Coosa Valley News sat down with Shorter University President Don Dowless recently and spoke about the state of the University. This is what he had to say.
CVN: Tell us about the financial status of Shorter?
DD: We were recently honored to receive the 32.05-acre Norman Park Conference Center in Colquitt County. This will allow us to explore many options including possibly opening a campus in South Georgia, expanding the reach of our University. That was given to us by the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, which also gives the university $2 million a year toward its budget. That money helps with the $13 million we give to students in the form of scholarships. We are a tuition based school, and as with all schools, we have seen a drop in enrollment over the past few years. However, the good news is that we are above last year’s numbers in the form of applications. Shorter’s budget for 2015/2016 is $43,171,863 compared to budget for 2011/2012 of $46,171,650.
CVN: Where does Shorter stand on enrollment?
DD: We currently have 1,780 students enrolled for Spring Semester, that includes 482 online, 368 CAPP, and 930 traditional students.
CVN: Do you think the Lifestyle Statement that employees of Shorter had to sign made an impact on the number of students at your school?
DD: I feel that every school and university has seen a downturn in enrollment; it would be hard to gauge that number. However, everything that was in the Lifestyle statement had been in the Shorter faculty handbook for years. It was nothing new for our faculty and staff. What we wanted to do with the statement is to place a focus on Bible based ideas. We aren’t trying to fool ourselves, we know that they’re sex, drugs and alcohol on every college campus, but we want to strive to be great role models for our students.
CVN: How did it make you feel to see many former students, faculty, staff and community members’ picket outside the college when the Lifestyle statement came out?
DD: I have also said, if anyone has a disagreement you should come and talk it out. No one ever asked to speak with me personally about the statement. My doors are, and always have been, open for anyone to come and talk with me. Our goal is to spread the word of Jesus Christ while giving our students a stellar education. You would not believe some of the hurtful emails I received wishing harm on not only myself, but my family. It was a struggle for me. However, the Bible tells us to pray for our enemies. That’s what I did. I prayed for them and in the process found peace.
CVN: There have been rumors’ floating around that Shorter has failed to pay several vendors, can you comment on that?
DD: Our school and institution strives to do the best we can. The University has seen our enrollment increase this year, but due to the dip in enrollment we have had to cut our budget to reach our goal. Shorter University has a $40 plus million economic impact on Rome and Floyd County. I can’t imagine anyone would want to see us fail.
CVN: What is Shorter’s future plan, 5, 10, 20 years down the road?
DD: I feel that we will see an increase in our student population. As I stated earlier we are ahead in both applications and deposits from last year. Our goal is to become a regional school. I like to tell folks that if every Baptist church in the state of Georgia would send us one child a year, the University would reach historic numbers. We have also really started to push our international recruiting. Shorter is trying to reach the world.
CVN: Could we see programs being cut if numbers do not get better?
DD: Programs get cut all the time. However, we are also adding new majors in the process. We are required to also be on top of programs to make sure we are offering students the best and most needed programs in today’s world.
CVN: We have recently seen a lot of long time coaches leave the school, why?
DD: Coaches leave schools all the time. Not just here. That is just part of life. Winning is important, we desire to win in every sport. However, what is more important is that student athletes maintain high academic success while at Shorter. We also want to use student athletes in a way to share Jesus Christ with other institutions.
CVN: The talk is that moral is down after recent cuts at your University, can you commit on that?
DD: I feel that our faculty and staff has responded positive to the changes. We have tried our best to do things that are beneficial to our employees to make up for certain recent changes, such as Friday’s off. I do know that cut backs are not forever and hopefully we can do things in the future that will only benefit our employees.
CVN: What do you want people to know about Shorter University?
DD: I want people that have concerns about our university to come and talk to me. I am open to talk to anyone. I want people to remember that Shorter is a huge player in the Rome community. I feel that not only our academic, but economic success benefits everyone in Rome and Floyd County. Our mission is to advance higher education though Jesus Christ. That’s who we are.
