RIPON COLLEGE NEWS AND NOTES

College makes changes in failing U.S. economy
By: Elizabeth Kunde - Posted: 4/29/09

As there has been little more than a slight turnaround in the economy, the college continues to spend conservatively and carry on with altered fundraising plans."We have purposefully looked for ways to cut things or scale back in ways that have minor impact on the campus," says President David Joyce. "We are watching our pennies and nickels very carefully."Joyce identifies the raises in the cost of parking passes as a small way the college will be generating more revenue next year.In addition to the increase in revenue, Joyce says the increases were a result of adjusting to what other schools in the market are charging, as last year's costs were way below the average."We're also trying to create a culture where we are more sustainable and [encourage] walking," says Joyce.The college is also focusing heavily on its fundraising efforts and making sure that the annual fund is on track. While the level of the annual fund has recovered considerably in recent months, it is still 10-12 percent behind last year's figures.However, about 80 percent of faculty and staff have contributed to the annual fund, well over the college's goal of 60 percent."It is absolutely amazing," says Joyce. "Lynne and I will make an extra gift for every employee who has given as a way of saying thanks."Joyce adds that he will undoubtedly share this information with potential donors, as he and the entire Advancement Office have spent an increased amount of time on the road soliciting donations. Dean of Faculty Jerry Seaman and Joyce also spent a week in New York visiting different foundations."We just got a $100,000 grant from the Mellon foundation to do some academic partnerships with Lawrence," says Joyce. "[Foundation grants allow] us to continue on the trajectory that we were on."Ultimately, Joyce says that the goal of all of the penny pinching and fundraising is to continue to provide students with a quality education and still keep tuition affordable."Given the economy, we thought it would be disingenuous to [raise tuition] so we have a modest increase in tuition," says Joyce.

Velorution gearing up for second year at RC
By: Tomissa Porath - Posted: 4/29/09
Following a successful first year, the Ripon Velorution Program will roll into its second year next fall.As long as students sign the agreement not to bring a car their first year at Ripon, the class of 2013 will be proud recipients of the 2009 Cannondale F7 bike complete with Ripon College logos."Trying to make a switch from students bringing cars to bringing bikes is something near and dear to the president's heart," says Ric Damm.First year students participating in the program have kept up their part of the pledge this year and many plan to ride on two wheels instead of four next year."The majority of the students [who received bikes from the college] who answered the survey stated they will not bring a car to campus next fall," says Damm.The 65 survey responses to the program stated it was a very positive addition to their first year.The program is adding a new spin this year, switching from Trek mountain bikes to the new Cannondale recreational bike."Cannondale approached us. They heard of the program and came to us and said they'd like to be involved in this," says Damm. "They are doing a custom color and paint scheme with our logo on it."The bike will be better for the majority of students who just use their bikes to run errands or to run to the grocery store on the other side of town. Along with the bike, students will be receiving supplies to assist with their cycling needs."We, again, are providing locks and lights," says Damm. "A majority of the students use their locks regularly, with good reason. We're getting the locks for free this year from Planet Bike."Another change with the incoming class is that they will be responsible for their safety, too."We are not giving helmets away," says Damm. "The president is adamant that if you want a bike, you have to show proof that you have a helmet. We are purchasing 200 Ripon College helmets that a company is doing for us."Some changes are being made to the bikes to avoid problems with this year's models."This year we're hopefully correcting the problem with the quick-release seat posts, because you could just pull out the seat," says Damm. "The seat posts will be bolted on."Other structural issues that occurred to the bikes, such as the crank arm falling off, were corrected through case-by-case issues as soon as they were reported to Damm or the Fond du Lac/ Oshkosh Cyclery.Despite problems occurring with vandalism and some bikes going missing, students say they were happy with the program.Although problems began to wane throughout the year, Damm was still disappointed with the disrespectful treatment of some students toward the bikes."It's unfortunate. My gut tells me that most of the cases of vandalism were out of jealousy of upperclassmen who couldn't participate," says Damm.With the new portions of the program set up to curb the problems, fans of the program are continuing their involvement as the program rides on again for a second year."People are continuing to support the program," says Damm. "We wouldn't be doing it again if we didn't have the support of trustees and alumni to help cover the costs."When it comes to costs, Damm accurately states that despite whatever the program runs, the benefits for students and the college vastly overpower any monitary amount."The number of admission inquiries spiked dramatically, and I think part of that is just due to the program," says Damm. "It seems to make sense that all of the publicity we received from this program would correlate to the increase in inquiries."While it would be greatly difficult to see if students came to campus because of the Velorution program, the attention through USA Today and the New York Times helps foster better relations for the college on a national scale."There's no way we could have paid any amount for the publicity and press we received," says Damm. "Basically, that was a secondary advantage, it was not the intent of the program."