Prospector November 1, 2018 Financial Future: Monster Under the Bed Abra Casey Lead Writer
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Student Newspaper The Volume 118 Edition 2 Prospector November 1, 2018 Financial future: monster under the bed Abra Casey Lead Writer f Carroll College did not re-evaluate every year to find out how the institution can become more efficient in enrollment and programs, then Carroll might not have a graduating class of 2022. However, throughI strategic evaluation and open- ness to innovation, President John Cech is confident that there will be a 200th anniversary celebration in 2109. In his first year at Carroll, President Cech initiated an accreditation and pro- gram prioritization process to evaluate the needs of the college. Although these processes are routine for any college, Cech is promoting these with a sense of urgency. “Carroll is a business; we wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t look to grow,” said Lori Peterson, vice president of finance and administration. “That’s what program prioritization is about.” Dean Pavlakis, associate professor of history, chair of the coordinating com- mittee for the accreditation and program prioritization process had a similar comment. “What the school will look like in the next two years and for the next 100 years depends on this process,” said Pavlakis. As part of the process, every program will create a report to be evaluated by Prospective students from Butte Central visit Carroll and partake in a campus tour. Photo courtesy of President John Cech a committee and presented to President Cech. By February, Cech will advise the reassured again and again that it will be might be non-traditional or otherwise Since the Las Vegas visit, there have Board of Trustees about how each pro- different this time.” overlooked. already been four applicants from Bishop gram relates to the Carroll mission, how Program prioritization is taking place Initiatives such as the Early Access Gorman Catholic High School. This is they can improve and what programs in at a crucial and pivotal point in the program for local high school students the first of many initiatives to expand the institution may be lacking. college’s timeline but is just one of many and the Montana Advantage for state- across the country. In spring 2019, Carroll administration coordinated efforts to preserve and en- wide students have been set in place. In addition to an issue of reduced will announce which, if any, programs hance the future of the college. Montana students have gained admis- admissions, infrastructural developments will need to be let go for the time being. “You can’t cut your way to greatness,” sions’ attention after Carroll realized have created strain on the budget. Students will not be directly affected said Chato Hazelbaker, vice president of many in-state students were disregarding Even when Carroll expands using only by the program prioritization process enrollment and marketing. Hazelbaker Carroll because of the price tag. donated money, the costs of maintaining or spring evaluation, and tuition is not says the work of preserving the college Now, Montana-specific scholarships those new facilities can present financial predicted to increase. Although there is is twofold: prioritizing programs and are being developed to accommodate challenges. The HAC in particular is concern about what may need to be cut, increasing enrollment. more students. costlier than anticipated. the hope is that there will not be a drastic Hazelbaker explains that the current All of Butte Central Catholic High Any time there needs to be a reorgani- change. decrease in enrollment is partially due School was present on campus in early zation of funds, programs are at risk and Those who are currently being affected to many smaller high school graduating October, which was quickly followed by people’s jobs are at stake. While this may are staff and faculty. Reports for more classes in the past few years. Further- Cech visiting Billings Central, making a be a year of potential tension across staff, than 170 programs ranging from majors more, the appeal of trade and vocational connection for the first time in almost a faculty and student programs, members and minors to sports teams to student schools is growing as opposed to a small, decade. from across the Carroll community are advising will be evaluated. religious, liberal arts college. The growth Admissions continues to work in the having the difficult conversations and “It makes it hard to work because in online education is also competing Pacific Northwest but is moving across making tough decisions. people are going to lose their jobs,” said with on-campus institutions. the country to make more extensive “Honestly, as a 25-year employee, I Debra Bernardi, associate professor of “We reflect the national trend,” said connections. wouldn’t still be here if I didn’t have English. “We have to defend our posi- Hazelbaker. In late October, Hazelbaker and Cech hope,” said Peterson. tions along with full course loads, and Currently, there are 1,218 students at spent a few days visiting Bishop Gorman Cech echoed a sense of optimism for we’ve got to be upbeat for the students.” Carroll. According to Hazelbaker, small Catholic High School on the invitation the future. Pavalkis understands what the faculty freshman classes started in 2014 when of Bishop George Leo Thomas. Thomas “We have a bright future,” said Cech. is going through. there were 354 freshmen. Freshman was reassigned to Las Vegas from Helena “I would not have given up 16 years in “People worry that the results are pre- enrollment in 2015 increased slightly to this past spring. John Rowley, assistant the university system if I didn’t believe ordained,” said Pavlakis. “Having been 387, then dropped again each year since: professor in chemistry, joined them and that.” part of the process… I’m not hearing that 338 in 2016, 294 in 2017, and 254 this taught a number of classes during the Not only does Cech believe that in any committee or meeting.” year. A small freshman class continues to visit. Carroll will survive this challenge, he After the last program prioritization impact the budget all four years. The personal approach to outreach is expects the school to thrive, thanks to its process in 2010, many faculty and Hazelbaker optimistically predicts one that some Carroll students think is willingness to assess its past and rethink staff did not see any changes and have 1,600 students by 2020, explaining that important for marketing the school. its future. expressed concern that the results of this this is the optimal amount for the school. “The selling point about Carroll isn’t “These reports will honestly create a year’s process would be similar. Hazelbaker and Cech are working some label or phrase on a pamphlet - it’s college that will be so prepared for the “It was a big concern for staff that they together to communicate the value of the people,” said Gavin Cummings, a future that in 10 years we won’t be able would go through the effort and not see the Carroll community in its Catholic senior business major from San Diego. to take all the students that apply,” said any results,” said Daniel Byrd, assistant identity and academic achievements. The “Unlike a lot of other schools, Carroll Cech. director of facilities. “But Dr. Cech has second goal is to reach as many students teaches you a lot about life that’s com- as possible, including those students who pletely outside academics.” Campus Barn #Stachacks Security Dance Page 10 Page 6 Pages 8-9 2 Thursday, November 1, 2018 Thursday, November 1, 2018 3 Editors Campus OBITUARY ASCC update: safety survey and more Fighting for the awareness of all cancer Robert K. Ortwein MD We lost our beloved “Da,” “Dad,” “Dado," Kennedy Bahm “Donut Friday” in the ASCC Office, located next to Jazzman’s in the CUBE. Hello Carroll Community! team, and so for the first home game in “Pappa,” “Gramps,” “Grandpa” on Sunday, ASCC President September, the cheer squad dyed part of October 7. With a twinkle in his bright blue Bring your questions, ideas, or concerns! their hair turquoise, the color that rep- eyes, he was our Hey Saints! Solar Panel Power, Yeah! As many of you know, October is leader, organizer, resents ovarian cancer. They also held a The ASCC has been working hard this The ASCC was thrilled to have the breast cancer awareness month. All over coach, and always semester to increase our presence on opportunity to work with Dr. Rowley the country, great efforts are made to 50/50 raffle with the proceeds going to our cheerleader. cancer research. Where is this nationally? campus by hosting events like “First Fri- and Dr. Street to support the Solar Panel fight breast cancer. Sporting teams host He will be lov- Initiative. At our first meeting, the ASCC Breast cancer is so, so important to ingly remembered days,” “Fireside chats,” and “Free Donut “pink out” nights, there are breast cancer Fridays.” We are also hoping to increase voted to donate our project funds to help awareness walks, pink ribbons are given bring awareness to, for almost everyone and dearly missed knows someone who has been affected by the three fami- our social media presence on campus support the installation of the solar panels out at many functions, restaurants and lies he loved most: to better communicate updates from the on the roof of the campus center. We are businesses donate portions of proceeds by it. In fact, a friend of mine just lost her mom to breast cancer a few weeks ago, the Racine families ASCC Senate to you. We have also been all really excited to be a part of the green to the effort, and moments of silence are he cared for as a working to support important initiatives effort on Carroll’s campus.