The university is currently $12 million in debt. That's a lot.
President Brian Casey has been vigilant in his vow to not create any new debt for the university since he has taken office. We admire that.
He inherited the debt, but it is still up to his administration to fix it — which means trimming the budget to ensure future stability.
And as current students, we want to know where those cuts are being made. Like the sexy DePauw 20/20 plans, we're excited about the university's future. But as much as we want future students to benefit, we'd rather our experiences not suffer.
The administration has promised to preserve what it calls the "student experience," which we take to mean small class sizes with qualified professors — among other admittedly important components. And these have largely been preserved.
We still have people in all different offices on campus ready to assist us in finding a job, choosing a place to study abroad or arranging a Winter Term internship. Our athletic teams have joined a new conference that will allow them to continue competing at a high level while cutting travel costs. These are indeed an important component of our student experience, and we are glad they have been cultivated.
Unfortunately, another less-obvious part of our student experience has been dramatically affected. Millions of dollars in deferred maintenance over the last few years means that scheduled renovations have been delayed — renovations that could have improved moldy dorms, a crowded workout center or a drab and depressing library, regardless of how helpful the staff inside might be.
The new campaign will undoubtedly seek to remedy many of these issues, in addition to increasing the number of new faculty and staff hires.
Until then, we'd like to know how the administration is prioritizing what it will do with money raised and their rationale for doing so. After we graduate, we will stop being students at DePauw and start being (potential) donors. We will be contacted by those working for the campaign, who will ask us what improving the university is worth to us.
A transparent and well-reasoned agenda will help us see the impact of contributions to the student experience we value so much.