TheWatcher

Regarding how Grove City College manages to charge very low tuition and yet maintain its pristine and great looking campus and still pay her faculty reasonably good salaries, I just recently came across a Grove City College student's parent's mail. The school recently sent their donors and parents of students their 2008 annual report and we can get a glimpse of how the college manages.

Firstly, they do not have a large endowment fund. This report tells us that their current endowment is about $120 Million Dollars, which because of hard times, has fallen to about $114 Million ( not bad considering Harvard and Yale's billion dollar endowment funds dropped by 25% this year ). So, it isn't bad compared to most benchmark fund performances.

Secondly, they have a large number of company donors on their list. Among those listed in the report are foundations from -- ACCENTURE, ABBOT LABS, ALCOA, BOEING, CATERPILLAR, CONOCO PHILIPS, DEL MONTE,CORNING, EXXON MOBILE, GENERAL ELECTRIC, GLAXO SMITHKLINE, LOCKHEED MARTIN, IBM, MICROSOFT, HOME DEPOT, WELLS FARGO, SHELL, SIEMENS, XEROX, BANK OF NEW YORK, TYCO, UPS, US STEEL, VERIZON, STATE FARM, SCHERING-PLOUGH, etc.

I notice that there are at least 100 such companies who give gifts to Grove City and they also happen to be among the 150 companies that recruited on campus this year.

Then there are the scores of foundations and organizations like THE COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION, HELEN BAILEY FOUNDATION, ATLAS ECONOMIC RESEARCH FOUNDATION, ARMSTRONG, JOHN TEMPLETON, etc. that provide valuable resources to the college.

Then there are trusts, estates, memorial gifts and their most recent alumni drive, etc.

Grove City College recently acquired an Observatory from Edinborough College. It will be headed by Dr. Guillermo Gonzalez ( controversial proponent of Intelligent Design, who was denied tenure at Iowa State ). The money to operate this observatory came from alumni donations given to the Grove City College Swezey Scientific Instrumentation and Research Fund. This observatory houses a robotic telescope that can be remotely controlled via the internet. Students can simply login to computer and once connected, are able to use the telescope as if they were actually at the controls of the observatory.

Suffice it to say the college is able to operate without government aid because of generous donations from foundations, companies and trusts.

I am personally of the opinion that government interference and dependence on federal money is one major reason why tuition in private colleges are spiraling much higher than inflation. Grove City College has been operating independently for over 30 years through thick or thin without resorting to tax dollars. It is a very admirable school and together with Hillsdale, is worthy of emulation.

TheWatcher

For those who want to know. The most recent Grove City College 2008 annual report is entitled TOUCHING THE WORLD -- The Honor Roll of Giving. You can get a glimpse of who gives to the school, what companies, foundations and individuals sponsor and donate to the college's programs and their condensed financial statements.

Joejitsu

Well, if Grove City College manages to charge less than $20,000 in room, tuition and board and is still able to retain good faculty, there are only the following possibilities :

1) It really manages her money well and has REGULAR, CONSISTENT, FAITHFUL, GENEROUS and BIG DONORS ( and I am not talking about Pew Foundation either ) who believe in its mission.

2) It is slowly depleting the money she has and will eventually run out of it and close doors (I don't think the tuition she charges is enough to maintain the campus and its operations).

3) Like Bernard Madoff, it is operating a huge Ponzi scheme which will eventually come crashing down.

I can't think of any other possibilities. Having observed the college and the quality of her graduates for 30 years, and knowing a few executives from companies that do give ( in the millions like Ed Breen, CEO of TYCO, who donated $5 Million to the college recently), I'd stake my money on #1.

Skeptics can bet on #2 and #3, but I'm willing to bet the college will outlast everyone's lives who are reading this thread ( just as she has done for over 130 years ).

Whistle Pig

A fairly safe bet, as it would be for virtually any, all of the current 3,000+ 4 year institutions. Colleges and churches are the master organizations when success is measured by survival. A comforting note that would be true of virtually all but a relative handful of campuses.

While it's good to know about corporate donors, most of which were possibly, probably corporate matching donors, i.e. supporting alumni and/or friends gifts (since these are the very organizations that hire GCC grads ...along with dozens, hundreds of other institutions). But what would be more telling and insightful if folks could offer ...

btw, the argument that "GCC should not reveal its secrets to its competitors" really flies in the face of its mission. And notably being a Christian institution.

What's the overall GCC budget? What is the overall charitable giving? Those numbers can be compared to other institutions.

Despite the information nicely shared, it tells us virtually nothing about the fiduciary management and strategies of GCC.

Statements like "retaining good faculty" are nice and complementary, but are not supported by any information we have so far. The question remains: in the intentional absence of any major endowment, in the absence of knowing how much revenue is generated annually from charitable/philanthropic sources, and the absence of budget figures, faculty numbers (number of instructors AND total budget to pay them), the public remains in the dark about this mystery.

Can we get specifics that will allow for insights beyond broad, sweeping generalizations? Until those are known, consumer beware. As Joe has illustrated once again, there can be no free lunch.

And more important, the greatest service to humanity, Christians and otherwise, would be revealing HOW GCC allegedly provides its education at a monumentally lower cost. Why? Because others beyond GCC would be able to implement such a model ...AND so many more beyond the 2,500 or so GCC students would benefit. Now that would be the greatest, transformational thing a Christian college that somehow seems to have a secret ...or several of them...to make a huge contribution to a hurting world ...and lots of students who have only the godless state colleges as their refuge.

Let's be specific about this one. It's the only way to know the truth.

fencersmother

I have some experience with GCC and especially with Hillsdale, and some dated experience with Wheaton.

What non-Catholic Christians will want to know about GCC is that between 1/4 and 1/2 of the student body is actually practicing Catholic. At Wheaton, there are simply NO Catholics (or very very few). This may bother some, and be of no consequence to others.

GCC has an excellent rep in the western PA/eastern OH area, and many companies heavily recruit from that school for engineers and for teachers, in addition to all the other majors.

Whistle Pig

With respect, I'm confident that's sorely overstated.

I just read the latest edition of Christian Colleges magazine, and I'm baffled about one thing: Hillsdale.

They advertise and in fact list both mission and courses of study (no Christian Ed, Bible, Pre-min, chapel program, requirements, Hebrew, Greek, etc.. Their stated, printed mission has no mention of being a Christian college, only that it's non-sectarian AND "religious". Interesting. Now, it's well known for thumbing its nose at the Federal government funding, for embracing the concept of libertarian freedom and free market capitalism, and sadly more recently being host to its longtime president and his son's wife having an ongoing affair which led to her suicide. But not a single indicator from the College that it's "Christian" aside from its choosing to advertise in the earlier noted magazine. Anyone shed any real light other than ..."I heard...my student went there ...etc."?

fencersmother

Hillsdale is not a "Christian" college. While its original founding was by a Baptist sect, the college is completely secular, though it does support and encourage the study of the Judeo/Christian aspects of history. The college also strongly supports Christian study, is approximately 40% Catholic, 50% protestant Christian, and 10% orthodox and "other." There are Jewish students there (I've met several), too.

The incident to which you refer, while horribly sad, happened a decade ago, and I bet that most Hillsdale students, and their parents, know nothing of the particulars of the events. I dare say that every college in the country has some dirty laundry - Hillsdale's was pretty public. The current president, Dr. Larry Arnn, is a great asset to the school.

Whistle Pig

I trust you're on the $ re: Hillsdale, which only leads one to wondering why it's being mentinoned on a forum for Christian colleges.

I'd contest your notion that it "strongly supports Christian study" since it offers virtually none. Guess one would have to do it elsewhere.

And do tell me your kidding about the horrible incident, suggesting every college has some similar dirty laundry. See the problem with this dirty laundry is that it was these folks who were pounding their fists about right and wrong and the uniqueness of Hillsdale that prevails today. It lends to the entire credibility of the philosophy, values, that are the essence of any campus. This was not just another tawdry scenario. It was obscene and pervasive, going on for an extended period of time, as we understand it, with the suspiscions of insiders. So ...not to beat this, but it was not merely someone's dirty sox. This was sex, incest sort of, suicide, and more in the end. And it was going on for nearly 20 years at the time it was uncovered between the renowned Pres. Roche and his daughter in law. The case remains undetermined if it was in fact suicide or murder. You suggest it's ancient history, but 10 years is a spit in the wind on campuses,especially where values are allegedly the deal.

btw, virtually every US college and university use the notion and phrase of teaching in the Judeo-Christian tradition, values, etc. That means virtually nothing in this day and age, and in fact detracts most often from the traditional Christian teachings and values maintained at a distinctive group of institutions, many of which are identified on this specific group of threads.

More to the point of the thread though ...is there a soul out there who can explain how the GCC financial model works? We've not had a single credible insight yet.

fencersmother

I cannot think of a single college or university that has not had some type of scandal. It is a sad part of the human condition. There might be one, somewhere, where illicit sex, intrigue, all and any manner of scandalous behavior, have not occurred - but I can't think of one. The situation at Hillsdale was indeed grim and disgusting and perverse. But, it is over, and the college has not only survived, it has thrived under Arnn's presidency. I have been on that campus many many times in the past decade, and really, I think everyone has just decided to move forward. They can't change the past - most of the current students either don't know about it, or (more likely) don't care.

No matter how disgusted you might be by events which took place when the current freshmen were 8 (see how much Obama know when he was 8), or younger, Hillsdale is a unique campus. It does offer a Christian Studies major and many people do choose it. It is also among the most politically charged campuses in the country.

To suggest that past scandal reflects on the current instructors or staff, does everyone there a disservice.

Whistle Pig, have you ever even been on Hillsdale's campus? Have you spoken with the kids that go there?

Grove City has some secrets of its own which it is loathe to impart.

Whistle Pig

I have been on campus several times. Nice, neat little place. And I'm sure the students are stellar bunch who unlike a number of faculty and staff had no knowledge or involvement in the 2 decades long sordid tale. But you fail to grasp the essence of a college campus and the nature of its community if you continue to contend its just one more loathe secret revealed. Especially @ Hillsdale which all during that time and today, was vociferously, ferociously pounding away on values and the unique differences of the Hillsdale community of teachers and learners.

Living and prospering on that platform, one must in turn acknowledge its silliness and falseness when it crumbles. Especially when it was not an incident or event that diminished and destroyed the principles that Hillsdale allegedly embraced then and now.

So, is Hillsdale a decent, attractive little college? It would seem so. Does it merit being placed among the bastions of all that is good and virtuous and even Christian? Well, you are entitled to think so. It is simply one more regional LAC that chooses not to accept federal money. Enough said of the place.

Now if you want to talk about disservices ...your alleged inkling of loathe activity @ GCC might be that. If you can't tell, then don't. But don't either suggest that you know something ugly about the place. Make your point and put some evidence behind your accusation. Or just skip it.

2daughters

All I know is I read the book "Hillsdale--A Greek Tragedy" and it was a great read. I'm a Michigander and love murder mysteries. Despite the murder, the author painted a great picture of the campus and its mission. I spent a weekend there for a sorority retreat, and my d has been accepted.

starcrossed

I live in Ohio, and as someone already pointed out, in this area of the country, GCC has a great reputation as an academically rigorous Christian college with conservative values. Someone I know very well, who was valedictorian, a National Merit finalist, and whose family is very well respected in our church, absolutely loves it there. I've visited the campus myself, and it really is a nice looking place.

It is just too bad that there are some very negative perspectives, because for many students, GCC is a perfect fit. I think to really understand the differences between two schools, it is imperative to visit them, and that is the advice I offer to the starter of this thread.

Whistle Pig

8 May 2009
GROVE CITY — John Gechter kept his secret life as a gay porn actor under wraps for two years until he was discovered this week.
"It's not every day you see a gay porn star at a Christian school," Gechter said.
Gechter, 22, of Philadelphia recently was suspended from Grove City College after another student recognized him in an adult video online. Gechter withdrew from the school and is appealing his suspension to the college's provost.
Gechter said his work in the porn industry isn't any of the school's business. The student, who worked under the name Vincent DeSalvo, said he used his porn income to pay for school.
Amy Clingensmith, Grove City College senior director of communications, said Gechter told college officials he was employed in the adult entertainment industry, and also said he knew that violated the student code of conduct.
"Throughout this process, his sexual orientation was not a factor in the decision," Clingensmith said in a written statement. "Since that decision, he has voluntarily chosen to withdraw from Grove City College."
Gechter, a senior majoring in molecular biology, was supposed to graduate with the rest of his class on May 16, but said the college "didn't want to look bad letting a gay porn star walk across the stage."
"They are really concerned about their image as a Christian conservative school," he said.
He now is living in Philadelphia.
Clingensmith said Gechter was suspended because he "exhibited behavior contrary to the values" of the college.
"He also indicated he chose to participate in this behavior knowing it was incongruent with the policies, mission and values of Grove City College," Clingensmith said.
A student recognized Gechter from an online video and copied and pasted some images of him in an e-mail that was sent to some friends April 23. By the next morning, most of the student body and the school administration had seen or knew about the e-mail, Gechter said.
Gechter grew up in a conservative home where his parents urged him to attend Grove City for its Christian mission. He said he decided to attend the school because it offered him scholarships and financial aid, not for its morals.
Gechter said he started doing gay porn after he was referred to the industry through a modeling agency late in his sophomore year.
"I am very much a business guy and an entrepreneur," Gechter said. "It was a business decision and it wasn't difficult when the option was presented to me to make that choice — college is a significant expense."
Gechter, who traveled to Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles almost every weekend, said he was surprised he kept his second life a secret for so long.
"I told them I was going to model. That was the truth but it wasn't the whole truth," he said. "I never told anyone about my personal life. I didn't think it was their business."
He said it has been shocking the way his fellow students reacted: "When I first entered the industry, I counted on people finding out. What I did not count on was someone being bigoted enough to send that to the administration."
Gechter said the situation is unfair: "In a nutshell, this close-minded institution is suspending me so close to graduation," Gechter said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.

It would seem GC did the correct, difficult thing. Still, could this possibly be the key to low tuition ...

jorbie

This is an interesting discussion thread...and I have no axes to grind, but I am not sure that is the case of everyone in this thread.

I think I am very qualified to talk about both schools, after graduating from GCC, I lived on Blanchard Road in Wheaton and taught physics at Wheaton Academy, one of Wheaton College's most vital lifelines of new matriculants. I would guess in my teaching career there I worked with about 15 Wheaton grads as fellow teachers, as well as teaching 30 or so future "Wheaties." All great people, very dedicated to the teaching profession, and a diverse group of students. Having also dated a Wheaton grad for a year, I spent quite a bit of time on campus. The facilities are excellent, and the name Billy Graham goes a long way.

I am an '99 grad of Grove City College, I came from a coal mining family in rural Pennsylvania and was the first person in my family to attend college. My other choice was a partial academic scholarship to Penn State University main campus. Grove City was about the same price as a discounted Penn State...my parents couldn't believe that! At the time of my admission to Grove City, I was as baby as a "baby" Christian could be. My friends that attended Wheaton College had to sign a statement of faith before attending WC. I've been told that because of this document, and considering how new I was in the faith, still questioning, I would probably not have been admitted to Wheaton. Fortunately, Grove City accepted me, and the resulting four years were the best of my life. My growth as a student, friend, son, future husband and father, and Christian was beyond exponential. My academic training while at GCC was excellent - I have success in my career, and have been teaching physics and chemistry at New Trier High School in Chicago's suburbs for the past five years. New Trier is one of the best high schools in the country. I say this because Grove City, warts and all, was the absolute right fit for me. The student body, while not as diverse as other schools, has a genuineness that I have never felt before, nor since, in my 32 years on this earth. Grove City, as opposed to a previous assertion, challenged my way of thinking, snapping me out of my America-centric focus, leading me to spend two years post graduation teaching in China. My friends have gone on to successful careers as doctors, lawyers, and pastors.
While I am biased, and would relish a chance for four more years on GCC campus, I remember what my college counselor once told me. Don't look at rankings, don't look at stats because college isn't a prize to be won, its a match to be made. Visit both campuses, and no matter what, the choice will be clear. Good luck...God Bless!

mom2d&k

An attempt to answer Whistle Pig's query as to how GCC keeps tuition so low in comparison to other schools:

I am no financial wizard when it comes to analyzing balance sheets, but I am a GCC alum from '86. What they told us then is what I believe is also true now--they operate debt-free, and that means a great deal to the bottom line. Many schools are so busy paying for their debt service that they must include the cost of that debt service in their tuition. GCC does not have to do so, so their bottom line is less. Again, I did not analyze their balance sheets 20 years ago, and I have not looked at a recent one to know whether the claim is true now, but imagine how much less income your household would need if you were not paying car loans, mortgage payments, and credit card interest? (A good lesson for Washington, D.C. as well, but I digress.)

I would also agree with a previous post on this subject that pointed out that compliance with government regulation which necessarily accompanies government "aid" often costs more than the value of the aid, and GCC's avoidance of that federal entanglement likely saves it much $$$$ each year.

Finally, I might suggest that GCC's stated price represents the true "cost" of the education received. Rather than inflating tuition so wealthy, "full pay" kids can subsidize the schooling of less affluent kids that need aid, GCC sets tuition at its true cost, regardless of one's ability or inability to pay. And really, that seems quite fair. While the school does offer need-based aid (and promises to replace Pell grants for those qualified with private funds), it doesn't subsidize the education of some students with the artificially high tuition payments of other students. (Again, a lesson for Washington).

Those are just my thoughts...