September 21, 2023
Dear Colleagues,
In my August 21 letter to the community, I mentioned that we would come together as an employee community to discuss the challenges and opportunities currently before the College. I noted that the meeting would take place on October 4 and promised to provide additional information as the date approached.
Recognizing that there is no one time at which every employee can be available, we are scheduling two sessions on October 4. The meeting will follow shortly after—and be informed by—the September meeting of the Board of Trustees. Our goal is to present updated information about the College’s budget and overall finances, explain how the pressure on our budget and finances has intensified in recent years, and outline the steps the College is taking and expects to take in response to these trends.
While we anticipate that there will be some time for discussion on October 4, we have also scheduled several follow-up meetings through the month of October to provide a fuller opportunity for conversation and questions. We do not currently anticipate that the follow-up sessions will include formal presentations; they are an instead intended as an opportunity for continued discussion.
To help deepen our employee community’s understanding of the College’s budget and enrollment, Vice President for Enrollment and Educational Services Carey Thompson and Interim Chief Financial Officer Mike Coyne will host Enrollment 101 and Finance 101 sessions, respectively, in September and October.
Following the employee meeting on October 4, we will launch a website on the College’s intranet that will serve as a compilation of useful information, including presentations, articles, FAQs, and a comment form. More information and a link to the website will be shared after the October 4 employee meeting.
For now, I strongly encourage every employee to attend one of the two sessions on October 4. Please also consider attending a follow-up discussion and an Enrollment and/or Finance 101 session at your convenience. While Zoom options are available for each meeting, I strongly encourage you to attend in person if you are able.
Thank you in advance for your engagement and collaboration in the important work ahead.
- Enrollment 101: September 26, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., Penn Hall Lyceum, or via Zoom
- Finance 101: September 28, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m., Penn Hall Lyceum, or via Zoom
- Employee meeting: October 4, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. , Mara Auditorium or via Zoom
- Employee meeting: October 4, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m., Mara Auditorium, or via Zoom
- Follow-up discussion with Support Staff: October 10, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., Mara Auditorium, or via Zoom
- Follow-up discussion with Faculty: October 11, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., CUB 260 or via Zoom
- Follow-up discussion with Faculty: October 12, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m., CUB 260 or via Zoom
- Follow-up discussion with Administrators: October 16, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m., Mara Auditorium, or via Zoom
- Enrollment 101: October 18, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m., Penn Hall Lyceum or via Zoom
- Finance 101: October 19, 11:00 a.m. – Noon, Penn Hall Lyceum or via Zoom
- Enrollment 101: October 23, 11:00 a.m. – Noon, Penn Hall Lyceum or via Zoom
- Finance 101: October 25, 9:00 – 10:00 a.m., Penn Hall Lyceum or via Zoom
Sincerely,
Bob Iuliano
President