In these hard economic times, what gets cut

Everywhere one looks these days there’s evidence of the downward plunge of the economy.   And as corporations, businesses, federal agencies, schools, universities, and colleges try to figure out how to meet budgetary shortfalls things get cut.

I learned from Sarah, one of the amazing women who manages the Association of Smith College Alum Blogs, that one of the cuts that Smith is considering is 25% to the Ada Comstock Scholars Program.  And I’ll be brutally honest here I think that is a very, very bad idea.  (Here’s the link Sarah provided to the actual radio broadcast from wfcr.org about this issue.)

The Ada ComstockProgram was established in 1975 as a way for non-traditionally aged women to receive a bachelor of arts degree.  It is an amazing program, because in my mind there shouldn’t be an age limit on education.

Several my friends while at Smith were Ada Scholars and they were all amazing women.  Their commitment not only to themselves but their families and education was inspiring.  Not to mention how invaluable their  knowledge, perspective, and experience was in the class room.  

Now as for the reasons for the 25% cut due to the higher level of financial aid and the drop in enrollment.  I seriously had to hold my eyeballs to stop them from rolling back into my head when I heard them. 

This program is one of the defining elements of Smith.  Hello, there’s a reason why Smith is the birthplace of feminism folks!  This program is one of the reasons why Smith is great! 

As for the drop in enrollment, one reason may be (and again I’m basing this on past observations) the lack of community support for those Ada Scholars who have young children.  Smith’s website for the program includes a section labeled Support for Ada Comstock Scholars and includes subsections: Orientation, Academic and Career Advising, Office of Disability Services, and Religious Life.  Those are all great methods of support, however, I’d add something to provide support to those women with young children.

All of my friends who were Ada Scholars had young children and they all stated one of the hardest things to juggle was childcare while trying to fulfill their coursework.  Now, the program does offer flexible hours and fewer number of required credits per semester, however, if your partner is working full time (or you are a single mom) sometimes it’s hard juggling family life and academic life.  For example, on a particular day your young child has a day off from school, your partner is working or are you are single mom. Unfortunately, there isn’t a place on campus where you can safely leave your child, and taking a day off from classes won’t be helpful either.  There should be some sort of community support.  Indeed even some of my friends who were faculty bemoaned how this type of support was lacking at Smith.  I remember a few occasions where one friend was so stressed that I and a few of my housemates offered to babysit so that she could get some work done. (Though, I may have had ulterior motives since I ADORE her daughter! ) 

As for the reason regarding the disproportionate amount of financial aid provided to Ada Scholars, well that’s just silly.  First of all Smith’s tuition reflects the fact that it is a college not a state university, meaning that right there a majority of women (either traditional or non-traditional) will not be able to attend without financial aid.  Added to the high tuition, these women have lives outside of college.  (Not that traditional aged students don’t, but most of them aren’t supporting a family.)  They like the college are just as effected by the economy and taking care of a family is a lot of work and expensive.

I urge Smith to not make this cut; it will be detrimental not only to the Ada Scholars but to the whole concept that is Smith College. I refuse to believe an institution that has such a rich history of creative thinking can’t find a different solution.

Interestingly enough just as I finished the draft of this post I received the current  Smith Alumnae Association e-newsletter. It includes a letter from President Carol Christ updating all on the current financial status of the College.  On the list I do not see the 25% reduction to the Ada Comstock Scholars Program.  However, that also doesn’t mean its out of the woods; as Smith may still have to address an additional $10 million to the already substantial shortfall of $30 million.

I understand that this is a really tough situation for Smith, and ultimately a situation where someone will loose.  I just hope that Smith continues to think creatively about how to save money.