Lyndon’s strengths outshined its weaknesses during the three-day evaluation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges that will determine reaccreditation in the spring.
“They have been a fabulous team. We’ve learned a lot and we couldn’t be happier with the visit,” said Lyndon State President Carol Moore at the exit presentation.
The NEASC team arrived on campus Sunday night and left Wednesday afternoon. The team will now begin to write a report that evaluates LSC with the 11 NEASC standards.
After spending three days touring Lyndon and meeting with faculty, staff, administrators and students, Cynthia Huggins, chair of the NEASC team, made an exit presentation in front of faculty, staff and students in ASAC 100 on Wednesday.
During the presentation Huggins highlighted strengths and weaknesses the team had discovered during their visit to Lyndon.
“We had a hard time agreeing on the strengths because there are so many,”Huggins said.
“I’ve always been struck by how beautiful the campus is,” she said as she talked about the campus itself being a strength. She pointed out the new buildings and renovations as part of the strength and importance to Lyndon’s survival. Huggins also noted the technology that is located in the library and classrooms.
Another strength the team discovered was the investment the college has in students.
“Seldom, if ever, have I been on a campus that cares this much about the students,” Huggins said. She spoke of the sense of loyalty that students and faculty develop for one another and talked about the importance of students on a college campus.
One of Lyndon’s slogans is “experience makes the education.” The team found this to be another strength.
“Students want to know that they can get a job after graduation,” she said of Lyndon’s commitment to experimental learning. She discussed how many students had talked about their internships being a huge part of why they enjoy Lyndon so much. The team agreed that it was a very positive thing that most majors require students to have an internship or do practicum work as part of the requirements to get the degree.
The final strength the team found was the assessment the college is doing. Huggins explained that this could be a useful tool in helping to figure out what the college needs to improve on and how it can get better.
Room for improvement
Huggins also spoke of a few weaknesses at Lyndon State College.
The assessment that was noted as a strength can also be harmful, according to Huggins.
“We are concerned that you are engaged in a flurry of data gathering,” she said. “We’re not sure everyone has the proper experience to use it.” She went on to say that if the college continues to educate everyone who uses the tool, it will be great.
Another concern the team expressed was institutional sustainability. Huggins explained the college faces a challenge of keeping a balanced budget, maintaining the improvements made to campus, graduation rates and attrition rates.
Huggins called the current capital campaign “impressive,” also calling the school‘s ability to obtain large grants “impressive.”
“Lyndon State is unusually tuition-dependent. State support is dwindling,” said Huggins.
She explained how this could be a problem in the future as costs to maintain the college and the new buildings rise. She also pointed to the employee benefit package now exceeding 50 percent of the salary.
Expenses such as these could become a problem in the future if the college remains tuition-dependant. This fall, the college’s enrolment saw a drop in almost 80 students. This year’s freshman class contains 60 less students than last year‘s. A majority of the missing students are out-of-state students that pay more to attend LSC.
“Admissions and retainment should be the responsibilities of all faculty and staff,” said Huggins. “Not just the admissions department.”
Huggins explained that 83 percent of Lyndon students are enrolled in “professional” degree programs. She applauded the effort of Lyndon to expand its academic programs but urged the college to take a look at each department and take action of consolidation.
“None of these problems are unique to LSC,” said Huggins. “LSC faces some significant challenges over the next five years, but we are confident you can handle it.”
The NEASC team will draft a report and send it to the president, giving her a chance to respond. The final report will be finished in December when the president and chair of the NEASC team will meet with the board to discuss the report. The final decision on accreditation will not be made until about March of 2011.