The soon-to-be renovated Kresge Gym, tuition increasing by 2.75%, student workers slated to earn $13.20 next year and increased pay for faculty and staff were all on the agenda at President Wayne Webster’s town hall. Held in the Bobbitt Visual Arts Auditorium and hosted by the Student Senate, the event was open to all students, staff and faculty members.
The town hall consisted of a brief presentation highlighting recent developments at the college, followed by a Q&A session. As the event began, Webster said he appreciated the opportunity to speak directly to students. He added that it’s important to have a “good dialogue” with students and ask questions like “what are some things we’re not thinking about what’s on their minds,” and “what should we be thinking about?”
Webster began the Town Hall by highlighting Avery Campbell, alumna ‘24, who was honored as a top 30 honoree by the NCAA Woman of the Year, a feat which she accomplished out of a record 627 nominees.
Tuition, Salary Changes
Toward the end of his presentation, Webster said there will be a tuition increase for the upcoming school year. According to Webster, tuition will increase by 2.75%, which equates approximately to a $1,500 increase per student, an increase that is “one of the lower increases we’ve had as an institution,” Webster said.
Webster added that he wants to increase pay for faculty and staff.
“When creating the budget for next year, I propose we actually have the first across the board increase in pay for faculty and staff since the pandemic,” Webster said, adding that he’d been told an increase in faculty and staff pay hasn’t happened since 2018.
Additionally, Webster said student workers will be paid $13.20 an hour as of next year, citing the need to meet the demand of personnel.
Fundraising, Donation Updates
Albion College has surpassed last year’s recorded $5.4 million raised, Webster said, and has – with four months left in this fiscal year – raised $7.1 million of its $7.5 million goal. Webster added that he hopes to return to the college’s pre-pandemic baseline of $10 million a year.
These donations from alumni aid numerous organizations on campus that are “really impactful” for student, faculty and staff experience, Webster said.
Renovations Across Campus
Discussing incoming renovations being funded by donations from alumni, Webster presented a series of photos of the renovations scheduled. These include relocating the golf program to the Ludington Center and adding locker rooms, bleachers and a new lobby to Kresge Gym. Additionally, the back upper lobby of Wesley will be renovated, along with the kitchen, which will be gaining air conditioning. He added that outdoor patio spaces for students are in the works to be installed.
Summer plans for the KC will include renovating student spaces “thanks to alums and donors who made this possible,” Webster said.
“What you saw with the Belonging Lounge, what you saw with Qdoba, we will now do throughout the whole building,” Webster said. “The whole building will get paint, carpet, flooring, lighting and furniture.”
Experiential Learning
By introducing “Experiential Learning” to the core curriculum, Webster said he hopes to provide students with hands-on opportunities for future careers and graduate school.
Having hands-on opportunities may aid students when pursuing jobs or graduate school, with the requirement helping to provide “more value behind an Albion degree,” Webster said.
Accessibility Initiatives
In addition to the renovations, a new ADA compliant bathroom is planned to be added to the main level of the Kresge Gym, as well as a new door opening to Goodrich Chapel.
Any other accessibility improvement needs should be reported to Dean of Students Leroy Wright or Director of Accessibility Services Elizabeth Rudolph, Webster said.
Q&A
After the presentation concluded, Webster gave attendees the chance to ask questions.
When asked about how the model “Experiential Learning for All” will look for students with majors that may not have applied learning opportunities locally, Webster said options ranging from study abroad to faculty-led research “could all be included in that package.”
Another attendee asked about the growing concerns surrounding the current political climate and rhetoric surrounding DEI and how those will be addressed for students on campus.
“I want to be in a place of, regardless of what you look like, who you worship, or who you love, that you’re welcome here, that you feel taken care of and respected as a person, and that we make sure we treat everybody in a way that they feel valued and cared for and welcomed,” Webster said.
Killian Altayeb also contributed reporting to this story.
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