Future of Division III

[BUBeaverFan]

The size disparity between the two institutions seems to beg the question of how long Bluffton will remain a separate but equal partner. As a Bluffton grad I hope for a long time but the demographic headwinds are very strong.

[Kuiper]

The size disparity between the two institutions seems to beg the question of how long Bluffton will remain a separate but equal partner. As a Bluffton grad I hope for a long time but the demographic headwinds are very strong.

I saw that.  A 3000+ student institution and a 700 student institution "merger" sounds more like an acquisition than a merger.  The different religious affiliations and NCAA divisions could help keep them separate, but the fact that they are 20 minutes apart seems like it would eventually push towards consolidation to save on expenses.  If all they wanted to do was streamline low enrollment departments while still giving students maximum academic flexibility, they could have just formed a consortium that allows cross-registration. 

[Ron Boerger]

It sounds more like an arms-length marriage of convenience than a merger.  I don't see what they are gaining by going this route given that it sounds like little will actually change.

[Kuiper]

Birmingham Southern announces it will close at the end of May

https://www.al.com/educationlab/2024/03/birmingham-southern-college-will-close-may-31-as-loan-bill-fails-to-gain-support.html

"The Board of Trustees voted unanimously today to close the College after a 2024 bill designed to amend the 2023 legislation that established the loan program on which our future depended failed to win sufficient support in the Alabama House of Representatives. Without that funding, the College does not have the resources to continue," a letter from the Rev. Keith D. Thompson, the chair of BSC Board of Trustees, states.

[scottiedoug]

More on Birmingham Southern.  This is really unfortunate for so many people. It's not like there are too many good liberal arts colleges in the South.

https://www.trussvilletribune.com/2024/03/26/birmingham-southern-college-to-close-down-in-may/?fbclid=IwAR0yD8J8Qb6H5MHiBi3vmySuTeaNMxgr_M8mMIYkXI6dsEYaNc8TPoGjuc8

[Little Giant 89]

Always knew that there were schools in trouble resulting from market bubbles, bad financial decisions, and demographic trends, and then a pandemic would accelerate the demise of those troubled schools; still this drumbeat of closures is damned depressing.

[Kuiper]

A not-so surprising update from Northland college, which is trying to raise $12 million by April 3 to stay in existence:

Short version:  "We have a long way to go"

Hint that this was going to be the short version:  You're not going to make a lot of progress in a short period of time with random checks coming through the mail.

We know there are a lot of questions about the progress of our fundraising appeal. With several fundraising efforts happening on parallel paths, we're still calculating the ever-changing total at this point. We are regularly receiving checks which we are processing as quickly as possible

[Ralph Turner]

Tip of the hat to D3playbook.com for reviewing this article from Chronicle of Higher Education concerning US Dept of Agriculture loans made to colleges including small D3's.

» Top 10 USDA Loans to DIII Colleges. 1-Ohio Northern ($68.6M);
2-Central ($66.64M); 3-Adrian ($42.55M); 4-Alma ($39.45M); 5-Heidelberg ($38M); 6-Bridgewater ($36M); 7-Bethany ($34.6M); 8-Lakeland ($34.98M);
9-Olivet ($29.03M); 10-Pfeiffer ($28.35M)

How can they stay open coming up to the demographic cliff? Three of those 10 are in the MIAA and 2 are in the OAC.

I encourage you to subscribe to his newsletter/email.

[Kuiper]

Northland College in Ashland, WI is in trouble and needs $12 million by 4/3 to avoid closure: https://www.northland.edu/fund-a-new-northland/

It's got to be a really hard sell with donors to tell them they need $12 million in three weeks to stay alive for next year and transition to a new model, but the only thing they can tell you about that model is "The process involves close collaboration with the Northland community to explore various options, which may include refining the college's focus."  In other words, they haven't figured out yet what they are going to do after blowing through your $12 million.

Northland raised a little under $1.5 million of the $12 million they said they needed and the Board has declared a "financial exigency."  It's not a decision to close, but it's the step you take before you make that decision because it allows them to do things like end faculty tenure, drastically cut departments and restructure, and cancel contractual obligations that are basically the last gasps of a dying institution.

https://www.wdio.com/front-page/local-news/northland-college-trustees-declare-financial-exigency/

The Financial exigency is a formal recognition by the Board that the College is facing a serious financial crisis that requires immediate attention.

The Board has set a timeline for this process to be implemented and will meet to make a final decision about the College's future in two weeks.

The College intends to continue this academic year as planned with no immediate changes to programs or services.

[BLynn]

Coming to Northland's situation a bit late. Did the Accreditation Group place the school on probation? I did not find a mention of it.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Coming to Northland's situation a bit late. Did the Accreditation Group place the school on probation? I did not find a mention of it.

They went through their last accreditation review during COVID, which might've given them some cover.  The enrollment dive has been pretty fast and relatively recent.  I suspect its much more about cash on hand - thus the fundraising drive - which doesn't promise to keep the school open.  They're asking for $12m to fund next year, when they can plan a smoother transition to whatever comes next.

[Captain_Joe08]

Considering their location (Ashland) it's a bit more remote. You are over a hour from Superior/Duluth (70ish miles) and and 45 minutes from Hurley/Ironwood, MI(40ish miles). Being the college with an environmental science focus, I can see the enrollment dive being very detrimental for them. I am hoping for a positive outcome for them but that is very slim at this point in time.

Bit surprised that that the accreditation hasn't become a focal point here with the situation though I think the people in charge of this are taking note right now.

Kinda stinks though this could be another school in that area that shuts down. A local school was shut down over 30 years ago (state shut them down due to how large that district was) and the building is still standing left abandoned.

[DriftlessDuhawk]

Considering their location (Ashland) it's a bit more remote. You are over a hour from Superior/Duluth (70ish miles) and and 45 minutes from Hurley/Ironwood, MI(40ish miles). Being the college with an environmental science focus, I can see the enrollment dive being very detrimental for them. I am hoping for a positive outcome for them but that is very slim at this point in time.

Bit surprised that that the accreditation hasn't become a focal point here with the situation though I think the people in charge of this are taking note right now.

Kinda stinks though this could be another school in that area that shuts down. A local school was shut down over 30 years ago (state shut them down due to how large that district was) and the building is still standing left abandoned.

Did not expect to see an Ondossagon high school reference here of all places haha

[IC798891]

A not-so surprising update from Northland college, which is trying to raise $12 million by April 3 to stay in existence:

Short version:  "We have a long way to go"

Hint that this was going to be the short version:  You're not going to make a lot of progress in a short period of time with random checks coming through the mail.

We know there are a lot of questions about the progress of our fundraising appeal. With several fundraising efforts happening on parallel paths, we're still calculating the ever-changing total at this point. We are regularly receiving checks which we are processing as quickly as possible

I was always told, for a big fundraiser like this, you need to basically have at least 50% already accounted for before you even announce it (or very quickly), if you want it to be a success. These are your big donors, who you have to have step up publicly, to lead the process. It's not the $50 checks here and there that will get you to $12,000,000

[Ralph Turner]

A not-so surprising update from Northland college, which is trying to raise $12 million by April 3 to stay in existence:

Short version:  "We have a long way to go"

Hint that this was going to be the short version:  You're not going to make a lot of progress in a short period of time with random checks coming through the mail.

We know there are a lot of questions about the progress of our fundraising appeal. With several fundraising efforts happening on parallel paths, we're still calculating the ever-changing total at this point. We are regularly receiving checks which we are processing as quickly as possible

I was always told, for a big fundraiser like this, you need to basically have at least 50% already accounted for before you even announce it (or very quickly), if you want it to be a success. These are your big donors, who you have to have step up publicly, to lead the process. It's not the $50 checks here and there that will get you to $12,000,000

Yes, IC, you are correct. That aspect of a fundraising effort is called the "Silent Phase". In fact, some fundraising consultants even recommend raising 70% before going public.