Winter Term opportunities abroad cut for lack of funds

Author: Jaime Fuller

Students preparing to take off-campus Winter Term courses were notified of the trips' unexpected cancellation last week. The main impetus for this last-minute decision was the national financial crisis and its effect on the College's shrinking endowment.

Last spring, students were notified of the two off-campus options for Winter Term 2009: "Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal," taught by Professor of Religion William Waldron, and "Contemporary Theatre in London: a multi-dimensional approach," taught by Professor of Theater Cheryl Faraone. The application deadline for these two trips was April 28, and a non-refundable deposit of $400 was due on May 15. Although both trips had a price tag of approximately $3,600 per student, this does not begin to cover the roughly $73,000 needed for the two trips. The courses were designed to offer students who are financially disadvantaged the opportunity to study abroad, leading to financial aid packages that made the trip considerably expensive for the College.

Because of the financial crisis that has continued to gain national attention this fall, the administration felt that the funds allocated for this trip could be more beneficial if used elsewhere.

"The courses were cancelled because of the rapidly escalating financial problem," said Dean of Faculty Bob Cluss. "We are in the middle of a historic decrease in the stock market and the College endowment has seriously declined. The administration is looking for ways to redirect funds to support our core mission. In this instance, financial aid dollars that were going to the course will now be used to help continuing students meet increased financial aid need. "

The decision to cancel the trips, although made in consideration of the College's best interests, was disappointing for students and faculty who had devoted much time, resources and capital to the endeavor.

"I put considerable work and planning into the course during the last six months," wrote Waldron in an e-mail. "I certainly hope that it can be offered at a more favorable time in the future."

Faraone echoed this sentiment, noting that she had done a "fair amount" of work to prepare for the trip.

"In conjunction with the overseas study office, I'd booked flights and hotel [rooms] and had also purchased seats to six theatre performances and spoken with several directors and playwrights about meeting with us," she wrote in an email.

Students who had already contributed financially to the courses will be reimbursed in full by the College, but now will have to consider other options for Winter Term.

Protecting need-based financial aid is one of the most important objectives for the College, and the economic downturn has necessitated that it cut out some programs in order to ensure that families have the financial assistance they require.

"Families are starting to ask for reconsideration of financial aid packages for next semester," said Cluss. He added that the administration needs to address the needs of its current students, and that the funds for the trip were best used in ensuring the financial safety of the student body.

However, the administration is not eliminating the chance that off-campus Winter Term courses will be offered in the future.

"We have offered these courses when the College felt they had the resources to do so," said Cluss. He said that the administration will have to sit down at a later time and reassess the College's ability to finance these trips