I just wanted to say kudos on the new website. It looks good (I like the older, newspaper feel), and it’s very reader-friendly.

Also, I like all the video of Anchorsplash. I was actually youtubing the Tri-Greek one to see how it turned out, and I saw all the posts from the Pleiad. I think it definitely brings the Pleiad up-to-date.

Keep up the good work!

c

As a student also, I am sad that many professors will be let go, but it is a necessary step in order to IMPROVE the college in the long run.

Don’t come to the forum and read prepared statements, come with an open mind and actually listen to the explanation Dr. Randall gave and then formulate questions.

The only questions that were “skirted” around were ones in which they too didn’t know the clear answer. How are they supposed to give you an answer to a question like, “How will ‘teaching out’ majors be good quality”. They don’t know which faculty/programs will be cut, and thus have not formulated a concrete plan yet. Other than questions like that, they answered openly and honestly. If you feel that a question was not answered, then email Dr. Randall herself – she has made it clear that she is open to receiving questions from us.

Also, when Dr. Randall was asked to elaborate, she did. She disclosed the plan for the Albion Advantage, and as for the initiatives at helping increase retention, no one asked her to elaborate, so she did not.

Be fair in your writing, don’t just get quotes from students who are attacking the administration.

Typically, people attend schools with a known strength in regards to academic achievement (and, obviously, a school which they can expect to leave then find work post-departure). Albion obviously isn’t pulling its weight where it once may have, and the Administration seems to think that the solution is to cut back in academic areas. Priceless.

Perhaps a large part of what is driving away potential money could be this type of elitist attitude that holds on the those in charge which (as per the previous post) are making a substantial sum of money. And, to the best of my knowledge, isn’t the increased rate of pay which administration receives typically due to their acumen in regards to bringing in the school’s source of income?

Now, I suppose I’m not actually aware of what the administration makes, though I’m sure it’s a sizable sum. But really, cutting back on faculty, which typically doesn’t make that much — tenured or not — seems like the opposite of what should be done. If anything, I’d think that trying to keep and attract a solid teaching staff would be priority one. Isn’t that what makes a school an esteemed and attractive one?

Perhaps this tactic of theirs will save money in the short-term. You know, cut back on teachers, fewer teachers equals fewer paychecks to write.

Eventually, however, those students that are actually capable of propagating the idea that Albion is a quality institution of learning will drop off (smart kids don’t like dumb schools). Fewer intelligent students, due to fewer quality teachers, over time, equals a continuation of financial downturn (smart kids don’t like dumb schools). Pretty simple, huh?

Who considers the long-term when viewing financial matters anymore, huh? I guess if the government can’t do it, why should a school be expected to.

On the 24th day of February in the year 2010, students and alumni came together to establish a group hereby called “Keeping Liberal Arts at Work” (KLAW). This group was formed in response to the recently issued resolution by the Board of Trustees, and is explicitly separate from the private interests of faculty and/ or staff. Most importantly, KLAW exists to express the student body’s commitment to:
1. Preservation of the liberal arts standard at Albion College;
2. Protection of the institution of tenure, in accordance with student and staff handbooks;
3. Creation of budget transparency policy and accountability of its administration via:
– Preserving the fiscal integrity at Albion College, without compromising the academic integrity of this institution;
4. KLAW decides to remain actively in support of this matter.

Greg Hodges, Mark E. Lampen, Kaylee Pope, Karen Lindenborg, Tim Stevens, Abby Walls, Abby Schonfeld, Katie Kirsch

Also, regarding “The Board of Trustees mandated the cuts based on budget projections for the next five years.” – What the hell is the budget? Why am I (a student) not allowed to see it? And where are there other areas within the budget that can be transitioned for this situation – I.E. salary deductions from staff of the administration (people who are receiving $200,000+) for the purpose of providing Albion with its TRUE sense of an academic institution – Professors.

This Matters To Us.

K.L.A.W.

Just as Lisa has every right to make “satire” of Dr. Randall’s letter, Maggie has every right to say that the satire is on the cruel side. I’m sure Lisa understood when she wrote this that there would be many conflicting opinions. There is no reason for you to be rude about it. The article may not say that Lisa doesn’t support Dr. Randall, but because this is the internet, your readers are free to interpret the voice that Lisa uses. When I read it, it seemed very sarcastic and mean to me and implied that Lisa was very upset and didn’t support Dr. Randall.

I have to agree Samantha and Maggie on this one.