Athens campus' financial matters are resolved

by Rebecca Cooper
Arts & Entertainment Editor

The University of La Verne Athens campus, located in the suburb Kifissia, Greece, recently agreed to pay the University $800,000 in back pay that has not been paid for over a year, according to University officials.

The main campus sends the Athens campus money to pay its bills, and then Athens reimburses the main campus after it receives money from student tuition and fees.

"They had fallen behind for 14 to 16 months, but they have now resumed payments on the plan that we agreed upon. It will take some time, but we are confident they will do what they agreed to," said President Stephen Morgan.

Phil Hawkey, executive vice president, Richard McDowell, provost and vice president of academic affairs, and Morgan had a telephone conference with Athens officials Feb. 5 to discuss the state of that campus.

Athens campus has about 1,000 students from countries around the world. There is an exchange program between the main campus and the Athens campus for students and faculty.

During the past few months, ULV administrators considered sharing the financial and administrative aspects of the Athens campus with another university, prompting talk across the ULV community about the possible sale of the Athens campus.

"We never wanted to actually put the Athens campus up for sale, but rather enter a partnership with another university," Morgan said. "We had conversations going with another institution, but those fell through, and Athens will stay the way it is."

During the Feb. 5 telephone conversation, Athens officials claimed declining student enrollment in the last two years affected revenue, putting a financial strain on the campus, Morgan said.

The Athens campus agreed to reduce part-time faculty loads, because of the lower enrollment and Athens is trying new ways to increase total enrollment.

"If you have fewer students, you don't need to offer as many classes," McDowell said. "We are trying to situate things differently and look at all options for the future."

During the telephone conference, they also discussed how to strengthen and clarify the governing structure of the Athens campus, as well as its relationship with the main campus.

The relationship between the main campus and the Athens campus is not well spelled out, McDowell said. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges, one of six regional associations that accredit public and private schools, colleges, and universities, visited Athens during the 2000-2001 school year and told officials at the two campuses that they need to work on their relationship, as well as their government structure.

WASC will make a special visit to the Athens campus during the 2004-2005 school year to review its program and to analyze any changes, McDowell said.

"Right now we're trying to make sure all the bells and whistles are worked out," McDowell said. "The short-term goal is aligning the finances, but the long term goal i to get them ready for the special visit from the accreditation officials and get them in shape to continue to grow and improve for years."