Whittier Launches Whittier Now!
On Nov. 16, a week before Thanksgiving break, Whittier College announced on their website a new means of finding funding for the College.
Whittier Now! is an ongoing fundraiser initiative that will be open until Dec. 31 of this year.
The fundraiser asks the Poet community to come together and donate, hoping to reach a goal of $1 million by 2024, which will lead into a five-year plan of achieving $12.5 million in fundraising money.
The goal is to increase the alumni inclusion in the fundraising process, something that is led by Whittier College’s Board of Trustees. Several alumni and Board of Trustees have donated towards this plan.
The College states that this investment will promote personalized education, social mobility, leadership, and Poet Pride, urging alumni who “love the school” to help current students reach their dreams just as they did before.
The College states, “Whittier College graduates change the world. With your support, Whittier will continue to make a difference in the lives of students, families, communities — and the world.”
The initiative is part of Interim President Kristine Dillon’s proposed short-range strategic plan. The plan pushes to focus on two specific areas to help boost certain aspects of the College’s goal: student enrollment and college fundraising.
The organization will focus on creating deeper relationships with high schools and community colleges, strengthening certain aspects of marketing and rely on alumni and faculty for support.
Regarding the fundraising, the article states that it is, “ensur[ing] long-term financial security and sustainability.” Why would Whittier College need a fundraiser?
Last November, the school issued an email regarding the recent elimination of certain sports programs, including Whittier College’s Football team. At the time, they stated that the $400 million debt was paid down o 42 million. Although the amount is smaller, it is still not enough for the College to be considered in the clear.
Does the low enrollment affect the College’s financial status?
he simple answer is yes, as stated in an article by CNBC, when a college or university experiences low enrollment there is a more likely chance for the school have financial struggles. “Smaller, less selective schools — and those serving low- and middle-income students — have been the hardest hit,” states the article.
As for the fundraising initiative, the College advertises it, urging potential donors to, “Join and broaden our supportive community that preserves and protects what we’ve built. Sustain the highly personalized residential liberal arts experience that has transformed so many lives over generations. Your support will allow us to uphold Whittier’s commitment to student scholarships, faculty excellence, athletics, and challenging, interactive courses.”
For now, students will wait until the end of the year to see what this fundraiser has to offer and if it will begin a steady stream of donations that will help the college reach a level of financial stability.
Photo Courtesy of Whittier College
