@Nocreativity1 - I think that some of the people responding to this thread are wondering why you posted it? As you indicated, you’re “not as close to the situation or as emotional as BB given her child’s enrollment. I am not a teacher like BB so I can’t speak to the academic experience.”
There are a LOT of schools working through enrollment and financial challenges - so perhaps you can clarify if there’s a goal to the posting?
@Acadia2023 Fair question. I have linked several of the old threads previously in this thread that drew my interest.
My persistence has been based on the prolonged vacancy of the presidents role (as I was intrigued to ser how it would be resolved), the board members letter of unsustainably (wanted to see how or if it would be responded to) and posters insistence or willful blindness to the financial realitiy that at some point student experiencess would need to be impacted.
As you and others say many schools are working through financial and enrollment issues. The lack of willingness by some on this thread to acknowledge the likely impact of these efforts is what frustrates me. Sure Earlham isn’t alone but that doesn’t mean that prospective students are any less entitled to be aware of the specific situation. Incoming students should be aware that at some point (like other schools) Earlham will have to cut staff, reduce majors, eliminate administrative redundancies and review their financial aid generosity. All of these will impact future students and those that raise concerns shouldn’t be dismissed based on a current students unsustainable experience.
So my goal to the posting…Not to be shouted down when trying to inform students contemplating Earlham. Still waiting on someone to point out a factual innacuracy rather than personally attacking me or questioning my motivations.
Hope that helps
@Nocreativity1 - Thanks for your your reply. I feel as if most of the responses are questioning the information you’ve posted, just not feeling the the dire, immediate doom and gloom consequences that seem to emanate from some of your entries.
IMO, people applying to and attending Earlham are well aware of what’s going on. With Earlham’s remaining hefty endowment, new leadership with a plan, and excellent reputation, I would say they are in far better shape than many other schools.
“new leadership with a plan”
What is the plan to reduce the deficit spending please?
Will that plan impact student experience?
Urgency was based on the words of the Board of Trustees letter not mine. Unsustainable sounds pretty dire right?
I have never suggested the school is doom and gloom or this is an existential issue. Once again students of today will likely not share the same experience as those in the future based on the need to cut costs. Is this information incorrect and if so please help me understand?
You also keep highlighting that Earlham is in better shape than many schools. Indeed you are right, but they are in far worse shape than others given their overall business model. This thread however is about Earlham. Applicants should not be artificially forced to choose in the context of less bad or uncertain so that Earlham prevails, there are other college options where the path foward is defined and disclosed.
@Acadia2023 only mentioned that Earlham was in better shape than many other schools once - hardly “you keep highlighting…”
@Acadia2023 Actually you mention it in both your posts as did BB…
“There are a LOT of schools working through enrollment and financial challenges” #40
“I would say they are in far better shape than many other schools.” #42
“Also know that the school is in much better financial shape than many midwestern LACs” #35
So once again I sincerely want to know what’s the plan and how will it impact future students? You state “IMO, people applying to and attending Earlham are well aware of what’s going on.”. So I assume that means you know what’s going on.
If my “information” is wrong I want to correct it.
Actually - I didn’t. In #40 I stated that a lot of schools were in trouble, NOT that Earlham was in better shape than many of them.
This is no longer an interesting thread to me. I feel as though you have a bone to pick but I don’t understand why. Earlham has their financial plan on their website, it has been reported in the news, and there can be no true assessment of its impact on Earlham students until it has been in effect for a period of time.
Just an anecdote. We are from Indiana. My son got admitted to Earlham with a significant merit scholarship. When he applied, he wasn’t that keen, but, after the admitted student weekend, he just fell in love with the students he met, faculty, and the school. But, the financial issues that were reported made him worry that the school that he is going into may not be the same in a year or two. Also, not having a president and a strategy at the time of acceptance worried us.
I sincerely hope that Earlham can overcome the current issues and continue their great tradition. We loved all our interactions with the school. We never realized that there was such a gem of a LAC right in our backyard.
@acadiA2023 This is what is posted on the Earlham website regarding financial sustainability…
"The framework for this compelling curricular plan will need to be in place by the end of the 2019 Spring Semester, and a detailed curricular plan and an updated college-wide plan will be presented to the Board of Trustees at their Fall 2019 Board meeting for approval. "
In their own words the plan has not been articulated nor will it be until the fall of 2019. If you are referencing a different spot on their website please direct me to it.
The news stories only reference a $4mm cost reduction from a $12mm deficit leaving an $8mm hole. Once again direct me if wrong.
No bone to pick again rather than questioning my motivations please show me the facts.
@EganAg I share your hope it works out and they get their arms around it.
Some questions for Earlham insiders…
The Earlham common data set shows that only 81.9% of student who enrolled as freshman last year remained at the school after 1 year. What is behind the 18.1% attrition rate? Also do you consider a 68.2% 6 year graduation rate as consistent with peer group?
I also noted that 916 of 1027 students, 89.1% are receiving financial aid which averages approx $40,000 per student. Does that percentage of students receiving aid and amount of aid seem high and what do you think the consequences to the school will be if financial aid needs to be lessened to offset the ongoing deficit spending?
Any insights or corrections to my numbers appreciated. It has previously been suggested I am biased so I offer no commentary just numbers and questions. Thanks.
I located Earlhams common data set on their website.
I have no particular interest in Earlham, aside from also hoping things work out.
Based on 2016 Ipeds data (most recent available), Earlham gives the largest net discount (76.3%) when considering baccalaureate institutions in the Great Lakes Region. Going to the link below, go to the tab ‘Individual Colleges’, then select ‘baccalaureate’, then ‘Great Lakes’.
https://highereddatastories.blogspot.com/2019/03/looking-at-discount-2016.html
If you select the ‘Multi-Dimensional’ Tab, you will see Earlham solidly in the bottom right quadrant (higher discount rate/lower net revenues).
Some other interesting info can be pulled from the common data set. Over the last 4 years the percentage of foreign students attending the school has remained relatively steady at 21%. What has changed is that 4 years ago only 71% percent of them (154/216) received financial aid. This most recent year 214 of the 224 foreign students on campus received aid. That is a whopping 95.5% of foreign students or $7,281,444 Earlham is subsidizing to encourage foreign students to attend. Is it typical that a school isn’t drawing full pay kids from abroad (I had always heard that their willingness to full pay was one of the benefits to schools)?
During this same 4 year period in state students has grown from 10% to 19% with this latest freshman class being made up of 24% from Indiana.
So the trend appears to suggest the school is being generous to draw kids from abroad and sourcing more and more kids in state to fill seats. Based upon the current statistics provided approximately only 55% of students will be domestic US, non Indiana residents in the year ahead.
Also of interest over the last 4 years between 2% and 5% of total students lived off campus but 13% of this years freshman opted to live off campus. Obviously This is likely correlated to the higher in state acceptance rate but probably doesn’t help the financial condition of the school. Thoughts?
For those that are close to the situation are these trends evident on campus?
Hi, I’m new to this… But I’m a student at Earlham. You can ask me any types of questions. Idk if you direct/private message on here. But I’m happy to shed light on anything. I will be totally unbiased.
@Nocreativity1
Your stats (mostly) aren’t wrong. But they also leave out A LOT of information.
For example, here are some points you left out:
– Earlham College has looong (for decades!) been ranked as a school with a high-ratio of International students. (You couuld certainly go check the rankings to see where Earlham ranks for Internationals, and how consistently …)
–Earlham College has always considered International Students using policies that align with the aid policies for US Nationals. (And you can find those policies publicly posted, as well)
–As the Global Community becomes smaller, and technology becomes more accessible to low-income students, the college application process becomes more accessible to low-income students, and more are applying.
–Earlham seeks to invite a diverse range of students, and in the interest of equity, charges no application fee to low-income students.
And, as a result, likely RECEIVES more low-income applicants.
–Earlham has shifted slightly from time-to-time on this policy, but has always been need-blind OR near-need-blind in their admissions.
And, as a result, Earlham ACCEPTS more low-income students.
–This policy has also undergone some minor shifts, but Earlham has also traditionally guaranteed to meet 80%-100% demonstrated need.
And, as a result, Earlham AWARDS MORE AID to low-income students.
Here is the thing about your numbers–
Numbers are only numbers.
By themselves, they can’t tell you much.
You can’t really know what they mean when you try to excerpt them from their context.
To properly understand your data, we have to know what data you are missing, and understand how the numbers you are cherry-picking fit into the overall picture.
Please add the numbers you see fit that suggest a sustainable operating model and help me understand how they will lessen their annual deficit spending. Please feel free to “cherry pick” those specific examples of improved efficiencies. I am anxious to understand how the school has responded to their own chairpersons assertion that the current model is not sustainable.
You say I am missing data…please supply some. The numbers you provide are also correct. Lots of kids in need who get great financial aid. Undeniable and actually consistent with my concern. They are writing a check that long term they can’t cash.
Makes the school great on one hand and financially unsustainable on the other. How do you you reconcile what it appears are agreed upon factual positions that are ultimately unreconcilable. Analogous to a family living beyond their means. The point you are making is " but we have nice things". My point is that it’s not sustainable and you can’t afford those nice things… subsidizing tuition at the expense of revenue per student…
All of the facts you point to are wonderful and expensive. The school is running at an 8-12 million dollar annual deficit. How will they bridge that gap and how will it impact future students experience?
@BB also as an Earlham parent, educator and insider can you shed any light on why 18% of freshman aren’t returning for a second year and about a third of students fail to graduate after 6 years? Please correct my numbers or “cherry pick” the counter narrative stats versus the common data set if I am mistaken.
For those seeking hard data the The Chronicle of Higher Learning produces a ranking based on 6 year graduation outcomes. Earlham ranks 280 based on last years common data set result. The percent of graduates has further declined from last years survey to its current self reported level of 64.5% of Earlham students after 6 years. It can be found here…
https://www.chronicle.com/article/Colleges-With-the-Best-and/246069
A quick scan of the names on this list indicate that Earlham graduates a far lower percentage of students after 6 years then their peer group. @BB How has this impacted your sons experience? As you have previously pointed out the numbers don’t tell the entire story so I am interested to hear if 1 of 3 students who matriculate failing to graduate is offset by an experience you can share?
Just to round out the picture here are a few stories from the most recent Earlham on campus newspaper that describe living conditions and resources…
http://earlhamword.com/index.php/jcc-residents-and-their-forced-exodus/
http://earlhamword.com/index.php/earlhams-mental-health-crisis-will-hiring-a-new-counsellor-help/
http://earlhamword.com/index.php/lead-contaminates-campus-houses-drinking-water/
http://earlhamword.com/index.php/earlham-college-mens-lacrosse-head-coach-leaving/
http://earlhamword.com/index.php/the-roots-of-earlham-apathy/
In summary, black mold in the dorms, lead contaminated pipes, underfunded health services and 2 men’s sports (soccer and lacrosse) coaches quitting on the heals of the football program being dropped. This is all from one addition of the schools newspaper, so @BB has your son managed to avoid all of this? Is the low graduation rate related to these conditions in your opinion or is it explained by another factor?
Perhaps the most insightful story is the last one that details Earlham students apathy in the schools search for a new president and their apparent disinterest in the future of the school. The author states…
"Undoubtedly, a large percentage of the student population seem to have concluded that it is not worth enduring the mind-numbing bureaucracy to only be ignored. From the less than satisfactory mental health services, the smoking ban, the U’s locked balconies and the single student representative on the Presidential Search Committee, the college repeatedly ignores the seemingly simple demands of the majority of Earlham students. "
He concludes hopeful for a reversal of fortune as the administration starts to allow the students a voice on campus. I wonder if his experience is as unique as BB suggests.
@Nocreativity1
You are clearly concerned about the financial and enrollment situation at Earlham. May I suggest the following:
Some of us are rooting for Earlham, not savoring every piece of bad news that can be dredged up.
@Dadof2Ds Not sure that your sarcasm directed at me advances the discussion or provides insights to the students and parents that seek information from CC.
The data and newspaper stories I am highlighting are factual in nature. Most are verbatim quotes, newspaper citations and directly from the common data set. Hardly my creation but consolidated under the title of the thread.
In the process I am being accused of “cherry picking”, “savoring” bad news and “demanding” answers from random people. Given this is a college forum designed to inform students and parents, I am simply asking for those who have an informed and substantiated opinion to respond to what would appear to be legitimate concerns of any prospective student.
How is providing a link to the school’s current student newspaper not relevant to the school’s students state of mind and why the reluctance to have a meaningful discussion? Wouldn’t most people google a school they are contemplating and ponder the articles I have highlighted. Please direct any and all to the positive narrative stories, no need to analyze just point to them. I would if I could find some.
I personally don’t demand answers but would certainly want them if considering sending my kid there. At a minimum I would want to be able to source some positive press or some enthusiastic students writing for their campus paper. That at least is how parents make decisions in “the real world”.