I would like to respond to some of the questions you raised in a recent opinion piece in The Collegian:

1.     MY QUESTION FOR DONORS IS THIS: IF YOU ARE DEAD-SET ON GIVING YOUR MONEY TO A SCHOOL THAT PRIDES ITSELF ON SPORTS, WHY NOT FOCUS ON ACADEMICS?

We do have donors who focus on academics, whether it be through the donation of money for scholarships, for endowments that assist in experiential learning opportunities (The Heimann Endowment for Life Calling) or for equipment and technology (new sim labs at CONHS, new cadaver lab in Jacobs, new classroom in the library). Just last year, one donor funded a new academic program for AU, underwriting $2 million in costs to launch the initiative.

2.     WHY NOT FOCUS ON BUILDINGS THAT NEED RENOVATION?

Through the generous challenge grant of donors Bob and Jan Archer, we have been able to address some deferred maintenance issues, all the while securing some of the technology and upgrades listed above that were funded by donors who took the Archers up on their challenge. In all they donated $1 million and saw it matched. We have recently renovated a number of areas, but with a campus our size, this remains an ongoing challenge.

3.     HOW WILL RESTRICTIONS ON THE OCCUPANCY OF THE BUILDING BE ENFORCED?

As with any building on campus, occupancy is determined by the Ashland County Building Department. Should the COVID-19 pandemic still be an issue when the building opens late in the spring of 2021, occupancy standards will be determined by Ashland County Health Department and the office of Ohio Gov. Mike Dewine.

4.     WITH THE NEW TRACK, ARE WE PLANNING ON HOSTING TRACK MEETS?

That would be one use of the new facility. We will host a number of events and competitions at the new indoor field house.

5.     IS THE FACILITY THE TRACK AND FIELD TEAM USES TO TRAIN NOT GOOD ENOUGH OR DO THEY NEED MORE SPACE? WHY NOT RENOVATE THAT?

We do plan on some minor renovations to keep the existing facility usable. As for whether it is good enough or large enough, it is an older facility and is outdated by today’s standards. And the new facility will serve multiple teams, plus community events, and will be used for years to come. At some point in the lives of most heavily used buildings, “renovate” becomes “replace”. And the donors are making that possible, so the cost is not passed along to students.  

6.     COULD A NEGOTIATION BE REACHED TO HELP ALL STUDENTS AND NOT JUST THE STUDENT-ATHLETES.

Please see responses to Questions 1 and 2.

Anyone who works in fundraising and/or philanthropy will tell you it is not easy work, especially during an economic downturn. Major donors willing to give millions of dollars are an increasingly rare breed. One fundraiser recently said that in years gone by, she could go to a donor and get $10,000. Now, she says, she has to find 10 donors to give $1,000 each. Donors give from the heart to causes they believe in; they do not respond to demands to give to programs they have no affiliation with. Ashland University is lucky to have a history of generous donors (you’ll see their names around campus, on buildings, on plaques, on rooms). While we always outline the primary needs of the campus—and we focus on academics first—a donor is free to choose those areas that interest him or her most.

7.     AT WHAT POINT WILL THE DECISION MAKERS AT AU LOOK AT THE UNIVERSITY AS A WHOLE AND REALIZE THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO AU THAN SPORTS?

The decision makers probably know better than anyone that there is more to AU than sports. And that knowledge is what drives us to be responsive both to prospect student desires as well as the needs of the marketplace. While everyone is focused on the programs that were sunsetted, there has been very little mention of the new programs being implemented (Physician’s Assistant and Addiction Studies, among them), nor of the efforts currently underway to update and enhance many of our existing programs to make graduates more competitive in the marketplace.

All across higher education, there is a struggle to balance costs to keep tuition low. We try to keep our tuition affordable while being mindful that there is a limit to donor dollars and that our faculty and staff must be paid. It is a balancing act that is increasingly difficult, which is why we remain committed to keeping our costs manageable while offering students a great, yet affordable, experience.