universities. For one thing, at many of these schools there is a very pervasive drinking culture which is a turn-off for a surprising number of high school kids out there. Several of my friends -- big University of Iowa fans and alums -- have told me they deliberately steered their high school sons and daughters away from Iowa City for that very reason. Sounds like it's a turn-off not for the kids, but for their parents. That may be all that matters, but I'm skeptical that it's a turn-off for the kids. |
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Post by vuweathernerd on Apr 18, 2009 11:15:08 GMT -5
I would submit the challenge VU (along with most other private schools) faces is targeting the right kids to come here. There are a number of things wrong with large, public universities. For one thing, at many of these schools there is a very pervasive drinking culture which is a turn-off for a surprising number of high school kids out there. Several of my friends -- big University of Iowa fans and alums -- have told me they deliberately steered their high school sons and daughters away from Iowa City for that very reason. Sounds like it's a turn-off not for the kids, but for their parents. That may be all that matters, but I'm skeptical that it's a turn-off for the kids. i agree with stl, especially considering some of the things that have gone down on campus in the last several years. i'm not sure we could go an entire weekend without vupd arresting somebody for minor consumption. the problem is that the students feel there isn't much to do around here. so what do they do? they go to the fraternities and get so drunk they can't remember what state they're in. |
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Post by vu72 on Apr 19, 2009 7:30:26 GMT -5
Sounds like it's a turn-off not for the kids, but for their parents. That may be all that matters, but I'm skeptical that it's a turn-off for the kids. i agree with stl, especially considering some of the things that have gone down on campus in the last several years. i'm not sure we could go an entire weekend without vupd arresting somebody for minor consumption. the problem is that the students feel there isn't much to do around here. so what do they do? they go to the fraternities and get so drunk they can't remember what state they're in. Well nerd, you 've got me thinking. When you say the students "feel there isn't much to do around here", what exactly would they like to have? When I was in school a lot of social stuff went on at frat houses but that may have been because I was a member of one. Also, in those days the houses were allowed to have open parties with beer and on special occasions we had bands and lots of good times. I understand that those days are gone and the drinking has gone underground. I think that's a bad idea and the frats should be allowed to serve beer to kids over 21 and be held accountable for serving underaged ones. So back to the question: yesterday there was a softball game and baseball game on campus. Attendance was 147 and 193 I think. I'm always reading about this social event or that one going on so, what is happening at other campus' that doesn't happen or isn't available at Valpo? Another movie theatre? Just wondering. |
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Post by okinawatyphoon on Apr 19, 2009 8:12:39 GMT -5
The same could be said with other universities, arguably. I don't find Valpo's drinking problem to be any worse than other schools. If anything, it's better. And I think Valpo has a lot to do that doesn't involve drinking. What I am trying to get at is that Valpo isn't somehow overly boring or something.....everyone says that about their own school, in my experience. I however love Valpo and think there's plenty to do. |
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Post by vuweathernerd on Apr 19, 2009 12:31:27 GMT -5
for me personally, boredom has never been a problem. however, it seems to me that a lot of students don't pay any attention to the athletics and other programs (especially outside of basketball season) and that's when they seem to get in the most trouble. i've heard a lot of frustration at the lack of a mall any closer than merrillville. it makes me wonder just how many students' views of valpo stretch from college street to silhavy, and then only down 2 enough to get to the new theatre. i'm just not sure how much they get out and actually explore the city of valpo.
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Post by bbtds on Apr 19, 2009 18:34:52 GMT -5
for me personally, boredom has never been a problem. however, it seems to me that a lot of students don't pay any attention to the athletics and other programs (especially outside of basketball season) and that's when they seem to get in the most trouble. i've heard a lot of frustration at the lack of a mall any closer than merrillville. it makes me wonder just how many students' views of valpo stretch from college street to silhavy, and then only down 2 enough to get to the new theatre. i'm just not sure how much they get out and actually explore the city of valpo. Maybe Valpo businesses should actually advertise that they have some fun for college students in the rest of the city of Valpo? And then figure out how to really have fun for college students. AND MAKE MONEY! What a novel idea. |
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Post by rlh on Apr 19, 2009 22:33:43 GMT -5
Maybe the college students should actually try to get involved in the community....there is plenty to do in Valpo as there is in most everyother college town if one wants to find it...It's a two way street...I think students forget that sometimes...
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Post by 06grad on Sept 27, 2010 16:34:03 GMT -5
This is an old thread, but I had to throw in my 2 cents...
To those who say Valpo students should get more involved in the community and explore the city more:
When I was at Valpo, freshmen were not allowed to have a car on campus unless they were commuting students or their family lived no less than 500 miles away. It's a little difficult to get off campus--especially as a freshman--and explore the city when your only option is walking. It's not like Valparaiso is a compact town. And sure, VU often has classical music/arts events going on during the weekend, but not everyone is interested in those things. It's easy to see why some students would prefer to go party at a frat house--their options are limited!
Could someone let me know if this is still policy at VU? Or have they changed it so now anyone can have cars on campus regardless of class year?
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Post by vuweathernerd on Sept 27, 2010 16:45:17 GMT -5
no change. still the same policy.
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Post by vu72 on Sept 27, 2010 16:48:54 GMT -5
I think the policy is unchanged. Remember, with limited parking add a couple of hundred additional cars would not be fun. There is the bus line that runs downtown from campus (I think I'm right about that)!
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Post by milanmiracle on Sept 27, 2010 18:41:58 GMT -5
In a sense, I have nothing but good things to say about Valpo social life(since I met my wife at VU), but there wasn't anything to do 15 years ago and my understanding is that hasn't improved much. Actually from my understanding is things have gotten worse. We used to leave every weekend (except Spring Weekend) to go to Purdue because there was a whole lot more going on (including D1 football, sorry I had to do that). Every once in a while there would be things like a concert going on that would be worth sticking around for, but not often.
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