Alumni and Friends FAQ's About Cascade Closing
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
(6 Comments)
Posted by: Pearl Howarth
Alumni and Friends FAQ's on Cascade Closing
Last updated 11/4/08
Many alumni and friends of the college have been asking questions amidst the news that OC's Cascade College baccalaureate programs will be closing following the spring 2009 semester. We hope to address some of those questions here.
If you haven't already done so, please consider registering and creating your own profile on our alumni and friends CONNECT website (http://connect.cascade.edu/) to stay connected with fellow alumni and friends and to keep up with the stream of news that will come in the next few months.
When is the college closing?
Classes will continue to be offered through the Spring 2009 semester and student activities will continue. The final graduation ceremonies will be held on May 2, 2009.
Why is the college closing?
The college is closing because, after many years of effort, it has not been able to identify an academic operating model that is compelling and sustainable. Over the last 15 years, the offerings at Cascade College have not been compelling enough to attract sufficient qualified students or sufficient resources to sustain the college. In short, we couldn't figure out a way to generate the necessary resources to accomplish the mission of the college with excellence.
But I thought enrollment was good. Is there something I missed?
Enrollment at Cascade College has fluctuated right around the 280 mark for the last 6 years, but this level of enrollment is not sufficient to sustain the college. The high point of enrollment for Cascade was about 340, but even that level is inadequate for long-term survival. Despite the best efforts of many dedicated individuals, enrollment at Cascade College has stagnated at a level that doesn't generate sufficient resources. In addition, we have seen a significant decline (down 40%) over the last 5 years in enrollment of students from the college's primary constituency--Churches of Christ.
I thought I heard that Cascade was out of debt. What happened?
It is true that Cascade College was able to pay off the $3.7 million bond debt that was associated with the campus when Cascade opened. This was a significant accomplishment and was celebrated, but the college has been accumulating annual operating deficits each year that currently total over $4 million. OC has been funding these operating deficits each year even though there was no obligation for them to do so under the original agreement that led OC to open Cascade in the Northwest. The inability to increase enrollment or grow donations to levels that could sustain the college and allow it to thrive led to the difficult decision to stop funding these annual operating deficits and close the college.
How could this have been avoided? (Who is to blame?)
Any time a decision of this magnitude is announced, there is a natural reaction to look for someone or something to blame. This situation, however, seems more like an athletic team that does everything it can do to win, but still falls short of the goal of advancing to the next round. While Cascade will not be able to advance to the next round, everyone associated with Cascade College (students, employees, board members, alumni, supporters, OC, etc.) can and should be proud of the effort and thankful for the impact. No blame. No regrets.
Were other options considered?
Yes, all reasonable options were considered in an effort to continue the mission of the college with excellence. A small group of Northwest people including faculty, administrators, alumni, and board members worked diligently to identify and evaluate many different options. These options were shared with the Cascade Board of Governors, some Cascade supporters, and with employees at Cascade. The best of these options were proposed and evaluated as alternatives. Yet, when it became obvious that there would not be sufficient support or resources for these options, the decision was made to close.
Why was this decision made so quickly?
Any time this type of decision is announced, there is an initial shock and surprise. However, this decision was really the culmination of a multi-year process of trying to identify a sustainable financial model for Cascade College. Four years ago the board and administration officially recognized the problem and established benchmarks for improvement. When these benchmarks were not reached, the board and administration faced this agonizing stewardship decision to close the college.
Why weren't we informed that the situation was so dire?
Most people know that building a successful small college is very difficult. That is why those who travel on behalf of the college are always asked “How is the college doing?” The college has always struggled to recruit the necessary number of students as well as raise the needed dollars for support. History tells us that you can't build a successful organization by continually telling everyone that you are failing. Instead, we have chosen to promote a positive public image in an effort to gain sufficient support for the mission of the college.
This feels the same as when Columbia closed…is it?
The college recognizes that for a few of our employees and for many CCC alumni and supporters, this is the second time to close a college on this campus. For those people, we understand that the pain of this decision is magnified, but we pray that we can minimize that pain because we are committed to FINISH WELL. To finish well, we must be able to meet all financial obligations, including paying salaries to employees. One of the reasons for making the decision now rather than waiting and hoping that something would change was to avoid a slow, lingering death that would use up all available resources and prevent Cascade from meeting those important obligations.
Why was the decision made in Oklahoma rather than in the Pacific Northwest?
Because the accreditation for Cascade College is as a branch campus of Oklahoma Christian University, it was the responsibility of the Oklahoma Christian Board of Trustees to make the final decision. The OC Board received input & recommendations from the Cascade Board of Governors and from the Cascade administration. There are also six current or previous members of the Cascade Board of Governors on the OC Board of Trustees who all had a voice in this decision. It was an extremely difficult decision for the OC Board of Trustees, but one that was well informed.
Did the OC Board really understand the impact this decision would have on NW churches?
While most of the OC Board do not live in the Pacific Northwest and won't experience the daily impact, they are all committed church-people who keenly understand the impact that a college can have in a region. It was an understanding of the Kingdom impact that initially prompted OC to respond to the plea of the Columbia Christian College board 15 years ago when no other institution would. It was an understanding of the Kingdom impact that caused OC to invest substantially more money than was anticipated in the original operating agreement. It was also an understanding of this Kingdom impact that allowed time for the Cascade board and administration to conduct an intensive search over the last several years for a compelling and sustainable operating model that would allow the college to continue. And it was an understanding of that Kingdom impact that made this decision by the board one of the most difficult decisions it has ever faced. The board was also given specific information about the impact the college and the alumni have on congregations in the region and about the impact the employees have in local congregations. It was because they understood the Kingdom impact that they approached the decision with much prayer and made the decision with great sadness.
Is Cascade College the only college that is having these problems that require closing?
No. There are colleges and universities that close every year. Just this fall, Taylor University, a faith-based school in Indiana, announced they would close a branch campus very similar to Cascade at the end of the spring semester. And in the Northwest, Puget Sound Christian closed just last Spring. In the current economic crunch, we may see others experience similar difficulties. And there are some businesses that have to close their doors each year. Unfortunately, this is a part of life. This may not make it any easier, but you can learn valuable life lessons in the midst of this difficult situation.
Is there anything that can be done to keep Cascade open?
We don't know of any other options. We have had some of the best and brightest minds working on this question for the past few years. All known avenues for keeping the college open have been explored. We don't want to limit what God could do in this situation, but at this point no viable options have been presented. When godly men and women seek His will in a difficult situation and prayerfully reach a decision like this, we have to believe that it is time to move forward. God's Kingdom is bigger than Cascade College. We can't save Cascade, but we can keep the spirit of Cascade alive for future generations.
What is the atmosphere like on campus now? How are the faculty/staff and students doing?
There is plenty of sadness and tears, but there is also a great amount of love. The students are concerned about the faculty and staff and the faculty and staff are concerned about the students. Everyone is rallying around one another and school spirit is at an all-time high. The campus community is thankful and determined to FINISH WELL.
What is going to happen to the faculty and staff?
All full-time faculty and staff will be able to keep their positions until at least the end of the spring semester (May 2, 2009). Cascade did this, in part, so employees could initially concentrate on serving student needs during the early stages of this transition without having to immediately look for a job. Giving six-month notice of the closing will make it easier for everyone to plan the next step. All employees will be assisted in locating suitable employment and making this transition. Some may move to Oklahoma City and continue working for Oklahoma Christian University. A few may stay on this campus to care for the facilities. Our hope is that many will find jobs in the area so they can continue to strengthen the churches they attend.
What is going to happen to the students?
· We expect our largest graduating class in May as we work to help students complete their degree in the spring if possible.
· For those students that are near graduation after the spring semester, we will work to provide them options to finish via on-line, independent studies, or summer courses so they don't have to go anywhere else.
· Students who want to move to OC will be advised about degree plan options and given a financial package plus additional aid that will not increase their net cost.
· Students who don't want to go to OC will be assisted in transferring to another university.
· A Northwest Endowment fund is planned to provide scholarship funds to help future students obtain a Christian education.
What is going to happen to the campus and the facilities?
For now, the campus will continue to be rented out to Columbia Christian Schools and to others who might have a need for classroom facilities or living space. Long-term arrangements for the campus are being explored. Oklahoma Christian will also work to accommodate the long-term needs of Columbia Christian Schools. Liquidation of assets is not anticipated at this time, but if that does happen in the future, OC is committed to using any available assets, after paying off debt and other obligations, to create a Northwest Endowment Fund that will provide scholarships for students from the Pacific Northwest so they can still have access to high quality, affordable, faith-based education.
Is the college still accredited? What does this mean for my degree, is it still good?
Yes, Cascade College, as a branch campus of Oklahoma Christian University, is still accredited. All academic credits earned at Cascade College will transfer to any institution. If you graduated from Cascade College, your degree is from an accredited university -- Oklahoma Christian University. It indicates that on the diploma.
How will alumni get their transcripts after the school closes?
Oklahoma Christian University will have all the permanent academic records. OC will provide a way for all Baker College, Magic Valley Christian College, Columbia Christian College and Cascade College alumni to get transcripts when necessary. When the proper procedure is determined, a notice will be posted on the alumni and friends website (http://connect.cascade.edu/).
Is there going to be a way for me to remain connected to other alumni and friends of the college?
There will be an online community available for alumni and friends to stay connected. The CONNECT site (http://connect.cascade.edu/) is currently being used for this and we will update you about the future of the online community over the next few months.
What will happen to the Endowed Scholarship Funds?
Oklahoma Christian will honor all endowments and financial commitments of Cascade College and will be working to establish a Northwest Endowment Fund to continue to provide scholarships for students who desire a Christian education.
The college is closing. Why should I continue to give?
Donations given to Cascade College through May 31, 2009 will help Cascade FINISH WELL and meet our commitments for student scholarships and employee salaries. Our current students still need scholarships to finish their degrees so we ask you to continue giving tax-deductible gifts to Cascade College (same name and address) through the end of the fiscal year, May 31, 2009. After May 31, 2009, you may still help Northwest students with scholarships by giving to Oklahoma Christian University and designating your gifts for Cascade student scholarships. These gifts will help Cascade students finish their degrees at OC.
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