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.
11 comments:
When people want to do something good for society, there will always be people who will stop at nothing to scam them into giving up the cash. It appears SJ has become no better than the Nigerian lottery scams.
I have lost all respect for an institution I tried so hard to respect. It is a sad day, indeed.
Right on Chris!
Frankly I would call the letter fraud! It was suggested that a copy of that letter should be sent to the FBI. Maybe it shold be. To many it looks like full on mail fraud.
Chris,
Can you post a copy of the letter you refer to?
Thanks.
Susan
After rereading the letter I have to wonder how Holloway and Dobler could sign that letter with straight faces.
Thanks for posting it Chris!
"Without a tuition base, upon which many other income sources are dependent, the day-to-day situation at Sheldon Jackson College has become more critical"
Was that an admission that closing was a mistake? I could have told in June things would get worse if they closed down like that.
As a dedicated VIM, I agree with Nicole that ALL respect has been lost. What a sad day indeed that Dobler is allowed to continue this farce. Isn't there any upstanding organization PCUSA or the FBI or someone who is willing to put an end to this !!!
wow. can anyone say a poncey scheme? i think dobbler is trying to raise his salary!
Sort of reminds one of that fund-raiser letter that said that people should contribute to help "students in this season." Of course, none of that went to help the students.
Not a snowballs chance in hell that SJ will ever reopen.
Folks: I understand the hurt and the disappointment that you feel toward SJC and Dr Dobler, in particular. But I'm afraid you've let that cloud your judgement concerning this letter.
My reading of this letter finds no unfactual statements. I read it as a reasonable request for prayer and monetary support for an organization that desperately needs both. It is the letter that any responsible administrator would generate in support of the college.
No where in this letter does it indicate that SJC will reopen as a College. Who knows, the future might be as a vocational high school (the original purpose of SJ) for Alaskan Natives.
Be well.
John Garrison
John my friend, I guess we aren't seeing the same letter. When I read that letter I see a number of problems!
The first *lie* in that letter is the letterhead itself. It appears that SJ(C?) still has the needed departments to be a College - it doesn't! There is no Office of the President, Office of Academic Affairs, and on down the line. The website they list doesn’t exist! I don’t mind them asking for money, but I want them to be HONEST, which they won’t. And actually as I write this, I do mind them asking for money. I’ve been saying for a very long time that I think they have violated their 501c3 status SEVERAL times over, but I digress!
Secondly, it no where mentions that “SJC” didn’t really serve students for 130 years, but that’s a technicality.
Third, the motto that they hold in “sacred trust” has been, either through willful actions, or at least gross incompetence, broken!
Fourth, the Board of Trustees since voting to “suspend academic operations” has voted to forgo reorganizing as a college and basically pimp themselves and the assets to the highest bidder! Well, actually, we’ll never know because no one can get a copy of any board documents, minutes, agendas, resolutions, or even current membership roaster. On a side note, I’d be interested to know if anyone has recently joined or left the board.
Fifth, the tuition base was a small portion of the revenue that came into the college. Like many colleges SJ(C?). So, they can’t pretend that that covered a serious portion of the costs and now that’s why they are really hurting for cash!
Sixth, did anyone notice that David is no longer signing with “Dr.”? Maybe he realized that he ain’t never been no doctor (and I wrote it just like that on purpose, so there!) I also want to know if he’s receiving a salary and if so FOR WHAT?
Lastly, the saddest part of this letter is SJ(C?) will actually receive some money from some nice little old lady or nice some little old man somewhere in the Midwest!
More commentary to come!
Strange Learning Circumstances
The types can be attributed to it being late where I am!
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