{"id":422,"date":"2009-04-17T19:07:52","date_gmt":"2009-04-17T19:07:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/newswire\/?p=422"},"modified":"2010-12-22T13:07:49","modified_gmt":"2010-12-22T18:07:49","slug":"7000","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/newswire\/2009\/04\/17\/7000\/","title":{"rendered":"Giving Drop Forces Alaska Christian College Budget Cut"},"content":{"rendered":"

SOLDOTNA, AK (April 17, 2009) \u2013 Alaska Christian College<\/a> is cutting its operating budget by 16 percent \u2013 roughly $250,000 \u2013 to make up for a decline in giving, says President Keith Hamilton.
\n
\nThe new budget dropped from $1.55 million to $1.3 million over last year\u2019s budget, Hamilton says. It is the first time since the school was founded in 2001 that it has had to reduce the budget.<\/p>\n

To the contrary, Hamilton adds, \u201cWe have added each year approximately five percent in our income giving since our inception.\u201d<\/p>\n

Support has remained constant from Covenant churches in Alaska and the 49 other states, as well as Alaskan individuals, Hamilton says. But donations from individuals outside of Alaska for general operational giving have dropped 45 percent from the same quarter last year.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is significant when the far majority of donor gifts come from this group,\u201d says Hamilton. \u201cThis current year’s budget will be over $100,000 short in just this one category alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Contributions from churches outside the Covenant also have declined. One congregation cut all $12,000 of its annual giving due to the church\u2019s own financial struggles, Hamilton says.<\/p>\n

The school depends on donor income for 70 percent of its budget, with the rest coming from room, board, tuition, and conference fees, Hamilton says. \u201cDuring a downturn of the economy we have very limited reserves to access.\u201d<\/p>\n

The school has cut some programs and other future programs are on hold. Many of the staff and faculty have moved to 11-month contracts, Hamilton says. Hours for part-time workers have been reduced.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have not had to pursue any layoffs at this time, for which we are very grateful,\u201d Hamilton says.<\/p>\n

The school plays a vital role in helping further the education of students, most of whom come from small and even remote Alaskan villages. The college helps students transition from village life to their first year of college.<\/p>\n

Less than five percent of Alaska Native high school graduates complete even their first semester of college, statistics show. Alaska Christian College operates a minor part of its program in cooperation with nearby Kenai Peninsula College, an extension of the University of Alaska-Anchorage.<\/p>\n

Government and education leaders have lauded the school. Former Lt. Governor Loren Leman said recently, \u201cAlaska Christian College is one of the best things going today for an Alaska Native young person wanting a safe and supporting environment to transition from village life to a first year in college. Training in Biblical studies, practical life skills, and hands-on communication are added benefits. I am impressed with this school and its students – and am not surprised the accrediting agency also agreed.\u201d Leman is the first Alaska Native elected to statewide office and is this year\u2019s commencement speaker.<\/p>\n

Last year, the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) granted the school \u201ccandidate for accreditation\u201d status and had been impressed by the school\u2019s mission to Alaska Natives.<\/p>\n

At the time, Hamilton said the decision showed the school was considered an \u201cexcellent educational institution by our accrediting organization as well as the U.S. Department of Education.\u201d<\/p>\n

The decision also means that students are able to receive federal financial aid, as well as transfer credits to other accredited institutions. The decline in giving threatens the school\u2019s chances for obtaining accreditation status in 2012, Hamilton says.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a candidate institution for accreditation, we have to maintain a certain level of program, funds in reserve, and balances in our curriculum offerings or we can possibly lose our candidate status in three years,\u201d Hamilton says. \u201cThis is significant because without accreditation, the income for the college could drop another 25-30 percent.\u201d<\/p>\n

School officials have been contacting donors, and Hamilton says statistics show that 60 percent of past contributors whose giving had lapsed were not aware of it. Of that group, 30 percent said they are likely to continue giving again.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe hope this is the case as we remind our most generous donors to not forget us way up north in Alaska, where it is still snowing and we have over a foot of snow still on the ground,\u201d Hamilton says. \u201cIt may be a cold and dark place part of our year, but the signs of spring remind us now that God’s provision is all around us once again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hamilton notes that the ACC has reached several positive benchmarks this year:
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Largest full-time equivalency of students in the school\u2019s history
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0More funding in scholarship support for students than in any other year
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0First-year ACC students have received funding for student room, board, and tuition
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Full staffing in all areas of campus life and administration<\/p>\n

Additionally, the New Hope Counseling Center<\/a> (NHCC) building will be constructed this summer. Two donors and a foundation have paid for the project in full.<\/p>\n

The NHCC is a separate 501c3 organization and is not part of the ACC budget. \u201cIn fact, they are having their best year ever for client visits,\u201d Hamilton says.<\/p>\n

To make a donation to the school, open the link below, print the form and mail contributions as directed. To donate online, visit the ACC website<\/a> and select the donation link at the upper right portion of the home page.<\/p>\n

\"ACC-Donation-Form.doc\" ACC-Donation-Form.doc<\/a><\/p>\n

Report This Post<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SOLDOTNA, AK (April 17, 2009) \u2013 Alaska Christian College is cutting its operating budget by 16 percent \u2013 roughly $250,000 \u2013 to make up for a decline in giving, says President Keith Hamilton.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-422","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nGiving Drop Forces Alaska Christian College Budget Cut - Covenant Newswire Archives<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/newswire\/2009\/04\/17\/7000\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Giving Drop Forces Alaska Christian College Budget Cut - 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