Presidential Update: July 22, 2009
Dear Students, Parents, Faculty and Members of the College of the Santa Fe Community:
The College of Santa Fe (CSF) continues discussions with Laureate Education, the State of New Mexico, the City of Santa Fe and the Santa Fe City Council on a public-private partnership initiative that, if successful, will save the College. I am pleased to update you on the progress of our efforts.
While challenges remain, I am very optimistic that with the continued support of the City of Santa Fe, Governor Bill Richardson, and higher education accrediting authorities, we can keep the doors of our college open for students.
Last week, the college achieved another milestone towards changing ownership to a Laureate Education affiliated subsidiary. On July 13th and 14th, the college hosted an accreditation team from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association for a campus-based, fact-finding tour. I believe the result of the visit will be positive for our students, our faculty, and our community, since the HLC visitors were given the opportunity to see the value of our college to the entire Santa Fe community. I am confident they will recommend to the HLC Board that our college proceed with the change of ownership, and I hope to have this recommendation confirmed by the HLC on or before August 1st.
In addition to the regulatory progress, other efforts are also moving in a positive direction. On the evening of July 20th, the Santa Fe City Council Finance Committee approved recommending the purchase of the college buildings and grounds and the lease to Laureate's affiliate. Our team has received tremendous support from the City Council, and Council members to whom I have spoken remain committed to saving the college and ensuring it has a strong and vibrant future.
Trustees of the College of Santa Fe have approved the terms and conditions of the acquisition of the college by the Laureate Education affiliate. With the help of Governor Richardson and Mayor Coss, an agreement has been reached with our bond creditors to lower our debt repayment; the state is contributing $11 million to the funding package. In addition, we have a proposal pending with the Higher Learning Commission which would ensure continued accreditation of the college through the Fall 2009 term while we await final regulatory approvals.
Because of all of this progress I am happy to report that we will be posting our fall schedule tomorrow afternoon on our web site. We expect to be ready to begin enrolling returning students by the end of next week. In the interim, I encourage anyone who is interested in returning to contact your department to discuss classes you may be interested in taking. Numbers and contact information for your department are provided in the Question and Answer document below.
Enrollment will be open to all current and former CSF students. I am especially pleased to announce that we will be awarding a “Welcome Back to CSF” Scholarship to all returning students. Details of the scholarship program are also outlined below.
Continuing our education mission is at the heart of the decision to launch our fall semester; on behalf of the many people working tirelessly on behalf of the college, I can tell you that we are unanimously optimistic that we will receive all of the necessary approvals to enable us to save the college. As we actively plan for the fall term, the college is engaging faculty and administrators to fill integral academic leadership and student service positions. In this way we will be well prepared to provide the best possible experience for our continuing students.
I will keep you informed of updates regarding the fall term and our progress. Welcome back!
Sincerely,
Stuart Kirk
President
Question and Answer
Q: What is the status of plan to save the College of Santa Fe?
A. While we still have a number of challenges, we've made significant progress in our efforts to save the college. We are working with the city of Santa Fe, Governor Richardson, and the Higher Learning Commission (CSF's accreditor), to keep the doors of our college open. We have achieved a number of milestones towards that goal:
- The Santa Fe City Finance Committee recommended the purchase of the college property and buildings and lease of the property to Laureate's affiliate. We have received tremendous support from the City Council, and they remain committed to saving the college and ensuring it has a strong and vibrant future.
- Trustees of the College of Santa Fe approved the terms and conditions of the acquisition of the college by a Laureate Education affiliate.
- With the help of Governor Richardson and Mayor Coss, an agreement has been reached with our bond creditors to lower our debt repayment; the state is contributing $11 million to the funding package.
- The College of Santa Fe continues to work with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), our accreditation authority. HLC visited CSF the week of July 13 for a fact-finding tour; this is an important step in the process of ensuring our accreditation continues following the proposed change of ownership.
Q: Will CSF be open for the Fall 2009 semester?
A. Yes. While challenges remain, we are now moving forward with plans to open enrollment for both traditional and evening and weekend classes for the fall term. We will advertise the schedule of classes shortly.
Q. Who is eligible to apply for enrollment?
A. We are planning the launch of our admission process for returning (former and currently enrolled) CSF students for fall 2009.
Q. What programs will be offered this fall?
A. Continuing CSF students can enroll in Fine Art, Graphic Design, Theater, Moving Image Arts, Photography, Creative Writing, Business and Education programs.
Q. Will CSF be an accredited college?
A. CSF and Laureate are working with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), our accreditation authority. HLC visited CSF the week of July 13 for a fact-finding tour. This was an important step in the process of ensuring our accreditation continues following the proposed change of ownership. We remain optimistic about our progress to maintain accreditation.
Q. How many students do you expect to have enrolled for the Fall 2009 semester?
A. We will be reaching out to all our CSF students to share news of an exciting scholarship opportunity for returning students. We expect more than 175 students will enroll for the Fall semester.
Q. How can you secure quality faculty in time to prepare for delivery of curriculum for the fall term?
A. We have former CSF faculty committed to return for the Fall semester. Our discussions with CSF faculty from each department continue, as many are interested in returning for the Fall semester.
Q. How many returning faculty will you have in place for the Fall semester?
A. Our discussions are ongoing. Currently over 30 faculty will be returning in the Fall.
Q. What will tuition be for Fall 2009?
A. All continuing traditional CSF students who return for fall 2009 will be awarded the Welcome Back to CSF Scholarship of $8,750 per semester.
| Regular tuition rate: | $13,679/semester |
| Welcome Back to CSF Scholarship: | $8,750/semester |
| Tuition for Returning Students: | $4,929/semester |
This tuition rate is guaranteed for returning students for up to 3 years.
To be eligible for the Welcome Back to CSF Scholarship students must:
- enroll full time for the fall 2009 semester
- remain continuously enrolled full time
- maintain good academic standing as defined in the course catalog
Tuition for Evening and Weekend Students
- Evening and Weekend courses will be $1,000 per course.
- For students completing 2 or more courses per term the cost will be $750 per course.
Q. Will students have access to housing and meal programs?
A. Yes, on campus housing will be available at the campus apartments and Kennedy Hall.
Welcome Back Rate for a Double Room in Kennedy Hall
Double - Normal Rate $2,087/semester Welcome Back Scholarship Rate
This rate is guaranteed for 2 years.$1044/semester Welcome Back Rate for a Double Room as Single in Kennedy Hall
Double Room as Single - Normal Rate $2,779/semester Welcome Back Scholarship Rate
This rate is for the 2009/2010 academic year.$2,087/semester Campus Apartments $2,786/semester Several meal plans will be available.
Q: If I have additional questions about housing and meal programs whom do I contact?
A: Please email your questions to reslife@csf.edu.
Q. How do we know the new CSF will be financially stable?
A. Under the plan, the College of Santa Fe would continue under the ownership and management of a Laureate Education affiliate. Laureate will work with the CSF academic and business administration to ensure proper management and financial oversight of the College is in place. Laureate has a proven track record of growth, quality programming and reputation, and financial stability with its network of over 40 institutions across the world. The Laureate network unites its international academic and executive leaders with a common vision of a multicultural perspective and academic excellence in career-relevant education, as well as with a shared commitment to institutional performance.
Q. Why did Laureate Education's previous efforts to purchase CSF fail?
A. Laureate and CSF began discussions with multiple parties, including creditors, the City of Santa Fe, and the State of New Mexico, to acquire the College of Santa Fe more than a year ago. CSF coordinated several proposals to creditors in 2008 that would have saved the college and kept its doors open to new and returning students. At that time, the College's major creditors were unwilling to make the concessions necessary for a viable financial plan that would secure a future for CSF students. Early in the spring of 2009, CSF re-engaged with Laureate, with the positive outlook that the creditors, City and State could move forward on viable and realistic financing opportunities. Given that approach, Laureate could then consider again the purchase of the College.
Q. How would students benefit from having Laureate own the college?
First and foremost: the college would continue as a regionally accredited, degree-granting institution of higher education, and it will become an even stronger leader in the creative arts. The traditions and qualities that have made the college a world-class beacon for the arts would remain, and the campus enhanced by funding that enables CSF to keep its world class faculty, increase its program offerings, and obtain the necessary equipment and technology to maintain its superior programming. If the plan is successful, the college would become a member of Laureate's international network as a global Center of Excellence in the creative arts.
More than 35,000 students are enrolled in art and design programs at 25 institutions of higher education in the Laureate International Universities network throughout Asia, Europe, Latin America and the United States. CSF students will benefit from access to a global network of programming that fosters international exchange and creates a diverse student learning environment. The College will also benefit from Laureate's financial, human and technological resources which will fiscally strengthen the college and create a richer student experience overall.
Q: Who do I contact to learn more about enrolling for the fall semester?
A: Please call 505-473-6122 or email epowell@csf.edu. You can also contact your departmental representative for more information about enrolling for the fall semester.
Art Linda Swanson 505-473-6526 lswanson@csf.edu Creative Writing Matt Donovan 505-603-0601 mdonovan@csf.edu Graphic Design David Grey 213-842-4346 dgrey@csf.edu Moving Image Arts Brad Wolfley 505-473-6416 bwolfley@csf.edu Performing Arts John Weckesser 505-466-6678 john@weckesser.com Photography David Scheinbaum 505-988-5116 dscheinbaum@csf.edu
(800) 456-2673 or (505) 473-6011 * Fax: (505) 473-6127 * admissions@csf.edu
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