Colleges in Dire Financial Straits

[kaysixteen]

Does Iowa Wesleyan still have some denominational affiliation?  If it does, one would think said group might well help out?  I have taught at religiously affiliated schools, in two very different denoms, which both had very miniscule (less than IWU's) endowment, and both would surely die without the vast annual subsidies given to them by their churches.

[dismalist]

vast annual subsidies given to them by their churches.

That can't be correct.

[kaysixteen]

Yes, it was.  Why do you say this?

[Anselm]

Does Iowa Wesleyan still have some denominational affiliation?  If it does, one would think said group might well help out?  I have taught at religiously affiliated schools, in two very different denoms, which both had very miniscule (less than IWU's) endowment, and both would surely die without the vast annual subsidies given to them by their churches.

Yes, it is still affiliated with the UMC.  I attended an ELCA affiliated school and I was not aware of any money coming from the churches.   A congregation would offer some assistance to individual students whose families attended that church. 

[dismalist]

vast annual subsidies given to them by their churches.

That can't be correct.

Yes, it was.  Why do you say this?

I remembered the strategy of the Catholic Church: Every ship floats on its own bottom. [Plus 10% handling for St. Peters in Rome.]

Apparently, there is an exception, Catholic University in DC. Lucky them.

Looking at Protestant denominations I came across this

https://www.churchlawandtax.com/cft/2014/august/how-churches-spend-their-money.html

Nothing left over for gifts to colleges.

[kaysixteen]

The RCC was one of the denoms that ran the two schools I am thinking of.   It is probably true that most of the ecclesiastical financial underwriting there was likely private donors spurred on by the church, but the other school is owned by a conservative evangelical denom with maybe 2.5 million members.   The school's endowment was maybe 2-3 mill, but it received a 10 mill per an subsidy from the denom, and the denom runs probably five other schools.

[jimbogumbo]

Neither the Methodists nor ELCA typically subsidize affiliated colleges. They do indeed rely on individuals and individual churches.

[Mobius]

vast annual subsidies given to them by their churches.

That can't be correct.

You'd be shocked at how much money the LDS Church spends operating three universities and a business college.

[dismalist]

vast annual subsidies given to them by their churches.

That can't be correct.

You'd be shocked at how much money the LDS Church spends operating three universities and a business college.

Special case. Hell, they even have their own State! They support all of four colleges directly. Not even the Catholic Church has its own state anymore. It just has Catholic University in DC.

Direct religious finance of higher ed as a share of total cost of higher ed is trivial.

[emera gratia]

Using public educational dollars to fund a private waterpark is a choice, I guess, but unfortunately it means that things aren't looking good for Birmingham Southern: https://www.al.com/opinion/2023/03/guest-opinion-governor-chooses-waterpark-not-bsc-for-education-trust-fund-dollars.html

[Wahoo Redux]

Using public educational dollars to fund a private waterpark is a choice, I guess, but unfortunately it means that things aren't looking good for Birmingham Southern: https://www.al.com/opinion/2023/03/guest-opinion-governor-chooses-waterpark-not-bsc-for-education-trust-fund-dollars.html

I've always said we have the means to save our universities.  We just are not that interested.

[apl68]

Using public educational dollars to fund a private waterpark is a choice, I guess, but unfortunately it means that things aren't looking good for Birmingham Southern: https://www.al.com/opinion/2023/03/guest-opinion-governor-chooses-waterpark-not-bsc-for-education-trust-fund-dollars.html

This is reminiscent of the library who left millions of dollars to his college--who then used it to buy a new electronic scoreboard for their stadium.

[dismalist]

Using public educational dollars to fund a private waterpark is a choice, I guess, but unfortunately it means that things aren't looking good for Birmingham Southern: https://www.al.com/opinion/2023/03/guest-opinion-governor-chooses-waterpark-not-bsc-for-education-trust-fund-dollars.html

This is reminiscent of the library who left millions of dollars to his college--who then used it to buy a new electronic scoreboard for their stadium.

It always boils down to the same question: Who owns the money? That's what politics is about.

[Parasaurolophus]

Quest University, IMO the only reputable private university in Canada, is closing.

It's too bad, they seemed cool. But... 135 students isn't going to cut it, is it?

[Ruralguy]

It was a cool idea, and some other schools have taken on the "what is your question?" approach to majors/curriculum.
But Canadian don't have the private school tradition, and probably many Americans like the idea, but would rather go to a
similar place with more students and closer to home. Then of course there's the majority who think its way to hippy-dippy.