THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 29, 1995 TAG: 9510290045
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY CARIN PRESCOTT CAMPUS, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
Virginia Wesleyan College has cut most of its departments' budgets by 16 percent to make up for a decline in enrollment this fall.
Martha Rogers, vice president for enrollment management, said the college is trying to become more selective so it admitted fewer students this year.
The number of ``daytime'' students, who usually take a full course load, fell from 1,208 last fall to 1,191 this year, while the average freshman SAT score increased from 971 to 984. The college also has an adult studies program, for mostly part-time students, where enrollment rose.
``We are in a mode of increasing the quality of the academic records of the incoming freshman class,'' Rogers said. ``We're doing a great deal to increase the number of students who are successful in completing their four years here.''
With less tuition money, Wesleyan faced a $250,000 drop in revenues this school year. So the business office approved a 16 percent cut for most college departments, including academics, administration and athletics.
Clubs and organizations were exempted because they already operate on a limited budget, said William T. Joseph, vice president for business affairs.
``We tried not to lay off employees,'' he said. ``Instead, we reduced expenses.'' Because the college did not touch personnel or financial aid, the college's budget overall was cut by only 2 percent.
Each department made reductions in copying, supplies, equipment and travel expenses, Joseph said.
Vic Culver, an elementary education professor, is changing his teaching routine because of the cuts.
``I used to give out study guides to students,'' he said. ``I've not done it (this semester) because it reduces the Xeroxing costs. I feel I can't do that because of the budget.''
Lina Cottingham, assistant dean of students and director of residence life, said her department had to reduce costs by $3,000 to $4,000. The office cut expenses in such areas as travel, memberships in national organizations and postage. ``We will deliver (some mailings) to students on campus, instead of sending them home to parents,'' she said.
But Cottingham said she didn't think students would be affected much by those cuts. ``We did not cut RA (resident assistant) training, supplies and student programs,'' she said.
Although professors and administrators have to make adjustments, many students are unaware of the financial problems.
``I didn't even know there were budget cuts here,'' senior Kerry Poole said. ``I guess they've managed not to cut anything important.''
This is the second cutback the college has experienced in the past three years. When admissions were down two years ago, departments also had to reduce their expenses. But this time, Joseph said, the college was better prepared.
Joseph said he expected no further cuts next year because officials predict an increase in enrollment. by CNB