From.. http://www.cuc.edu

18/10/06

CUC Board Affirms College’s Future

As planned, the Columbia Union College (CUC) Board of Trustees gathered today to discuss the proposals presented at last month’s meeting and to determine the future of the 102-year-old Takoma Park, Md., school.

Early this morning, as students and faculty assembled to pray over the meeting and the decisions that would be made, and to express support for their school, board members—which include Adventist pastors, administrators, CUC alumni, business leaders, and all eight Columbia Union conference presidents—gathered for the pivotal meeting.

Their devotional began with a short video that allowed attendees to hear from students who talked about the value CUC has brought to their lives and educational endeavors. Then Scott Loughlin, a Harvard-educated attorney who graduated from CUC in 2002, explained how the learning experience impacted his life. “The issues and decisions facing you are difficult, but so is your mission. This body is charged with nothing short of creating leaders for our community and our church,” he said. “This is what CUC is to me—a network of mentors teaching me to be a leader. Their lessons have forever shaped who I am and who I will become.”

Following a season of prayer, members heard extensive presentations on two revised proposals from Adventist HealthCare and Columbia Union College. Both took into account the feedback received during the last board meeting and the ensuing listening period. Both put forth a three-school model that includes arts and science, graduate and professional studies, and health sciences, but eliminates some undersubscribed programs. Both suggested ways to address the debt and maintenance needs and outlined strategies for building a vibrant future for the College.

CUC president Randal Wisbey presented a comprehensive look at how the school could—through cost reductions and the monetization of several major assets—pay down the debt, renew the campus, and stabilize its existence for the long-term future.

After some discussion and input from student association president Josef Kruger and the invited faculty and staff members, Weigley spoke candidly to board members: “During the past month, we have heard from students, faculty, alumni, community members, and other stakeholders. But you are the representatives of the primary stakeholders, and you have two choices to consider—one is a church base, one is a healthcare base,” he said. He listed the challenges and benefits of both models, gave his recommendation, and then invited members to vote by secret ballot.

The result was a majority vote in favor of having Columbia Union College continue to operate as a four-year liberal arts school and fully implement its strategic plan. This means the College will remain an entity of the Columbia Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The board also voted a four-point action plan to stabilize and strengthen the College for the future.

“As we move forward, it is paramount that all our stakeholders step up to the plate and show their support in both voice and action for our college,” Weigley said. They’ll get the opportunity at the Columbia Union College Constituency Session November 17. At that time, executive committees of the eight conferences, along with church and school administrators, faculty, staff, alumni, and church members will be asked to affirm the College’s strategic plan.

“I’m very proud of you and the way you represented your college today,” Wisbey told students at a briefing following the board meeting. “This is a new opportunity for all of us. We need the support of all our students, faculty, staff, alumni, church members, and the community as we embrace our future.”