Dana College to close

[LakeJack]

This will leave a hole in the GPAC

http://www.omaha.com/article/20100630/NEWS01/100639974

[MikeHenriksen]

Re: Dana College to close

And in USD's schedule!

Being a good Lutheran, I went to Dana for a couple of years. I can't say this is a surprise.

[GopherHole]

Re: Dana College to close

Wow!

I think it is interesting that their web site is still open and one of the banner ads states: "Discover Dana - Where Futures are Defined". Another encourages to "Get Involved - The Opportunities are Endless".

Ouch!

[SDHoops]

Re: Dana College to close

And in USD's schedule!

Being a good Lutheran, I went to Dana for a couple of years. I can't say this is a surprise.

Mike, do you know if the Black Elk park thing-a-majigger near the college was owned by Dana College or the town of Blair?

[KUlawJack]

Re: Dana College to close

And in USD's schedule!

Being a good Lutheran, I went to Dana for a couple of years. I can't say this is a surprise.

I knew that - how you might ask? I heard you talk about it on the radio a few weeks ago. Sounded like Dana was in a serious world of hurt for some time now.

[Nidaros]

Re: Dana College to close

Affliation with the ELCA meant like they received about 35k annually from the Nebraska Synod of the ELCA, and with the passage of a policy that allows same gender clergy to serve congregations, there has been a great deal of backlash from many midwestern and rural congregation, that the ELCA has no funds whatsoever to help out Dana. In fact this CWA convention wide assembly action has put the ELCA in financial crisis to a certain extent. As a Lutheran I think its important to point this out as for the same gender policy, they might have added 17 names to the clergy roster and are paying a big price for the controversy is ripping many congregations appart especially in North and South Dakota. I believe Augustana receives about 35k from the South Dakota Synod, so being affliated means very little in terms of financial support.

I worked with rural telephone companies that were headquarterd in Blair Nebraska so spent a some time working in Blair. I believe the Black Elk shrine is separate from Blair College and will remain no matter what happens at Blair.

Its a shame to loose Dana as it was an attempt by Danish immigrants to preserve their old world culture, particularily the language and religious beliefs, which are not much different than the Norwegian Swedish and Finnish cultures.

One of their alums was the late Senator Simon from Illionis.

[joeboo22]

Re: Dana College to close

Affliation with the ELCA meant like they received about 35k annually from the Nebraska Synod of the ELCA, and with the passage of a policy that allows same gender clergy to serve congregations, there has been a great deal of backlash from many midwestern and rural congregation, that the ELCA has no funds whatsoever to help out Dana. In fact this CWA convention wide assembly action has put the ELCA in financial crisis to a certain extent. As a Lutheran I think its important to point this out as for the same gender policy, they might have added 17 names to the clergy roster and are paying a big price for the controversy is ripping many congregations appart especially in North and South Dakota. I believe Augustana receives about 35k from the South Dakota Synod, so being affliated means very little in terms of financial support.

I worked with rural telephone companies that were headquarterd in Blair Nebraska so spent a some time working in Blair. I believe the Black Elk shrine is separate from Blair College and will remain no matter what happens at Blair.

Its a shame to loose Dana as it was an attempt by Danish immigrants to preserve their old world culture, particularily the language and religious beliefs, which are not much different than the Norwegian Swedish and Finnish cultures.

One of their alums was the late Senator Simon from Illionis.

I doubt that letting gay pastors preach was the reason for there fall.... I think it is more about the times, small colleges that don't have a solid online classes are going to struggle unless they have big pocket donors. I think if anything the GPAC should be worried that they aren't the only one in trouble. Though I doubt any will fold like Dana did, I think more of them are in some kind of trouble then is being reported.

[Nidaros]

Re: Dana College to close

I doubt that letting gay pastors preach was the reason for there fall....

I did not say this........................ Re-read ... my post.... I did say that this issue, ordination of same gender clergy was costly for the ELCA and because of individual congregations withholding support to the ELCA.... I also said that Dana,... College.... received only 35 thousand in support annually from the ELCA through one of its synods the Nebraska Synod. I should have mentioned that the affilated colleges receive some support from the Synod in which they are located. Dana College is located in Blair Nebraska and therefore it receives meager support from the Nebraska Synod and receives zip from the South Dakota Synod, which is one of 51 synods making up the ELCA...... The same gender issue has no effect whatsoever on the support for secondary education of those affilated with the ELCA.... I NEVER SAID THAT.

[LakeJack]

Re: Dana College to close

It might not be over yet according to the Omaha paper

http://www.omaha.com/article/2010070...059923/1031355

[joeboo22]

Re: Dana College to close

I did not say this........................ Re-read ... my post.... I did say that this issue, ordination of same gender clergy was costly for the ELCA and because of individual congregations withholding support to the ELCA.... I also said that Dana,... College.... received only 35 thousand in support annually from the ELCA through one of its synods the Nebraska Synod. I should have mentioned that the affilated colleges receive some support from the Synod in which they are located. Dana College is located in Blair Nebraska and therefore it receives meager support from the Nebraska Synod and receives zip from the South Dakota Synod, which is one of 51 synods making up the ELCA...... The same gender issue has no effect whatsoever on the support for secondary education of those affilated with the ELCA.... I NEVER SAID THAT.

ok I miss understood, I thought you were implying that..... I don't understand the Luthern church setup, I'm personally a catholic.... but I do stand by my point that I think that many small private colleges are in trouble....

The question I have is why even mention it if you don't think that it had any effect?

[Nidaros]

Re: Dana College to close

ok I miss understood, I thought you were implying that..... I don't understand the Luthern church setup, I'm personally a catholic.... but I do stand by my point that I think that many small private colleges are in trouble....

The question I have is why even mention it if you don't think that it had any effect?

If by IT you mean the same gender ordination, it is somewhat relevent in that ELCA Church does not have the funds to bail out Dana. That is why I brought it up. Plus those who strongly oppose this action taken by the Church Wide Assembly in 2009 are now withholding funds that are sent to the synod in order to be benelovent, and the 35k that Dana got yearly was part of that benevolence. It an issue that is going to impact our church body for decades and often in a negative fashion.

Okay Mount Marty is a Roman Catholic affliated institution is is not? Does it not receive some support from the Roman Catholic South Dakota Diocese? No doubt this support is probably no more than 35 thousand a year, as like Dana and Augustanal. MOUNT Marty like all the private schools are tuition driven schools. I do agree there are problems ahead for private education.

The situtaions are similar and that is why I brought it up. The ELCA Synods do not have the funds to step in and save a school such as Dana. The Congregational Church did not try to save Yankton College when they were on the ropes back in 1985 or there abouts. The point is most of the demonations in America do not have slush funds on hand to save a afflilated institutions. The RC in particular are often closing doors on some very fine institutions when they are not pulling their weight and they are a drain on the Diocese funds. The decison to close is often not made by a committee, So in that sense, there might be some diffrence in how these decisions are made.
At one of the assemblies of the Nebraska Synod, I sat in on workshop presentation by the presidents of Dana College and Midland Lutheran. Since I found the amout they were receiving each year I asked why don't ask for more money so you can cut the tuition and make these schools more affordable to the average Lutheran? The reply I got was we are doing just fine with tuition charges and we can operate with more freedom academically and the way we want too, without strings attached. I was a delegate maybe 10 years ago, and Dana seemed to be operating okay then, but times have changed.

If a given private institution can not make the necessary improvements to campus facilities and attract better faculty without pricing themselves out of the market with higher tuitions, then it becomes time for the board of regents to start looking for a seller who will buy the school out. This is what happened at Dana, and apparently the new buyers do not seem to fit the critria for running a private school. So saving the school is going to take some doing. That I suspect you would agree on.

[SF_Rabbit_Fan]

Re: Dana College to close

While small private colleges may have tougher obstacles than publicly funded schools, there could be tough financial times ahead for almost any institution of almost any size. Take a look at recent goings on at Cal for reference. Tuitions can only go so high before the cost of a college diploma will become too high for the market to bear (and that price point becomes lower the harder the economic times). If enrollments start to decline at public universities, some tough decisions will need to be made.

[LakeJack]

Re: Dana College to close

Doesn't look good

http://journalstar.com/news/local/ed...cc4c03286.html