Alaska Growth Capital removes lis pendens

It appears that SJ(C?) may have come to agreement with Alaska Growth Capital (AGC) over a dispute regarding property liens in conjunction with AGC's $4.5 million loan. On February 25th, AGC attorneys removed their original intent to sue. Also named in the original suit was PC USA and the City of Sitka.

More SJC News

I noted this morning that KTUU TV in Anchorage has done a news story on SJC. Go to the link below and then read the story and/ or click on the video links in the upper left hand corner.
KTUU TV NEWS

There should be another video added to this news site tonight too.

A strange series of events

Tuesday, February 19th - I call the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities to inquire about SJ(C?)'s accreditation. I am told that the Commission met in January about the issue, but that I need to ask SJ President David Dober about the meeting. I look on the NWCCU website, and SJ(C?) is listed as accredited - show cause, a status that the College has held for quite some time.

Wednesday, February 20th - The NWCCU website is updated (just the Alaska page), and SJ(C?)'s status is changed to....

Thursday, February 21st - I visit the NWCCU website and discover this. Holy Sh*%! I say, "How did this happen?"

The NWCCU defines accredited status as this:

"An affiliate status indicating that an institution meets the Commission's established standards of educational quality and effectiveness. Accredited status indicates that the institution: 1) has clearly defined and appropriate educational objectives; 2) operates under conditions by which achievement of those educational objectives can reasonably be expected; 3) is substantially accomplishing its educational objectives; and 4) is organized, staffed, and supported to warrant confidence that it will continue to achieve its educational objectives in the foreseeable future."

Huh?

Should the Church continue to finance SJ(C?)?

That very question is being asked by the General Assembly Council of the Presbyterian Church (USA). According to a Church News Service release on February 15th, a delegation will visit Sitka to determine whether or not the Church should continue to provide SJ(C?) with a share of the proceeds from the Christmas Joy Offering.

Of note: Beneva Bibbs (SJ Board Member) states in the letter that SJ(C?) has retained accreditation. Interesting.

SJ(C?) to Reopen!

After what we all agree has been a very difficult seven months, it appears that Sheldon Jackson College is making a comeback. Don’t believe me? Just read the following from a recent fundraising letter from SJ President David Dobler and Board President Shirley Holloway:

“The Board of Trustees has embarked upon a program of deliberate liquidation of all but the core campus of Sheldon Jackson College in order to retire the long term debt and to fund the refashioning of the school’s programs to meet the current a future needs of Alaska communities and students.” (emphasis mine)

In several past statements, the “current and future needs of Alaska” included the hatchery, which, according to Dobler, “we will continue operation of the hatchery as the linchpin of our future as an institution.” (Presbyterian News Service, September 20, 2007)

Has anyone notified Dan Goodness, who has to fund the operation by setting donation cans out around town?

Earlier the letter states that the Board voted to suspend operations for one year, but fails to mention that in subsequent statements, the Board has clearly stated that the closure is far more permanent that this.

“It is safe to say that Sheldon Jackson College will not reopen as a college in the near future,” said board of trustees chair Shirley J. Holloway. (Presbyterian News Service, September 20, 2007)

The letter also fails to notify potential donors that the College has lost its authorization to operate in Alaska, and the ability to award federal financial aid. And what of accreditation? The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities met in January to discuss this very thing. I’ve got a call in to find out.

This letter strikes me as extremely naïve at best, and misleading at worst. My favorite part of letter: “Last year the accumulated debts of the College made it impossible to continue “business as usual”.

It appears that “business as usual” is alive and well.

Friends of the Hatchery

As many of you know some dedicated folks are working very hard to keep the old SJC Hatchery alive. This is a reminder that donations to the Friends of the Hatchery can be made by dropping in or mailing in a check to:

Friends of the Hatchery
Wells Fargo Bank, Sitka Branch
300 Lincoln Street
Sitka, Alaska 99835

I also noted that there are donation cans around town a various business. I saw one today at Murray Pacific. Drop your loose change into the can next time you see one of these cans. Every little bit helps!

Thanks!

No Longer for Sale?

The link to the Century 21web listing of SJ (C?) property has been pulled that is why the web link below is not working. Rumors are flying right and left as to why the listing were pulled, but it is not Chris’s or my place to post rumors on this site. Feel free to speculate.

SJ(C?) for sale

Century 21 has listed nearly all SJ(C?) residences. Finally a solution to the affordable housing crisis. Except for the staff and faculty living there now.

Raven Radio reports on SJ(C?) Activity Meeting

Here is the story about Tuesday night's meeting on Raven Radio.