Senate Column: Officials discuss budgeting changes, enrollment issues, upcoming projects

During this past week’s Student Senate meeting, we had a great discussion on College issues and concerns with the Senior Staff of Elizabethtown College. Those in attendance included President Carl Strikwerda; Susan Traverso, college provost and senior vice president; Fletcher McClellan, dean of faculty; and Richard Bailey, vice president of finance. Issues discussed included the changes in budgeting, the retention and enrollment problems and upcoming renovations and new building projects.
The enrollment and retention rates created the most issues within Residence Life this school year. While the enrollment rates were on target, retention rates of upperclassmen were much higher than expected. Because of this, staff members are working on ways to remedy the problems this creates. One possible solution is the implementation of a housing deposit that would be paid at the end of the spring semester for the next year. It would not be an extra cost; it would then just be subtracted from your bill that goes out over the summer. This allows the necessary staff members to know a much more accurate number of returning students and allows more time to work out problems.
As for the budget, the College has switched to a zero-based budgeting system. The changes in this new system will mostly take place in how each department’s budget is reviewed and how people are to think about creating their budgets. There are no significant projects in the works for new buildings, but the staff is looking into many renovations. Nicarry Hall is high on the list to be renovated; this project will hopefully begin next summer. Work is being done on all of the locker rooms in Thompson Gymnasium and a new roof is in consideration as well. Next summer, Gibble Auditorium will be finished. The College is also looking into adding more project space for the engineering department. If you would like to know more about the discussion, feel free to email our account with questions.
There are some reminders from the Center for Student Success and the Office of Student Wellness. First, early warnings will be going out through JayWeb the first week of October. If you receive one, it is highly recommended that you meet with your professor and the Center for Student Success for help. Second, there will be two groups forming through Counseling Services. The first is called Common Ground and will allow students to talk about any issues they are having or any stressors. It will be facilitated by Jason Yoder, a new counselor, on Thursday evenings starting after fall break. The second group will be an Introduction to Mindfulness, facilitated by Dr. Kelli DeIaco, another new counselor. A time has not been chosen for this group yet. If you have any questions about either, contact Counseling Services.
If you have any issues that you would like to bring to our attention, you can speak to any member or email us at SENATE@etown.edu. You are also welcome to attend any of our meetings, held every Thursday at 3:45 p.m. in Hoover 212.

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