BELLINGHAM, Wash., March 2, 2009 — A number of key donors and alumni at Western Washington University (WWU) are expressing serious concerns about the Administration at the College after it suddenly terminated the 100+ year old football program in early January. Despite serious overtures by alumni over the past few weeks to reinstate the program, and a substantial offer of $1 million dollars in support, the University has dismissively rejected the assistance.
Now, with WWU in a budget crunch and it calling alumni for support, it is becoming apparent that the school stands to lose much more in future contributions, as many of the alumni have lost confidence in the University’s administration.
In January, new WWU President Bruce Shepard, suddenly and without input or warning, abruptly ended the football program. The unilateral decision-making process along with the lack of transparency and a public process has outraged many WWU alumni.
Since the abrupt decision occurred, a group of over 500 WWU alumni have already put together over $1 million in pledges in an effort to get the program reinstated.
However, WWU continues to arbitrarily reject the overtures of the group and key donors. And now, the University must explain why hundreds of thousands of dollars that were to be left to the school through wills and life insurance policies are suddenly evaporating. At least two dozen alumni and supporters who were contacted within the past week have started to or already made changes to their estate plans. As a result, the total future funds forfeited by the University related to the above mentioned people has already exceeded $750,000.
According to various alumni, the way the WWU Administration has handled this situation has greatly undermined many donors’ confidence in the University.
“I now have some serious doubts on the decision-making process of the WWU administration. I am appalled with the lack of transparency, lack of integrity and the overall insensitivity displayed,” said Al Jones, WWU class of 1969. “Whatever happened to the little school on the hill that cared about kids?”
“The University’s complete unwillingness to partner with supportive alumni and donors to find solutions to financial issues is extremely troubling, and is eroding philanthropic support in the long term. In this troubled economic time in which institutions need all the help they can get, it is shocking to see the University turn these donors away,” said Wade Gebers, Senior Vice President, D.A. Davidson.
“I will no longer send funds to WWU and have already changed my will,” said Kristofer Larson, WWU class of 1993. “My contributions would have totaled over $100,000. I will now have everything sent to the out-of-state law school I attended.”
These same sentiments are being echoed by many WWU alumni. What might have appeared to be a one-time budget cut in response to the state economic crisis is turning into a long-term philanthropic problem for WWU.
For more information, please contact Jason Stiles at 206-399-3280 or email .
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