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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Feb 15, 2022 20:50:13 GMT -5
I tuned into the Zoom webinar about 10 minutes late. Here are some notes I took.
College's Mission- --Academics --Residential experience ----Must fund student housing and academic buildings. Vince said the Athletic, recreational, and new Arts buildings are great but that we need work on core living and learning buildings
Four priorities- (hope I got this right) (1) Governance- figure out what everyone is supposed to do (2) Communications--transparency is important-got a lot of feedback from focus groups on this (3) Workforce-- have 100 open positions (4) Campus Master Plan - I believe a company name "Sasaki" (that's what it sounded like) is preparing a Master Plan
Vince talked about "reclaiming our reputation as an undergraduate Liberal Arts jewel"
Questions (1) Admissions and selectivity --Vince said that selectivity is a good proxy, a very good proxy, for overall reputation --Wew have demographic challenges if we concentrate on Northeast --Vince-- we want our story to be out more -- Need to be more sophisticated in how we reach out to prospective students
(2) Residence Halls --Really in need of a refresh --Need 250 beds as swing space--to be used as dorms are renovated in turn
(3) Jesuit nature of HC --Want HC tobe seen as a place where students can be a force for good in the world
(4) Housing --No plans for a big new dorm -- Maybe some townhouse options particularly for seniors --Forced triples are a thing of the past
(5) Endowment now at $1BN+ --Work in stewardship and strategy --Will take time for the $$$ to flow into operating budget a the endowment has a year lag and is based on three year average. --We use 4/5% of the endowment for operations
(6) Master Plan --Sasaki (will have to check spelling) is working on it
7) HoJo's site and( Hogan -- HoJo's is an asset but complicated-may not necessarily build on that plat, may be a green space to improve entrance to campus from that dorection --Hogan is in need of a refresh--will see what Sasaki says
(8) Costs of higher education and end of "need blind" admissions --1 BN endowment is low for need blind schools --we are need blind on 85% of admissions --We still cover full need of accepted students and "we are still remarkably generous" - (9) What schools do you Vince see as role models for Holy Ctoss --Vince mentioned Colby College in Maine which has built a good endowment and which appeals to students because of a high quality academic experience Vince talks with Colby's president and other college presidents
I believe at one point Vince did say something about investing in athletics--will see if there is a transcript
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Feb 15, 2022 21:03:53 GMT -5
Cross-posted from the Boucher thread. Vince wants to get us from #33 in USN&WR to the top 25. Right there is a change from our last few Jesuit presidents who disdained those rankings. Vince indicated that "reputation enhancement" will likely take 5 years or so. Asked about a model college for that, he said Colby, who he's spoken with already. Colby president is a Worcester native and Vince's wife is friends with some of the faculty there. 4 areas he wants to focus on: 1.governance - eliminate confusion 2. communication - need transparency 3. work force - there had been a hiring freeze and they need to fill 100 positions 4. campus master plan He did mention "investing" in athletics but no real details. Regarding admissions and how to become more selective, Vince indicated we need to broaden our applicant pool beyond the Northeast (that's not a new concept) and we "need to get our story out." He also said that there was "new leadership in Admissions" (take that for what it's worth but suspect Ann's retirement was welcomed). Also a partnership formed with Quest Bridge. I need to research that a bit more but believe it is identifying really smart students who get lost in the shuffle. Rick Patterson talked about campus housing including renovating the hill dorms though they may find better to build new than renovate as each dorm would take 1+ years to do and they'd need to find 250 additional beds during that process. They are working with a consultant but probably earliest would be Fall, 2023 before any activity. Ciampi has 44 bedrooms and maybe 100 students could live there but that won't happen until they find a place for the Jesuits and they aren't going to chase them out. A question of whether there might be "big dorms" in the future and Rick said no but more likely town houses like senior dorms. Vince said there is a possibility of housing in Worcester. The housing situation is likely a 10-15 year plan but DC semester and students abroad can relieve housing issues. (Earlier he said HC is #1 in the country in long-term study abroad) . Vince says Hogan is "ripe for re-imagination" and wants an "integrated campus" not a top and bottom of the hill. 85% of admitted students were "need blind." Will check my notes and the transcript in the next couple of days but probably others were also on and can re-confirm or correct my post. You take very good notes. There was mention of new academic buildings, which was a surprise. No further details. The future of the HoJo's lot off Southbridge St. is up in the air. They may leave it as greenspace. They want to beautify the approach to the campus up College St. There is the possibility of reconfiguring Southbridge St., College Square, and the Interstate ramps, which would require working with the state and Federal government. Sasaki is doing the master plan for the college. DeLoite is the college's consultant with respect to the workforce. I believe that Sasaki did the previous master plan (of sorts). That plan reconfigured and re-sized Fitton Field. Sasaki was also the architect for the Integrated Science building, and Luth.. There was a hint that the master plan may cover properties that HC owns outside the campus gates.
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Post by longsuffering on Feb 15, 2022 21:05:39 GMT -5
Paging P.P. What are the complications of the HoJos site?
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Feb 15, 2022 21:37:10 GMT -5
Paging P.P. What are the complications of the HoJos site? No complications, other than building on it would require you raise the grade level elevation because of flooding potential.
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Feb 15, 2022 21:46:38 GMT -5
Just a thought---One complication might be that it is across the street from the campus-would we need to put in an elevated walkway so that people would not have to cross a city street??
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Post by sader1970 on Feb 15, 2022 21:53:12 GMT -5
KY, you covered and reaffirmed much of what I wrote.
I do have and printed out the phonetic transcript but won’t have time to go through it tonight and probably not tomorrow either.
Kudos to Phreek for getting the names of the consultants. With my bum hearing I couldn’t have guessed the spelling.
I’m most excited about Vince’s focus on raising the College’s academic reputation/USN&WR ranking. It bothered me when McFarland went out of his way to tell me he had no interest in that or other rankings when you know potential students and their families look at them for guidance.
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Post by matunuck on Feb 15, 2022 22:11:10 GMT -5
Many thanks to all who took the time to recap Vince’s presentation. Much appreciate. Have to say how refreshing it is to read about our new president’s vision and come away very encouraged about the direction of the college. Vince’s comments are spot on and grounded in reality.
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Post by Crucis#1 on Feb 15, 2022 22:22:39 GMT -5
Sasaki is an international architectural, design and landscape firm. www.sasaki.com/Based on the Webinar this evening, I am excited that the college leadership is looking for dynamic changes at Holy Cross regarding the overall campus design for the 21st century, especially housing, as well acknowledge that the current academic building will need to be redesigned as well as additional buildings will be required. Could additional academic offerings or departments be under consideration. Expanded STEM offerings. Maybe joint collaborations with WPI? As mentioned, finally recognizing that HC must improve it’s position in USNWR annual rankings and will not be viewed in a Laissez-Faire approach as we have seen in the past. HC goal is to achieve consistent top 25 in the rankings among Liberal Arts Colleges.
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Post by longsuffering on Feb 15, 2022 22:41:21 GMT -5
Just a thought---One complication might be that it is across the street from the campus-would we need to put in an elevated walkway so that people would not have to cross a city street?? Remember the blind student who got hit by a car crossing College St. in the early seventies? I would say an elevated walkway would make sense as those cars going up College St. are coming off 290 and the cars going down College St. are going down a steep hill. Of course many students wouldn't use it.
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Post by HC92 on Feb 15, 2022 22:58:56 GMT -5
I listened to the first 30 minutes or so. Definitely feel better about where we’re heading under Rougeau’s leadership than I did under his predecessor. He seems to get that we’re running a competitive business and we need to do certain things to outperform those against whom we’re competing. Will be interesting to see what role athletics plays in his plan as the next few years play out.
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Post by Crucis#1 on Feb 15, 2022 23:43:40 GMT -5
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Post by hc6774 on Feb 16, 2022 7:00:07 GMT -5
still digesting what I think I heard
e.g. PVR phrasing ?? '...investing in arts & athletics' later '...unbalanced NCAA environment...'
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Feb 16, 2022 7:51:27 GMT -5
still digesting what I think I heard e.g. PVR phrasing ?? '...investing in arts & athletics' later '...unbalanced NCAA environment...' The unbalanced NCAA environment I took to be the deepening chasm between the Power Five and everybody else.
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Post by alum on Feb 16, 2022 7:51:31 GMT -5
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Post by sader1970 on Feb 16, 2022 8:07:43 GMT -5
Still digesting the phoenetic transcript (which can be funny sometimes).
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Feb 16, 2022 8:47:48 GMT -5
www.sasaki.com/projects/the-college-of-the-holy-cross-hart-center-expansion/I thought Sasaki had done the Smith Integrated Science Center, but that was another firm. I think it likely that Sasaki will be doing a study of improvements to / renovation of the rink as part of its master planning effort. Some further notes: * When Vince talked about a more sophisticated outreach with respect to admissions, I read that as 180 degrees from Anne's approach, where the outreach was directed to the same set of public, Catholic, and prep schools with whom admissions had an on-going relationship. * The College has matched Agnes Williams' $20+ million bequest for financial aid, and there are 60 new scholarship funds in the endowment. * To become fully need-blind, the endowment has to grow some more. * With respect to Colby, he's interested in how it markets itself to prospective applicants. Talking with several other schools as well, though these are unnamed. * It is unclear to me whether the reference to 'new' academic buildings reflects new or expanded academic programs; abandoning classrooms in older buildings; not converting / adapting existing classroom / studio spaces in O'Kane & Hogan into 'new' classrooms. =============== A few of Sasaki's master planning efforts. www.sasaki.com/projects/loyola-university-maryland-campus-master-plan/www.sasaki.com/projects/agnes-scott-college-comprehensive-master-plan/www.sasaki.com/projects/university-of-texas-athletics-master-plan/www.sasaki.com/projects/lehigh-university-residential-life-master-plan/ Full set: www.sasaki.com/projects/?refinementList%5Bservice%5D%5B0%5D=Planning%20and%20Urban%20Design_________________________________ I have a good friend who is a Colby graduate and maintains ties to the school. I had sent him a link to this NY Times article on Colby acquiring two islands off the coast of Maine. New Life for the Wyeth Legacy Five Miles Out to Sea Colby College has acquired two islands off Maine that inspired the first family of American art, and will show newly discovered works that Andrew Wyeth drew in secret. www.nytimes.com/2022/02/02/arts/design/andrew-wyeth-colby-college-acquisition.html?smid=em-shareHis response, "Yes, indeed. The Colby President has surrounded himself with a corporate crew of young VPs who aggressively seek new athletic centers, downtown redevelopment, AI courses and research, and yes, grabbing two beautiful Wyeth islands off of Port Clyde. It is quite an act. Time will tell whether he can make it pay off or whether these (and other new, expensive initiatives) implode. His corporate PR operation is very slick. Check out his “Dare to Go North” campaign on the web."
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Feb 16, 2022 8:56:02 GMT -5
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Post by longsuffering on Feb 16, 2022 9:05:35 GMT -5
www.sasaki.com/projects/the-college-of-the-holy-cross-hart-center-expansion/I thought Sasaki had done the Smith Integrated Science Center, but that was another firm. I think it likely that Sasaki will be doing a study of improvements to / renovation of the rink as part of its master planning effort. Some further notes: * When Vince talked about a more sophisticated outreach with respect to admissions, I read that as 180 degrees from Anne's approach, where the outreach was directed to the same set of public, Catholic, and prep schools with whom admissions had an on-going relationship. * The College has matched Agnes Williams' $20+ million bequest for financial aid, and there are 60 new scholarship funds in the endowment. * To become fully need-blind, the endowment has to grow some more. * With respect to Colby, he's interested in how it markets itself to prospective applicants. Talking with several other schools as well, though these are unnamed. * It is unclear to me whether the reference to 'new' academic buildings reflects new or expanded academic programs; abandoning classrooms in older buildings; not converting / adapting existing classroom / studio spaces in O'Kane & Hogan into 'new' classrooms. =============== A few of Sasaki's master planning efforts. www.sasaki.com/projects/loyola-university-maryland-campus-master-plan/www.sasaki.com/projects/agnes-scott-college-comprehensive-master-plan/www.sasaki.com/projects/university-of-texas-athletics-master-plan/www.sasaki.com/projects/lehigh-university-residential-life-master-plan/ Full set: www.sasaki.com/projects/?refinementList%5Bservice%5D%5B0%5D=Planning%20and%20Urban%20Design_________________________________ I have a good friend who is a Colby graduate and maintains ties to the school. I had sent him a link to this NY Times article on Colby acquiring two islands off the coast of Maine. New Life for the Wyeth Legacy Five Miles Out to Sea Colby College has acquired two islands off Maine that inspired the first family of American art, and will show newly discovered works that Andrew Wyeth drew in secret. www.nytimes.com/2022/02/02/arts/design/andrew-wyeth-colby-college-acquisition.html?smid=em-shareHis response, "Yes, indeed. The Colby President has surrounded himself with a corporate crew of young VPs who aggressively seek new athletic centers, downtown redevelopment, AI courses and research, and yes, grabbing two beautiful Wyeth islands off of Port Clyde. It is quite an act. Time will tell whether he can make it pay off or whether these (and other new, expensive initiatives) implode. His corporate PR operation is very slick. Check out his “Dare to Go North” campaign on the web." Slick and expensive. It's easy to do that. Just keep raising tuition above inflation.
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Post by sader1970 on Feb 16, 2022 10:33:33 GMT -5
I was semi-impressed with last night but understandably there were some vague answers and comments simply because the paint hasn’t dried on some of these ideas.
It was unquestionably an effort to be more transparent with the disciples.
As far as Colby, Vince came across as “if Colby can do it, we sure as heck can” and implied that Colby is in the Maine boondocks, so we start off in a better place. An aside, one of my HC alum nephews was a transfer from Colby which, if memory serves, he found way too hinterlands.
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Post by alum on Feb 16, 2022 10:33:49 GMT -5
www.sasaki.com/projects/the-college-of-the-holy-cross-hart-center-expansion/I thought Sasaki had done the Smith Integrated Science Center, but that was another firm. I think it likely that Sasaki will be doing a study of improvements to / renovation of the rink as part of its master planning effort. Some further notes: * When Vince talked about a more sophisticated outreach with respect to admissions, I read that as 180 degrees from Anne's approach, where the outreach was directed to the same set of public, Catholic, and prep schools with whom admissions had an on-going relationship. * The College has matched Agnes Williams' $20+ million bequest for financial aid, and there are 60 new scholarship funds in the endowment. * To become fully need-blind, the endowment has to grow some more. * With respect to Colby, he's interested in how it markets itself to prospective applicants. Talking with several other schools as well, though these are unnamed. * It is unclear to me whether the reference to 'new' academic buildings reflects new or expanded academic programs; abandoning classrooms in older buildings; not converting / adapting existing classroom / studio spaces in O'Kane & Hogan into 'new' classrooms. =============== A few of Sasaki's master planning efforts. www.sasaki.com/projects/loyola-university-maryland-campus-master-plan/www.sasaki.com/projects/agnes-scott-college-comprehensive-master-plan/www.sasaki.com/projects/university-of-texas-athletics-master-plan/www.sasaki.com/projects/lehigh-university-residential-life-master-plan/ Full set: www.sasaki.com/projects/?refinementList%5Bservice%5D%5B0%5D=Planning%20and%20Urban%20Design_________________________________ I have a good friend who is a Colby graduate and maintains ties to the school. I had sent him a link to this NY Times article on Colby acquiring two islands off the coast of Maine. New Life for the Wyeth Legacy Five Miles Out to Sea Colby College has acquired two islands off Maine that inspired the first family of American art, and will show newly discovered works that Andrew Wyeth drew in secret. www.nytimes.com/2022/02/02/arts/design/andrew-wyeth-colby-college-acquisition.html?smid=em-shareHis response, "Yes, indeed. The Colby President has surrounded himself with a corporate crew of young VPs who aggressively seek new athletic centers, downtown redevelopment, AI courses and research, and yes, grabbing two beautiful Wyeth islands off of Port Clyde. It is quite an act. Time will tell whether he can make it pay off or whether these (and other new, expensive initiatives) implode. His corporate PR operation is very slick. Check out his “Dare to Go North” campaign on the web." Slick and expensive. It's easy to do that. Just keep raising tuition above inflation. They meet 100% of need without loans so they are keeping the place "affordable" and, I guess, transferring a little wealth. Paying $2 million for a $10-12 million dollar asset (the Wyeth islands) seems pretty smart, too. Alma mater spent $22 million to acquire real estate and build a contemplative center.
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Post by sader1970 on Feb 16, 2022 10:35:24 GMT -5
The additional scholarships were, to my understanding, full rides. I need to research more about Quest Bridge.
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Feb 16, 2022 11:11:29 GMT -5
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Post by bfoley82 on Feb 16, 2022 12:30:49 GMT -5
I was semi-impressed with last night but understandably there were some vague answers and comments simply because the paint hasn’t dried on some of these ideas. It was unquestionably an effort to be more transparent with the disciples. As far as Colby, Vince came across as “if Colby can do it, we sure as heck can” and implied that Colby is in the Maine boondocks, so we start off in a better place. An aside, one of my HC alum nephews was a transfer from Colby which, if memory serves, he found way too hinterlands. Colby has a 10 percent acceptance rate at 92 percent graduation rate... Colby has some top end athletic facilities colbyathletics.com/news/2020/10/21/general-the-harold-alfond-athletics-and-recreation-center-ice-arena.aspx
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Post by sader1970 on Feb 16, 2022 12:42:00 GMT -5
So my nephew was in the 8% non-Colby grads! 👍😂
And, it’s still in the hinterland.
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Post by timholycross on Feb 16, 2022 13:02:45 GMT -5
Slick and expensive. It's easy to do that. Just keep raising tuition above inflation. Gonna be tough to exceed inflation in 2022-23. Or we're talking about a double digit increase percentage-wise. Not a joke.
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