Presidents Council Review

The Challenge of Closing a College. Can NCC Wrestling Compete With Iowa? Introducing The Garnet Chargers

Author

Steve Ulrich
August 07, 2023

AUGUST 7, 2023 | written by STEVE ULRICH

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TOP STORY
1. Presidents Council Review

by Justin Whitaker, NCAA

“The Division III Presidents Council voted to sponsor legislation for a revised Division III philosophy statement at the 2024 NCAA Convention.

Following over a year's worth of work and significant membership feedback, the new philosophy statement would reaffirm Division III's purpose to place the highest priority on the overall quality of the educational experience and on the successful completion of all student-athletes' academic programs. The philosophy statement also would serve as the foundation for governance committee discussions and legislation.

"As we pridefully celebrate Division III's 50th anniversary, modernizing Division III's philosophy statement ensures that our colleges and universities and the NCAA's governance structure remain committed to student-athletes' success," said Jim Schmidt, chair of the Presidents Council and chancellor at Wisconsin-Eau Claire. "Athletics brings people and campuses together, and this updated philosophy statement will continue to put a focus on an inclusive, welcoming environment and student-athletes' success in and out of the classroom."

» What’s Next. “After a discussion at July's Management Council meeting, the Presidents Council will issue a public statement affirming the values of intercollegiate athletics.”

» Who’s Next. “The council elected Jim Troha, president at Juniata, as chair and Joanne Berger-Sweeney, president at Trinity (Connecticut), as vice chair, effective with the close of the 2024 NCAA Convention.

FINANCES
2. Cazenovia’s Closing Exposes More Higher Ed Distress

by Amanda Albright and Nic Querolo, Bloomberg

“When tiny Cazenovia College announced it was shutting its doors for good in late June, it became just the latest example of the mounting economic crisis facing countless private institutions in the US today.

Like scores of smaller, less-prestigious schools before it, plummeting enrollment pushed Cazenovia to the point where it couldn’t pay back the $25 million it owes creditors. Now, as the 200-year-old institution in rural upstate New York embarks on the tough task of winding down and liquidating, Cazenovia serves as a useful reminder of the challenges that other troubled colleges could face in the ever-widening shakeout of higher-ed in America — and for Wall Street as investors pick apart the school’s assets.”

» Situational Awareness. “When a college shutters, bondholders’ prospects for recovering its money relies on the sale of its assets. Real estate is typically a school’s biggest asset, said Mark Podgainy, managing director at Getzler Henrich & Associates LLC, who works with distressed colleges.”

» What They’re Saying. ““It’s such a complex process,” Cazenovia’s President David Bergh said, adding that a colleague who’d been through a college closure told the staff “‘this is going to be the worst experience of your professional life.’”

» Of Note. ““Based on my experience, when a college liquidates you are unlikely to get what the appraised value was,” said Podgainy, speaking broadly about similar situations.”

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WRESTLING
3. Can North Central Compete With Iowa Wrestling?

by Kyle Klingman, FloWrestling

“Iowa sent its full line-up to watch National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, earlier this year. The Hawkeyes made the 15-minute drive north to scout the competition for their inaugural season.

North Central — a Division III program located in Naperville, Illinois — put on quite a show at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse. The Cardinals had 15 All-Americans, six finalists, and three champions, which was 35 points better than runner-up King University.

It was a powerhouse performance for a school that does not offer athletic scholarships.”

» Quotable. ““We want to win national titles every single year,” North Central coach Joe Norton said following his team’s dominant victory. “We want to win all 10 weight classes every single year. That’s the goal. I don’t care what division we are or what divisions we’re competing against, whoever steps on the line across from us, we want to beat them.”

» The Challenge. “The national championship mountain just got steeper when the Hawkeyes added women’s wrestling. Iowa is the overwhelming favorite despite zero sanctioned competitions.”

» What To Watch. “North Central has a squad that could contend next season. The Cardinals return 19 All-Americans (not a misprint) and two national champions.”

NICKNAMES
4. Hello Garnet Chargers

“The question, first posed last fall at the onset of a larger branding update for the College, was straightforward:

Could Union College develop a nickname – and an accompanying mascot – that would better exemplify Union’s rich history and resonate with current and future students more effectively than the current moniker?”

Introducing the Union College Garnet Chargers.

» History Lesson “Garnet Chargers rose to the top of a field of 400+ unique names offered by more than 1,100 Union students, alumni, faculty, and staff members. Garnet has been Union’s official color for more than 150 years. Chargers harkens to Schenectady’s legacy as a hub for electrical innovation and invention and is an apt metaphor for the high-energy, forward-looking Union College experience.”

» I Did Not Know That. Union considered just changing name to Garnet, but, and I quote, “another liberal arts college in the East (Swarthmore) has trademarked the use of the word “Garnet” by itself as its nickname. As such, we have decided to not use it in that fashion.”

NEWS
5. Lightning Round

🗞 News. The DIII Presidents Council named Maine-Presque Isle President Raymond Rice to fill an immediate appointment for Kate Foster, who recently resigned her presidency from The College of New Jersey.

🗞 News. “UW-Oshkosh plans to cut about 200 non-faculty staff and administrators this fall, while furloughing others, as the university faces an unprecedented $18 million budget shortfall. The cuts amount to about 20% of university employees." 

TRANSACTIONS
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